World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966

American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969

American League Wild Card 2012, 1996

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Game Stories:

Matt Wieters homers in 11th as Orioles walk off with win over Braves The Sun 7/27

Wieters walks off with Markakis' homecoming crown MLB.com 7/28

Reaction to Markakis and Showalter on trade deadline (Wieters walk-off)

MASNsports.com 7/27

Wieters walk-off: O's catcher wins it on homer in the 11th MASNsports.com 7/27

Wieters' 11th-inning HR gives Orioles 2-1 win over Braves AP 7/27

Wieters' 11th inning home run gives Orioles 2-1 win CSN Baltimore 7/27

Columns:

Blue Jays pull off stunning trade for Troy Tulowitzki as Orioles talk about making moves

The Sun 7/28

Orioles outfielder John Lowenstein was in his own world The Sun 7/28

Kevin Gausman throws best game Monday The Sun 7/27

Nick Markakis has night he'll 'never forget' in return to Camden Yards The Sun 7/27

Nick Markakis cheered by Orioles fans who were 'sad to see him go' The Sun 7/27

Dan Duquette: 'We're still in competition for this year' The Sun 7/27

Orioles notes: Steve Pearce resting with team, Nolan Reimold leads off The Sun 7/27

Nolan Reimold leading off for first time since 2013, Ryan Flaherty playing first base The

Sun 7/27

As Markakis reunion continues, Jimenez takes on Braves MLB.com 7/28

Gausman's stellar effort offers hope for future MLB.com 7/28

Machado among game's top 25-and-unders MLB.com 7/28

After charmed time in Charm City, Markakis returns MLB.com 7/27

Wieters misses Sunday, but he doesn't miss Monday MLB.com 7/27

Big social media event on tap before tonight's game MLB.com 7/27

Pearce's stay on DL likely longer than 15 days MLB.com 7/27

Walker named to Prospect Team of the Week MLB.com 7/27

Putting a spin on the revolving door atop the order MASNsports.com 7/28

Showalter on 2-1 11-inning win MASNsports.com 7/27

Duquette: "We're still trying to make the playoffs for this season" MASNsports.com 7/27

Pregame notes and Braves lineup MASNsports.com 7/27

Nolan Reimold leading off for Orioles MASNsports.com 7/27

Some notes and quotes after the Orioles' fourth walk-off win of the year

MASNsports.com 7/28

Matt Wieters and Kevin Gausman on the win, Nick Markakis on his ovation

MASNsports.com 7/27

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on the mound in homestand opener MASNsports.com

7/27

Chris Davis on Friday's trade deadline and Markakis' return MASNsports.com 7/27

Nick Markakis talks about his return to Baltimore MASNsports.com 7/27

Braves-Orioles Preview SI.com 7/28

Watch: Orioles beat Braves on Matt Wieters's walk-off home run SI.com 7/27

Former Oriole Markakis returns to Baltimore with Braves AP 7/27

As Orioles mull deadline options, Kevin Gausman might provide one solution ESPN.com

7/28

Orioles batting Manny Machado third as search for leadoff hitter continues ESPN.com

7/27

Wieters has a night where things go a little bit better ESPN.com 7/27

O's minor league team to wear SpongeBob uniforms CSN Baltimore 7/28

Which Jimenez pitches against Braves tonight? CSN Baltimore 7/28

Markakis gets loud ovation in his Baltimore return CSN Baltimore 7/27

A very Maryland-y bobblehead is coming to Camden Yards CSN Baltimore 7/27

Four days to trade deadline: Has anything changed? CSN Baltimore 7/27

Why Pearce not likely to return from DL when eligible CSN Baltimore 7/27

Markakis: It's different feeling in Baltimore return CSN Baltimore 7/27

Orioles' Steve Pearce Uncertain About Return PressBoxOnline.com 7/28

Nick Markakis Takes Familiar Perch At Camden Yards PressBoxOnline.com 7/28

Bob Haynie: Fans Cheer Markakis And Oriole Victory CBS Baltimore 7/28

Video: Nick Markakis receives standing ovation in his return to Baltimore

NBCSports.com 7/27

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-braves-0728-20150727-story.html

Matt Wieters homers in 11th as Orioles walk off with win

over Braves

By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

Monday night at Camden Yards started as a homecoming for one of the most popular Orioles in

the past decade and ended with another kind of celebration -- a game-ending homer by catcher

Matt Wieters to give the Orioles a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in 11 innings.

A large chunk of the announced 26,256 might have come out to see the return of former Orioles

right fielder Nick Markakis, but it left after watching Wieters collect his fourth career walk-off

home run, a solo shot to right-center field against lefty reliever Luis Avilan (2-4).

“It won't ever get old. It's a great feeling,” said Wieters, whose last walk-off homer was May 1,

2014 versus Pittsburgh. “You get to put a good swing on a ball at a time that you need it. It's a

good feeling and you'll never get tired of hitting them.”

It was the Orioles' fourth walk-off win this season and third via the home run. David Lough and

Jonathan Schoop also have a game-ending homer this year.

The Orioles (49-49) hadn't played a home game since July 12, the final afternoon of the season's

first half, and they had to work overtime in this one. They are now 2-2 in extra innings -- and

have allowed just four runs in their past three games, all victories.

“To win the last three games, it's been a challenge for us, so I think [good pitching] is coming at

a good time,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “You always hope you get both [offense

and pitching] of them going. We caught the ball and pitched well and that's why we stayed in the

game.”

In the ninth, it was another former Oriole that was given the task of preserving a win for Atlanta,

and former closer Jim Johnson couldn't hold onto a one-run lead, pushing the night into extra

innings.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the top of the ninth, when Orioles All-Star closer Zach Britton

entered in a non-save situation. Britton served up a solo homer to the second batter he faced, 30-

year-old Cuban rookie Adonis Garcia. It was just the second home run allowed by Britton and

just the second hit by Garcia, who was playing in his fifth big league game.

The Braves' lead was shortlived.

Adam Jones started the ninth with a slow roller for an infield single and then raced to third when

Wieters singled to center. J.J. Hardy followed with a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game before

Johnson escaped the jam.

Johnson, who set the Orioles' club record for saves in a season in 2012, hadn't blown a save in

four attempts since taking over as the Braves' closer in mid-July when Jason Grilli was lost for

the year due to injury.

The Orioles had several chances late, specifically in the 10th when Nolan Reimold hit a one-out

double. The Braves chose to intentionally walk Chris Davis with first base open to face Manny

Machado. It was the second time in three innings the Braves chose that option and both times

Machado struck out. Jones then hit a fly out to right to end the inning -- one pitch after fouling a

ball off his forehead.

There was a certain buzz in the stadium before a pitch was thrown. Markakis, who spent nine

seasons as an Oriole before signing as a free agent with the Braves in December, led off the

game.

As he stepped to the plate, the crowd rose and gave Markakis a standing ovation.

Orioles starter Kevin Gausman walked to the back of the mound to allow Markakis time to soak

in the applause and the 31-year-old Monkton resident eventually took off his Braves helmet and

held it out toward the Orioles dugout and crowd in a show of appreciation.

“It was good,” Markakis said. “These fans have been great to me my whole career and tonight

just shows what type of fans they are and how loyal they are. It was pretty cool.”

Markakis then did what he did for years as an Oriole: He worked a full count before doubling

down the left field line. He was stranded at second when Gausman retired the next three batters

in the first.

The 24-year-old Gausman, in his fifth big league start this season, allowed a runner in each of his

first five innings, but none scored. In the sixth he posted his first clean inning, part of a streak in

which he retired nine straight batters before allowing a two-out single to Markakis.

When Cameron Maybin followed with a single to make it runners on the corners, Showalter

lifted Gausman for lefty Brian Matusz. Brought in to face lefty slugger Freddie Freeman, Matusz

did his job expertly -- fanning Freeman on four pitches to keep the game scoreless.

Gausman allowed six hits and one walk while striking out five in 7 2/3 innings, a big-league

career high for Gausman. His previous longest outing was 7 1/3 against the Minnesota Twins on

Sept. 1, 2014. His ERA dipped from 5.18 to 4.20 after Monday.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there,” Gausman said. “You get through the fifth scoreless, I think

that's when your confidence starts to get up. Me and [Wieters], we were on the same page the

whole game.”

The Braves (46-53) matched Gausman with their own impressive 24-year-old, lefty Alex Wood,

who has had an uneven season in 2015. The former second-rounder who entered the game with a

3.78 ERA and had allowed 10 runs in his past two starts, also carried a shutout deep into the

game.

The Orioles didn't get two runners on base in an inning through seven against Wood, who

allowed just two hits, a single to Reimold to lead off the first and an infield single by Hardy in

the second.

Reimold, making his first start batting leadoff since May 2013, had two hits and a walk and has

reached base safely in seven of his past nine plate appearances.

Brad Brach (4-2) picked up the victory with a scoreless inning, giving the Orioles a 28-18 record

at home this year.

