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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Game Stories:  Bullpen fails to hold lead for Ubaldo Jimenez as Orioles lose third straight, 5-2, to Astros The Sun 6/1  Seventh-inning struggles send O's to loss MLB.com 6/2  O's lose lead as Houston scores four in seventh to take series opener MASNsports.com 6/1  Big 7th inning helps Astros rally for 5-2 win over Orioles AP 6/1  Orioles drop third straight as Brach can't hold lead CSN Baltimore 6/1

Columns:  Bullpen let Orioles down Monday, but mistakes magnified by poor hitting The Sun 6/2  Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy 'nervous' about left side soreness that shelved him for Monday's game The Sun 6/1  Adam Jones back in Orioles' starting lineup, but as the The Sun 6/1  Will Adam Jones return in Orioles' series opener in Houston? The Sun 6/1  Orioles lightly represented in latest All-Star game vote totals The Sun 6/1  Quick hook for Ubaldo in 7th doesn't pan out MLB.com 6/2  Jones making All-Star push in latest vote tally MLB.com 6/1  Hardy sidelined due to soreness in left side MLB.com 6/1  Ankle improved, Jones in lineup at DH MLB.com 6/1  Rookie Wright aims to impress vs. Astros MLB.com 6/1  Random thoughts MASNsports.com 6/2  Jones remains fourth among AL outfielders in All-Star balloting MASNsports.com 6/1  Jones serving as DH tonight MASNsports.com 6/1  This, that and the other MASNsports.com 6/1  Draft talk: A look at the O's draft pool and players they've been linked to in mock drafts MASNsports.com 6/2  O's game blog: Orioles look to break three-series road losing streak at Houston MASNsports.com 6/1  Orioles-Astros Preview SI.com 6/2  Can Wright continue on his roll? CSN Baltimore 6/2  Orioles hope Hardy's absence isn't a long one CSN Baltimore 6/1  After missing two games, Jones is DH CSN Baltimore 6/1  Jones is only Oriole in All-Star voting contention CSN Baltimore 6/1  Adam Jones back in Orioles’ lineup as DH after missing two games with ankle injury NBCSports.com 6/1

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-astros-0602-20150601-story.html

Bullpen fails to hold lead for Ubaldo Jimenez as Orioles lose third straight, 5-2, to Astros

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 1, 2015

Leaning against the railing of the visiting dugout at Minute Maid Park, all Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez could do Monday evening was watch in silence as one of his best starts of the season went to waste.

Jimenez, who had held the to one run on three hits through his first six innings of work, received a surprisingly quick hook from manager Buck Showalter after giving up a leadoff single in the seventh on his 91st pitch of the night.

He walked off the mound with a one-run lead, but saw usually dependable reliever Brad Brach blow that cushion as the Astros rallied for a gut-punch four-run seventh inning, handing the Orioles a 5-2 loss in front of 17,259.

“[Jimenez] didn’t deserve to have anything but a no-decision or a W out of that,” Showalter said. “Especially with the way Brad has been pitching. We just got a different Brad tonight.”

The Orioles (23-27) lost their third straight game and tied their season-worst four games below .500 as they opened a seven-game road trip to Houston and Cleveland that is now becoming a critical point in their season.

The Orioles were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Monday and are 1-18 this season this season in games when they've scored two runs or fewer.

“Yeah I was a little bit [surprised],” Jimenez said of getting pulled. “But as a starting pitcher, you never want to come out of the game. But it’s part of the game. You have to do whatever they think is good for the team. This is how things are going for us right now. In another situation, we might get a double play and get out of the inning, but that’s how it’s going right now.”

Jimenez retired 10 of the first 11 batters he faced before he allowed Preston Tucker's one-out double in the fourth, which was Houston's first hit of the game.

He went into the seventh inning having allowed just one run — Luis Valbuena's solo homer in the fifth — and six baserunners (three hits, two walks, one hit batter) while striking out eight before Chris Carter singled to right to begin the inning.

As Valbuena stepped to the plate, Showalter immediately pulled Jimenez in favor of Brach, who had allowed just one run over his last 10 innings, posting 12 strikeouts and two walks in that span.

Brach walked Valbuena, then allowed a first-pitch single to pinch hitter Hank Conger, who entered the game batting just .156, to load the bases.

Brach fell behind leadoff hitter George Springer 3-0 before allowing a game-tying RBI single up the middle. He then fell behind Jose Altuve 3-1 before Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to center field that gave the Astros a 3-2 lead.

“Just fell behind and when you fall behind hitters they are going to get hits in the major leagues,” Brach said. “Did not do a good job of throwing strikes. Got behind hitters and didn’t do myself any favors out there. … It’s unfortunate because Ubaldo had such a good game. I come in there trying to get a double play and walk the leadoff guy which puts myself in trouble.”

After Tucker walked to load the bases again, Tommy Hunter allowed a two-run single to right, but Tucker was thrown out at third by right fielder Delmon Young to end the inning.

Chris Davis snapped a 1-all tie in the sixth inning with a one-out double off the right field wall, scoring Adam Jones from second base.

That chased Astros starter Brett Oberholtzer from the game, but right-hander Will Harris prevented any further damage, stranding two baserunners in scoring position when he struck out Steve Pearce and induced a fly-ball out from Caleb Joseph.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on Ryan Flaherty's standup triple. Flaherty laced a ball into the right-center field gap that rolled up Tal's Hill in center field, allowing Pearce, who drew a leadoff walk, to score from first.

Overall, the Orioles displayed plenty of flaws to go around on Monday. After Davis’ run-scoring double with one out in the sixth, the Orioles stranded two with runners in scoring position. After putting the first two batters on base in the third, Everth Cabrera failed to drop a bunt to move them over and then struck out before Manny Machado hit into a rally-killing double play in the third after the Orioles' first two hitters in the inning reached. David Lough singled to open the fourth, only to get picked off moments later.

Showalter admitted that his team’s offensive woes -- and its failure to execute -- have affected the way he is managing the club.

“What it does is it puts you in a position where every time you get a run-scoring opportunity you better score,” Showalter said. “They haven’t been as often. Understand coming into tonight we only scored three less runs than last year. We know a couple people aren’t here. We aren’t lamenting that. So, we have to execute some [opportunities].”

Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez robbed Machado of a run-scoring hit with two outs in the fifth and Flaherty on third. Machado hit a ball up the middle that Gonzalez gloved, spun and threw in first in time to get Machado.

Even though Jones returned to the starting lineup as the team's designated hitter after missing the previous two games with a mild left ankle sprain, the Orioles were without shortstop J.J. Hardy, who sat out with left side soreness.

Hardy's absence was glaring, especially in the fifth inning. Following Valbuena's homer, Jimenez hit Jason Castro with a pitch. Gonzalez then hit a sharp grounder to first that appeared to be an inning-ending double-play ball, but Cabrera -- filling in for Hardy -- dropped the ball on the turn.

Two batters later — with two on and two out — Altuve singled to right. The Orioles needed a pinpoint throw from Young -- who now leads the majors with eight outfield assists -- to throw out Gonzalez at home and end the inning.

“We have to come to the stadium every day with a positive mind that everything is going to change and just try to keeping working hard and hopefully one of these days it’s going to change,” Jimenez said. "Hopefully we’re going to be able to combine the offense with the pitching and the defense and everything.”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/127957444/astros-rally-past-orioles-with-four-run-seventh

Seventh-inning struggles send O's to loss

By Brittany Ghiroli and Brian McTaggart / MLB.com June 2, 2015

HOUSTON -- The Astros rallied for four runs in the seventh inning, including bases-loaded hits by George Springer and Evan Gattis, to beat the Orioles, 5-2, in the series opener Monday night at Minute Maid Park.

