W – Luis Ayala (1-0)     L – Francisco Cordero (0-1)     SV – Jim Johnson (4)

- Jason Hammel struggled a bit coming off of his no hit bid. He only gave up two runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts, but it took him 97 pitches to get through five innings. Thats just not efficient enough. But he did keep us in the ballgame and the bullpen did a pretty good job allowing us to come back and win. A Wilson Betemit error in the 6th led to two more runs coming in against Matt Lindstrom, but Darren O’Day, Luis Ayala, and Jim Johnson each pitched scoreless innings. Our team ERA right now is an excellent 2.84. Theres no way that keeps up but its still a good sign.
- Nolan Reimold is on fire. He was the hero last night, hitting a two run homer in the top of the 9th inning with the score tied 4-4. He also doubled in the 1st. Our lineup is showing homerun power here in the early going. Wilson Betemit hit a solo shot in the 8th inning to tie the game after Chris Davis had hit a two run bomb in the 4th. Davis also singled twice.
- JJ Hardy singled and was hit by a pitch. Adam Jones also singled and was hit by a pitch. Mark Reynolds singled and Nick Markakis walked.
- So far this is a team of streaks, or maybe sweeps if they win today. You have to like what the team has shown. Our only losses are to the Yankees, two of those one run extra inning affairs. Minnesota might be a terrible baseball team but the Blue Jays aren’t. The fact that we’ve been able to beat them in Toronto where we’ve struggled mightily recently is reassuring.

Player of the game: Nolan Reimold – 2-5, double (3), 2 Run HR (2) (.323 AVG)

Will the season start with back to back to back sweeps? Brian Matusz (0-1, 9.00) will try his best against Kyle Drabek (1-0, 1.69). It could be another homerun filled game.

W – Darren O’Day (1-0)     L – Darren Oliver (0-1)     SV – Jim Johnson (3)

- Nolan Reimold looked like he was going to be the reason we lost this game, but he redeemed himself and became one of the reasons we won. An error in left field gave the Blue Jays an extra out and the lead. But with the O’s clinging to a one run lead in the 9th he launched his first homerun of the season to give us an insurance run. He also singled, doubled, and stole a base in the game.
- Adam Jones and Robert Andino each also homered in the game. Jones also singled twice. Nick Markakis singled, doubled, and hit a sacrifice fly. Wilson Betemit had a clutch two run single in the 8th inning to give us the lead for good. Matt Wieters walked twice.
- Tommy Hunter started the game and gave up four homeruns. Luckily they were all solo shots and he was able to get through six innings. He throws alot of strikes and that can be a good thing but if they’re a little too fat it can lead to alot of hard hit balls. He kept us in the game and probably could’ve pitched the 7th since he had only thrown 84 pitches through six.
- The bullpen was great. Darren O’Day pitched a perfect 7th, Pedro Strop a scoreless 8th, and Jim Johnson a scoreless 9th to give us the chance to take the lead back and eventually close it out.

Player of the game: Nolan Reimold – 3-5, 3 R, RBI, double (2), HR (1), SB (1) (.308 AVG)

W – Rafael Soriano (1-0)     L – Kevin Gregg (0-1)     SV – Mariano Rivera (2)

- Well the euphoria of the opening series sweep against the Twins didn’t last long… The Yankees come into town with an 0-3 record and sweep us right back. We were in all of the games but that almost feels worse. Jake Arrieta made his second start of the season coming off his opening day gem. The first two batters of the game doubled and then homered to give us an early deficit but Arrieta settled down and pitched well after that. Overall he gave up four runs on five hits and a walk over 6.2 innings with five strikeouts. He left the game in the 7th inning with runners on base and Luis Ayala allowed one of them to score. He did pitch an inning and a third scoreless after that though. Kevin Gregg came in to start the 9th and actually looked pretty good tossing a perfect inning. Unfortunately he was asked to pitch a second inning and he gave up a two run homer to Nick Swisher which put the nail in our coffin.
- The offense was better with runners in scoring position last night but when it really mattered in the bottom of the 10th Adam Jones had a terrible at bat. With two outs Nolan Reimold doubled down the right field line, JJ Hardy worked a walk, and then Nick Markakis was intentionally walked to get to Jones. He worked the count to 3-1 but then swung through two 90 mph fastball that were pretty much right down the middle. They weren’t overpowering pitches but because he was swinging for the fences instead of trying to make solid contact he struck out. Disappointing to say the least. When you get four runs against CC Sabathia you should win the ballgame.
- Our runs came from a two run single by Robert Andino in the bottom of the 2nd inning and a two run double from Mark Reynolds in the 5th. Reynolds also walked twice in the game. JJ Hardy, Matt Wieters, and Ronny Paulino each singled twice. Jones singled and stole his third base of the season.

