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Guthrie delivers as O’s win with heavy hearts
MINNEAPOLIS — If it were not for Mike Flanagan, right-hander Jeremy Guthrie may never have joined the Orioles in 2007.
So, it was only fitting that Guthrie — who wears the same No. 46 that Flanagan donned for 15 years with Baltimore — would pitch a gem in a 6-1 victory over the Twins on Wednesday, the night of Flanagan’s death.
Flanagan was the executive vice president of baseball operations at the time, and he made the waiver claim to acquire Guthrie from the Indians. When he joined the club, Guthrie asked for and received permission from Flanagan to wear No. 46.
“Since the day I was given No. 46, I’ve had thousands of people tell me that was the number of their favorite pitcher for the Orioles when they were growing up,” Guthrie said. “So from Day 1, I think I’ve been reminded of the legacy and of the work that Mike did not only as a player, but also as a member of the community in Baltimore.
“It’s always been special, and now I think it takes on even a new level. He’s not going to be forgotten soon, that’s for sure.”
Flanagan’s death overshadowed a brilliant outing by Guthrie and the Orioles’ third straight win, the first time the O’s won three straight on the road since April 29-May 1 against the White Sox. Baltimore also picked up its first series win since June 24-26 versus Cincinnati, snapping a streak of 15 winless series.
And the Orioles won a road series for the first time since taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays May 13-15.
But all of that mattered less to the O’s once they heard of Flanagan’s death. Hall of Fame right-hander Jim Palmer, a former teammate of Flanagan’s and current O’s broadcaster, said he heard the news about the third or fourth inning.
“Well, it kind of makes the game insignificant,” Palmer said. “It just makes you kind of re-evaluate how lucky we were and it makes you take a look at what’s going on, what’s important and what’s not.”
Guthrie allowed a first-inning triple and a run on back-to-back doubles in the third, but was otherwise stalwart on the night. After those doubles, Guthrie retired 12 straight batters until issuing a two-out walk to Luke Hughes in the seventh.
Guthrie allowed one run on five hits in seven innings with five strikeouts. He snapped a three-start winless streak, picking up his first win since July 29 at New York.
Still, his postgame focus was more on Flanagan than on his own success.
“It’s a really sad day,” Guthrie said. “He’s so close to so many people in this organization and he’s touched the lives of thousands in the Baltimore community, and the baseball world. So, the news of him passing is a big blow to this team, to this family, to this organization, to the city and to Major League Baseball.”
Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey shut down the Orioles’ offense for four innings, but the O’s jumped all over him in the fifth, collectively hitting for the cycle in the inning. Mark Reynolds kicked things off with a homer, though he thought he had popped it up off the bat.
Though he never got to know Flanagan as well as some others with the Orioles, Reynolds shared his thoughts on the situation.
“It’s sad,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t really get a chance to know him on a personal level, it’s my first year here. But I’ve seen him around, and from what I hear from everyone, he’s a great guy. … He was a big part of the club.”
Two batters after Reynolds’ homer, with Jake Fox on first and one out, Nolan Reimold tripled, followed by a Ryan Adams double, J.J. Hardy single and a Nick Markakis walk.
Slowey then got Adam Jones to flyout to left, but a Matt Wieters double knocked him out of the game. Slowey only allowed one hit and a hit batter through the first four frames, but finished with five runs allowed on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
Even with the success the Orioles have enjoyed this week at Target Field, manager Buck Showalter did not talk about the win in his postgame meeting with reporters.
“Mike made a point of making me feel welcome from Day 1,” Showalter said. “The first time I spent time with him, he was in the line at a ‘Welcome Home’ banquet. I remember it like it was yesterday. He was trying to help me help our left-handers with their moves.
“I always looked forward to him coming in, sitting down and drinking coffee with me. Not only talking about baseball, but talking about life. He was a passionate man about the Orioles and his family and he impacted a lot of people’s lives.
“He’s someone that our organization has always been proud, not only for the way he pitched but the way he treated people.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Orioles notebook, 8/24
Vlad scratched from lineup with bruised wrist
MINNEAPOLIS — Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was a late scratch from Wednesday’s lineup with a left wrist contusion.