"I think our guys, you know, they get a little more focus later in the game," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "We just get a little tighter focus as the game goes along."

Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez struck out eight in six-plus innings, allowing two runs and four hits, including a leadoff single by Chris Carter that sparked the Astros' seventh-inning rally. The other three runs were charged to reliever Brad Brach.

"It's tough. It's really tough [to watch]," said Jimenez, who watched a 2-1 lead slip away after he exited. "Of course you trust your guys that they're going to do everything possible to get them out. It's part of the game. Tonight didn't go our way."

Left-hander Brett Oberholtzer made his return to the Astros after a second stint on the disabled list with a blister and worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. Will Harris (2-0) retired all five batters he faced to get the win in relief and hasn't allowed a run in 19 of 20 appearances this year.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Astros come through in clutch: The Astros, who entered the game hitting .241 (7-for-29) with the bases loaded this year, came through in those situations twice in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Springer and a two-run single by Gattis.

"Just slowing everything down, and you just have to understand that they have to throw you something over the plate at some point and this is a hard game," said Springer, who delivered his hit on a 3-0 count. "So if you get something to hit, you've got to hit it. But I just think we have a good overall approach and have been able to execute it." Springer's game-

Ubaldo's quick hook: Jimenez, who entered the seventh inning having allowed only one run on three hits, was removed after a leadoff single by Carter despite having thrown just 91 pitches. Orioles manager Buck Showalter's move proved costly as reliever Brach struggled with his command and allowed two hits and two walks in a four-run frame that saw Houston take the lead.

"Wasn't really a comfort thing. I felt good. Just one of those nights," Brach said. "It's unfortunate because Ubaldo had such a good game. I come in there trying to get a double play and walk the leadoff guy, which puts myself in trouble."

Marwin makes play of the night: Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez robbed Manny Machado of a run-scoring hit when he ranged to his left to field a grounder, spun around and unleashed a two-bouncer to first for the final out in the fifth inning.

Young's gun: Delmon Young's defense was highlight-reel worthy on Monday night, as the right fielder threw out a pair of runners. Young nabbed Gonzalez at the plate to end the fifth and threw across the field to get Preston Tucker at third to end the seventh.

"We played a really good defensive game, otherwise they would have scored a lot more runs," Showalter said.

QUOTABLE

"Seemed like he couldn't get himself back in sync. Got in a little rut there and couldn't make adjustments. Something we thought he had gotten over." -- Showalter, on Brach

"It was a great team win. We came out playing good ball and pitched well, especially with Harris and Luke [Gregerson] coming in. The offense is relentless. They never give up." -- Oberholtzer, on the win

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Astros have scored a Major League-best 94 runs in the seventh inning or later.

CASTRO LEAVES WITH INJURY

Astros catcher Jason Castro left the game in the seventh inning, two innings after being hit on the right knee with a pitch. Hinch said he's listed as day to day.

EMOTIONAL FIRST PITCH

Tyler Martin, the youngest son of fallen Houston police officer Richard Martin, delivered a strike to Jose Altuve before the game. Dozens of police officers were on the field to support Tyler.

WHAT'S NEXT

Orioles: Rookie Mike Wright will get the ball in his fourth career start on Tuesday against the Astros. Wright is coming off his worst outing, a five-inning stint on Thursday vs. the White Sox, but the young righty has still been solid for Baltimore. With Bud Norris slated to be back soon, this could be Wright's last chance to impress.

Astros: Right-hander Collin McHugh will face the Orioles for the second consecutive start on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. He is looking to rebound from a subpar May in which he went 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in six starts.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/06/os-lose-lead-as-houston-scores-four-in-the- seventh-to-take-series-opener.html

O's lose lead as Houston scores four in seventh to take series opener

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 1, 2015

The Houston Astros lead the major leagues in runs scored from the seventh inning on this year. The Orioles found out the hard way about that tonight.

Down 2-1, Houston scored four times in the last of the seventh off three O's pitchers as the Astros rallied to beat the Orioles 5-2 in the opener of a four-game series and seven-game road trip.

The Orioles fall to 23-27 and tie a season-high by falling four games under the .500 mark. Since their walk-off win on Friday night, they are 0-3.

Chris Carter led off the Houston seventh with a single off Ubaldo Jimenez, who was replaced by Brad Brach. Brach allowed a walk and single to load the bases with one ou, George Springer's single to center tied it at 2-2 and Houston went ahead 3-2 on a Jose Altuve sac fly. Then Tommy Hunter came on and was greeted by an Evan Gattis two-run single for a 5-2 lead. Gattis is 6-for- 15 in four games against the Orioles with a homer and four RBIs.

The Orioles scored once in the fifth to take a 1-0 lead. Steve Pearce drew a leadoff walk and scored on Ryan Flaherty's one-out triple to right. But Flaherty was stranded on third as Everth Cabrera struck out and Manny Machado was robbed of an infield hit on a great play up the middle by shortstop Marwin Gonzalez.

In the last of the fifth, Luis Valbuena's solo homer, on a 1-1 splitter from Jimenez, tied it 1-1. It stayed tied and the inning ended when Delmon Young threw Gonzalez out at the plate from right field as he tried to score on a Altuve single.

The O's began the day tied for the AL lead with Chicago with 16 outfield assists and that was Young's seventh.

The O's moved ahead 2-1 in the sixth on a Chris Davis RBI double with one out. It followed an Adam Jones walk and a Young single. But the O's missed a chance to add more when they stranded runners on second and third with one out, as Pearce struck out and Caleb Joseph flied out. Through the sixth inning tonight, the Orioles were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Jimenez allowed four hits and two runs over six innings, throwing 91 pitches. Brach took the loss to fall to 3-1.

The Orioles were held to two runs or less for the 12th time in the last 22 games, and they fall to 8-15 on the road and to 2-8 in their past 10 on the road.

Houston improves to 32-20, 2-2 against the Orioles, 17-12 at home and to 27-2 when scoring four or more runs.

In the second game of the series on Tuesday night, Mike Wright (2-0, 1.40 ERA) faces Houston right-hander Collin McHugh (5-2, 4.24 ERA).

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/06/01/ap-bba-orioles-astros-1st-ld-writethru

Big 7th inning helps Astros rally for 5-2 win over Orioles

Associated Press / SI.com June 1, 2015

HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Astros have scored so many runs in the last three innings this season that their late-game magic has almost become routine.

They did it again Monday night when Evan Gattis drove in two runs in a four-run seventh inning and the Astros rallied for a 5-2 victory over the .

They have scored a major league-leading 94 runs in the seventh inning or later this season, and more than 50 percent of their runs have come after the fifth inning.

''As the game goes along, for whatever reason, our at-bats get better and better,'' manager A.J. Hinch said. ''We punched out early in the game (Monday) and then didn't late. I wish I had the answers because I'd play that answer earlier in the game.''

They trailed by one entering the seventh before a leadoff single by Chris Carter knocked starter Ubaldo Jimenez out of the game. He was replaced by Brad Brach (3-1), who walked Luis Valbuena before a single by pinch-hitter Hank Conger loaded the bases.