“We love playing here, we love playing at Camden and you get to see Nick come back and be

able to get the ovation from the crowd,” Wieters said. “It makes us all feel good in here and it

also gets us a little bit motivated to play a good game tonight.”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139091466/oriole-matt-wieters-hits-walk-off-homer-in-11

Wieters walks off with Markakis' homecoming crown

By Mark Bowman and Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 28, 2015

BALTIMORE -- After watching his team squander a few late-inning opportunities on Monday

night at Camden Yards, Matt Wieters opened the bottom of the 11th inning with a home run

off Luis Avilan to give the Orioles a 2-1 win over the Braves.

"That was a pitch, in that situation, I just wanted to go out there and throw strikes," said Avilan,

who allowed the homer on a 1-0 fastball. "I didn't want to fall behind that hitter and have to

throw a fastball. I think it was a good pitch. It was just a little bit up. Tough things happen.

Sometimes you're going to be good and sometimes you're going to be bad."

The Braves gained a brief lead when Adonis Garcia tallied the game's first run with his one-out

home run in the ninth inning off Zach Britton.

But the Orioles battled back against their former closer Jim Johnson, who surrendered

consecutive singles to Adam Jones and Wieters before allowing J.J. Hardy's game-tying sacrifice

fly.

Alex Wood and Kevin Gausman produced an impressive pitchers' duel, during which neither

team advanced a player past second base through seven innings. The only players to reach

second during that span were former Oriole Nick Markakis and Garcia, who each recorded a

double against Gausman in the first four innings.

"It's fun. You kind of feed off of each other," Gausman said of pitching against Wood. "You

almost want to show up the other guy and you are waiting for somebody to crack. That's kind of

the way it is right now. Everybody is hunting for wins right now, and that's the biggest thing, we

got a win tonight."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Encouraging start from Gausman: Gausman made his fifth start of the season, and it was

probably his best. The right-hander went a career-high 7 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, no runs

and a walk while striking out five. He threw a season-high 107 pitches and was still hitting 98

mph in the eighth inning. His night ended after he gave up back-to-back singles.

"I felt pretty comfortable out there," Gausman said. "You get through the fifth scoreless, I think

that's when your confidence starts to get up. Me and [catcher Wieters], we were on the same

page the whole game. ... Having him back there, he's pitched against a lot of these guys, so that's

something you definitely take into consideration."

Stirring return: Playing his first career game against the Orioles, Markakis received a rousing

ovation before he began the game with an opposite-field double. The veteran right fielder, who

spent the past nine seasons in Baltimore, capped his two-hit night with a two-out, eighth-inning

single that put him in position to be the game's first player to advance to third base

when Cameron Maybin followed with a single. This threat ended when Brian Matusz entered to

strike out Freddie Freeman.

Wood dazzles: As Wood surrendered just three singles over 7 1/3 scoreless innings, he appeared

to benefit from his decision to move to the first-base side of the rubber after the All-Star break.

The lefty retired 12 straight batters after Hardy was awarded a single when Wood was not able to

make contact with the first-base bag after receiving Freeman's toss in the second inning.

Wieters delivers the game-winner: Wieters put the finishing touches on a comeback victory.

He roped a line drive off Avilan's 1-0 pitch into the center-field stands in front of 26,256. It was

Wieters fourth career walk-off homer and first since May 1, 2014, in Game 1 of a doubleheader

against the Pirates.

"It won't ever get old," he said. "It's a great feeling, to put a good swing on the ball at a time

when you need it. It's a good feeling. You'll never get tired of it."

QUOTABLE

"We knew about Nick. I was pretty proud of how everybody responded to him. It was one of

those things where we were all in the dugout wanting to applaud too, but you kind of did it with

your heart and not your hands. Especially when you play so many unfriendly venues, more than

just the unfriendly fans, it's nice to get back to this type of baseball environment for our players.

It's always a reminder of what we're trying to accomplish and what it means to so many people

other than us." -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter on Markakis and being back in Baltimore for

the first time after the break.

"[Johnson] pitched great, you can't defend that ball Adam Jones hit to start the inning. He made a

great pitch. It's a chopper and they get a couple hits and get one run. It sure would be nice to get

a couple runs under our belt to give our pitchers [a cushion]." -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Johnson had converted seven straight save opportunities and he entered Monday having

surrendered just one earned run over his past 20 appearances. He has now allowed an earned run

in both of the appearances he has made at Camden Yards since leaving the Orioles after back-to-

back 50-save seasons (2012-13).

Gausman (LSU) and Wood (Georgia) also matched up against each other in college on April 27,

2012, in Baton Rouge, La. Both pitchers earned no-decisions in those starts as well, as Gausman

gave up five runs in six innings, and Wood allowed four in seven. LSU ended up winning the

game, 6-5.

"I know he was a little older than me, but he was throwing 98 then, 95, 96," Gausman said of

facing Wood in college. "It's just kind of cool. You face a guy in college and then you get to face

him on the biggest stage, the stage that everybody is trying to get to. It's pretty cool."

ORIOLES COME UP SHORT IN THE 10th

The Orioles had their chance to capture the win in the 10th, but didn't convert on a great

opportunity. Nolan Reimold hit a one-out double to right-center and the Braves intentionally

walked Chris Davis to get to the Orioles best hitters in Manny Machado and Jones. It was the

second time on Monday that Davis was walked intentionally, and for the second time, Machado

struck out. Jones battled with Arodys Vizcaino, but flied out to right on the eighth pitch of the at-

bat to end the inning.

WHAT'S NEXT

Braves: Atlanta will send Julio Teheran to the mound when this three-game series resumes on

Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET. Teheran has shown some improvement as he has posted a 2.81 ERA in

four starts this month. But he has produced a 6.95 ERA in 10 road starts.

Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) will oppose Teheran. Baltimore's right-hander is

coming off his shortest start of the season in which he lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the

Yankees, giving up eight hits, seven runs, a home run and three walks while striking out two. He

will be going for his first win since June 28 against Cleveland.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/reaction-to-markakis-and-showalter-on-

trade-deadline.html

Reaction to Markakis and Showalter on trade deadline

(Wieters walk-off)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Former Oriole Nick Markakis received a prolonged ovation tonight upon being introduced for

his first at-bat, fans standing in unison, not a single dissenting voice heard in the crowd.

It was a warm moment on a muggy night at Camden Yards that raised a few goosebumps.

Starter Kevin Gausman moved to the back of the mound as the applause built, and Markakis

finally stepped out of the box and removed his helmet. The ovation grew louder.

Markakis doesn't usually let his emotions show. To say he's low-key is an understatement. The

gesture proved how much he was moved by the reception.

Refusing to be distracted or overwhelmed by the moment, Markakis ran the count full and lined

a double into the left field corner. Business as usual. We've seen him hit more times than "The

Shawshank Redemption."

Gausman retired the next three batters, and Markakis received another standing ovation from

fans in the right field bleachers as he warmed up. Markakis pointed his glove in their direction

before Braves starter Alex Wood threw the first pitch.

Nolan Reimold, batting leadoff for the first time since May 3, 2013 in Anaheim, lined a single

into center field.

"He's got that ability to get on base," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's one thing he's always

done through the course of his career. His on-base percentage has always been pretty good."

I wrote earlier today that executive vice president Dan Duquette is attempting to acquire players

by Friday afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline. He's not looking to sell and play for 2016.

Is the deadline a clubhouse distraction?

"Not really," Showalter said. "It's a convenient excuse. I don't know if you all find it a

distraction, the 99 percent of the crazy things that are out there that aren't true. The one comes up

and it's 'I told you so.'

"You know certain teams are going to do certain things and it's kind of a given. If you start

talking about what you would like to get and go get that, well someone has to go away. It's a

poor reflection on your teammates. Somebody's going or something's going. I don't think our

guys get involved in it publicly. What they may do privately and what have you, I'm sure some

guys have an opinion on it, but it doesn't seem to be a topic of conversation.

"Maybe it's because they know there may not be that potential for us to do a whole lot. You've

got to acquire guys. How do you acquire them? Acquire them with players you don't want to

give up. You get a lot of things and you go, 'That doesn't make any sense.'"

Update: The Orioles just played a video tribute to Markakis, set to music, that included footage

from his early days in the organization, his ability to balance a shopping cart on his chin and an

assortment of clutch hits. It led to another loud ovation.

Update II: Kevin Gausman threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings, with six hits, 1 walk and five

strikeouts.

He threw 107 pitches, 70 strikes.

Gausman's previous career high was 7 1/3 innings. He's now winless in his last 12 starts, since

the Orioles can't push across a run tonight.

Brian Matusz struck out Freddie Freeman to strand runners on the corners.

Markakis is 2-for-4.

Update III: Adonis Garcia homered over the right field scoreboard with one out in the ninth to

give Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Zach Britton had allowed only one home run, on May 16 vs. the Angels.

Former Oriole Jim Johnson will go for the save.

Update IV: Johnson blew the save, allowing an infield single by Adam Jones, a single into

center field by Matt Wieters and a sacrifice fly by J.J. Hardy.

