Buck Showalter on Adam Jones and Chris Davis (O's win 4-0)

The Orioles announced their signing of first-round pick DJ Stewart this afternoon. Stewart is reporting today to short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

My guess is that vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson will follow him there and talk about a conditioning program.

Adam Jones fouled out to third base in his first at-bat since June 20 after Jimmy Paredes drew a one-out walk. Jones swung at the first pitch from Indians starter Trevor Bauer.

Manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today how it felt to write Jones' name in the lineup.

Jones-Leaping-Catch.jpg"Good. Not good for somebody else," Showalter said.

"I think we've been cautious with it, and who knows what's going to happen today? It's a different speed. I don't know what else you can go off. He's throwing and doesn't feel anything and he's ready to go.

"I'd like to think I have a decision whether to play him, DH him or not play him in the second game. We'll see how the first one goes. I don't want to have him set around all day and play at 7. I want to go here and see what happens, especially with Bauer pitching. A little bit of a reverse (splits) guy. Not completely.

"If he has a problem today, then we know that it's ... I don't expect it. I talked with Dr. (Michael) Jacobs before we came down here about it. We're on the same page."

Chris Davis didn't have a putout in right field Friday night. He's playing back-to-back games in the outfield, with Chris Parmelee remaining at first base.

Maybe the Indians will keep him busier today.

"It's a good position for him," Showalter said. "He's as good a right fielder as he is a first baseman. He's good at both. Throws as well as any of them. Has played a lot of it. I think they're kind of interchangable. I think, believe it or not, it's a little better on Chris' legs. There's a lot more leg work that goes on in the infield with every pitch.

"I wouldn't say he likes it but he certainly embraces it. I don't think he's too fond of left. Right is a good angle for him because you're seeing the ball off the bat the same way as you are first base in a lot of ways. I think as he gets comfortable out there, he will be a solid defender for us."

Ubaldo Jimenez retired the Indians in order in the first on 14 pitches, striking out leadoff hitter Jason Kipnis and retiring Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley on ground balls.

Update: Jimmy Paredes hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead.

Caleb Joseph singled with one out and moved up on a wild pitch.

Paredes is 12-for-22 with two doubles, two home runs, six RBIs and six runs scored during a six-game hitting streak.

Kevin Gausman allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three over three scoreless innings at Triple-A Norfolk. He threw 41 pitches, 22 for strikes.

Update II: Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to nine games with a leadoff home run in the sixth inning, his 15th this season, and doubles by Paredes and Davis extended the lead to 4-0.

Paredes is batting .326.

Update III: The Orioles moved a season-high six games above .500 by defeating the Indians 4-0 in Game 1.

The Orioles (40-34) have won 17 of their last 22 games. They've posted five shutouts this season.

Jimenez worked eight innings, matching his high as an Oriole. He also went eight innings on June 30, 2014 vs. the Rangers. He allowed four hits, walked none and struck out seven - his third start this season without a walk. It didn't happen last season.

Jimenez threw 109 pitches, 74 for strikes. He's won four starts in a row and improved to 7-3.

The Orioles won their 5,000th game since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954.

Game 1 attendance: 45,675, the third sellout this season.




Ubaldo Jimenez pitches eight scoreless innings as ...
Orioles agree to terms with first-round draft pick...
 

By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/