(Updated 9:50 p.m.) — Tonight’s game has been postponed and will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader beginning at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@WNST) for the latest updates and analysis from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Here’s the official press release regarding the cancellation and ticket exchanges:
Tonight’s game between the Orioles and Texas Rangers has been postponed due to rain. The teams will play a single-admission doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 4:35 p.m.
Tickets for tonight’s game may be exchanged for seats of equal value for tomorrow’s doubleheader or any remaining non-prime home game during the 2011 season, subject to availability. Ticket exchanges must be made by May 31. Student Night tickets may be exchanged for tomorrow’s game or any other non-prime Friday home game during the 2011 season.
Tickets for tomorrow’s game will be valid for both games of the doubleheader.
Original ticket purchasers residing outside a 75-mile radius of Camden Yards may request a refund because of the postponement. Refund requests must be submitted in writing along with the original tickets and mailed via certified mail by May 31 to:
Baltimore Orioles
Attention: April 8 Rainout
333 West Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
BALTIMORE — With the Rangers coming to town for the opener of a three-game set at 7:05, Camden Yards would certainly benefit from the dry Texas heat this evening as rain has fallen in the area all day. The Orioles are hoping to get this one in, but the tarp remains on the field less than an hour before gametime.
Coming off a 9-5 victory over the Tigers on Thursday, Baltimore (5-1) sends rookie Zach Britton to the mound for his home debut against Rangers veteran Colby Lewis, who returned from two years in Japan to go 12-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 2010.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the lineup again as he continues to deal with a left ribcage injury that forced him out of Thursday’s game only minutes before first pitch. Hardy is not expected to go on the 15-day disabled list at this point, according to manager Buck Showalter.
In other injury-related news, Jeremy Guthrie’s bullpen session in the indoor tunnel went well earlier this afternoon, but the Orioles will hold off on making an announcement regarding his status for Sunday. If Guthrie is unable to make the start, he would likely be pushed back to Tuesday’s game against the Yankees in the Bronx. Of course, if Guthrie’s stamina isn’t where it needs to be — anyone who’s ever had pneumonia can empathize — the disabled list could be an option and would be retroactive to April 2.
More concerning than anything for the first-place Orioles is the current state of the rotation and bullpen. With Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo each expected to be unavailable for tonight’s game, the Birds may be forced to make a roster move for another bullpen arm.
But who goes in return?
The Orioles would have likely elected to go with a short bench under normal conditions, but Felix Pie, Robert Andino, and Jake Fox are all out of options. They could also elect to temporarily send down a starting pitcher such as Chris Tillman or Brad Bergesen, but any player optioned to the minor leagues must remain there for 10 days unless recalled due to an injury.
Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Texas
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
LF Josh Hamilton
3B Adrian Beltre
DH Michael Young
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Mike Napoli
C Yorvit Torrealba
CF Julio Borbon
SP Colby Lewis (1-0, 4.50)
Baltimore
2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
1B Derrek Lee
RF Vladimir Guerrero
LF Luke Scott
CF Adam Jones
3B Mark Reynolds
C Matt Wieters
SS Cesar Izturis
SP Zach Britton (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