George Springer singled to tie it up with one out before Jose Altuve's sacrifice fly put Houston on top. Gattis drove in two more to make it 5-2.

''I just think that this is a very resilient team and the last six to nine (innings) is always a good spot for us and I think that's a good sign of things to come,'' Springer said.

Baltimore manager Buck Showalter isn't sure why Brach struggled Monday night.

''He just couldn't seem to get himself back in sync,'' Showalter said. ''Got into a little rut there and couldn't make an adjustment. Something we thought he had gotten over.''

Will Harris (2-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win and Luke Gregerson struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 14th save.

Valbuena hit his 11th homer in the fifth inning to give the Astros their first run.

Chris Davis and Ryan Flaherty drove in a run apiece for the Orioles, who were playing outside of the Eastern time zone for the first time this season.

Jimenez yielded four hits and two runs with eight strikeouts in six-plus innings. It was his second straight start against the Astros after throwing seven innings, but not factoring in the decision in Baltimore's 5-4 win on Wednesday.

Houston starter Brett Oberholtzer was activated from his second stint on the disabled list with a blister on his left index finger before the game to make his second start of the season. He allowed seven hits with two runs and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Davis put Baltimore on top 2-1 with a double with one out in the sixth inning to chase Oberholtzer.

He was replaced by Harris, who retired the next two batters to end the threat.

Steve Pearce walked to start the fifth inning and scored on a one-out triple by Flaherty to make it 1-0. That ball landed deep in center field and rolled up Tal's Hill and away from center fielder Colby Rasmus.

Valbuena's homer to right field came with one out in the bottom of that inning to even it at 1-all. Jimenez plunked Jason Castro on the side of the right knee after that. Castro fell to the ground where he remained for a couple of minutes before getting up and limping to first base while talking to a trainer. He jogged around near first base for a bit before remaining in the game.

He was replaced by Conger in the seventh inning with a right knee contusion and is listed as day to day.

HELPING OUT

Baltimore's Delmon Young had two outfield assists Monday night and leads the majors with eight. His work gave the Orioles 18 this season, which moves them past the White Sox for most in the majors.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: Adam Jones returned after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle. He was the team's designated hitter to keep him off his feet for one more day. Showalter said he will be back in center field on Tuesday if he isn't sore. ... SS J.J. Hardy was out of the lineup with soreness on his left side. Showalter said Hardy wanted to play but they held him out as a precaution.

Astros: RHP Brad Peacock, who is on the DL with a left intercostal strain, is making progress and could throw batting practice on Saturday at Double-A Corpus Christi. If that goes well a rehabilitation start in the minors would likely follow.

UP NEXT

Baltimore rookie Mike Wright makes his fourth career start against RHP Collin McHugh. Wright is 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA in his three starts. He did not allow a run in his first two starts before giving up three in his last one. McHugh looks to get back on track after allowing 18 hits and seven runs combined in his last two outings.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/orioles-drop-third-straight-brach-cant-hold-lead

Orioles drop third straight as Brach can't hold lead

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore June 1, 2015

GAME SUMMARY: The Houston Astros scored four seventh inning runs to defeat the Orioles 5-2 on Monday night. The Orioles led 2-1 entering the seventh, but George Springer tied the game with an RBI single, and the Astros (32-20) got the go-ahead run on Jose Altuve’s sacrifice fly.

Will Harris (2-0) was the winner. Brad Brach (3-1) got the loss. Luke Gregerson was credited with his 14th save.

The Orioles (23-27) have lost three straight.

THE GOOD: Ubaldo Jimenez pitched six strong innings, and after walking the first batter of the seventh was removed for Brad Brach

THE BAD: After four perfect innings and two wins over Houston in his last three outings, Brach allowed three runs in the seventh on two hits and two walks.

THE UGLY: Jimmy Paredes struck out to end the game as a pinch hitter. He’s stuck in a 1-for- 23 slump.

NOTABLE: Brach had won 10 of his first 11 decisions with the Orioles. He’s now 10-2.

STRUGGLING: The Orioles have equaled their season low at four games under .500. It’s the most games under .500 they’ve been since the end of the 2011 season.

OUCH: J.J. Hardy sat out the game with soreness in his left side. Adam Jones, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, was the designated hitter.

HOT HITTER: Ryan Flaherty had two hits, including an RBI triple.

REHAB: is scheduled to catch Bud Norris in Norfolk on Tuesday night. Both will then rejoin the Orioles.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-taking-a-look-at-the-orioles-52-loss-in- houston-monday-night-20150601-story.html

Bullpen let Orioles down Monday, but mistakes magnified by poor hitting

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 2, 2015

There will be a lot of Tuesday morning quarterbacking today after last night’s 5-2 Orioles loss at Minute Maid Park.

With the Orioles leading 2-1, manager Buck Showalter pulled Ubaldo Jimenez after a leadoff single in the seventh inning. Jimenez had thrown just 91 pitches when Chris Carter opened the inning with a single, just the fourth hit against Jimenez.

Did Jimenez deserve to try to get out of his own jam instead of helplessly watching right-hander reliever Brad Brach create his own? Probably, but on most nights, Brach would have done the job, and Jimenez would have welcomed him to the dugout with a high-five because he preserved his win.

Brach entered Monday having allowed just one earned run over his past seven appearances. He had allowed just four hits over 10 innings and struck out 12 with just two walks.

And Brach’s success dated back further. Since posting a 9.64 ERA over his first four outings, Brach pitched to a 1.80 ERA in his past 14 games. Opponents hit just .136 against him and he had allowed just four runs over 20 relief innings.

On the season, Brach retired 14 of 18 first batters faced, but entered Monday’s game and immediately walked Luis Valbuena, who homered of Jimenez earlier in the game, but was just 2- for-29 entering Monday.

Brach began warming up in the beginning of the inning, so it looked like he was going to be Jimenez’s successor whether it was at 91 pitches or 101 pitches or 111 pitches. But just two pitches into the inning, Brach entered the game.

He walked Valbuena on six pitches, then allowed a first-pitch base hit to pinch hitter Hank Conger. He struck out No. 9 hitter Marwin Gonzalez, then fell behind George Springer, 3-0, before Springer laced a single up the middle to score the tying run. Brach then fell behind Jose Altuve, 3-1, before Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to plate the winning run.

“Seemed like he couldn't get himself back in sync,” Showalter said. “Got in a little rut there and couldn't make adjustments. Something we thought he had gotten over.”

Two batters later, Tommy Hunter entered and allowed a two-run single that made the score 5-2. Had Delmon Young not thrown out his second baserunner of the night, the inning would have kept going.

Showalter didn’t give a ringing endorsement of his bullpen after the game.

“We’re having some inconsistencies with the people in our bullpen with the people who have been real good,” Showalter said. “And that’s been back and forth, not sure what we are going to get each time out. The tack-on runs were big with Tommy. That goes unnoticed. We played a really good defensive game, otherwise they would have scored a lot more runs.”

The bullpen might wear this loss, but the Orioles were just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. And every mistake gets magnified when the bats aren’t doing their job.

Everth Cabrera failed to drop a bunt twice. David Lough was picked off first. Both players might not be playing if Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy weren’t held out because of injuries (Jones was the DH), but those role players need to perform when called upon.

