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Luke Jones

“Rounding the Bases” in Orioles’ 9-7 win over Boston

Luke Jones

Who stood out in the Orioles’ 9-7 win over the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon? In the spirit of hockey’s “three stars” system with the addition of home plate for honorable mentions and other notes, we go around the bases after the sixth game of the 2016 season. 1st — Chris Davis was the hero after clobbering a 97 mph fastball from Boston closer Craig Kimbrel over the center-field wall for a long three-run shot in the top of the ninth. According to ESPN, it was Davis’ eighth go-ahead homer in the ninth inning or later since 2013, the most in the majors over that time. That blast wasn’t his only contribution, however, as he muscled a 1-2 changeup from Red Sox starter David Price over the infield for a two-run single in the third to get the Orioles on the scoreboard in response to an early 3-0 deficit. Davis also made several fine defensive plays at first base, something that was mentioned by manager Buck Showalter after the game. 2nd — Mark Trumbo didn’t have an easy day defensively moving over to play left field in front of the Green Monster, but his long three-run homer to right-center

Orioles get perfect results despite imperfect opening week

Luke Jones

(Updated: 9:00 a.m.) BALTIMORE — The Orioles finished the first week of the season as the only undefeated club in baseball. But their first 5-0 start in 46 years came under less-than-perfect circumstances as Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy missed time due to injuries, the starting rotation went more than five innings just once, and the weather in Baltimore felt more like mid-February than early April. Those realities created even more reason for optimism since rarely will everything go perfectly over the course of a season filled with twists and turns. So, how’d they do it over the first week? Sensational work from the bullpen, strong defense, and the home run all played important roles as we’ve come to expect over the last few years, but that wasn’t the entire story. Starters pitched quite effectively — if not very deep — and the Orioles did the little things well, ranging from working longer counts to taking the extra base when afforded the opportunity. Manny Machado played like the MVP-caliber player he’s become and Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard was the early toast of the town. Even Hyun Soo Kim collected a couple hits in his major league debut on Sunday.

“Rounding the Bases” in Orioles’ 5-3 win over Tampa Bay

Luke Jones

Who stood out in the Orioles’ 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon? In the spirit of hockey’s “three stars” system with the addition of home plate for honorable mentions and other notes, we go around the bases after the fifth game of the 2016 season. 1st — Manny Machado said after the game that he isn’t yet locked in at the plate, but he sure looked like it on Sunday as he went 4-for-4, hitting a two-run home run in the second off Rays starter Jake Odorizzi and scoring two runs. The 23-year-old also showed impressive baserunning instincts in the bottom of the eighth when he scored on a wild pitch by Erasmo Ramirez — even if Matt Wieters astutely alerted him to touch the plate after he had initially missed it on his slide. Machado is hitting .429 and has homered three times over the first five games, reminding us why he’s the Orioles’ best player. 2nd — Brad Brach entered with two outs in the top of the fifth and the Rays threatening to tie the game with runners on the corners, but the right-hander got Brad Miller to fly out to deep right,

Kim makes major league debut as Jones remains sidelined

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim was set to make his major league debut on Sunday as the Orioles concluded a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays. Kim was slotted in the No. 9 spot and playing in left field after not appearing in the first four games of the 2016 season. With Adam Jones sidelined with rib soreness for a third straight game, regular left fielder Joey Rickard was once again in center as Kim received his first start. The 28-year-old hasn’t started in a game since March 25 and received just two more spring at-bats after that as the Orioles tried to persuade him to accept a minor-league assignment. “We talked about it, but you don’t want to say too much,” said manager Buck Showalter about Kim making his regular-season debut. “There’s a fine line there — go play. He’s probably got enough things going on without me jumping in there too deep.” As he predicted on Saturday, shortstop J.J. Hardy was back in the lineup after missing Friday’s game due to tightness in his left calf. However, Showalter continues to be cautious with Jones, who is improving but is still feeling some discomfort in

Saturday’s Orioles-Rays game postponed due to wintry conditions

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Despite a miserably cold forecast that didn’t look promising, the Orioles waited until almost an hour after a scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch to postpone Saturday’s game with the Tampa Bay Rays. While the Washington Nationals and the Double-A Bowie Baysox postponed home games hours earlier, Baltimore hoped to play the second contest of a three-game set despite a wintry mix, temperatures dipping below 40 degrees, and a wind chill in the upper 20s. The scheduled first pitch was initially delayed until 7:40 p.m. before the tarp was then put back on the field again and postponed shortly thereafter. No makeup date was immediately announced, but the Rays return to Baltimore for a three-game set beginning on June 24 and also come to town for a four-game series in mid-September. Sunday’s original starters will remain in place as right-hander Vance Worley will make his Orioles debut against Tampa Bay right-hander Jake Odorizzi. On Saturday night, Mike Wright had been scheduled to pitch against Rays lefty Drew Smyly. Below is the release sent out by the Orioles announcing the postponement of Saturday’s game: Fans are encouraged to exchange their tickets for tomorrow’s game on Sunday, April 10, beginning at

