O's blanked by Cobb and Rays as they lose series opener

O's blanked by Cobb and Rays as they lose series opener
After scoring nine runs last night and 67 during their 9-2 homestand, the Orioles were blanked 3-0 by Tampa Bay to lose tonight's series opener. With a win, the Orioles would have opened a lead of at least 10 games atop the American League East for the first time since Sept. 22, 1979. After starters Wei-Yin Chen and Alex Cobb matched zeroes, Tampa Bay finally broke the scoreless tie in the last of the eighth against the O's bullpen. Evan Longoria and Wil Myers led off with singles off...
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O's game blog: Orioles are 33-20 against the AL East in 2014

O's game blog: Orioles are 33-20 against the AL East in 2014
The Orioles' magic number to clinch the American League East is down to 15 and they have 23 games remaining as they begin a road trip tonight against Tampa Bay. That may come as good news to an O's team that is 33-20 against the AL East this year. Since starting this season by losing two of its first three series within the division, the Orioles are 11-1-2 in 14 AL East series. The Orioles have not lost a road series in the AL East all year, going 7-0-1 in those series with a record of...
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More from the minor league award winners

More from the minor league award winners
Last night was a special one for the Orioles player development department as this year's award winners were announced and honored at Camden Yards. They were introduced to the crowd at the ballpark and before that held a press conference with reporters that was also attended by their family members who came to support the players and honorees. First baseman Christian Walker was named O's minor league Player of the Year, taking the Brooks Robinson Award. Right-hander Tyler Wilson was honored...
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Hundley on the homestand and his recent hot hitting, plus more O's notes

Hundley on the homestand and his recent hot hitting, plus more O's notes
So that homestand went OK, right? The Orioles went 9-2 over the last 11 games at Camden Yards. If the Yankees had any hope of catching the Orioles, most of it should be gone by now. The Orioles took three of four from Minnesota and swept three from Cincinnati. They outscored their opponents 67-38 on the homestand and scored nine runs or more four times. Nick Hundley capped the Orioles' six-run first inning last night with a three-run homer to left. The O's catcher talked about the club's...
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Postgame comments from Schoop, Hardy and Tillman after O's sweep Reds

Postgame comments from Schoop, Hardy and Tillman after O's sweep Reds
Tonight, the Orioles concluded a 9-2 homestand, the first time they've gone 9-2 or better on a homestand of at least 11 games since going 10-2 from June 22 to July 1, 1979. Although Jonathan Schoop didn't send one to the bullpen, the second baseman homered for the third game in a row in the Orioles' 9-7 win over Cincinnati tonight. How good of a run is he on right now? "It's really good, especially when we win, too," Schoop said. "If you hit a home run and we lose, if you go 0-for-4...
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O's lose lead, but not game to complete 9-2 homestand with win over Reds

O's lose lead, but not game to complete 9-2 homestand with win over Reds
Well, that was some homestand. The Orioles beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-7 tonight in a game that felt like they won twice. They took a 6-0 lead in the first inning, got tied up 7-7 in the seventh and then pulled out the 9-7 victory. J.J. Hardy's two-out two-run single in the seventh snapped the 7-7 tie and provided the winning margin. Hardy is batting .385 this year with runners in scoring position and two outs. Earlier, the Orioles bashed three more homers and Chris Tillman extended his...
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Hearing from Dan Duquette and the minor league award winners

Hearing from Dan Duquette and the minor league award winners
First baseman Christian Walker and right-handed pitcher Tyler Wilson were named the Orioles minor league Player and Pitcher of the Year today. Walker is the Brooks Robinson Award winner and Wilson is the Jim Palmer Award winner. Those players appeared at a press conference before tonight's game, along with Elrod Hendricks Community Service Award winner Mark Blackmar, Ryan Minor and Delmarva coaches who won the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award, and Jim Richardson who won the Jim Russo...
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O's game blog: Chris Tillman has a 2.50 ERA at Camden Yards this year

O's game blog: Chris Tillman has a 2.50 ERA at Camden Yards this year
The Orioles need a win tonight at Camden Yards to complete a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds and a 9-2 homestand. Also, a win tonight would clinch a third straight winning season for the Orioles (81-57) for the first time since 1992-94. The last time the Orioles were 25 games over .500 was Oct. 2, 2012. Chris Tillman (11-5, 3.36 ERA) pitches against right-hander Mike Leake (10-11, 3.38 ERA). Tillman is a pitcher on a roll right now. He heads into this start with a streak of 16...
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Caleb Joseph: "I'm fine. Bruised ego mainly"

Caleb Joseph: "I'm fine. Bruised ego mainly"
When a couple of reporters approached catcher Caleb Joseph at his locker today, he knew what the line of questions would be. He knew we wanted to ask him about what he called his "epic fall" last night. It was in the top of the fifth inning when Joseph chased a foul pop near the Orioles dugout. He slipped on the on-deck circle and went down hard. It sure could have turned out worse, but he did not get hurt. "I'm fine. Bruised ego mainly," Joseph said this afternoon. "I saw the ball a...
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The scoop on Schoop's improving bat and other O's notes

The scoop on Schoop's improving bat and other O's notes
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn't exactly tear it up at bat in the month of August. But it was the best month of his rookie season and perhaps showed that he is starting to improve as a big league hitter. We saw further examples the last two nights when he hit nearly 900 feet worth of homers at Camden Yards against Cincinnati. In 24 games during August, Schoop hit .241 with seven doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs. His .481 slugging percentage and OPS of .749 were easily his best for...
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Miguel Gonzalez on pitching shutout against Cincinnati (and more)