The margin for error isn’t a big one for this team, and the Orioles have struggled to get out from this under-.500 funk. A loss Tuesday would put them a season-high five games under .500. It's still early, but this team can't continue to waddle in mediocrity. Eventually something is going to give, and eventually one of these American League East teams is going to decide it wants the division.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-shortstop-jj-hardy-nervous-about- left-side-soreness-that-shelved-him-for-mondays-game-20150601-story.html

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy 'nervous' about left side soreness that shelved him for Monday's game

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 1, 2015

Just as one of the Orioles cornerstone players returned to the lineup, another key player was sidelined in Monday’s series opener against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Even though Adam Jones, who had missed the last two games with a mild left ankle sprain, returned as the team’s starting designated hitter, shortstop J.J. Hardy was out Monday with left side soreness.

The Orioles hope they got ahead of the injury, but Hardy admitted he was concerned about the injury. Hardy said the soreness is similar to how a left oblique injury he had in 2011 began. Hardy missed a month (25 games) with that injury.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter wouldn’t say that Hardy’s injury is an oblique, but admitted it shows some of the signs.

“I am not using that word,” Showalter said when asked if Hardy’s injury could be an oblique. “It’s one of those things you never say out loud. But it has some of those characteristics.”

Hardy has played in just 23 games this season. He opened the season on the DL, missing the first month of this season with a left shoulder sprain and also missed time with a lower back sprain.

“I’m just nervous that it’s more than a day or two type thing,” Hardy said. “I’m just nervous that it might turn into something worse and I don’t want it to, so I think resting it is probably the right thing. It’s frustrating though. It’s the shoulder in the spring, then the back starts acting up. Now it’s this and it’s just frustrating.”

He does tinker with his stance and his swing when he’s struggling at the plate, and Hardy -- who is hitting just .190/.209/.274 this season in 84 at bats -- said that too much swinging might be behind the injury. He said he started to feel discomfort on Sunday, and still felt it Monday when he hit off a tee. He didn’t take batting practice before Monday’s game but did field grounders and did some throwing.

“I’ve been taking a lot of swings trying to figure out my swing and I think it was somewhere along there,” Hardy said. “There wasn’t one specific thing that made it go, ‘Oh gosh,’ and today was a sign that I didn’t know if I could play like this.

“I don’t know how long it’s going to be,” Hardy said. “I don’t want to shut down everything but definitely don’t want to take too many swings and keep irritating it. I want to try to let it heal a little bit. … It’s frustrating. I’m trying to find what works and sometimes doing too much is bad. In this case it’s slowed me down a little bit.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-adam-jones-back-in-orioles-starting- lineup-but-as-the-designated-hitter-20150601-story.html

Adam Jones back in Orioles' starting lineup, but as the designated hitter

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 1, 2015

After missing the past two games with a left ankle sprain, Adam Jones is back in the Orioles starting lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Houston Astros, but he won’t be in center field.

Jones will bat third as the starting designated hitter tonight. David Lough will make his third straight start in center.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is also out of the starting lineup tonight.

Jones tested his ankle -- which he injured sliding into home in Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the White Sox -- earlier today, running sprints and doing agility drills under the supervision of head trainer Richie Bancells. He said those tests “felt pretty good” and he plans to do more running during batting practice.

Jones hoped to be back in center field for Monday night’s game, but manager Buck Showalter wants to give him another off from playing defense.

“I am not going to be stupid,” Jones said before the Orioles’ lineup was posted. “I am not going to be Superman in the beginning of June. But I want to be out there. … It’s boring DHing. I’m going to try to play center. But if I have to DH, I’ll DH, but I think the smart thing is to make sure there’s no lingering effects and try not to be Superman right now. Just try to make sure it’s going to hold so you’ve got nothing lingering throughout the season.”

Jones said he’s been bored not being in the lineup and joked he needs to get back in the field so he stops raiding the clubhouse dining room.

“I’ve been bored, really bored, missing my teammates, missing being on the field with the guys,” Jones said. “But it’s crazy when I’m not in the lineup, everybody in Baltimore is like, you see people all the time, ‘I drove this amount, this distance to see you play and you’re not playing.’ That’s the thing. I’m in because I pride myself in playing every day.

“So when I’m not playing, I’m bored,” Jones said. “I don’t know what to do. I’m going to try to get out there and stay out of the kitchen, because when I don’t play, I just raid the kitchen. … I’m not sad. I just want to play. You’ve been around me. I don’t like to disclose about how I’m feeling or how my body feels, but I just want to play and that’s what I’ve done here. Let’s get back to that.”

Here is the Orioles starting lineup for tonight:

Orioles Manny Machado 3B David Lough CF Adam Jones DH Delmon Young RF Chris Davis 1B Steve Pearce LF Caleb Joseph C Ryan Flaherty 2B Everth Cabrera SS Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-will-adam-jones-return-in-orioles-series- opener-in-houston-20150601-story.html

Will Adam Jones return in Orioles' series opener in Houston?

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 1, 2015

After dropping their last two games against the Rays this weekend, the Orioles open a two-city, seven-day road trip tonight in Houston.

The Orioles open their four-game series in Houston tonight at Minute Maid Park.

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was just testing his left ankle in the outfield with some running drills. He did some sprints and some agility drills under the supervision of head trainer Richie Bancells and first-base coach Wayne Kirby.

Jones has been out of the starting lineup the past two games.

The Orioles haven’t posted their lineup yet but here’s the Astros:

Astros George Springer RF Jose Altuve 2B Preston Tucker LF Evan Gattis DH Colby Rasmus CF Chris Carter 1B Luis Valbuena 3B Jason Castro C Marwin Gonzalez SS Brett Oberholtzer P

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-orioles-lightly-represented-in- latest-allstar-game-vote-totals-20150601-story.html

Orioles lightly represented in latest All-Star game vote totals

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun June 1, 2015

As the Orioles' season so far is dissected following their .500 homestand, perhaps there's no better indication of the plight of the 2014 American League East Champions than the most recent round of All-Star game voting, announced Monday by .

Just three Orioles -- center fielder Adam Jones (fourth), third baseman Manny Machado (fourth), and catcher Caleb Joseph (fifth) -- are represented in the top five at their positions.

For comparison's sake, at this time last year, catcher Matt Wieters and designated hitter Nelson Cruz both led their fields, despite the Orioles hovering around .500 at the time. First baseman Chris Davis (fourth among first basemen), shortstop J.J. Hardy (third among shortstops), and Machado (fourth among third basemen) were also high in their position groups.

Cruz, Jones, and Wieters ended up representing the team, with Wieters missing out because of injury.

Perhaps all the totals are skewed by the continued (and admirable) voting occuring within the fanbase, which apparently wants to see their entire team starting the game. But still, these totals seem to indicate there's not as much excitement -- here or elsewhere -- about this team's players or prospects as there's been in years past.

This article has been updated.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/128025978/quick-hook-for-ubaldo-jimenez-in-seventh- doesnt-pan-out

Quick hook for Ubaldo in 7th doesn't pan out O's manager Showalter brings in reliever Brach, who lets Astros take the lead

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 2, 2015

HOUSTON -- Ubaldo Jimenez exited his start after the Astros' Chris Carter hit a leadoff single in the seventh inning despite having thrown just 91 pitches on Monday night, and the move backfired on the Orioles.

"Yeah, I was a little bit [surprised], but as a starting pitcher, you never want to come out of the game," said Jimenez, who turned the ball over to reliever Brad Brach and watched a 2-1 lead morph into the O's 5-2 loss. "But it's part of the game. You have to do whatever they think is good for the team. This is how things are going for us right now. In another situation, we might get a double play and get out of the inning, but that's how it's going right now."