With Guerrero out, catcher Matt Wieters batted cleanup, while Mark Reynolds and Robert Andino also moved up one spot each to the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.
Jake Fox, who was called up on Tuesday from Triple-A Norfolk, batted seventh as the DH in place of Guerrero. For Fox, it was his first start since May 27.
In six games this year against the Twins, Guerrero is batting .346 with two home runs, five RBIs and two doubles. Guerrero was 3-for-5 on Tuesday night with a double and three runs scored.
After the O’s 6-1 win, Guerrero said his wrist — which was heavily wrapped — was fine.
Angle looking to snap his offensive funk
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he was not worried about Angle trying too hard or putting too much pressure on himself to get the first hit out of the way.
“It’s going to happen,” Showalter said. “He’s done some good things [in the past] and he’s a baseball player. He’ll get a hit.”
Jones feeling better, returns to O’s lineup
MINNEAPOLIS — After giving his team and its fans a scare on Tuesday night, Adam Jones was back in the Orioles’ lineup on Wednesday against the Twins.
Jones left the second game of the series after just one inning due to what was announced as an illness. He was later taken from Target Field to the Hennepin County Medical Center during the middle innings for further evaluation.
“I just didn’t feel myself,” Jones said. “So, I guess the team wanted to make sure I was OK. But I feel fine today.”
Jones went 0-for-4 at the plate and was replaced in the field by Matt Angle in the bottom of the seventh.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he made out two lineups on Wednesday, one with Jones in it and one with him out.
Jones was his usual upbeat self during the team’s pregame stretch on Wednesday, which was a good sign of how he felt, as Jones was more subdued a night earlier.
“You can tell he’s a lot more engaged,” Showalter said. “I should’ve known something was up because usually he’s real engaging. He always sticks his head in and we shoot the breeze a little bit.”
After feeling fine through the Orioles’ pregame stretch and batting practice on Tuesday, Jones’ symptoms popped up early in the game. When it continued to persist through the top of the second, Jones left the game and was replaced by Angle.
The Orioles decided shortly thereafter that it would be best to have Jones go to the hospital and go through a number of tests to figure out what exactly was going on.
Said Jones of how long he was at the hospital: “Too long. I should’ve been there for two minutes, but was there a little bit longer. But I’m all right, and that’s the important thing.”
Jones said he did not know, nor did he care, what they were testing him for at the hospital. All that mattered was that he was healthy and back in the lineup a day later.
“It was nothing that’s going to keep me out of a game,” Jones said. “It took me out of one, but it won’t keep me out of another.”
Showalter said he still was not entirely sure what Jones was dealing with, but thought it was primarily due to dehydration.
Reynolds’ glove becoming O’s first option
MINNEAPOLIS — While he has logged 638 games at third base over five years, Mark Reynolds has only played first base 48 times. And 14 of those games at first have come this season with the Orioles.
Reynolds has looked comfortable at first base, though, even making a key play on Tuesday night that led to an inning-ending double play.
After center fielder Ben Revere grounded out to first, Reynolds fired home to cut down Twins infielder Luke Hughes, getting him caught in a run down as he tried to score.
“That was a big play there in a lot of ways looking back on it,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “Mark made sure he got that out [at first] and still had another out there.
“I know coaching third base, that’s a tough play for a runner and a third-base coach. If you go directly to the plate you’re probably out. If you wait too long… it’s a tough one. We were fortunate it was hit in the right place and worked out for us.”
Reynolds has become the Orioles’ everyday first baseman since Chris Davis has been sidelined since Aug. 14 due to a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder.
With Reynolds at first, Robert Andino has taken over as the No. 1 option at third base, and Ryan Adams is now the Orioles’ everyday second baseman. Those three, along with J.J. Hardy at shortstop, have provided solid infield defense this week at Target Field.
“Robert’s handled third base well in two games, and I felt confident he would,” Showalter said. “So far so good. Obviously defense is a big part of being able to sustain some things over the course of a season.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Jones taken to hospital following illness
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Orioles center fielder Adam Jones left Tuesday’s 8-1 victory against the Twins after becoming ill just one inning into the contest and was taken to a Twin Cities hospital.