Miguel Gonzalez on pitching shutout against Cincinnati (and more)
Miguel Gonzalez was asked if his four-hit shutout over the Cincinnati Reds tonight was the best outing of his career. "Sure, we'll call that the best," he said. "Caleb (Joseph) did a great job back there, changing speeds and working up and down, in and out. That was fun. Fun to be a part of it. "It's an awesome feeling. Overall, we played a great game. Put up some runs early. That helps. Our defense was great today. Early in the game, they were swinging first and second pitch. I think...
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O's blast three homers to back Miguel Gonzalez's shutout in win over Reds

O's blast three homers to back Miguel Gonzalez's shutout in win over Reds
Jonathan Schoop blasted another homer into the Reds bullpen. Chris Davis smashed one out to left. Miguel Gonzalez was rolling on the mound. Just another night on this current homestand for the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles blanked the Reds 6-0 tonight to record their 81st victory and to improve to 8-2 on the homestand that ends Thursday night. Gonzalez pitched a four-hit shutout to improve to 8-7 with an ERA of 3.38. It was the Orioles' first complete-game shutout since Chris Tillman...
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O's game blog: O's hold their biggest AL East lead since 1997

O's game blog: O's hold their biggest AL East lead since 1997
The Orioles last had a lead of at least 10 games atop the American League East on Sept. 22, 1979. With a win and a New York Yankees loss last night, their current lead grew to 9 1/2 games, the largest since Sept. 6, 1997. Since June 30, the Orioles own the best record in the majors at 38-18 (.679). Their magic number to clinch the AL East is 17. So, yeah, it's getting close to celebration time now, but no one with the Orioles - from the clubhouse to the manager's office - is getting too far...
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Andrew Miller updates his hamstring issue, Kelly Johnson on the AL East

Andrew Miller updates his hamstring issue, Kelly Johnson on the AL East
Orioles relief pitcher Andrew Miller last pitched on Monday night. He went two-thirds of an inning, throwing seven pitches against Minnesota. On his last pitch, he felt something in his left hamstring. He was apparently not available to pitch last night, but he said whatever it is that bothered him is no longer a concern. "I think I just barely tweaked it, grabbed it a little bit on the last pitch," Miller said this afternoon. "Not really too concerned with it. All in all, feel better...
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Joseph on the challenge of Hamilton, Berry ready to help in any way he can

Joseph on the challenge of Hamilton, Berry ready to help in any way he can
Jim Palmer never gave up a grand slam in his career. Darren O'Day could say the same - until last night. The Orioles are certainly not used to seeing the dependable and reliable O'Day give it up, but he did last night. It was an ugly top of the eighth inning, but even that and two rain delays could not stop the Orioles from another win on this homestand. The Orioles beat the Reds 5-4 to claim their 80th win and reduce their magic number to 17. The Orioles seem to be on a collision course with...
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Schoop on the game-ending double play and other clubhouse quotes

Schoop on the game-ending double play and other clubhouse quotes
Second baseman Jonathan Schoop said that was about as exciting an ending to a game he has ever been involved in. With Cincinnati down one in the ninth, the Reds had first and third with one out. Todd Frazier hit a high chopper toward second. Schoop charged the ball and in pretty much one quick motion tagged Billy Hamilton out, who was heading to second, and threw to first to turn a dramatic game-ending double play. "I think it was all on instinct," Schoop said. "Just had to make a decision....
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After rain delays, O's get flood of runs in first to beat the Reds

After rain delays, O's get flood of runs in first to beat the Reds
The Orioles offense got off to a fast start tonight. They just had to wait a while to do it. The Orioles scored four runs in the first inning on their way to a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game, interleague series. The Orioles are now 7-2 on this homestand and 80-57 for the season. Their American League East lead is 9 1/2 games over the Yankees, who lost tonight. Their magic number to clinch the division crown is 17. What appeared to be a comfortable win turned...
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O's game blog: The Reds make second visit to Baltimore since 1970 World Series

O's game blog: The Reds make second visit to Baltimore since 1970 World Series
When the Cincinnati Reds played at Camden Yards in 2011, it was their first visit to Baltimore since the 1970 World Series. Tonight they make their second trip since then. The Orioles went 2-1 in that series three years ago and the clubs have split six all-time regular season meetings. Brooks Robinson was the MVP of the 1970 Series that the Orioles took four games to one. He played pretty well then, you can look it up. He is also among the all-time nicest humans ever. Pretty sure that has...
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Quintin Berry on joining the Orioles and Ryan Webb on returning to the team

Quintin Berry on joining the Orioles and Ryan Webb on returning to the team
The Orioles' expanding roster added four players today. Pitcher Ryan Webb was recalled from Triple-A and outfielder Quintin Berry had his contract purchased from Triple-A. Steve Clevenger and T.J. McFarland were activated after a very short stay with short-season, Single-A Aberdeen. To make room for Berry on the 40-man roster, Manny Machado was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Webb went 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA earlier in 42 Orioles games before being sent to the minors in early August....
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A few notes from the final day of the minor league season

A few notes from the final day of the minor league season
Single-A Delmarva catcher Chance Sisco capped off a strong first full season in pro ball by winning the batting title in the South Atlantic League, becoming the first Shorebird to ever do that. The 19-year-old Sisco entered Monday with a four-point lead and did not play. He finished the year batting .340 with five homers, 63 RBIs and a .854 OPS. In his final two games, Sisco went 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple and a homer as his raised his average six points. His .340 mark is the best in...
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