Johnson had nine saves before tonight and was 4-for-4 since replacing injured closer Jason Grilli.

We've got free baseball, and Darren O'Day on the mound.

Update V: Matt Wieters led off the bottom of the 11th with his fourth career walk-off home run,

a shot to center field off Luis Avilan.

Orioles 2, Braves 1.

The Orioles are 2-2 in extras and 13-16 in one-run games.

Brad Brach gets the win.

Wieters' last walk-off was May 1, 2014 in Game 2 of a doubleheader vs. the Pirates.

The Orioles are back at .500 at 49-49.

Wieters, David Lough and Jonathan Schoop have walk-off home runs this season.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/wieters-walk-off-os-catcher-wins-it-on-

homer-in-the-11th.html

Wieters walk-off: O's catcher wins it on homer in the 11th

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

On a night when it looked like the Orioles might lose after Zach Britton gave up a homer in the

ninth inning, they tied it in the ninth and won it in the 11th. Matt Wieters led off the 11th with a

homer as the Orioles recorded a 2-1 walk-off win over the Atlanta Braves.

The Orioles' fourth walk-off win of the year and Wieters' fourth career walk-off homer lifts the

Orioles back to .500 at 49-49. Wieters hit a 1-0 pitch from Luis Avilan out to right-center to end

it and give the O's the win to open a seven-game homestand.

After eight scoreless innings, each team scored once in the ninth.

In the top of the inning, Atlanta third baseman Adonis Garcia homered off Britton to break the 0-

0 tie. Garcia hit his second homer to right on a 1-0 fastball. It was just the second homer allowed

by Britton in 40 2/3 innings.

Jim Johnson came on to protect a 1-0 lead in the last of the ninth and was greeted by an infield

single from Adam Jones and a base hit to right by Wieters. That Wieters single, on an 0-2 pitch,

sent Jones to third. He scored on J.J. Hardy's sac fly to left and the Orioles tied it at 1-1. Johnson

had converted his last seven save chances and had an ERA of 0.44 his last 20 games.

The Orioles got an excellent start from right-hander Kevin Gausman, who went a career-high 7

2/3 innings, allowing six hits and no runs with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 107

pitches, 70 for strikes, after starting the game with an ERA of 5.18.

Gausman had retired nine in a row when Nick Markakis singled with two outs in the eighth. He

went to third on a bloop hit by Cameron Maybin. Buck Showalter then called for Brian Matusz

in a lefty-lefty matchup and Matusz fanned Freddie Freeman on a 1-2 pitch to keep it a 0-0

game. But Gausman left in a scoreless tie and is now winless his last 12 starts.

Gausman had allowed 12 runs over 9 2/3 innings in his previous two starts, but tonight produced

his second scoreless start of the five he's made in 2015. He blanked Texas for 6 1/3 innings on

July 2.

Markakis made his return to Baltimore tonight and was greeted with a long standing ovation at

the start of the game. He tipped his cap as the O's fans showed him appreciation for his nine

years as an Oriole. Then he promptly doubled to left on a 3-2 pitch to start the game, but was

stranded there.

Markakis went 2-for-5 tonight.

The Orioles, meanwhile, could not get much going against Atlanta left-hander Alex Wood.

Through the first seven innings, they advanced just one runner as far as second base and had just

three hits, two in the first two innings. Wood went 7 1/3 scoreless innings on three hits in a no-

decision.

In the second game of this series on Tuesday night, Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) pitches

against right-hander Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49 ERA).

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350727101

Wieters' 11th-inning HR gives Orioles 2-1 win over Braves

Associated Press / ESPN.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- Playing at home for the first time since the All-Star break, the Baltimore

Orioles honored a part of their past and pulled out a victory they hope will influence their

immediate future.

Matt Wieters homered leading off the 11th inning, and the Orioles beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1

Monday on the night Nick Markakis returned to Baltimore.

After taking two from Tampa Bay over the weekend, the Orioles rallied in the ninth inning and

put the game away in the 11th when Wieters connected on the second pitch from Luis Avilan (2-

4).

It was Wieters' fourth home run, the first since June 25, and his teammates celebrated by dousing

him with a bucket of water at the plate.

Brad Brach (4-2) worked the 11th for the Orioles, who climbed back to .500 (49-49).

"To win the last three games, it's been a challenge for us, so I think it's coming at a good time,"

manager Buck Showalter said.

The defending AL East champions trail division leader New York by seven games but are in the

thick of the wild-card hunt.

"Right now being where we are, cherishing a win is big," Wieters said. "To be able to keep piling

up wins is what we need to do."

Markakis played nine years with the Orioles before signing a four-year, $44 million contract

with Atlanta during the offseason. Many in the crowd of 26,256 acknowledged his run with the

Orioles with a lengthy standing ovation before he stepped into the batter's box to begin the game.

The team also saluted their former right fielder with a video montage before the bottom of the

first.

"Tonight just shows what type of fans they are and how loyal they are," Markakis said.

His former teammates feel the same way

"Obviously we all love him and respect him," Orioles starter Kevin Gausman said. "Just one of

those guys that did everything the right way."

Markakis went 2 for 5. Rookie Adonis Garcia homered for the Braves, who have dropped 11 of

15.

Atlanta starter Alex Wood allowed three hits and two walks in 7 1/3 innings. The right-hander

was replaced by Jason Frasor, who struck out Manny Machado on a 3-2 pitch with two on and

two outs.

"It's one of those things where, if you throw absolutely terrible but you win the game, you feel all

right," Wood said. "And then you throw really good and you get a loss, it still feels like a loss."

Garcia went deep against All-Star reliever Zach Britton in the ninth inning to break up a

scoreless duel, but Baltimore rallied in the bottom half against former Oriole Jim Johnson.

Playing in his fifth major league game, Garcia drove a 1-0 pitch over the right-field scoreboard.

Garcia, a 30-year-old Cuban native, has two homers since making his debut on Saturday night.

Looking for his 10th save, Johnson promptly gave up singles to Adam Jones and Wieters to put

runners on the corners with no outs for J.J. Hardy, who delivered a sacrifice fly.

STREAKY

Braves: Former Baltimore catcher Ryan Lavarnway had his seven-game hitting streak end with

an 0 for 4 outing.

Orioles: Hardy has hit in 10 straight games, Wieters snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a seventh-

inning single and Davis went 0 for 3 with two intentional walks, ending his nine-game hitting

streak.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Freddie Freeman batted third for the first time since returning from the DL Saturday

with a bruised right wrist. Markakis was shifted from third to the leadoff spot and Jace

Peterson went from first to sixth.

Orioles: Steve Pearce (left oblique strain) has not been able to perform baseball activities or lift

weights since going on the DL on July 22 (retroactive to July 19). He expressed doubt Monday

about returning from the DL next week.

ON DECK

Braves: Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49 ERA) makes his first career start against the Orioles on

Tuesday. Atlanta is 11-9 in his 20 starts.

Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) seeks to improve his 3-5 lifetime record against the

Braves, a team he last faced in 2013.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/wieters-11th-inning-home-run-gives-orioles-2-1-

win

Wieters' 11th inning home run gives Orioles 2-1 win

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE – Most of the evening belonged to Nick Markakis. But, in the end it was Matt

Wieters who won the night.

Markakis enjoyed a great ovation in his return to Baltimore with the Atlanta Braves, and he was

the usual pesky hitter, going deep into counts, and giving some offensive life to his team.

There was only so much Markakis could do, and Wieters finally hit a game-ending home run in

the 11th inning to give the Orioles a 2-1 win over the Braves before 26,256 at Oriole Park on

Monday night.

The evening began with Markakis receiving a long standing ovation from the fans. Kevin

Gausman stepped off the mound and let the cheering continue.

“I was pretty proud of how everybody responded to him. It was one of those things where we

were all in the dugout wanting to applaud too, but you kind of did it with your heart and not your

hands,” manager Buck Showalter said.

Markakis went 2-for-5 with a first inning double and an eighth inning single, but he could only

watch when Wieters led off the 11th with a home run to right-center field on a 1-0 pitch from

Luis Avilan (2-4), the fifth pitcher for the Braves (46-53).

It was Wieters’ fourth game-ending home run of his career.

“It won’t ever get old. It’s a great feeling, to put a good swing on the ball at a time when you

need it. It’s a good feeling. You’ll never get tired of it,” Wieters said.

The Orioles (49-49) have won three straight and are at .500 for the 14th time this season, tied for

third most in club history.

Brad Brach (4-2) pitched a scoreless 11th for the win.

The Orioles (49-49) have won three straight.

“Right now being where we are, cherishing a win is big, to be able to keep piling up wins, and

keep piling up wins because that’s what we need to do. It’s nice to get a win, but any win is a

nice win,” Wieters said.

Kevin Gausman pitched 7 2/3 innings, the longest of his career. Gausman allowed six hits.

He had retired nine straight until Markakis singled with two outs in the eighth. Cameron Maybin

dumped a single to right, sending Markakis to third.

Gausman exited to as loud an ovation as Markakis elicited two hours before.