“He was feeling a little down and just weak. After his first at-bat and everything it didn’t get any better,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “We didn’t like what he was describing, so we decided to get him out of there and let the doctors take a look at him.
“They’re still looking into it, haven’t really been able to nail it down. We just want to rule a lot of things out. To be on the safe side, we’re going to let them do some more tests at the hospital.”
Outfielder Matt Angle, who was recalled before the game from Triple-A Norfolk, pinch-hit for Jones in the second inning and remained in the game in center field.
Jones struck out in the first in his only at-bat against Twins lefty Brian Duensing.
Angle also struck out against Duensing in a four-run second inning for the O’s, capped by a three-run homer from Nolan Reimold. In his first game back with the Orioles in a month, Angle finished 0-for-4.
Showalter did not rule out the possibility of Jones spending the night at the hospital.
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Simon’s solid effort helps O’s top Twins
MINNEAPOLIS — Alfredo Simon had already enjoyed the best start of his career through eight innings on Tuesday, but he was not satisfied with stopping there. Simon had his sights on closing out the game.
“I thought it was a tough decision to send him out there for the eighth,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “But he was the difference in the game tonight, I was proud of him.”
Simon would not finish out the ninth, but his dominant performance, along with the offense jumping all over Twins lefty Brian Duensing, allowed the Orioles to cruise to an 8-1 victory at Target Field.
The Orioles held the Twins to just one run for the second straight night, the first time they’ve held an opponent to one run or fewer on consecutive nights since limiting the Rays and Tigers to just one run in the first four games of the season.
Setting career-high marks in both innings and strikeouts with eight of each, Simon delivered a superb outing, snapping a three-start winless streak. Over those eight innings, Simon allowed just one run on three hits with one walk.
“I just tried to throw the first pitch for a strike, no matter what hitter it was,” Simon said. “I just felt really good tonight.
“I know just threw like 100-something pitches or whatever [114], but I felt like I could throw the ninth inning, because I wasn’t really tired. I wanted to finish the game. I asked for the last one.”
Over his previous three starts, Simon was 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA, allowing 16 runs (13 earned) on 29 hits in 15 2/3 innings. He picked up his fourth win of the season on Tuesday and his first since Aug. 2.
Simon looked more like the pitcher who went 2-3 with a 3.26 ERA over his first five starts of the season, than the one who had struggled over the last two weeks.
The only real mistake Simon made all night was an 0-1 pitch to Twins third baseman Danny Valencia, who drove it over the left-field fence for Minnesota’s only run of the ballgame.
“Our offense was just non-existent,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. “[Simon] threw the ball really well. I think we saw splitters and curveballs, and a decent fastball from him. He had us guessing all night along. Danny put one good swing out there early, but we had to battle the rest of the night.”
Beginning with three straight hits in the second inning, the Orioles hit Duensing hard. The O’s plated four in the second inning, including a three-run homer by left fielder Nolan Reimold.
Reimold’s blast was the 100th homer for the Orioles since June 1, a mark that leads the Majors.
“I think he was just leaving balls over the plate and we were able to take advantage of it,” Reimold said. “It seemed like he had pretty good stuff, just didn’t hit his spots.”
In the third, Baltimore added three more runs as it put four straight runners on base with three hits and a walk, highlighted by Mark Reynolds’ two-run triple.
Duensing lasted just two-plus innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk with one strikeout. After Guerrero hit one back up the middle off Duensing’s left hand, he made a poor throw to first and did not seem to be the same pitcher the rest of the night.
“I know he took that ball off the barehand, and you never know what effect that has on a guy,” Showalter said. “But we had a good approach to him. We were fortunate tonight, he’s better than that.”
Reynolds, along with designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, led the way at the plate as the middle of the O’s order went 7-for-11 with four walks, four RBIs, two doubles, a triple and seven runs scored.
Catcher Matt Wieters walked in each of his last four plate appearances, setting a career-high with four walks and by reaching base five times.
After losing five straight, the Orioles have won consecutive games for just the fourth time in the last two months.
“We’re not going to throw in the towel,” Reimold said. “We’re going to keep battling, keep trying to get some wins, and just keep trying to play good baseball. The last two days have been good days for us, so we’re looking to continue doing that.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Orioles notebook, 8/23
Berken receives good news on injured elbow
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Right-hander Jason Berken got some good news following an MRA on his right elbow on Tuesday in Baltimore.