Player of the game: Mark Reynolds – 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, double (2) (.176 AVG)

The Orioles are off today, traveling to Toronto to start their first road trip against the Blue Jays. Tommy Hunter (1-0, 0.00) looks to continue his strong start to the season against hard throwing Brandon Morrow (0-0, 0.00).

W – Clay Rapada (1-0)     L – Pedro Strop (0-1)     SV – Mariano Rivera (1)

- Wei-Yin Chen’s Oriole and major league debut got off to a shaky start, giving up a leadoff homerun followed by a hard hit double, but he was pretty impressive after he settled down. He struck out six Yankee batters over 5.2 innings, only walked one. He was spotting a 90-92 mph fastball very well on both sides of the plate. He was getting swings and misses which is impressive against that lineup. He should’ve been in line for the win but a costly error by Mark Reynolds in the top of the 6th with two outs allowed two runs eventually come around to score and tie the game. Chen tired after the 5th but you have to figure some of that was due to the excitement of his first start in America and also hes still building up his pitch count.
- The bullpen was fantastic for the most part last night. Matt Lindstrom came in and got the final out of the 6th and went on to pitch a scoreless 7th. Luis Ayala, Jim Johnson, and Troy Patton each tossed a scoreless frame, as did Pedro Strop in the top of the 11th inning. Normally he wouldn’t have went back out for the 12th after pitching an inning Monday night but the bullpen was running thin so he went back out there. Unfortunately the Yankees were able to push the winning run across the plate but I still came away impressed with Strop. He was throwing 96-97 mph fastballs with crazy movement. He got in trouble when he hung a slider to Raul Ibanez but he has closers stuff for sure.
- The offense scored most of their runs on Freddy Garcia wild pitches. He had five in the game, scoring three of our four runs. Our only other run came on JJ Hardy’s second homerun of the season, a solo shot. We had chances to win the game in the late innings but again were dismal with runners in scoring position, going 0-8 in the game. We took ten called strike threes in the game. Thats unacceptable. Sure the homeplate umpire gave us a strikezone that was three inches wider on the outside portion than the Yankees had, but at some point you have to realize that and at least protect with two strikes.
- Adam Jones doubled, walked, stole a base, and was hit by a pitch. Robert Andino doubled. Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, and Chris Davis each singled. Wieters also walked. Endy Chavez and Mark Reynolds also each walked.

Player of the game: Wei-Yin Chen – 5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K (3.18 ERA)

The Orioles will try to getting swept themselves tonight with Yankees ace CC Sabathia (0-0, 7.50) on the mound. Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.00) will need another good outing for us to have a chance to salvage one game this series.

W – Ivan Nova (1-0)     L – Brian Matusz (0-1)

- Matusz’ attempt at a comeback campaign got off to a bad start. Admittedly it was a tough first assignment. An angry Yankee team coming into town after being swept to start their season by the Tampa Bay Rays to go along with the pressure of trying to erase the memory of last season and keep our winning streak going. His stuff was much better than last season, it was just that the results and his control wasn’t. He needed 96 pitches to get through four innings, giving up four runs on six hits with four walks and a strikeout. He was over throwing and up in the zone all night. He needs to relax and trust his stuff. Unfortunately for him he may not have too long of a leash after last year and with Tsuyoshi Wada waiting to return from the DL.
- The bullpen was busy for the first time in 2012. Darren O’Day made his Oriole debut and gave up a solo homerun to the first batter he faced. He was able to get four outs after that without allowing a run. Troy Patton’s rough start to the season continued as he also gave up a run over 1.1 innings. Kevin Gregg made his first appearance of the season, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. Of course he gave up a hit and walked a batter in the process though. Pedro Strop tossed a perfect frame in the top of the 9th.
- The offense provided 13 hits, more than half of them for extra bases, but the runs just weren’t coming with them. We would get runner in scoring position but we were only 2-15 after that. Matt Wieters had a hell of a night with the bat and he got us on the board in the 2nd inning with a solo homerun that he crushed onto the flag court. He hit the ball hard everytime up and was a triple away from the cycle with a double and two singles. Chris Davis had a single and a double and drove in our only other run in the 7th inning.
- Robert Andino ripped a pair of doubles in the game and was also fired up when the game ended, going after the Yankees dugout after he was accused of tipping pitches from second base in the 9th inning. Things could get interesting tonight if the Yankees decide to send him a message.
- Mark Reynold had his first two hits of the season, a single and a double, after getting Sunday off due to a sore leg from fouling a ball off of it on Saturday night. Wilson Betemit doubled, Nolan Reimold and Adam Jones each singled. Nick Markakis had to be restrained after being called out on strikes in the 8th inning. He took what appeared to be ball four on 3-1 and 3-2 counts back to back. So much for home cooking when it comes to the umps.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 4-4, double (1), solo HR (2) (.385 AVG)