"I felt pretty comfortable out there. You get through the fifth scoreless, I think that's when your

confidence starts to get up. Me and [Wieters], we were on the same page the whole game,”

Gausman said.

Brian Matusz struck out Freddie Freeman to keep the game scoreless.

Braves starter Alex Wood allowed just three hits to the Orioles in 7 1/3 innings.

In the ninth, Zach Britton struck out A.J. Pierzynski and then Adonis Garcia hit his second home

run of the season to right field, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Atlanta called on its closer, Jim Johnson for the bottom of the ninth.

Adam Jones began the inning with an infield single. Wieters singled to center, and Jones reached

third. Jones scored on J.J. Hardy’s sacrifice fly. Travis Snider lined to right and Lough struck out

to send the game into extra innings.

The Orioles, most of whom played with Markakis, remember him fondly, and they liked hearing

the crowd’s reaction.

“It was cool to see the ovation. I knew Orioles fans were going to give him a great ovation, and I

know he appreciated it. Nick does like he always does. He answered it when the time was

[right],” Wieters said.

Gausman is getting to be an expert at these special occasions, as the starter for Derek Jeter’s last

game at Yankee Stadium, and the guy who began Markakis’ career as a visitor.

He let the moment breathe.

“That's just one of those things, you've just got to feel out the situation. Anybody would have,”

Gausman said. “What he did for this team, for the city. I think it's funny that he was still playing

right here. Just kind of weird, kind of different seeing him in a different uniform. But obviously

we all love him and respect him. Just one of those guys that did everything the right way. He

made it pretty easy."

Markakis was always one of Showalter’s favorites.

“We miss him,” Showalter said.

NOTES: Gausman is winless in his last 12 starts. …Hardy has a 10-game hitting streak. … In

Sunday’s game, Tommy Hunter was incorrectly charged with a wild pitch. Runners were on first

and second, and Caleb Joseph threw out James Loney attempting to advance to second. The

runner on third advanced on a fielder’s choice. … Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49) faces Ubaldo

Jimenez (7-6, 3.81) on Tuesday night.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-blue-jays-pull-off-stunning-trade-for-troy-

tulowitzki-20150728-story.html

Blue Jays pull off stunning trade for Troy Tulowitzki as

Orioles talk about making moves

The Baltimore Sun

July 28, 2015

Your move, Dan Duquette.

The Orioles’ executive vice president of baseball operations said again Monday that his team is

in the playoff chase and that he’s looking to improve the club.

Don’t wait too long because one of the teams you’re battling for a playoff spot, the Toronto Blue

Jays, just got a whole lot better.

Already leading the majors in runs scored by a wide margin, the Blue Jays traded for Colorado

Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki early this morning, according to wire reports. The

nonwaiver trading deadline is Friday at 4 p.m.

The Blue Jays will also receive 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Toronto is sending

shortstop Jose Reyes along with reliever Miguel Castro and two minor league pitchers to the

Rockies.

The Orioles won their third straight game Monday night, 2-1, on walk-off home run by catcher

Matt Wieters.

The win kept the Orioles tied with the Blue Jays for second place in the American League East,

seven games behind the New York Yankees and three games out in the wild-card race. But the

Blue Jays, lacking starting pitching, must have decided they are just going to outscore everyone

else as they fight for a playoff spot.

What’s interesting is that the Blue Jays already had a good shortstop in Reyes (batting .285 with

four home runs, 16 stolen bases and a .708 OPS) who was leading off and setting the table for

the Jays’ sluggers. Who bats leadoff now? Toronto’s best on-base percentage guy is Jose

Bautista, who’s hitting just .234 but getting walked a lot. Do you move Bautista to leadoff and

put Tulowitzki (batting .300 in 87 games this season, with 12 home runs and an .831 OPS) in the

third spot?

Who cares? At least the Blue Jays are trying to do something.

All O’s manager Buck Showalter can do is move players up and down the lineup and hope

someone off the bench catches fire. He’s starting Ryan Flaherty at first base for crying out loud.

At the very least the O’s can pull the plug on Travis Snider, David Lough and Chris Parmelee.

Two of those three should go, and until Steve Pearce comes back, bring Christian Walker up to

play first base. He’s hot right now. Maybe it will carry over from Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles better hope Ubaldo Jimenez rediscovers what was working in the first half. If he gets

lit up again, the O’s are in deep trouble.

While it’s nice to have the best defense in baseball, you can’t field home runs. And the Blue

Jays, 7-5 against the O’s this season, just pulled off a stunning trade to get the best player

available and another power bat.

Your move, Dan Duquette.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-daffy-dozen-john-lowenstein-0728-20150727-

story.html

Orioles outfielder John Lowenstein was in his own world

By Mike Klingaman / The Baltimore Sun

July 28, 2015

Call them flakes, misfits or screwballs. They are athletes whose offbeat antics mystify teammates

and fascinate fans and, over three centuries, Baltimore has been blessed with its share. The

Baltimore Sun is counting down The Daffy Dozen, the 12 most memorable characters in the

city’s sports lore. Today’s oddball, No. 4, is former Orioles outfielder, infielder and designated

hitter John Lowenstein, who played for the team from 1979-1985.

For seven years, he kept the Orioles winning, the crowds happy and the media scratching their

heads. Signed for the $20,000 waiver price from the Texas Rangers, John Lowenstein brought

left-handed power and a role-playing persona, plus a cockeyed look at baseball — and life.

He'd been here barely a year when, on June 19, 1980, Lowenstein endeared himself to all. Struck

on the back of the neck by an errant throw while running the bases, "Brother Lo" collapsed in a

heap. Carried off on a stretcher, he abruptly sat bolt upright and raised both fists, Rocky-style.

Memorial Stadium went nuts.

"I had it all planned halfway to the dugout," Lowenstein said. "I mean, the game was on cable

TV and everything."

He had quick wrists and a quirky wit. A platoon player, Lowenstein hit 24 home runs and batted

.320 in 1982 while practicing his swing by smashing birthday cakes in the clubhouse.

"He'd say, 'That [cake] doesn't look good,' then take a bat — and cake went everywhere,"

teammate Gary Roenicke said.

Lowenstein's clutch hits and fielding — three times, he slammed into an outfield fence making a

game-saving catch — led manager Earl Weaver to call his acquisition "the bargain of the

decade." His pinch-hit home run in Game 1 of the 1979 American League Championship Series

defeated the California Angels. He hit two grand slams to win games in the Orioles' 1983 stretch

run. And in that year's World Series, his leaping catch at the fence robbed the Philadelphia

Phillies of a home run.

"I don't have to be a star," Lowenstein said, "but it's nice to twinkle a bit."

Teammates began wearing T-shirts that read, "Tonight, Let It Be Lowenstein." The Jewish

Times published an interview in which Brother Lo described his bar mitzvah; later, he called the

reporter and conceded that he wasn't Jewish.

"It's really nice of John to allow all of us to be part of his world," Orioles pitching coach Ray

Miller said.

Lowenstein's postgame quips were novel, to wit:

"The problem with this game is that the fielders are standing on the wrong side of the fence."

"Sure I screwed up that sacrifice bunt, but look at it this way. I'm a better bunter than a billion

Chinese."

"I flush the toilet between innings to keep my wrists loose."

He retired in 1985, saying, "There's a part of the Smithsonian that I haven't seen yet." And he

summed up his 16-year career in typical Lowenstein fashion:

"I've done all right for myself compared to other guys who have done the same things I've done."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-kevin-gausman-throws-best-game-

monday-20150727-story.html

Kevin Gausman throws best game Monday

By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

Right-hander Kevin Gausman has bounced around plenty this season -- between the minors and

the majors, the bullpen and the rotation. He even had one stint on the disabled list.

Now it looks like he is in the rotation to stay, especially the way he threw Monday night.

Gausman blanked the Atlanta Braves for 7 2/3 innings -- a big-league high for the 24-year-old --

allowing just six hits and a walk while striking out five.

“Pretty good, huh? Really good,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Gausman. “Kevin

was sharp. Bottom of the zone, command of the breaking ball. Matt [Wieters] did a good job

mixing it up. A lot of late life, a lot of weak contact.”

Gausman didn’t get the win but he lowered his season ERA from 5.18 to 4.20. He also

rebounded from his last start in which he gave up four earned runs in six innings.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there. You get through the fifth scoreless, I think that's when your

confidence starts to get up,” Gausman said. “Me and [Wieters], we were on the same page the

whole game.”

Gausman fought through the heat and the Braves’ lineup and at one point retired nine in a row.

In the eighth inning he was still hitting 98 mph with his fastball.

"I felt good physically the whole game,” Gausman said. “It was pretty muggy out there.”

Gausman also impressed before he threw a pitch -- showing maturity beyond his brief time in the

majors. When Nick Markakis stepped to the plate to start the game, and the Camden Yards

crowd rose to its feet to cheer their former right fielder, Gausman walked to the back of the

mound and waited, so Markakis could enjoy the moment.