Berken, who is on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in his elbow, had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2005 season at Clemson. The pain began in Berken’s forearm and moved up to the elbow.An MRA — a magnetic resonance angiogram — is similar to an MRI, with the addition of contrast dye being injected into the elbow for a better picture.
“The good news is, it’s all good news basically, but the surgery site of the Tommy John looks good,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “He’s got some inflammation in there right now that they’re thinking about maybe [a cortisone shot] until when Dr. [John] Wilckens gets there, to try to calm down the inflammation.”
The results of the MRA were the same as what Wilckens saw this weekend when he examined Bergen’s elbow in Anaheim.
“The structure and everything looks fine,” Showalter said. “There’s just some inflammation we’ve got to get out of there.”
O’s clear roster spot by designating Pie
MINNEAPOLIS — Once one of the top prospects in baseball, Felix Pie was designated for assignment on Tuesday by the Orioles.
The move was made to make room on the Orioles’ 40-man roster for utility man Jake Fox, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore also recalled outfielder Matt Angle from the Tides.
“Hopefully it’s a win-win for Felix,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “We were looking for ways to get him back being the guy that we know he might be capable of being. For us, we hope he clears [waivers] and decides to go to Norfolk and get some at-bats, and gets back to doing what he’s capable of doing.
“The bad side of that is, somebody can pick him up or he can become a free agent if he wants to. But we got to the point where if he can’t get some at-bats and get back to being what he’s capable of being, it’s probably not going to work out with him.”
In his fourth season with the Orioles, Pie hit .220 with seven RBIs in 85 games this season. In 268 games over the past three years, Pie batted .259 with 14 home runs and 67 RBIs.
For two years, in 2006-07, Pie was the Cubs’ top prospect. But he never found a solid role in Chicago, and was traded to the Orioles in ’09 for two Minor League pitchers. Pie was expected to be the everyday left fielder for the O’s, but offensive inconsistencies and struggles on the bases and in left field kept him from fulfilling that role.
Pie, who had been struggling defensively, saw his playing time decrease significantly, as he started only one of the Orioles’ previous eight games. Nolan Reimold has become the club’s everyday left fielder.
“Felix has been with us close to [four] years,” Showalter said. “I got to see him pretty well last year, so you know the potential is there. But we had to create a scenario where he can get back to being that guy.”
Angle, Fox recalled from Triple-A Norfolk
MINNEAPOLIS — After optioning Blake Davis on Monday night, the Orioles recalled outfielder Matt Angle from Triple-A Norfolk.
Angle and Jake Fox were brought up to fill holes in the outfield and corner infield positions with Josh Bell and Davis having been optioned on consecutive days.
“I think it’s a better club as far as where we are as a team right now,” manager Buck Showalter said. “They kind of serve some needs that we haven’t been able to serve.”
In 107 games for Norfolk this season, Angle batted .272 with a team-high 27 stolen bases. Angle made his Major League debut with the Orioles on July 17, playing in two games and going 0-for-7 before returning to Triple-A.
Angle’s ability defensively and as a baserunner represent an upgrade over what Pie has provided this season.
“Felix is better than that, I saw him last year play as good a left field as you want him to play,” Showalter said. “Matt fits a need. He can do a lot of things. [But] he’ll go through some growing pains up here, too.”
Fox, who has played 185 Major League games over four seasons with the Cubs, A’s and Orioles, batted .274 with 12 home runs for the Tides. After beginning the season as the Orioles’ backup catcher, Fox leads the Tides with 57 RBIs in 67 games.
In 19 games with the O’s this season, Fox hit .188 with two homers and four RBIs.
“Jake went down, and he got after it down there,” Showalter said. “This is a guy that’s been in the big leagues some and he kind of re-established himself. You’d like to reward that for going down there and doing the things that he did down there. It gives us some depth in places that we haven’t had.”
O’s relievers get job done against Twins
MINNEAPOLIS — When left-hander Zach Britton was inefficient with his pitches and had to leave after five innings on Monday night, it meant the Orioles’ bullpen would need to close out the last four frames in a one-run ballgame.