Wei Yin Chen (0-0, -.–) makes his Oriole debut tonight. The Yankees counter with Freddy Garcia (0-0, -.–) who continues to find ways to pitch effectively in the majors despite losing the stuff he once had.

W – Jason Hammel (1-0)     L – Anthony Swarzak (0-1)     SV – Jim Johnson (2)

- The great starting pitching continued this afternoon as Jason Hammel joined in on the fun. This season is starting off just like last season with three straight quality starts. Hopefully thats about all this season has in common with the last. Hammel carried a no hitter into the 8th before giving up back to back doubles to start the inning. He was getting weak ground balls all afternoon and struck out five batters. Most impressive was that he was able to bear down and stop the damage after the back to back doubles. Kevin Gregg was warming up and getting everyone’s heart rate up but Hammel got back to back strikeouts and a lazy fly ball. Jim Johnson retired the side in order in the 9th to get the save.
- JJ Hardy put us on the board right away with a solo homerun in the 1st inning, his first of the season. Our other runs came in the bottom of the 6th when Adam Jones singled, Nick Johnson walked, Jones and Johnson were successful in a double steal, and Wilson Betemit doubled them home. Jones had two singles in the game and Johnson was also hit by a pitch.
- Nick Markakis walked twice. Endy Chavez and Chris Davis each singled. Robert Andino walked. The offense wasn’t very high powered today but with the way we pitched it didn’t matter.

Player of the game: Jason Hammel – 8 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K, W (1-0) (1.12 ERA)

Tomorrow night brings a tougher test as the Yankees come into town angry after starting the season 0-3. Brian Matusz (0-0, -.–) tries to continue his success from spring training against Ivan Nova (0-0, -.–).

W – Tommy Hunter (1-0)     L – Francisco Liriano (0-1)

- Tommy Hunter picked up right where Jake Arrieta left off, pitching seven scoreless innings. He got in trouble a few times during the game but was able to induce some key outs including a double play to end the 4th inning. He gave up six hits and walked a batter while striking out three. In the 8th he left with the bases loaded and no outs thanks to a Mark Reynolds error and two singles. Pedro Strop came in and got two force outs allowing two runs to score but that was it as he struck out Josh Willingham looking. Luis Ayala pitched a scoreless 9th in his Oriole debut.
- Nick Markakis continued his scorching hot start to the season hitting another homerun and two singles. Its hard to believe this guy only played in eight spring training games before the season started. Hes still only 28 years old and has time to live up to the contract extension the Orioles gave him a few years ago.
- Matt Wieters and Adam Jones each hit solo homeruns also. Wieters also walked twice. Ronny Paulino went 4-4 in his Oriole debut with a double. The backup catcher started at DH against the left handed starting pitcher. Nolan Reimold and Robert Andino each had a pair of singles and Mark Reynolds walked.
- Nick Johnson went 0-4 in his Oriole debut but he made a few nice picks over at first base while looking good sporting a nifty mustache. The season is off to a great start with the pitching and offense clicking right away. Granted we started off 6-1 last season but its always better to start off winning than losing.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 3-4, solo HR (2) (.714 AVG)

The Orioles try to sweep the opening series for the second year in a row tomorrow with Jason Hammel (0-0, -.–) making his Oriole debut against Anthony Swarzak (0-0, -.–).