“I mean, that's just one of those things, you've just got to feel out the situation. Anybody would

have [waited],” Gausman said. “Obviously we all love him and respect him. Just one of those

guys that did everything the right way. He made it pretty easy.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-revisiting-nick-markakis-return-to-camden-

yards-20150727-story.html

Nick Markakis has night he'll 'never forget' in return to

Camden Yards

By Ryan Baillargeon / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters might have stolen the spotlight with his walk-off home run in the

11th inning Monday, but for most of the night, it was the Nick Markakis show.

The right fielder spent nine seasons with the Orioles before signing with the Atlanta Braves in

the offseason, and Monday marked his first time returning to Camden Yards to play his old club.

Markakis led off the game for the Braves and the fans gave him a nearly one-minute standing

ovation, growing louder until he took off his helmet and tipped it to the fans in right and left

field.

“It was good,” Markakis said of the ovation. “These fans have been great to me my whole career

and tonight just shows what type of fans they are and how loyal they are. It was pretty cool.”

The 31-year-old said he didn’t know what to expect from the fans because he had never been

through it before. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was pleased with the reception so many had

been waiting for.

“I was pretty proud of how everybody responded to him,” Showalter said. “It was one of those

things where we were all in the dugout wanting to applaud too, but you kind of did it with your

heart and not your hands.”

When the fans finally settled into their seats, Markakis sliced the sixth pitch of the at-bat down

the left-field line for a double. Showalter ended up with the ball, and he has a plan for it.

“I'm going to write a little something on it and send it over,” Showalter said joking that what he

puts on the ball might not be “completely fit for family time.”

But his emotions turned as he addressed the tribute the Orioles showed on the big screen for

Markakis in the middle of the second inning that included the video where he broke his wrist in

2012. Showalter complimented the montage before choking up.

“We miss him,” a teary-eyed Showalter said.

Markakis said he missed about half of the video because he was in the dugout, but he caught the

end.

“I didn’t even know it was on until I kind of ran up and looked out, but it was cool,” Markakis

said. “These people are class acts over here.”

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was making his first trip to Camden Yards since taking

over in 2011, said it was special because not every player gets that type of welcome in his return.

“The people here in Baltimore love him,” Gonzalez said. “He deserved that. … I was moved by

the ovation that the Baltimore crowd gave him."

Markakis finished the night 2-for-5 in the 2-1 loss. And while Wieters’ extra-inning blast will be

how the game is remembered for the records, the crowd’s applause and the second-inning video

created memories that will live long past Monday.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget,” Markakis said.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-nick-markakis-returns-0728-20150727-

story.html

Nick Markakis cheered by Orioles fans who were 'sad to see

him go'

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

If there was any doubt about the way Nick Markakis would be received upon his return to Oriole

Park with the Atlanta Braves on Monday night, it was quickly drowned out by the 30-second

standing ovation he received as he stepped to the plate to lead off the first inning.

Markakis isn't the demonstrative type, but the crowd persisted until he stepped back out of the

batter's box, acknowledged his former teammates in the Orioles dugout, then doffed his batting

helmet and gestured his appreciation to both the right and left field stands.

Then he did something else that wasn't surprising. He lined an opposite-field double into the left

field corner.

It was classic Nick, the quiet crowd pleaser.

Many in the not-so-quiet crowd broke out their orange Markakis T-shirts and white No. 21

Markakis home jerseys. Most everyone seemed to be acknowledging the fact that Markakis

never wanted to leave the Orioles, and got a second chance to thank him for the memories after

the club featured a highlight-packed video tribute in the middle of the second inning.

Ryan Blanchfield of Caroline County made the 90-minute trek from the Eastern Shore to pay his

respects.

"He stuck with the Orioles when they weren't the best," Blanchfield said minutes before the start

of the game. "It was sad to see him go. He's a solid defensive player with a little pop. He did a lot

with the community here. I'm fairly certain he'll get a warm welcome.

Of course, it's not your typical free agent departure story. Just about everyone, including

Markakis, believed he would re-sign with the Orioles when his contract ran out after last season.

But negotiations hit a snag and the Braves swooped in with a four-year, $44 million contract that

he couldn't refuse.

"When Nick left, I cried," said Mary Ellen Dadds of Easton, who parked behind the visitors'

dugout on Monday in her Markakis jersey and her custom Orioles power chair. "I used to sit in

the handicapped seats in right field. I called them my Nick seats."

Dadds and her husband Glen are diehard O's fans with a 13-game season plan, but they had to

switch one of those games for the chance to see Markakis make his first appearance at Camden

Yards in a Braves uniform.

Markakis said late Monday afternoon that he wasn't sure what kind of reception he should

expect, but he didn't hesitate when he was asked what was his most enduring memory of his time

in an Orioles uniform.

"The fans," he said. "They ultimately are the reason we play this game is for the fans. It's still a

job, but it's a kids game and it's fun. Ultimately we wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for the fans.

The fans of Baltimore have always been great to me and my family. The one thing I miss the

most is the fans and the atmosphere."

The sight of Markakis taking the field wearing No. 22 in a blue and gray (No. 21 was retired for

Warren Spahn) wasn't just a strange experience for the fans.

Some of his former teammates were wondering before the game what it would feel like to face

him in a regular-season game for the first time.

"It's going to be weird," said closer Zach Britton, who arrived in the O's organization three years

after Markakis. "I think it would be any time you play with somebody for awhile, whether it's the

minors or the big leagues — especially Nick, with him being here so long — I think with the

way the process kind of shook out with him not coming back. He wanted to come back. We

wanted him to come back. It just didn't work out. So, if anything, it makes it a little more

awkward, in a sense, to see him playing over there."

The Orioles did play the Braves during spring training, but not many veterans made the two late-

spring trips to Orlando and Markakis did not make the only road trip to Ed Smith Stadium in

Sarasota.

"We kind of got the awkwardness out of the way in spring training," said Chris Davis. "…Got a

chance to see him in uniform and kind of got the weirdness out of the way, but I think if you play

this game as long as he has you're bound to switch teams. Not too many guys play their whole

career in one uniform."

Markakis acknowledged that it wasn't exactly business as usual driving to the ballpark from his

Monkton home on Monday afternoon.

"It's different," he said. "I spent nine years here. This is the team that drafted me. This is how I

was introduced to professional baseball. To be gone after so many years, it's definitely different.

But I'm in a good place right now, with great teammates in a great organization and I'm happy

where I am now."

Cindy Taylor of Frenchtown wasn't happy to see him go, so she brought her daughter Nicole, in

an orange Markakis jersey, to the game early to try and get close enough to the rail next to the

Braves dugout in case Markakis came over to sign autographs.

"We were very sorry when he left," Cindy Taylor said. "He's my daughter's favorite. I thought he

was going to come back. I thought he was going to retire as an Oriole."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-duquette-were-still-in-competition-for-this-

year-20150727-story.html

Dan Duquette: 'We're still in competition for this year'

By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

With Friday’s nonwaiver trade deadline looming, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette

said he has not changed his mind after his club’s uneven road trip. He still expects to make deals

to improve this team for 2015.

And there really isn’t a scenario in the next few days that could change that mindset.

“We’re still in competition for this year. We want to get to the playoffs and we are going to do

what we can to add to the ballclub,” Duquette said. “We may make some trades, but anything

that we do we’re gonna try and improve our ballclub for this year.”

Heading into play Monday, the Orioles (48-49) were seven games behind the division-leading

New York Yankees in the American League East and 3 ½ games behind the Minnesota Twins

for the second wild-card spot. Get into the playoffs, Duquette said, and anything can happen.

“We’re looking to add to this club, OK? If we go through the end of the season and we add to the

team and we are successful making the playoffs, then you can roll the dice, right?” Duquette

said. “And we are still in the position to do that.”

Duquette said he is still in search of pitching depth and a left fielder to boost offensive

production in that spot. He mentioned that Triple-A outfielder Dariel Alvarez also could be an

answer if Duquette can’t find the right fit to fill left field in a trade. He also hopes some of the

current Orioles play up to their capabilities, which some didn’t in the first half.

“Hopefully, we can get something done. In 2012, we didn’t get anything done [on July 31] and

then we brought up Manny Machado,” Duquette said. “I don’t know we have any Manny

Machados there [in the minors], but last year we ended up picking up Jimmy Paredes in July and

he ended up making an impact on the team. You never know where these players are going to

come from.”

Potentially complicating matters is that the Orioles have seven pending free agents at season’s

end including pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, slugger Chris Davis, catcher Matt Wieters and All-Star

reliever Darren O’Day, all of whom could yield solid return if traded during the season.

However, it’s likely the Orioles will make qualifying offers to Chen, Davis and Wieters, so if

they go elsewhere at the end of the year, the Orioles would get compensatory draft picks in the

No. 30-to-40 slots next June.

And Duquette appears OK with the draft-pick scenario, given his belief that this club still has a

chance at the postseason.

“If this club doesn’t make the playoffs, this team still has other options. We get first-round talent

for a lot of the free agents,” Duquette said.

