Tough night at the office: Machado booed, three batters hit, walk-off loss

Tough night at the office: Machado booed, three batters hit, walk-off loss
Well, some Orioles fans may be waking up this morning still feeling that gut punch from just after midnight. The Oakland A's entered the last of the ninth behind 4-2 and Zach Britton came on. He entered with an ERA of 1.30 and was riding a 10-inning scoreless streak. But an impressive win turned into a tough loss in a span of six pitches. Yoenis Cespedes came up with an infield single on an 0-2 pitch. Brandon Moss blooped a single on a 1-0 pitch. Josh Donaldson hit a walk-off three-run homer...
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Walk-off loss: Donaldson's three-run homer in ninth lifts Oakland to win

Walk-off loss: Donaldson's three-run homer in ninth lifts Oakland to win
What looked like an impressive win rapidly turned into a stunning loss in the bottom of the ninth inning. Down 4-2 when the inning began, Josh Donaldson hit a three-run, walk-off homer off Zach Britton as the A's stunned the Orioles 5-4 in the series and road trip opener. The Orioles had taken a 4-2 lead on Manny Machado's two-run homer in the top of the seventh. Britton came on to start the ninth and Yoenis Cespedes reached on an infield single to third. Brandon Moss followed with a bloop...
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O's game blog: A matchup of division leaders as the second half begins

O's game blog: A matchup of division leaders as the second half begins
The Oakland A's have had a terrific first half. If their 59-36 record didn't tell you that, maybe their run differential will. Not only is Oakland's plus-145 run differential the best in the majors, the 2014 A's are one of five American League teams to have a run differential of plus-139 or better at the All-Star break since 1940. The Orioles are on this list twice. Plus-168: The 1969 Orioles Plus-157: The 1998 Yankees Plus-149: The 2001 Mariners Plus-145: The 2014 A's Plus-143: The 1966...
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A look at draft pick signings as today's deadline approaches and some O's-A's notes (O's sign 33rd-rounder)

A look at draft pick signings as today's deadline approaches and some O's-A's notes (O's sign 33rd-rounder)
There is a 5 p.m. Eastern time deadline today for major league teams to sign their 2014 draft picks. Heading into today, the Orioles had signed 30 of their 38 selections, including 19 pitchers. The Orioles are working to add one more player to that and will likely end today with 31 picks signed from this draft. One player they will not get is left-handed pitcher Brandon Bonilla. He was taken in the 25th round out of Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University. Bonilla is the son of former Orioles...
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In last six games, Davis reminded us how important he can be for O's

In last six games, Davis reminded us how important he can be for O's
It didn't seem very likely before this season began that Chris Davis would hit 53 homers again for the Orioles. But no one could have expected him to be batting .199 at the All-Star break either. As the games resume tonight, a big second half from Davis would go a long way toward helping the Orioles claim their first American League East title since 1997. In recent weeks, Davis and the season he is having have become a primary topic for O's fans and readers on this blog. Some suggested he get...
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Adam Jones on being an All-Star, Chris Davis on Jones and Cruz

Adam Jones on being an All-Star, Chris Davis on Jones and Cruz
The Orioles had three players voted onto the All-Star team in catcher Matt Wieters, center fielder Adam Jones and designated hitter Nelson Cruz. With Wieters recovering from his elbow surgery, Jones and Cruz will take the field representing Baltimore tonight. In 94 games so far, Jones is batting .301 with 19 doubles, two triples, 16 homers and an .810 OPS. He has cleaned up against left-handed pitching, batting .417 with an OPS of 1.232. In 40 games since June 1, Jones is batting .327 with 10...
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A look at the Orioles' Aussie connections

A look at the Orioles' Aussie connections
For Orioles minor league players, it provides a chance to extend their summer, play more baseball and work on their games. It also provides a chance to see a land far, far away and maybe even spend Christmas in Australia. Over the years, the Orioles have developed a strong professional relationship with the Perth Heat of the winter Australian Baseball League. Perth has won the championship three of the last four years. It has become a destination for O's farmhands to play winter ball and see...
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Dan Duquette talks about team chemistry, working the roster and more

Dan Duquette talks about team chemistry, working the roster and more
In building a winning baseball team, you need to have plenty of talented players. That part is obvious and a given. But how do aspects like team chemistry and character of the individual players factor in? Are they important, even if you can't put a stat on those intangibles like you can a batting average or ERA? I asked Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette about character and team chemistry. "That's important," he said. "I think the skills that players have...
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Reviewing the Orioles' first half

Reviewing the Orioles' first half
The Orioles were 10 games over .500 at the All-Star break last year and they are 10 over .500 this year at 52-42. But unlike last season, they are not in third place. Then they were 4 1/2 games out of first place. Now they hold first place by four games. This is the first time the Orioles lead the division at the All-Star break since they had a seven-game lead in 1997. Any review of the Orioles' first half has to ultimately end with that. The Orioles are in first place. That fact alone gets...
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Kevin Gausman on the win and his first career complete game (plus Davis quotes)

Kevin Gausman on the win and his first career complete game (plus Davis quotes)
So who knew Kevin Gausman would need so few pitches in his first career complete-game win? "It's great. Complete game with 78 pitches. I'll take that for sure. That's gotta be a record," Gausman said with a laugh. He didn't need any more pitches with the game called after five innings by rain and the Orioles winning 3-1 over the Yankees. Gausman improves to 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA. His night didn't start out great. Brett Gardner led off the game with a homer to right. "I knew right away it...
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Orioles beat New York 3-1 in rain-shortened win