W – Jake Arrieta (1-0)     L – Carl Pavano (0-1)     SV – Jim Johnson (1)

- What a great start to the season. The Twins aren’t very good, especially offensively, but we got an early lead and Arrieta won his first opening day start of his career. Coming off of elbow surgery to remove bone chips he held Minnesota scoreless over seven innings with four strikeouts, allowing two hits and two walks. He looked plenty healthy, if not better than ever. His fastball was between 93-96 mph all day and I’ve never seen his curve ball look so good. If his stuff is this good most times out he’ll be fine as our “number one” starter.
- Another guy coming back from offseason surgery and a few questions was Nick Markakis and its fair to say he answered all of them. I think hes healthy as he hit an opposite field line drive homerun in his first at bat. He went on to walk and hit a triple off the wall. If he can rediscover his power, especially to the opposite field he can get back to the Markakis that put up an OPS ~.900 in 2008. It used to be his bread and butter. Maybe an offseason where he was forced to rest can get him back to that.
- The bullpen struggled but they held on to conserve the victory. Matt Lindstrom gave up a couple of hits but didn’t allow any runs to score in his Oriole debut. Troy Patton gave up a two run homer after starting the 9th inning with a walk and a strikeout. Jim Johnson came in to close it out, but not before giving up a single and a walk.
- JJ Hardy singled and walked twice, Adam Jones doubled, and Wilson Betemit and Robert Andino each singled. Matt Wieters had an RBI groundout. The offense wasn’t great today but they cashed in early and rode Arrieta’s coattails.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, triple (1), HR (1) (.667 AVG)

The season continues tomorrow night with Tommy Hunter (0-0, -.–) starting game two against the lefty Francisco Liriano (0-0, -.–).

Heres a quick look at how the spring training battles are playing out. I think its safe to assume at thise point that Matt Wieters, JJ Hardy, Mark Reynolds, Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis will be playing near everyday. Chris Davis is the favorite for first base but Nick Johnson has an outside shot. Wilson Betemit will probably DH everyday against right handed pitchers. Taylor Teagarden will be the backup catcher unless he starts the year on the DL (he just had minor back surgery and is expected to miss about three weeks), Ronny Paulino if he does. Endy Chavez has solidified the fourth outfielders role with a hot start to the spring season. Second base, utility infielder, and fifth outfielder/right handed DH option are legitimate question marks right now. The starting rotation is completely up for grabs and there are a bunch of ways the bullpen could play out. Lets look a little closer at the choices.

Second Base/Utility Infielder/4th Bench Spot: Robert Andino, Matt Antonelli, Ryan Flaherty, Jai Miller

Andino is the favorite to start the season as the every day second baseman. Brian Roberts is still a ways off from being able to play in games and might never be able to. The Orioles will count any production he provides as a bonus at this point. Andino is coming off his tremendous finish to the season, knocking the Red Sox out of the playoffs. Hes struggling so far this spring, hitting .211/.318/.263 with a double. His defense and the fact that Buck Showalter loves him lean in his favor though.

Antonelli can play second and third base and gets on base at a very solid clip. Hes batting .286/.450/.286 this spring with a stolen base. Hes not showing any pop, but he can hit some doubles and you have to love that on base percentage. His defense won’t kill you but hes a notch or two below Andino in that regard. Hes out of options and I think he makes the team with Dan Duquettes emphasis on getting on base.

Flaherty was the Orioles rule 5 pick from the Chicago Cubs organization and he can flat out hit. Hes proven that much with a .273/.360/.545 line this spring with a double, triple, and homerun. His defense is the worst of the three infielders but he has gotten time at shortstop when Hardy takes a day off and can also play second and third. I think the O’s front office is high on this guy so theres a good chance he makes the team as well.

Miller has a chance to bump one of the three infielders off the opening day roster, mainly because his hot start this spring and because he provides excellent defense at all three outfield positions. But so does Endy Chavez who will be on the team and with Andino able to play some left field in a pinch he might be the odd man out. Hes out of waivers but the Orioles could probably sneak him through and start him at AAA Norfolk. Hes making a case for part time DH with his .280/.308/.560 line with four doubles and a homerun, but I think Antonelli gets the nod in that role opposite Wilson Betemit.

