Update on Davis and note on Gonzalez (Tillman's streak ends, O's lose 4-2)
By Roch Kubatko
Chris Davis made his debut today in the fall instructional league, reaching on an infield hit and drawing a walk in three plate appearances in a game against the Rays at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
Davis flew down to Sarasota on Tuesday. He hasn't been made available to the media.
Davis, who played third base today, hasn't been in the Orioles lineup since Sept. 10 in Boston.
Two days later, Major League Baseball announced that Davis was suspended 25 games for a second positive test for amphetamines. Davis revealed in a statement that he took Adderall without an exemption.
Davis is eligible to return for the Orioles' ninth playoff game if they advance that far. He can't be added to the roster in the middle of a series unless he's replacing an injured player.
Davis batted .196/.300/.404 with 16 doubles, 26 home runs, 72 RBIs and 173 strikeouts in 127 games and 450 at-bats prior to his suspension. He was playing third base after Manny Machado sustained a knee injury that required surgery last month.
Double-A Bowie's Gary Kendall is managing the instructional league team.
Also, manager Buck Showalter confirmed to reporters in Toronto that Miguel Gonzalez will start Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
Gonzalez was told a few days ago that he'd likely make the start. He sought final confirmation yesterday after throwing a bullpen session.
Showalter also considered Ubaldo Jimenez, but Gonzalez makes more sense. He hasn't pitched since last Sunday at Camden Yards and is part of the playoff rotation.
Gonzalez is 9-9 with a 3.33 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) over 154 innings this season. As I wrote previously, he's expected to start Game 3 of the Division Series. He appears to be lined up to do it, with Chris Tillman starting tonight and Wei-Yin Chen on Saturday.
Gonzalez said he'll probably be limited to no more than five innings Sunday before Showalter goes to the bullpen.
The Orioles' 3.45 ERA ranks third in the American League and would be their lowest in a full season since 1979 (3.26).
Yesterday, Gonzalez talked about pitching coach Dave Wallace's impact on the staff.
"I think he's done a great job," Gonzalez said. "He's been around the game for a long time and he knows what he's doing. He makes it easy for us. He does the best. Everyone likes him in the clubhouse, we get along with him. Everything he does and tells us, it's been working."
Gonzalez met Wallace in January in California. Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti made the trip after meeting with other pitchers at the mini-camp in Sarasota.
"He went out there and visited us," Gonzalez said. "I thought it was pretty neat about him going out there with Dom as well. It was cool having them around and getting to know them a little better. He's been a big impact on our team and it shows. A lot of guys respect him and we like what he does."
Update: Delmon Young had an RBI single in the first inning, but Toronto scored once in the second to tie the game.
It could have been worse. The Blue Jays had the bases loaded and no outs after pushing across the tying run, but Tillman got a shallow fly ball and a line drive to first baseman Steve Clevenger that resulted in a double play.
The Jays had two bunt singles in the second.
Update II: The Orioles gave up two more runs in the third and trail 3-1.
Dalton Pompey had an RBI double to break the tie and Munenori Kawasaki had another infield hit, with Clevenger committing a throwing error as the third run scored.
Update III: Tillman's streak of allowing three earned runs or fewer ended at 20 games. The Orioles trail 4-2 in the sixth.
Pompey had another triple, driving in the Jays' fourth run.
The Orioles sent a tweet tonight confirming that Gonzalez will start Sunday. Also, Showalter told reporters that Matt Wieters will scout the Tigers in Detroit.
Update IV: The Orioles lost to the Jays 4-2.
Tillman lost his first road game.
Marcus Stroman picked up his first career save with four scoreless innings. He didn't throw at anyone's head. He's making progress.
Davis is eligible to return for the Orioles' ninth playoff game if they advance that far. He can't be added to the roster in the middle of a series unless he's replacing an injured player.
Davis batted .196/.300/.404 with 16 doubles, 26 home runs, 72 RBIs and 173 strikeouts in 127 games and 450 at-bats prior to his suspension. He was playing third base after Manny Machado sustained a knee injury that required surgery last month.
Double-A Bowie's Gary Kendall is managing the instructional league team.
Also, manager Buck Showalter confirmed to reporters in Toronto that Miguel Gonzalez will start Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
Gonzalez was told a few days ago that he'd likely make the start. He sought final confirmation yesterday after throwing a bullpen session.
Showalter also considered Ubaldo Jimenez, but Gonzalez makes more sense. He hasn't pitched since last Sunday at Camden Yards and is part of the playoff rotation.
Gonzalez is 9-9 with a 3.33 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) over 154 innings this season. As I wrote previously, he's expected to start Game 3 of the Division Series. He appears to be lined up to do it, with Chris Tillman starting tonight and Wei-Yin Chen on Saturday.
Gonzalez said he'll probably be limited to no more than five innings Sunday before Showalter goes to the bullpen.
The Orioles' 3.45 ERA ranks third in the American League and would be their lowest in a full season since 1979 (3.26).
Yesterday, Gonzalez talked about pitching coach Dave Wallace's impact on the staff.
"I think he's done a great job," Gonzalez said. "He's been around the game for a long time and he knows what he's doing. He makes it easy for us. He does the best. Everyone likes him in the clubhouse, we get along with him. Everything he does and tells us, it's been working."
Gonzalez met Wallace in January in California. Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti made the trip after meeting with other pitchers at the mini-camp in Sarasota.
"He went out there and visited us," Gonzalez said. "I thought it was pretty neat about him going out there with Dom as well. It was cool having them around and getting to know them a little better. He's been a big impact on our team and it shows. A lot of guys respect him and we like what he does."
Update: Delmon Young had an RBI single in the first inning, but Toronto scored once in the second to tie the game.
It could have been worse. The Blue Jays had the bases loaded and no outs after pushing across the tying run, but Tillman got a shallow fly ball and a line drive to first baseman Steve Clevenger that resulted in a double play.
The Jays had two bunt singles in the second.
Update II: The Orioles gave up two more runs in the third and trail 3-1.
Dalton Pompey had an RBI double to break the tie and Munenori Kawasaki had another infield hit, with Clevenger committing a throwing error as the third run scored.
Update III: Tillman's streak of allowing three earned runs or fewer ended at 20 games. The Orioles trail 4-2 in the sixth.
Pompey had another triple, driving in the Jays' fourth run.
The Orioles sent a tweet tonight confirming that Gonzalez will start Sunday. Also, Showalter told reporters that Matt Wieters will scout the Tigers in Detroit.
Update IV: The Orioles lost to the Jays 4-2.
Tillman lost his first road game.
Marcus Stroman picked up his first career save with four scoreless innings. He didn't throw at anyone's head. He's making progress.
LATEST ORIOLES NEWS
LATEST NATIONALS NEWS
About the author
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/