Orioles beat New York 3-1 in rain-shortened win
The final game of the the first half of the Orioles' season ended not with any drama like a walk-off win or on a big defensive play, but it ended with a lot of rain. Too much to resume play, and the Orioles beat the Yankees 3-1 tonight in a game shortened to five innings by rain. Play was halted at 9:48 p.m. with Steve Pearce on first after a walk and Adam Jones at bat. There was a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes before the game was called. Kevin Gausman gets credit for a complete-game win and...
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Duquette talks about the trade deadline and Gausman

Duquette talks about the trade deadline and Gausman
As baseball's July 31 trade deadline approaches, Orioles fans are waiting to see if their team will make one or more deals. In July 2012, O's executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired Jim Thome and Joe Saunders. Last July, he traded for pitchers Scott Feldman, Francisco Rodriguez and Bud Norris. Duquette will not handicap how likely it is that the Orioles will make a deal this month, but he does see the market being potentially very active over the next few weeks. "There are a few...
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Chris Davis on being in first place, plus O's prospects square off in Futures Game

Chris Davis on being in first place, plus O's prospects square off in Futures Game
The Orioles will head into the All-Star break in first place and will enjoy seeing their name atop the American League East standings at least for the next few days. First baseman Chris Davis said that's nice, but it doesn't mean too much. At least not yet. "Means we're in first place," Davis said. "I don't think you can read too much into it. We still have a lot of baseball left to play. Down the stretch, that is where the games are the toughest and they mean the most. For whatever...
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O's game blog: Kevin Gausman faces the Yankees in finale before All-Star break

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman faces the Yankees in finale before All-Star break
Kevin Gausman (3-2, 3.51 ERA) takes the mound tonight for his seventh start of the year as the Orioles play their final game before the All-Star break. Last year, the Orioles were 53-43 at the break and with a win tonight they would enter this year's break at 10 games above .500 at 52-42. But they were in third place, 4 1/2 games out last season and began today leading the American League East by three games. The Orioles are 9-3 since June 30 and will head into the break in sole possession of...
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Duquette talks about Harvey and Alvarez playing in All-Star Futures Game

Duquette talks about Harvey and Alvarez playing in All-Star Futures Game
When the All-Star Futures Game is played later today at 5 p.m. at Target Field in Minnesota, the Orioles will be represented by Single-A Delmarva pitcher Hunter Harvey on Team USA, and Double-A Bowie outfielder Dariel Alvarez on the World Team. Harvey is scheduled to pitch the fourth inning for Team USA, and Alvarez is starting in right field and batting sixth for the World Team. Harvey is 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA over 15 starts for Delmarva. In 77 2/3 innings he has allowed 56 hits with 32 walks,...
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Nick Markakis on Shane Greene, Chris Tillman on his outing and first half

Nick Markakis on Shane Greene, Chris Tillman on his outing and first half
The Orioles were shut out today for the seventh time this season in a 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees. Shane Greene pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing just four hits in his second major league start. Was it a challenge for O's hitters facing him for the first time? "You know, you could say there is, but he still did a good job pitching," O's right fielder Nick Markakis said. "He didn't leave much over the plate, worked both sides of the plate and we could not get much going off of him. "He...
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Shane Greene pitches 7 1/3 scoreless and O's bats silent in loss to Yankees

Shane Greene pitches 7 1/3 scoreless and O's bats silent in loss to Yankees
Did Shane Greene pitch the game of his life today? The 25-year-old right-hander certainly pitched the best game of his season. On June 22, he had an ERA of 5.74 for New York's Triple-A Scranton team. Since then, he has pitched 13 scoreless innings in the minors and 13 1/3 innings in the majors, allowing just two runs. Today, in just his second big league start, he blanked the O's over 7 1/3 innings as the Yankees beat the Orioles 3-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 46,667 at Camden Yards. On...
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O's game blog: The Orioles are 25-17 in AL East games

O's game blog: The Orioles are 25-17 in AL East games
With a win in either of the next two games, the Orioles can add another American League East series victory to their already impressive total. The Orioles begin today leading the division by three games and one big reason is their 25-17 AL East record. The Orioles have won eight, lost three and tied two series in the East in 2014. They have lost just one of their last 10 AL East series, going 7-1-2 in that span, and that was against Tampa Bay. The Orioles have a 5-2 record against the Yankees....
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Kevin Gausman on rejoining the rotation, Steve Clevenger on his return to the team

Kevin Gausman on rejoining the rotation, Steve Clevenger on his return to the team
For Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, it appears the proverbial handcuffs are off. Meaning that the Orioles are no longer working to limit his innings for the 2014 season. Gausman has pitched 76 2/3 innings this year between Triple-A and the majors. Now the Orioles seem set to turn the kid loose beginning with his start here on Sunday Night Baseball against the Yankees. "Yeah, that would be great," Gausman said this afternoon. "I feel like ever since I first got drafted there was all...
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Ubaldo Jimenez on his ankle injury and his outlook for the second half

Ubaldo Jimenez on his ankle injury and his outlook for the second half
Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is expected to officially go on the disabled list tomorrow due to his right ankle injury. He could return to the team the sixth day out of the All-Star break. Jimenez said he fully expects to be back then. "I don't think it's going to take a long time," he said this afternoon. "If I were to tape it, I probably could pitch today, but I wouldn't know how it was going to be after the game. That is why they don't want me out there putting too much pressure...
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