Jimenez, who entered the seventh inning having allowed only one run on three hits, was on a roll. The righty had struck out eight and allowed only Luis Valbuena's solo shot. But with Carter on first and Valbuena due up, O's manager Buck Showalter made the move.

"[It was] a little bit of everything," Showalter said when asked if Jimenez was tiring or he liked the Brach matchup better. "[Jimenez] didn't deserve to have anything but a no-decision or a W out of that. Especially with the way Brad has been pitching. We just got a different Brad tonight."

Brach, who entered the game with a 1.80 ERA over his last 14 outings (20 innings), made Showalter's move costly. The righty struggled with his command and allowed two hits and two walks in a four-run seventh that saw Houston take the lead for good.

"Just fell behind, and when you fall behind hitters, they are going to get hits in the Major Leagues," Brach said. "Did not do a good job of throwing strikes. Got behind hitters and didn't do myself any favors out there."

Brach started warming up when the inning started and, despite the abrupt hook for Jimenez, said he had plenty of time to get ready.

"Seemed like he couldn't get himself back in sync. Got in a little rut there and couldn't make adjustments," Showalter said of Brach, who had rebounded nicely from a rough start to the season. "Something we thought he had gotten over."

Valbuena worked a walk off Brach, with pinch-hitter Hank Conger then hitting a single to load the bases. After Brach struck out Marwin Gonzalez, George Springer swung at a 3-0 pitch and singled to tie the game and Jose Altuve sent a 3-1 pitch into center field for a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run. Brach walked Preston Tucker and was pulled in favor of Tommy Hunter, who allowed a two-run single to Evan Gattis.

"We're having some inconsistencies with the people in our bullpen, with the people who have been real good. And that's been back and forth, not sure what we are going to get each time out," Showalter said. "The tack-on runs were big with Tommy. That goes unnoticed. We played a really good defensive game, otherwise they would have scored a lot more runs."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/127966956/orioles-adam-jones-making-all-star-push-in- latest-vote-tally

Jones making All-Star push in latest vote tally

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 1, 2015

HOUSTON -- The reigning American League East champion Orioles are trying to get some of their players into the starting lineup at the All-Star Game, but they need your help in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot voting.

Adam Jones -- who returned to the starting lineup Monday -- remains fourth among AL outfielders with 1,514,836 votes, trailing Kansas City's Alex Gordon (1,917,834).

Manny Machado is fourth among third basemen with 419,979 votes, while Caleb Joseph is fifth among with 309,609 votes.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.

Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.

Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/127964974/os-jj-hardy-sidelined-due-to-soreness-in-left- side

Hardy sidelined due to soreness in left side O's shortstop hopes to avoid another stint on the DL

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 1, 2015

HOUSTON -- O's shortstop J.J. Hardy was not in Monday's starting lineup against the Astros as he is dealing with some left side soreness that he first felt on Sunday.

Hardy, who has been taking extra swings in hopes of finding his stride at the plate, came out to take early batting practice on Monday and felt the same sort of irritation. He immediately alerted head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter, who are trying to get out in front of the injury. Hardy, who started the season on the disabled list, has played in just 23 games and is batting .190.

"I'm just nervous that it's more than a day-or-two-type thing," said Hardy, who had a similar issue sideline him for an extended period in 2011. "I'm just nervous that it might turn into something worse and I don't want it to, so I think resting it is probably the right thing. It's frustrating though. It's the shoulder [injury] in the spring, then the back starts acting up. Now it's this."

Any sort of side soreness can often signal an oblique injury, which is a common injury that lands players on the DL.

"I am not using that word," Showalter said in regards to Hardy's injury. "It's one of those things you never say out loud. But [the injury] has some of those characteristics."

Showalter said Hardy wanted to play Monday, but given the team's schedule -- with no off-day coming until June 8 -- he decided to be cautious.

"We would all love for him to play, but you got to take it out of their hands," Showalter said. "Hopefully it's something we can get ahead of and not have it turn into something else."

Hardy was cautiously optimistic as well that this could only keep him out for a brief stint.

"I sure hope so," he said. "Honestly I'm a little bit nervous about it because in 2011 I felt something like this, so I don't want it to get to that point. We'll see what tomorrow has, but it definitely makes me a little nervous."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/127964974/os-jj-hardy-sidelined-due-to-soreness-in-left- side

Ankle improved, Jones in lineup at DH Center fielder had suffered sprain while sliding home Thursday

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 1, 2015

HOUSTON -- Orioles center fielder Adam Jones returned to the starting lineup on Monday against the Astros after missing two games, though he was at designated hitter as he continues to work through a left ankle sprain.

"It's boring DH'ing," said Jones, who tested his ankle Monday afternoon with some sprints in left field. "I am going to try to play center, but if I have to DH, I will DH. I think the important thing right now is to make sure there are no lingering effects and not try to be Superman right now."

Jones was pleased with how he responded to Monday's running, adding that the swelling from the injury -- suffered while sliding into home plate on Thursday night -- has completely gone away. While he never likes being out of the lineup, Jones said several times that he was trying to be smart about the injury given it's only June 1 and there's a lot of baseball left to play.

Still, it's been tough to watch his team from the bench.

"I've been bored, really bored, missing my teammates, missing being on the field with the guys," Jones said. "But it's crazy when I'm not in the lineup, everybody in Baltimore is like, you see people all the time, 'I drove this amount, this distance to see you play, and you're not playing.' That's the thing.

"I'm in because I pride myself in playing every day, so when I'm not playing, I'm bored. I don't know what to do. I'm going to try to get out there and stay out of the kitchen, because when I don't play, I just raid the kitchen.

"I'm not sad. I just want to play. You've been around me. I don't like to disclose about how I'm feeling or how my body feels, but I just want to play, and that's what I've done here. Let's get back to that."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said as long as Jones comes through Monday's game OK and doesn't have any soreness on Tuesday, he will return to center field.

"Believe me, if you've ever been in a dugout with Adam Jones, you'd a lot rather have him play center field," Showalter said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/127979618/rookie-wright-aims-to-impress-vs-astros

Rookie Wright aims to impress vs. Astros

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 1, 2015

The Orioles and Astros will continue their four-game set with Tuesday night's game at Minute Maid Park featuring Houston righty Collin McHugh against O's rookie Mike Wright.

Wright is getting his fourth career start, while McHugh is taking the hill for the 11th time this season.

Things to know about this game

• O's shortstop J.J. Hardy was not in Monday's starting lineup as he is dealing with some left side soreness that he first felt on Sunday. Hardy hopes he will only be sidelined a day or two, but he is questionable for Tuesday's game.

• Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, who missed two games with a left ankle injury, got the start at designated hitter on Monday and could return to the field Tuesday.

• McHugh is looking to rebound from a subpar May in which he went 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in six starts.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/06/random-thoughts-6.html

Random thoughts

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 2, 2015

Let's start with J.J. Hardy.

The Orioles shortstop is day-to-day with soreness on his left side. That's dangerously close to an oblique injury, which Hardy experienced in April 2011. He missed a month. He's having flashbacks.

Center fielder Adam Jones returned last night from a sprained ankle, and Hardy unexpectedly left the lineup. This team simply can't get healthy.

Whatever lineup you envisioned over the winter hasn't appeared this season. Not for one game.

Is Jonathan Schoop anywhere close to going on an injury rehab assignment? I'll answer my own question: No, and there are some concerns within the organization that he needs to slow down his baseball activities.