Duquette’s ability to make an impact deal appears limited due to the lack of quality -- and

healthy -- prospects in the system. He said he’s been getting plenty of inquiries from other teams

about young right-handers Kevin Gausman, Mychal Givens and Mike Wright, but he sees them

all as assisting the Orioles in their pennant push.

“We like them to help our club,” he said. “But my point is they could come up and make a

contribution to this year’s team -- after the trade deadline, too.”

In the past few years, Duquette has been particularly active in August when players have to pass

through waivers before they can be dealt. That, he said, is always a possibility, as well.

Duquette, as usual, won’t reveal what tricks he has up his sleeve, but in a lighter moment he did

reveal something from his tie. Duquette was wearing a baseball-themed tie on Monday and it had

depictions of several old-time teams and players. He was asked whether he had talked trade with

any of the teams on his tie -- a group that included the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox,

Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“We are talking to some of the teams on this tie,” Duquette said laughing. “That’s true.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-notes-steve-pearce-resting-with-team-

nolan-reimold-leads-off-20150727-story.html

Orioles notes: Steve Pearce resting with team, Nolan

Reimold leads off

By Ryan Baillargeon / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the plan is to keep Steve Pearce, who was placed on the

15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain on July 22, with the team for the next two to three

days rather than sending him to Sarasota, Fla., to do rehab.

“Not a whole lot that he can do [in Sarasota] that he can’t do here,” Showalter said. “There are

some things that he was feeling that he’s not feeling now, so that’s good.”

Pearce, who has started at five different positions this season, said he has been getting treatment,

but he hasn’t been able to do any hitting or throwing as a precaution to avoid aggravating the

injury. The 32-year-old is hitting .227 on the season with seven home runs in 58 games.

“It’s hard,” Pearce said of sitting out. “Especially being here around the guys, seeing guys

hitting, preparing and getting ready. It’s just frustrating that I don’t get to be a part of it.”

Pearce said at this point there is no plan to go on a rehab assignment. He is eligible to come off

the disabled list Aug. 3, which is the first day of the Orioles’ nine-game West Coast trip. As of

Monday, Pearce and Showalter didn’t seem optimistic he would be ready by then.

“As far as experience and track record of that injury, no,” Showalter said. “But who knows? I

don’t know how quick we caught it. It was getting worse when we DL’d him.”

Said Pearce: “Always holding out hope. I am taking it day-by-day. That’s all we can do right

now. Just kind of rest and let it heal.”

Reimold leads off

Left fielder Nolan Reimold batted leadoff on Monday for the first time since May 3, 2013, when

he went 0-for-4 in a 4-0 loss at the Los Angeles Angels.

In 14 starts in 2012 with the Orioles, Reimold hit leadoff in all of them. The 31-year-old entered

Monday with 20 starts as the No. 1 hitter. He had a .280/.313/.538 slash line in 93 at-bats in the

top spot.

“He’s been selective over his career,” Showalter said. “Nolan has got that ability to get on base.

That’s one thing that he’s always done through the course of his career. His on-base percentage

has always been pretty good.”

Machado seemed the have settled into the leadoff spot making 72 starts at the top of the lineup

this season, but Showalter has moved him down to No. 3 the past four games. Machado had a

.305/.376/.550 slash line leading off.

“We have had to do some things that probably aren’t as conventional as normal because [we are]

just trying to make the personnel fit,” Showalter said. “Manny did a very good job there. And he

has and will do a very good job in other places.”

Around the horn

Norfolk 1B Christian Walker was named International League Batter of the Week after he went

12-for-29 with three home runs and four doubles. …Bowie INF Corban Joseph was named

Eastern League Player of the Week after going 10-for-24 with five home runs and eight RBIs.

He is the brother of Orioles’ catcher Caleb Joseph. …Norfolk C Steve Clevenger had a foul ball

hit his throwing hand Sunday but X-rays came back negative, and Showalter said Clevenger will

probably rest a few days before returning. … INF Ryan Flaherty turned 29 on Monday.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-reimold-leading-off-flaherty-at-first-

orioles-lineup-20150727-story.html

Nolan Reimold leading off for first time since 2013, Ryan

Flaherty playing first base

By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun

July 27, 2015

Today is “Nick Markakis Returns to Camden Yards Day,” but there’s also a couple other story

lines.

Nolan Reimold, who had three hits Sunday, is batting leadoff for the first time since May 3,

2013, when he went 0-for-4 at the Los Angeles Angels. Manny Machado is batting third again.

Chris Davis is in right field – Markakis’ old spot – and batting second. Matt Wieters is back

behind the plate and Ryan Flaherty is playing first base again.

By the way, Markakis will speak to the local media at around 4 p.m. today. It's never his favorite

part of the day, but he'll deal with it professionally, as he always does.

Here is the lineup:

Orioles Nolan Reimold LF

Chris Davis RF

Manny Machado 3B

Adam Jones CF

Matt Wieters C

J.J. Hardy SS

Travis Snider DH

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Ryan Flaherty 1B

Kevin Gausman RHP

Braves TBA

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139086178/as-markakis-reunion-continues-jimenez-takes-

on-braves

As Markakis reunion continues, Jimenez takes on Braves

By Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 28, 2015

Nick Markakis stepped out of the batter's box and took in a standing ovation for a few moments

before tipping his helmet to the place that he called home for nine years during his first at-bat at

Camden Yards on Monday.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that he expected Markakis to have nine hits over the three-

game series, and the lefty picked up two on Monday, including a double to open the game, a 2-1

Orioles win in 11 innings. While Markakis will continue to be a storyline throughout the series,

Tuesday's matchup features a pair of accomplished pitchers who will look to improve on their

performances to date.

Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) and Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49) will match up on the mound as

both look to pitch to their full potential after up-and-down seasons. Jimenez is coming off his

shortest outing of the season in which he gave up seven runs on eight hits in a 2 1/3-inning

performance against the Yankees. Teheran will be making his first career start against Baltimore,

but owns a 2-3 record and 4.91 ERA during Interleague Play in his career.

Things to know about this game

• Teheran is coming off a loss to the Dodgers, but pitched very well. The right-hander lasted

seven innings, allowing six runs, three hits and three walks while striking out a season-high 11

batters.

• Jimenez will look to snap a three-game losing streak, but hasn't had much success against the

Braves in the past. He owns a 3-5 record and 3.79 ERA in nine career starts against Atlanta.

• Markakis is not the only former Orioles player on the Braves roster. Ryan Lavarnway elected

free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on May 29, and Jim Johnson played with

the team for eight seasons before being traded to Oakland in December 2013.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139169738/orioles-kevin-gausman-blanks-braves-for-7-23

Gausman's stellar effort offers hope for future With 7 2/3 scoreless innings, young pitcher could turn into reliable fifth starter for Orioles

By Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 28, 2015

BALTIMORE -- Kevin Gausman's night began with him stepping off the rubber and standing

behind the mound as a rain of cheers poured down on the Braves' Nick Markakis, who was

playing in his first game in Baltimore since joining Atlanta this season.

The 24-year-old's night ended with the night's second loudest cheer as Gausman exited the game

after a career-high 7 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, no runs and a walk while striking out five.

"Pretty good, huh," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after his club's 2-1 victory in 11

innings. "Really good. Kevin was sharp. Bottom of the zone, command of the breaking ball. Matt

[Wieters] did a good job mixing it up. A lot of late life, a lot of weak contact, much like their

pitcher."

Gausman was involved in a pitchers' duel with the Braves' Alex Wood the whole way. It was

actually the second time the two faced off against each other, but this time on a much bigger

stage.

The two matched up in college during the 2012 season when Gausman was at Louisiana State

and Wood was pitching at the University of Georgia. Both pitched no-decisions that day as well.

"It's fun. You kind of feed off of each other," Gausman said. "You almost want to show up the

other guy and you are waiting for somebody to crack. That's kind of the way it is right now.

Everybody is hunting for wins right now, and that's the biggest thing, we got a win tonight."

Monday's start was arguably his best of the season, which is encouraging for the Orioles as they

hope Gausman can turn into a reliable fifth man in the rotation. Gausman has been up-and-down

this season, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Rangers in one start and 3 2/3 innings of

seven-run ball to Minnesota in the next.

But he had his stuff working in the series opener. He credited his fastball command as the

biggest difference in Monday's outing, but he also had his fastball velocity, which was evident by

a 98 mph heater in the eighth.

Gausman also reached a season-high 107 pitches, surpassing the 100-pitch threshold for the first

time since Sept. 12 against the Yankees. It was a step forward for Gausman, and one that the

Orioles hope the young right-hander will be able to build on.

"Today, I established my fastball in and also down and away," Gausman said. "Just one of those

things. Kind of the flip of a coin. Some days you are going to have rough days like that. That's

one thing veteran guys do really well. Even when they are struggling, they could get you through

five, six, seven innings sometimes."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139014786/top-25-mlb-players-under-25-years-old

Machado among game's top 25-and-unders

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

July 28, 2015

If we had to pinpoint the one theme of this 2015 season that stands out above all others, it's

unquestionably the dominating impact and the infusion of youth on the Major League scene.