Chris Jakubauskas, Michael Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg were up to the task, retiring 12 of 14 batters faced and allowing just two hits in four scoreless innings.
Gonzalez was especially impressive, striking out all four batters he faced.
“Gonzo’s been pitching well for a while now,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s attacking the zone, he’s pitching with a purpose and he’s got a good look in his eye. Hopefully, we’ll benefit from it in the next six weeks.”
After Gregg blew a 12th-inning save on Saturday, Showalter said he would put him right back in there, and he remained true to his word on Monday.
Gregg pitched a perfect ninth, needing just eight pitches to get a pair of flyouts and a groundout.
“You don’t do the things he’s done over a long period and not have some mental toughness,” Showalter said. “The mental toughness part of it is never a question with him.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Hardy’s blast makes winner of Britton
MINNEAPOLIS — Had it not been for a fan wearing a Joe Mauer jersey, J.J. Hardy likely would have been out, and Twins starter Carl Pavano could have gotten out of the inning with the game still tied.
Hardy got a second chance, instead, and he took advantage of it, crushing a 2-2 fastball from Pavano to left for a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning of a 4-1 Orioles win over the Twins on Monday night at Target Field.
“Was it a Mauer fan?” Hardy asked. “Somebody was saying he was wearing a Hardy jersey.”
Hardy’s solo home run, his 24th of the season, made for a happy homecoming for the former Twins shortstop and helped lefty Zach Britton and the Orioles pick up the much-needed victory.
Baltimore snapped a five-game losing streak and Britton snapped a five-decision skid of his own, earning his first win since June 8 against Oakland.
“I think it was bigger for the team, more so than me,” Britton said. “Obviously it’s good to get the win, but I think we needed it. The way we played in Anaheim, to be able to come out and get the first win, the first day here, I think it sets the tone for the next three games.”
Britton had some long innings — he allowed at least one baserunner in each of his five frames — and saw his pitch count rise to 98, but he was otherwise solid in his first start since Aug. 4.
After going on the disabled list Aug. 5 with a left shoulder strain, Britton was activated before the game and went five innings, allowing one run on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
“It’s just one of those days, I’m so excited to be back and I’m overthrowing everything,” Britton said. “I didn’t really have great command, so my mindset was like, ‘Here it is.’ I’m going to make them beat me with my stuff. I’m going to throw it over the plate because I know I can’t hit corners right now.”
Britton got big outs to end the third and fifth innings, both of which came with Jim Thome at the plate and runners in scoring position.
In the third, with a run already having scored, Britton walked consecutive batters to load the bases for Thome. Britton threw a 1-1 fastball and Thome ripped it to left, but it stayed in the park and was caught for the final out.
“It was big,” Britton said. “Any time you can get out of those situations — especially with a close game, and especially coming back my first day, having some bad outings recently — to be able to get out of there where I haven’t been able to in the past was pretty big.”
Britton then struck Thome out looking, stranding a pair of runners in the fifth.
“He was right at the limit there and he was going to be real mad at having to come out at 4 2/3 if he walked Thome there,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “But he made a big pitch there to get out of it, and I’m proud of him.”
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters added another solo blast in the sixth, his 13th of the year, and Nick Markakis drove in Hardy from first with a one-out double in the seventh for a final insurance run.
The Twins scored their only run off Britton in the third when Ben Revere singled with one out and later came around on a Mauer groundout.
Revere made a highlight-reel grab to end the seventh when he raced back to make a leaping, over-the-shoulder catch at the wall in center field, robbing Vladimir Guerrero of an extra-base hit and keeping a run off the board.
“It was unbelievable,” Hardy said. “That was as good as Adam Jones’ catch in Seattle.”
Right-hander Chris Jakubauskas relieved Britton to start the sixth, and retired the first five Twins he faced. Jakubauskas combined with lefty Michael Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg to hold the Twins scoreless with just two hits over the final four innings.
“The kid threw the ball very well against us,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was ejected in the eighth for arguing balls and strikes. “Their bullpen came in and changed speeds and threw some curveballs. I think at one point I looked up and saw we had eight guys left on base, and that tells you the whole story.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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