Schoop doesn't need knee surgery at this point, but one setback could cost him the rest of this season and part of the next one.

Matt Wieters will play in his first game Thursday or Friday. Remember when we were speculating over the winter and in spring training whether he'd be ready on opening day? It seems so foolish now.

Wesley Wright has made two appearances with the Orioles after signing as a free agent. I almost forgot about Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia until asking for an update a few days ago.

Garcia is progressing nicely. That's all we know. He's not pitching in extended spring training games. He's just ... progressing.

If I still had my storage unit, I'd drag out all the boxes and old furniture and check whether he's stashed against the back wall.

The Orioles haven't won since Hardy's walk-off single on Friday. Now he's hurt. They're four games below .500 to tie their season high and they're counting on rookie Mike Wright to be the stopper.

He probably won't succeed without run support. Going out on a limb here.

The Orioles are 1-18 when scoring two runs or fewer. Manager Buck Showalter mentioned the lack of scoring last night when asked about removing Ubaldo Jimenez after six innings and 91 pitches.

What can be done? Well, there are options at Triple-A involving players who don't have options, but room must be created for them. In the case of outfielder Nolan Reimold, the Orioles can't fret over the possibility of losing him on a waiver claim if they attempt to send him back down. If they think he can help, make a move.

They could have used another right-handed bat last night against Astros left-hander Brett Oberholtzer. A hot bat? All the better.

Going back to Showalter's decision to remove Jimenez, the right-hander clearly was miffed, but he's such a nice guy that he hid it during his postgame interview with MASN's . I'd still like to draw a cartoon bubble over his head.

As I wrote last night, reliever Brad Brach had gone 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a save in 20 innings over his last 14 appearances since April 15. I thought Showalter had a quick hook with Jimenez, but he went with a hot hand.

It didn't work out. I'd immediately replace the crystal ball in the dugout.

Brach allowed two runs and three hits, and walked two batters, in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss. He's 10-2 in two seasons with the Orioles.

They should be so lucky to take 10-of-12.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/06/jones-remains-fourth-among-al-outfielders- in-all-star-balloting.html

Jones remains fourth among AL outfielders in All-Star balloting

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 1, 2015

The Orioles still don't have any players in the top three in voting for the 2015 All-Star Game.

Adam Jones remains fourth among American League outfielders with 1,514,836 votes, trailing Kansas City's Alex Gordon, who's third with 1,917,834.

Manny Machado is fourth among third basemen with 419,979 votes, putting him far behind leader Mike Moustakas, who's garnered 2,385,024 votes.

Caleb Joseph is fifth among catchers with 309,609 votes. Salvador Perez, another member of the defending American League champion Royals, is first with 2,681,063.

Perez continues to lead all AL players in voting. He was chosen as a reserve in each of the last two season.

The All-Star Game will be played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14.

First basemen 1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 2,123,752 2. Eric Hosmer, Royals, 2,053,237 3. Prince Fielder, Rangers, 580,739 4. Mark Teixeira, Yankees, 525,935 5. Albert Pujols, Angels, 351,945

Second basemen 1. Jose Altuve, Astros, 2,020,143 2. Omar Infante, Royals, 2,020,143 3. Ian Kinsler, Tigers, 537,849 4. Jason Kipnis, Indians, 504,909 5. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 503,821

Third basemen 1. Mike Moustakas, Royals, 2,385,024 2. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays, 1,496,065 3. Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox, 483,807 4. Manny Machado, Orioles, 419,979 5. Adrian Beltre, Rangers, 412,404

Shortstops 1. Alcides Escobar, Royals, 2,269,046 2. Jose Iglesias, Tigers, 1,277,655 3. Marcus Semien, Athletics, 630,167 4. Jed Lowrie, Astros, 511,714 5. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox, 327,682

Designated hitters 1. Nelson Cruz, Mariners, 2,108,584 2. Kendrys Morales, Royals, 1,827,730 3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 563,288 4. David Ortiz, Red Sox, 507,712 5. Victor Martinez, Tigers, 391,538

Catchers 1. Salvador Perez, Royals, 2,681,063 2. Stephen Vogt, Athletics, 1,401,747 3. Russell Martin, Blue Jays, 607,610 4. Brian McCann, Yankees, 529,364 5. Caleb Joseph, Orioles, 309,609

Outfielders 1. Lorenzo Cain, Royals, 2,506,859 2. Mike Trout, Angels, 2,371,435 3. Alex Gordon, Royals, 1,917,834 4. Adam Jones, Orioles, 1,514,836 5. Alex Rios, Royals, 1,249,073 6. Yoenis Cespedes Tigers 1,024,346 7. Michael Brantley Indians 906,788 8. Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees, 888,192 9. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, 792,897 10. Josh Reddick, Athletics, 650,756 11. Hanley Ramirez Red Sox 644,212 12. Carlos Beltran Yankees 471,929 13. Brett Gardner, Yankees, 458,849 14. Torii Hunter, Twins, 386,847 15. J.D. Martinez, Tigers, 378,075

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/06/jones-serving-as-dh-tonight.html

Jones serving as DH tonight

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 1, 2015

Adam Jones returns to the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter after a two-game absence.

Jones has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle sustained in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox. He played on Friday and sat out back-to-back losses to the Rays.

Jones is looking for his first since May 11. He's driven in three runs during that stretch.

Everth Cabrera is starting at shortstop, with J.J. Hardy listed among the reserves.

Jimmy Paredes, 1-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in his last five games, also is on the bench

For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B David Lough CF Adam Jones DH Delmon Young RF Chris Davis 1B Steve Pearce LF Caleb Joseph C Ryan Flaherty 2B Everth Cabrera SS

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

For the Astros George Springer RF Jose Altuve 2B Preston Tucker LF Evan Gattis DH Colby Rasmus CF Chris Carter 1B Luis Valbuena 3B Jason Castro C Marwin Gonzalez SS

Brett Oberholtzer LHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/06/this-that-and-the-other-87.html

This, that and the other

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 1, 2015

The Orioles finally are playing their first game outside the Eastern time zone. It only took 49.

Adam Jones' sprained left ankle has healed. Now he needs his bat to heat up.

Jones hit .400/.440/.707 with six doubles, one triple, five home runs and 19 RBIs in 20 games in April. He hit .239/.272/.284 with two doubles, one home run and seven RBIs in 27 games in May.

Jones is 12-for-34 (.353) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs, one walk and 10 strikeouts in nine career games as the designated hitter.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Houston that J.J. Hardy has some soreness in his left side. I'm not a doctor, but I assume it's not related to the lower back tightness that forced him out of a game on May 25. It's definitely not related to the left shoulder injury that forced him to begin the season on the disabled list.

Tune into "O's Xtra" pregame at 7:30 p.m. on MASN2 for snippets from Showalter's pregame session.

Delmon Young's first home run yesterday snapped a 45-game homerless streak dating to Aug. 30, 2014. As the Orioles PR staff notes, it marked the third-longest homerless streak of Young's career.

The longest streaks were both set from 2007-2008 (66 games, Sept. 25, 2007 to June 6, 2008 and 59 games, June 23, 2007 to Aug. 26, 2007).

The Orioles and White Sox are tied for first in the majors with 16 outfield assists. Young leads the team and is tied for second in the majors with six.

Manny Machado has hit safely in 28 of his last 36 games, batting .307/.368/.543 (43-for-140) with 10 doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 17 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

The Orioles are 27-3 when catcher Caleb Joseph records at least one RBI and 12-1 when he has two more more.