Starting Rotation: Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta, Wei-Yin Chen, Brian Matusz, Zach Britton, Tommy Hunter, Tsuyoshi Wada

I guess you can consider Brad Bergesen, Alfredo Simon, Dana Eveland, and Chris Tillman in the hunt as well but I don’t see any way one of them makes the rotation, although Tillman is getting rave reviews with a fastball in the mid-90′s. He’ll start at Norfolk and try to earn his way up. Matusz is the guy who looks most improved. Hes reminding people why he was our top pitching prospect and looks as good if not better than he did during his successful 2010 campaign. He worked out with Brady Anderson during the offseason and has his fastball back up in the 91-93 range instead of the 85-87 it was last year. His offspeed pitches are crisp and his command seems to have returned. That still might not be enough to start the year in the rotation because of the bad impression he left last season. I hope Buck sees through that and gives him a chance, he could be our number one starter.

Arrieta appears healthy after getting bone chips removed from his elbow and hes hitting 97 on the gun. Stuff has never been an issue with Jake but he was sitting in the low 90′s before being shut down last year. Its all about command with him. The O’s will give him plenty of chances to be a starter but if he never puts it together he could be an excellent closer. The other young gun, Zach Britton, hasn’t pitched in a big league spring training game yet because of a slow start with some shoulder inflammation but pitched two scoreless innings yesterday in a minor league game. If hes healthy he should certainly have a spot in the rotation but the O’s could take it slow and start him at AAA until he proves hes 100%.

The Orioles traded Jeremy Guthrie for Jason Hammel so I think he would have to implode to not be one of the first starters we see during the regular season. Chen is off to a great start and will definitely be in the rotation, but we knew that as soon as the O’s gave him a three year contract. Hes almost like another prospect since hes only 26 years old and has plenty of potential. The other asian pitcher we signed, Wada, hasn’t pitched yet and is bothered by a sore elbow. Hes supposed to pitch soon but they could start him on the DL to make sure hes healthy. Tommy Hunter also hasn’t pitched yet but its nothing major, he has some back stiffness. With so many pitchers in camp they can afford to take it slow with these minor injuries. I’ll project the rotation to look like this: Arrieta, Hammel, Chen, Hunter, Matusz to start the year. I think Britton will get a couple starts at AAA and bump Hunter into the bullpen before long.

Bullpen: Jim Johnson, Matt Lindstrom, Pedro Strop, Kevin Gregg, Zach Phillips, Luis Ayala, Darren O’Day, Pat Neshek, Troy Patton, Dana Eveland, Alfredo Simon, Brad Bergesen

Johnson will be the closer. Hes had some back stiffness and just got into his first game but he proved at the end of last year that he can handle the job. Lindstrom was part of the Guthrie trade and throws hard so hes in. Strop was tremendous last year after the Orioles acquired him and looks great this spring so he has to make it. Ayala got a major league deal with an option so he has a spot. If the O’s don’t trade or release Gregg he has to make due to his contract. I sure hope they find a way for him not to be on the team. That leaves two (maybe three, depending on Gregg) spots. You need a lefty or two so I’d say one of Phillips, Eveland or Neshek makes it if Gregg stays, two of them if he goes. The last spot in the bullpen should be between O’Day and Simon. I’d give it to O’Day but if they want someone whos able to go multiple innings it’ll be Simon.

Of course, injuries could change any of these predictions but thats how I see it at this point. If anything changes I’ll chime in with an update, if not – I’ll break down the opening day roster when the time comes.

The Orioles have signed LHP Tsuyoshi Wada to a two year contract worth $8.15 million with a $5 million option.

This is the second time the Orioles have signed a player from Japan with the first of course being RHP Koji Uehara. Wada is a 30 year old soft tossing lefty that has put up some very good numbers over his career, especially the last two years. In 2010 he was 17-8 with a 3.14 ERA over 169.1 innings with 169 strikeouts and 55 walks before going 16-5 with a 1.53 ERA over 184.2 innings with 168 strikeouts and 40 walks during the most recent season. He doesn’t have a good fastball, sitting between 84-88 with not alot of movement, but he mixes his pitches and locates well. He also has a slider and a changeup and a deceptive delivery to keep hitters off balance. I think he’ll be given a chance to make the starting rotation out of spring training and he may be a decent 4th or 5th starter but I think his eventual destination will be as a set up guy, alot like Koji. This also keeps the door to Japan open and Duquette continues to keep his promise on the international market. I like that we will have an inventory of capable starters, now we just need to get some with front end ability. The depth could be a precursor to a Jeremy Guthrie trade, which I’d like to see because I think he would bring back good value.