Never was this more evident than on Monday night when 23-year-old Cubs rookie Kris

Bryant cracked his first career walk-off homer into the Wrigley Field bleachers to give the Cubs

a dramatic 9-8 win against the Rockies.

And just an hour or so before Bryant's blast landed, the mere suggestion that the Dodgers might

consider trading 24-year-old Yasiel Puig turned social media upside down.

Be it the promotions of prominent prospects -- such as Bryant and Carlos Correa -- who were

household names before they even reached the bigs or the stunningly swift maturation of guys

barely old enough to rent a car – think Bryce Harper and Carlos Martinez -- it's become

abundantly clear that the game's present and future are in great hands.

"The group of young players that we have today is just absolutely outstanding," Commissioner

Rob Manfred said. "They're great on the field. They're really great human beings off the field.

And I think they provide a real opportunity for the game to move forward."

To wit, this year's All-Star Game rosters featured 20 players age 25 or younger -- the most in

history -- and 11 of MLB's 30 teams reached the midway mark with a player 25 or under leading

them in Wins Above Replacement. If that holds true at season's end, it would mark the first time

since 1980 that so many teams were led in WAR by players that young.

And as we showed yesterday, additional data further backs this up. We are in the midst of a

golden generation of young talent in the game.

With that in mind, here are our Top 25-and-Unders, our ranking of the top 25 players age 25 and

younger. All players who were 25 and under as of July 1, 2015 -- their age-25 season or younger

-- were eligible for votes, and the list was selected by a panel of MLB.com and MLB Network

analysts, including two former Major League general managers (Dan O'Dowd and Jim

Duquette).

Here is how the vote turned out, with a look at how each player rose to prominence.

3. Manny Machado, 3B (age 23)

Born: Hialeah, Fla.

HS: Brito Miami Private School (Miami)

As a Miami native of Dominican Republic descent, Machado heard the Alex

Rodriguez comparisons long before he went pro. But he also made a name for himself by leading

USA Baseball's 18 & Under team to a gold medal in the Pan American Junior Championship,

and the Orioles took the athletic shortstop with burgeoning power and defensive prowess at No.

3 overall in 2010. Though knee woes hindered Machado in '13 and '14, he's been a legit superstar

this season.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139062614/nick-markakis-returns-to-baltimore-with-

braves

After charmed time in Charm City, Markakis returns Veteran receives ovation, bangs two hits in first game back in Baltimore

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- When Nick Markakis ended his long tenure in Baltimore by signing a four-

year, $44 million deal with the Braves in December, he gained a better understanding of

baseball's business aspect. But he did not lose the admiration of many of those who spent time

with him as he completed the first nine seasons of his Major League career with the Orioles.

Markakis got a sense of this as he played the Orioles for the first time in his career on Monday

night at Camden Yards. Though the experience was blemished when Baltimore claimed a 2-1,

11-inning victory, the veteran outfielder will never forget the loud, stirring ovation he received

just before he began the game with an opposite-field double.

"These fans have been great to me throughout my career," Markakis said. "Tonight just shows

what type of fans they are and how loyal they are. It was pretty cool."

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has quickly learned why Orioles manager Buck Showalter has

such great admiration for Markakis, who was also honored with a video tribute that played

before the bottom of the second inning.

"They don't give people that kind of ovation if you're a turd," Gonzalez said. "He's a solid guy

and the people here in Baltimore love him. … They do that to good people and good players."

Though Showalter might have wanted to keep Markakis in his clubhouse as long as possible, the

Orioles were unwilling to match Atlanta's offer because of concerns about a herniated disk that

was repaired via neck surgery in December.

Markakis added an eighth-inning single to cap a two-hit performance that was somewhat

expected from Showalter, who before the game predicted that his former player would probably

"get about nine hits" in this three-game series. "The guy is very easy to get close to and respect,"

Showalter said. "The consistency in the way he grinds, they know what they are getting every

day. He is a good baseball player, good father, good husband, he's solid."

Markakis plans to maintain his family residence in Baltimore. But though he has occasionally

been frustrated by the physical limitations he has had coming back from the major surgical

procedure, the 31-year-old has found comfort playing back in Atlanta, where he attended both

high school and college.

"Anything can happen, it's a business," Markakis said. "I understand the business aspect better

right now. It's a tough thing to go through, especially when you're attached to a baseball team

and an organization for so long. It was a little hard at first. It took a little time to get over it."

"I'm here in Atlanta now and I'm happy where I am," Markakis said. "We've got a good group of

guys that we work with every day."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139157964/orioles-matt-wieters-hits-4th-walk-off-home

Wieters misses Sunday, but he doesn't miss Monday After sitting out game with sore back, Orioles catcher returns to slug walk-off homer

By Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- Matt Wieters was scheduled to play first base in Sunday's series finale against

the Rays, but was scratched from the lineup with a sore back. In hindsight, it looks like a great

decision.

On Monday, Wieters delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th off of Luis

Avilan to give the Orioles a 2-1 victory over the Braves in the series opener at Camden Yards.

"We could have pushed the envelope yesterday, but then he may not have been able to do what

he did tonight," manager Buck Showalter said.

It was Wieters' fourth career walk-off homer and his first since May 1, 2014, in Game 1 of a

doubleheader against Pittsburgh. But Wieters game-winning knock was one of two big hits the

Orioles catcher produced in the club's first game back in Baltimore since the All-Star break.

The other came in the ninth with the Orioles losing, 1-0. Adam Jones led off the inning with an

infield single, and Wieters followed that up with a single up the middle, advancing Jones to third.

The single proved to be important as J.J. Hardy flied a ball to left field that was deep enough to

score Jones and tie the game at 1, forcing extra innings. Showalter said he thought about pinch-

running for Wieters following the Hardy sacrifice fly, but it was yet another good decision on

Showalter's part.

In his next at-bat, Wieters blasted the second pitch he saw from Avilan into the center-field

stands, and added a nice bat flip to boot. He raced around the bases and rolled his helmet into the

mob that awaited him at home plate.

"Right now, being where we are, cherishing a win is big, to be able to keep piling up wins, and

keep piling up wins because that's what we need to do," Wieters said.

It's been a well-documented long road back to the lineup for Wieters, who missed most of last

season and nearly half of 2015 after Tommy John surgery. He's still dealing with the effects and

he still doesn't catch back-to-back games in order to work back his arm strength.

But moments like Monday's make it all worth it.

"It won't ever get old," Wieters said of his walk-off homer. "It's a great feeling, to put a good

swing on the ball at a time when you need it. It's a good feeling. You'll never get tired of it."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139077746/orioles-to-host-big-social-media-event-tuesday

Big social media event on tap before tonight's game

By Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles will host Social Media Night prior to Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. ET

matchup against the Braves.

"Birdland Social" will provide an exclusive pregame party on the center-field Roof Deck for 250

of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers. The event will include a question-and-

answer session with Hall of Famer and Orioles longtime pitcher and announcer Jim Palmer and

MASNsports.com Orioles writer Roch Kubatko.

Connect with the Orioles on social media

Tickets for the Birdland Social pregame party range from $30 to $60 and include access to the

party, a catered menu, two drink coupons per person, a ticket to the game (Roof Deck, Eutaw

Street bleachers, or upper reserve with varied pricing), and an exclusive T-shirt with a unique

social media design. The party will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 6:30. A limited number of

tickets are available atorioles.com/birdlandsocial.

Additionally, the Orioles are offering fans the chance to vote on one of three unique designs for

the Birdland Social T-shirt. Fans can vote via individual hashtags on Twitter or Instagram. Real-

time results of the voting and the T-shirt designs are viewable at the same link on which tickets

are available.

Social Media Night will conclude with various promotions and prizes for all fans attending the

game, including the "Catch a #Winner" promotion that will take place during batting practice.

Fans who retrieve a ball that has been stamped #Winner will be able to retrieve a prize at the

Orioles Fan Assistance Booth. Several lucky fans will also have the chance to take a selfie with

some Orioles players, and fans who tweet #BringMeFood will be eligible to receive

complimentary food delivered to their seats during the game by tweeting the hashtag along with

their desired menu item and their seat location.

Additional promotions will take place throughout the night both for fans in attendance and those

following at home. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Orioles' social accounts for details,

announcements, and exclusive clues.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139071342/orioles-steve-pearce-likely

Pearce's stay on DL likely longer than 15 days Orioles utility man dealing with tricky oblique injury

By Connor Smolensky / MLB.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles' Steve Pearce is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on

Aug. 3, but it's looking like he may need to wait a bit longer before returning to play.

The Baltimore utility man has been unable to take part in any baseball activity since being placed

on the DL with a left oblique strain on Wednesday. Pearce cannot do any strengthening

exercises, throwing or hitting with risk of reinjuring his oblique, and has been limited to rest and

treatment.

"It's hard," Pearce said. "Especially being here around the guys, seeing guys hitting, preparing

and getting ready. It's just frustrating that I don't get to be a part of it."