Ubaldo Jimenez is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA in 11 starts since Sept. 16, 2014, when the Orioles clinched the American League East title.

Jimenez is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA on the road this season, with 10 earned runs allowed in 16 2/3 innings.

In 40 career starts in June, Jimenez is 17-11 with a 3.24 ERA in 250 innings. His 17 wins are the most in any month and his 3.24 ERA is the lowest of any month (minimum of 10 starts).

The Orioles are averaging 5.40 runs in support of Jimenez this season, compared to 3.66 last season in 25 games (22 starts).

Jimenez has surrendered only one run in the first inning this season.

Reliever Brad Brach has gone 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a save in 20 innings over his last 14 appearances since April 15.

Closer Zach Britton has converted nine consecutive save opportunities since May 3, the second- longest streak of his career behind an 18-game stretch rom July 19 to Sept. 4, 2014.

Darren O'Day ranked sixth among American League relievers with a 0.95 ERA.

Tommy Hunter has posted a 2.60 ERA in his last 16 appearances.

On this date in 1960, Orioles right-hander Hal "Skinny" Brown allowed only one hit, a first- inning home run to Yankees center fielder Mickey Mantle, in a 4-1 win that completed a three- game sweep.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/06/draft-talk-a-look-at-the-os-draft-pool-and- players-theyve-been-linked-to-in-mock-drafts.html

Draft talk: A look at the O's draft pool and players they've been linked to in mock drafts

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 2, 2015

The 2015 First-Year Player Draft is now less than a week away. It all begins Monday night at 7 p.m., when MLB Network will televise picks made from Round 1 through Competitive Balance Round B.

The draft then resumes Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m., with Rounds 3-10, and then on Wednesday June 9 at noon with Rounds 11-40.

The Orioles have the 25th pick in Round 1 and they have four of the first 102 picks as they also select 36th, 68th and 102nd. They have 11 picks over the first 10 rounds.

Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich talked about his philosophy for this year's draft.

"We are going to stay true to our philosophy to pick the next best player (on our draftboard)," he said. "We are not going to be pitching-focused like we were last year, we are not going to be hitter-focused. We are not going to be college- or high school-focused.

"We're going to keep it wide open and pick what we believe is the next best player. If that player is one of the top 10 on our board and falls to us, we will be overjoyed and excited."

According to , here are the allotted slot values for the Orioles' 11 picks in the top 10 rounds of the draft:

Round 1 (#25) - $2,064,500 Round 1 (#36) - $1,711,900 Round 2 (#68) - $907,000 Round 3 (#102) - $559,300 Round 4 (#133) - $414,700 Round 5 (#163) - $310,500 Round 6 (#193) - $232,600 Round 7 (#223) - $178,300 Round 8 (#253) - $166,400 Round 9 (#283) - $155,500 Round 10 (#313) - $149,700

Adding up the individual slot values gives the Orioles a total draft pool of $6,850,400 to sign those picks in the top 10 rounds. A team can sign any player to an overslot or underslot bonus but any overage must come from this pool, so signing one player for more means someone must be signed for less.

Several teams have used a strategy of drafting a college senior in Round 9 or 10 and signing him to a bonus of say $10,000. That player cannot go back to school so has little leverage and is almost always is happy to sign for that amount, providing the team more dollars to use elsewhere. If a team fails to sign any top 10 round pick, they lose the bonus money allotted for that specific selection.

Teams can sign players chosen in Rounds 11-40 for up to $100,000. They can go over that amount, but if they do, it comes out of the total draft pool.

Teams are allowed to go over their total bonus pool allotment, but even going over by small amounts incur harsh penalties. If a team exceeds their budget by between 0-5 percent, they are taxed 75 percent on the amount they went over. If they exceed the budget by 5-10 percent, they suffer the same penalty as 0-5 percent plus they lose their first-round selection in the following draft. Going over by 10-15 percent incurs a 100 percent tax on the overage, plus the loss of first- and second-round picks in the following draft. Anything over 15 percent results in the team paying a 100 percent tax on the overage and the loss of their first-round selection for the next two drafts.

So don't expect to see teams exceed their pool allotment by more than five percent and lose any picks.

Last season, the Orioles had the smallest total bonus pool in the majors at $2.2 million. That was because they didn't have a first- or second-round pick, not selecting until the 90th pick overall.

In that draft, the Orioles made 38 selections, signing 30 players, 19 of whom were pitchers.

The Orioles have selected pitchers with their first pick in the last four drafts since they got Manny Machado with the third pick in 2010:

2011 - RHP Dylan Bundy - No. 4 2012 - RHP Kevin Gausman - No. 4 2013 - RHP Hunter Harvey - No. 22 2014 - LHP Brian Gonzalez - No. 90

Here are some players linked to the Orioles in some recent mock drafts: * University of Virgina LHP Nathan Kirby (by Baseball America) * Florida State outfielder D.J. Stewart (by Baseball America) * Cal-Poly Pomona RHP Cody Ponce (by ESPN's Keith Law) * Louisville RHP Kyle Funkhouse (by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo) * Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman (by MLB.com's Jim Callis)

Callis also listed Stewart, Cincinnati outfielder Ian Happ, North Florida outfielder Donnie Dewees and University of Florida shortstop Richie Martin as possibles for the Orioles.

Law said the club also had interest in third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas.

Click here to read the interview published last week in this space with Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/06/draft-51.html

O's game blog: Orioles look to break three-series road losing streak at Houston

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 1, 2015

After playing just three road games over a 20-game stretch since May 11, the Orioles begin a two-city, seven-game road trip tonight at Houston. This is the first time this year they are playing outside the Eastern time zone.

A loss tonight and the Orioles would match a season-high at four games .500. They begin the road trip with a 23-26 record after losing the last two days to Tampa Bay.

The Yankees and Rays are tied for the American League East lead at 26-25, with the Orioles in third place, two games out.

Baltimore has lost its last three road series, going 2-7 against the Mets, Yankees and Marlins. They are 8-14 in 22 road games.

The Orioles' struggling offense may be happy to turn the calender to June after scoring just 3.3 runs per game during May. They ended the month scoring two runs or less in 11 of the last 21 games and producing six hits or less in six of the last nine.

Houston has the second best record in the AL, behind only Minnesota. Yeah, everybody figured that, right? The Twins are 30-19 (.612) and the Astros are 31-20 (.608).

Houston began the year 3-5, then went 26-11 over a 37-game stretch heading into last week's series at Camden Yards. But they lost two of three there and then lost two of three to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend.

Houston came to Camden Yards with an 11-4 record in one-run games and then suffered two one-run losses in Baltimore.

Houston is 26-2 whe scoring four or more runs (1-1 versus the Orioles), 19-0 when producing a multi-home run game and leads the majors scoring 90 runs this year from the seventh inning on.

Ubaldo Jimenez (3-3, 3.14 ERA) makes his 10th start tonight and will be facing Houston in back-to-back games. Last Wednesday he went seven innings and gave up 10 hits and four runs.

Jimenez in April: 2-1 with 1.59 ERA, 3.2 walks/nine innings, .133 average against. Jimenez in May: 1-2 with 4.34 ERA, 1.9 walks/nine innings, .303 average against.

Left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (0-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second start of the season. He was on the disabled list due to a blister on his left index finger, was activated to make a start May 13, re- aggravated that injury and went back on the DL. He comes off that list for the second time to start tonight.