Hardy hopes to play Sunday, Jones still absent

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — As the Orioles tried to endure unseasonably cold weather in the second contest of a three-game set with Tampa Bay, shortstop J.J. Hardy and center fielder Adam Jones were once again out of the starting lineup before Saturday’s game was eventually postponed. Hardy said his left calf was feeling much better after he sat out Friday’s series opener, but the low temperature and high winds in the forecast for Saturday night were factors in giving him one more day off. Manny Machado was making his second straight start at shortstop with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty starting at third base. “I’m walking around with no pain,” said Hardy, who added that he plans to play in Sunday’s series finale. “I think I probably could get it going tonight and play, but I think with the cold I think everyone’s kind of scratching that idea. I’ll be good to go tomorrow.” Jones was out of the lineup for the third straight game due to soreness in his rib area. Manager Buck Showalter was noncommittal about the status of both Hardy and Jones for Sunday, citing a forecast with temperatures that were only supposed to climb to just over 50 degrees.

“Rounding the Bases” in Orioles’ 6-1 win over Tampa Bay

Luke Jones

Who stood out in the Orioles’ 6-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night? In the spirit of hockey’s “three stars” system with the addition of home plate for honorable mentions and other notes, we go around the bases after the fourth game of the 2016 season. 1st — Matt Wieters didn’t homer like four of his teammates, but the veteran catcher drove in two runs with a pair of singles, the first concluding a 10-pitch battle with Rays ace Chris Archer to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. That lengthy at-bat was a precursor to the Orioles hammering Archer in a four-run fifth that included three solo home runs and was capped off with Wieters hitting a liner off the pitcher for an infield hit and another RBI. He now has an 11-game hitting streak dating back to last season, which is a career high. Wieters also did commendable work behind the plate as three Orioles pitchers combined to retire 21 of the last 23 Tampa Bay hitters they faced. 2nd — Chris Tillman wasn’t carrying the electric stuff he displayed in two flawless innings on Opening Day before a rain

Hardy, Jones out of Friday’s lineup against Tampa Bay

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Center fielder Adam Jones was out of the Orioles lineup for a second straight night, but a veteran teammate joined him on the bench for the series opener against Tampa Bay on Friday. J.J. Hardy experienced some calf tightness running the bases in Thursday’s win over Minnesota and was feeling better a day later, but Buck Showalter did not want to take any chances with a player who’s had several health issues over the last couple seasons. Jones was also feeling improvement in his rib area and even took swings in the batting cage on Friday afternoon, but the Orioles decided to give him another day to rest. Both players were available off the bench if needed, according to the Baltimore manager. “I want to try to get ahead of it and make sure it doesn’t turn into something,” said Showalter about Hardy. “I was going to play Ryan [Flaherty] today anyway. Knowing the players — both of them — they know the difference between something that they should be careful with [and not]. Especially if we don’t play tomorrow [due to inclement weather], they should be ready to go on Sunday.” Rookie Joey Rickard was leading off

“Rounding the Bases” in Orioles’ 4-2 win over Minnesota

Luke Jones

Who stood out in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins to complete a three-game sweep on Thursday night? In the spirit of hockey’s “three stars” system with the addition of home plate for honorable mentions and other notes, we go around the bases after the third game of the 2016 season. 1st — Ubaldo Jimenez didn’t look like he would complete seven strong innings early on, but he induced a 1-4-3 double play from Trevor Plouffe to escape a jam in the third inning and turned his outing around from there. The right-hander retired 14 of the final 16 hitters he faced, striking out eight over that stretch. Minnesota hitters were on his fastball early, but Jimenez mixed in his secondary pitches more effectively the second and third times through the order and his split-finger fastball was particularly sharp. Known for his occasional control issues, Jimenez didn’t walk a batter while striking out nine and scattering eight hits. His outing not only allowed the Orioles to remain within striking distance, but he saved a bullpen that had worked 11 innings over the first two games of the series. 2nd — Manny Machado was moved out of the leadoff

Ravens release 2016 preseason schedule

Luke Jones

With the regular-season schedule set to be announced later this month, the Ravens unveiled their 2016 preseason schedule, which begins at home against the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers on Aug. 11. Baltimore will also host the Detroit Lions and take preseason road trips to Indianapolis and New Orleans. This will mark the first preseason meeting between the Ravens and the Colts. As expected, the Ravens’ typical preseason meetings with Philadelphia and Washington will not take place since Baltimore will play the NFC East in the 2016 regular season. Season-ticket holders frustrated over preseason prices can again take some satisfaction in knowing that the Ravens’ final preseason game — which rarely includes any starters — will be played on the road for the eighth straight year when the Ravens travel to New Orleans on Sept. 1. The Saints came to Baltimore for the preseason opener last year. The Ravens are 47-32 all time in preseason play and are 20-12 in the John Harbaugh era. Final dates and times will be announced at a later time. Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 11 vs. Carolina Panthers Week 2: TBA at Indianapolis Colts Week 3: Saturday, Aug. 27 (tentative) vs. Detroit Lions Week 4:

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