Oberholtzer has walked just 1.77 batters for every nine innings pitched over his career, ranking third in team history among pitchers with 200 or more innings.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/05/31/ap-bba-orioles-astros-preview-0

Orioles-Astros Preview

SI.com June 2, 2015

The Houston Astros sit atop the AL in large part due to their late-inning heroics.

After winning with that recipe again in their series opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, they'll look for a more comfortable victory Tuesday night - though facing rookie Mike Wright hardly seems like an easy task.

Houston (32-20) ranks atop the majors with 94 runs scored after the sixth inning, four of which came in Monday's 5-2 win over Baltimore (23-27). George Springer and Jose Altuve each drove in a run in the seventh before Evan Gattis broke it open with a two-run single.

''As the game goes along, for whatever reason, our at-bats get better and better,'' manager A.J. Hinch said. ''We punched out early in the game and then didn't late.

"I wish I had the answers because I'd play that answer earlier in the game.''

The Astros dropped two of three at Baltimore last week, yet still managed to produce in the late innings. Of the 13 runs they've scored over the last three meetings with the Orioles, 11 have come in the seventh or later.

''I just think that this is a very resilient team and the last six to nine (innings) is always a good spot for us, and I think that's a good sign of things to come,'' Springer said.

Wright (2-0, 1.40 ERA) will look to continue the impressive start to his career. He began it with consecutive scoreless outings totaling 14 1-3 innings before allowing three runs over five innings - all on the first two homers he's given up - in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

In Wright's sole appearance away from Baltimore, he yielded three hits in seven innings at Miami on May 23.

He'll oppose Collin McHugh (5-2, 4.24), who started eventual Houston victories in each of his first six outings behind a 3.23 ERA. McHugh has stumbled to a 5.84 ERA and a 1-2 record in his last four, though, after surrendering four runs in six innings - including homers to Chris Davis and Steve Pearce - in the Astros' 5-4 loss on Wednesday.

Houston's bullpen gave up the game-winning run in that contest, but worked 3 2-3 perfect innings Monday to bounce back after allowing three homers in their last 12 innings.

Baltimore's relievers were not as successful. Taking over for starter Ubaldo Jimenez, Brad Brach allowed three runs and recorded only two outs. He had previously allowed only one run in his last 10 innings, including two scoreless appearances against the Astros.

''He just couldn't seem to get himself back in sync,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ''Got into a little rut there and couldn't make an adjustment. Something we thought he had gotten over.'

Adam Jones (ankle) returned from a two-game absence Monday to DH, and could play the field on Tuesday. J.J. Hardy, who sat Monday with soreness in his left side, remains questionable.

Those two have provided trouble for McHugh in the past. Jones and Hardy are both 3 for 6 against the right-hander, and Jones has a home run.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/can-wright-continue-his-roll

Can Wright continue on his roll?

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore June 2, 2015

Tonight’s Game:

Baltimore Orioles (23-27) vs. Houston Asros (32-20), Minute Maid Park, Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Starting pitchers:

Mike Wright (2-0, 1.40) vs. Collin McHugh (5-2, 4.24)

Keys to the Game:

Can Wright continue his roll? He's allowed just 13 hits in his first 19 1/3 major league innings.

How badly hurt is J.J. Hardy? He missed Monday's game with an injury to his left side. The Orioles can't afford to lose him again for an extended time.

News and Notes:

The Orioles have losing streaks of three, four and five games this year, but just one three-game winning streak.

Everth Cabrera is in a 2-for-26 skid.

Jimmy Paredes, who did not start on Monday night, is 1-for-23.

Current Orioles are batting .366 against McHugh.

Adam Jones has one home run in his last 36 games.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/orioles-hope-hardys-absence-isnt-long-one

Orioles hope Hardy's absence isn't a long one

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore June 1, 2015

Adam Jones in. J.J. Hardy out. The Orioles continue to grapple with injuries, and on Monday Hardy reported pain in his left side and was held out of the lineup.

Hardy told reporters in Houston that he feared soreness on his left side could be a major injury. In 2011, the shortstop missed a month with an oblique injury.

The last two seasons have been difficult ones for Hardy. Last year, back, groin and thumb injuries forced him to miss 21 games.

This year, he injured his left shoulder late in spring training and missed the first 25 games.

Hardy is batting .190 with two home runs and six RBIs. He had the game-winning hit in Friday’s game.

Everth Cabrera started at shortstop in Hardy’s place on Monday night. Cabrera was the regular shortstop when Hardy was on the disabled list.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/after-missing-two-games-jones-dh

After missing two games, Jones is DH

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore June 1, 2015

Adam Jones is back in the Orioles lineup for Monday’s game in Houston. He isn’t in center field, but he’ll be the designated hitter. With Jimmy Paredes in a 1-for-22 slump, Jones is the DH, something he doesn’t really enjoy.

In nine career starts as a DH, Jones is 12-for-34 (.353) with two home runs.

On Sunday, manager Buck Showalter said that while he’d prefer to have Jones back as a centerfielder, he’d start him at DH if he could get him back a day sooner.

Jones sprained his left ankle sliding awkwardly into home plate in the third inning of Thursday’s second game. He played on, and was in the lineup on Friday, but missed both Saturday and Sunday’s games.

The Orioles lost those games.

He started as DH once in 2012 and four times each in 2013 and 2014.

Showalter has often pointed out that Jones is miserable on the bench and that he isn’t much more fun as DH.

Paredes has been the DH in 32 games. Chris Davis, Steve Pearce, Travis Snider and Delmon Young have also been designated hitters this season.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/jones-only-oriole-all-star-voting-contention

Jones is only Oriole in All-Star voting contention

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore June 1, 2015

Adam Jones is the only Oriole who is in contention for a start in the All-Star Game. In the second round of balloting, Jones remains fourth among outfielders, though he’s now considerably behind Kansas City’s Alex Gordon for third place.

Jones trails Gordon by more than 400,000 votes.

The only other Orioles among top votegetters are third baseman Manny Machado, who’s in fourth place and catcher Caleb Joseph in fifth place.

Machado is nearly 2 million votes behind the Royals’ Mike Moustakas and Joseph trails Kansas City’s Salvador Perez by more than 2.3 million votes.

The Royals continue to have five leaders. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alicdes Escobar are also in first place. First baseman Eric Hosmer trails Miguel Cabrera by about 70,000 votes.

Houston’s Jose Altuve (second base) and Seattle’s Nelson Cruz (designated hitter) are also leading.

Los Angeles’ Mike Trout is in second place among outfielders trailing Cain by 135,000.

The All-Star Game is at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on July 14.

Voting results will be updated next Monday.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/01/adam-jones-back-in-orioles-lineup-as-dh-after- missing-two-games-with-ankle-injury/

Adam Jones back in Orioles’ lineup as DH after missing two games with ankle injury

By D.J. Short / NBCSports.com June 1, 2015

After missing two games with an ankle injury, Adam Jones is back in the Orioles’ lineup as the designated hitter tonight against the Astros.

Jones sprained his left ankle on a slide into home plate on Thursday night and hasn’t played since Friday, but the swelling has subsided and he told Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com that he felt fine after running in the outfield this afternoon. While he’d rather be playing center field, he acknowledged that he shouldn’t “try to be Superman right now.”

Jones is off to another strong start this season, batting .304/.343/.457 with six home runs and 26 RBI across 48 games.