Pearce remains hopeful that he will be able to come off the DL a week from Monday, but even

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't think that's realistic.

"On paper, as far as experience and track record of that injury, no," Showalter said. "But who

knows? I don't know how quick we caught it."

Showalter did say that Pearce would stay with the Orioles for at least two to three days before the

team makes any decisions on him, and that he has made some progress since originally going on

the DL. The oblique is a tricky injury, however, because there is really no way of testing it

without risking further damage to the muscle.

"If you test it and you're wrong, you set yourself back another two weeks," Showalter said.

The manager also mentioned the difficulty that Pearce's absence makes in creating the lineup, as

the utility man has made starts in right field (five starts), left field (12), second base (13) and first

base (16) this season. Pearce was hitting .227/.290/.392 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs in 58

games this season.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/139021172/cody-reed-on-prospect-team-of-the-week

Walker named to Prospect Team of the Week Reed goes from Royals to Reds in Cueto deal after impressive performance

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

July 27, 2015

MLBPipeline.com's Prospect Team of the Week honors the best performances from the previous

seven days. Any player currently on an organization Top 30 Prospects list on our Prospect

Watch is eligible, including big leaguers.

Players aren't just playing for their parent organization when on the field. Every game can be

considered an audition for 29 other teams.

That's particularly true when the non-waiver Trade Deadline rolls around. As buyers and sellers

at the big league level try to work out deals, scouts are working hard in the Minor Leagues to

evaluate prospects who could be potentially included in deals.

Case in point is the left-handed pitcher for the Prospect Team of the Week for July 20-26.

1B: Christian Walker, Orioles (No. 3 prospect) 7 G, .414/.414/.862, 9 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 4 SO

Walker had three multihit games this past week. He began the week by homering, followed that

with a three-hit performance, then homered again on Wednesday. Walker hit his third homer of

the week to cap things off on Sunday, doubling his home run total for the month of July in one

week.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/putting-a-spin-on-the-revolving-door-atop-

the-order.html

Putting a spin on the revolving door atop the order

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 28, 2015

The Orioles are facing a right-hander tonight, Atlanta's Julio Teheran, which brings more

curiosity regarding their choice of leadoff hitter.

Will it be David Lough, who batted first in the last two games at Tropicana Field? He hits from

the left side.

Will it be Nolan Reimold, who batted first last night against Braves southpaw Alex Wood in the

series opener? He hadn't been atop the order since May 2013.

Could Manny Machado move back up to first, where he's hit in 72 games?

I don't expect Machado to leave the third spot at this point, though manager Buck Showalter

toyed with the idea yesterday.

"I think Manny could hit anywhere - first, second, third," Showalter said. "Adam (Jones) could,

too. Chris (Davis) really could. We've had to do some things that probably aren't as conventional

because we're just trying to make the personnel fit. And batting order matters one time around,

really. I think Manny led off three times the other day when he was hitting third. I thought it was

ironic. But we'll see."

Machado is batting .305/.376/.550 atop the order, with 16 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs, 39

RBIs, 47 runs scored and 32 walks in 316 plate appearances.

"Manny did a very good job there," Showalter said. "He has and will do a good job in other

places.

"Try to keep in mind, too, that guys like Jonathan Schoop and Matt (Wieters), couple other guys,

they don't even have 100 at-bats yet. We talked about when they came back, they go through that

period where they start off everything's fine, and then the baseball gods kind of get them for a

little while, and then they kind of find their niche."

Showalter has used 89 different lineups in 98 games. He's used six different leadoff hitters,

including Alejandro De Aza (16 games), Everth Cabrera (five), Lough (three) and Jimmy

Paredes (one). De Aza and Cabrera no longer are in the organization.

Paredes went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his only turn.

Asked if he anticipates a revolving door now at the leadoff spot, Showalter smiled and replied,

"Revolving door? What has it been?"

It's been spinning since Nick Markakis signed a four-year deal with the Braves. He led off last

night in his return to Camden Yards and doubled in his first at-bat.

"If you hit Manny first, who hits third?" Showalter asked. "If you hit him third, who hits first?

You take one away and then you're trying to replace it. We put out there what we think is best.

Guys know that we have some challenges there."

Only two current Orioles have faced Teheran. Travis Snider is 3-for-7 with two doubles and two

walks, and Chris Parmelee is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Teheran has made four starts this month and allowed nine runs (eight earned) over 25 2/3

innings, with 12 walks and 28 strikeouts. Left-handers are batting .308 against him this season,

right-handers .232.

I'd say Lough returns to the leadoff spot tonight except that Reimold had two hits and a walk last

night after collecting three hits and a walk on Sunday. We'll see how it unfolds.

Ubaldo Jimenez is 3-5 with a 3.79 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves. The current

group is batting .319 (22-for-69) against him.

Jonny Gomes is 7-for-19 with a double, three home runs, eight RBIs and six strikeouts.

Andrelton Simmons is 2-for-3 with two doubles, Markakis is 2-for-5 with a home run and Pedro

Ciriaco is 2-for-5 with a double.

A.J. Pierzynski is 5-for-26 with two doubles and a home run.

Shameless plug alert: Besides doing a phone interview at 8 a.m. on 105.7 the Fan and taping a

segment with ESPN's Buster Olney at 8:45 a.m. for his podcast, I'm also participating in a Q&A

session with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer as part of the Orioles' Social Media Night.

We'll be on the roof deck in center field at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are still available. In addition to the

Q&A, the experience includes a game ticket, the roof deck pregame party and a T-shirt.

During batting practice, fans can collect baseballs marked with a #Winner hashtag to receive a

prize or use #BringMeFood to have a surprise food delivery during the game. There will be other

surprises, as well.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/showalter-on-2-1-11-inning-win.html

Showalter on 2-1 11-inning win

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Matt Wieters wasn't in Sunday's lineup because of some back tightness. He catches 11 innings

tonight and hits a walk-off home run to give the Orioles a 2-1 victory over the Braves at Camden

Yards.

Go figure.

Wieters has four career walk-off home runs. Wieters, Jonathan Schoop and David Lough have

hit walk-off homers this season.

Wieters was 0-for-14 before a single in the seventh inning. He also singled in the ninth and sent

everyone home in the 11th.

No worries about the back.

"He was fine," Showalter said of Wieters, who cleared the center field fence on the second pitch

from Braves reliever Luis Avilan. "I'm pretty glad I didn't pinch-run for him an inning or two

before.

"We could have pushed the envelope yesterday, but then he may not have been able to do what

he did tonight. He and Gaus (Kevin Gausman) were on the same page. The tempo was so good

because there's not much shaking off going on. You got those types of things at your disposal as

a catcher, it certainly helps. A lot of guys pitched well tonight."

Gausman shut out the Braves over a career-high 7 2/3 innings, but he's winless in his last 12

starts. The lack of run support tonight cheated him out of a much-deserved victory.

"Pretty good, huh? Really good," Showalter said. "Kevin was sharp. Bottom of the zone,

command of the breaking ball. Matt did a good job mixing it up. A lot of late life, a lot of weak

contact, much like their pitcher (Alex Wood). He was pretty good. I can see why they like him so

much. Very deceptive delivery."

The rotation delivered again tonight.

"I just hope it continues," Showalter said. "I don't want to get overanalytical about it. Guys kind

of feed off it sometimes. The way that we're being challenged to score runs, we need it. To win

the last three games, it's been a challenge for us, so I think it's coming at a good time. You

always hope you get both of them going. We caught the ball and pitched well and that's why we

stayed in the game."

Showalter used four relievers, but none for more than an inning. The bullpen should be fine for

Tuesday's game.

"It better be," Showalter said. "We don't have anybody optionable down there. Yes. We were

able to spread it around. We got some length and I would imagine about everybody would be

available tomorrow with the way they were used the last three or four days."

Showalter said he had no doubts that his team would bounce back after a long road trip that

ended 4-5. The Orioles are .500 again at 49-49 after winning three games in a row.

"It isn't easy to go out and do what they did," Showalter said. "We got back late and they've got

stuff scattered all over the place and then you play a team you don't know. ... When it's all said

and done, it revolves around pitching. We didn't do a whole lot of damage against their guy.

We've been facing some really good pitching lately and will again tomorrow."

The Yankees and Rays won tonight. The Orioles are tied for second place, seven games out of

first.

"You try to win a game tonight and see where it takes you," Showalter said. "If you sit there and

start scoreboard watching with 64 games left, until you start taking care of your own business, it

doesn't matter."

Zach Britton hadn't allowed a run in nine consecutive appearances before tonight. Brad

Brach got the win while extending his season-high scoreless streak to 10 games over 13 innings.

Nick Markakis made his return to Camden Yards and had a double and single in five at-bats. He

received a huge ovation leading off the top of the first inning, worked the count full and lined his

double to left field.

"We knew about Nick," Showalter said. "I was pretty proud of how everybody responded to him.

It was one of those things where we were all in the dugout wanting to applaud, too, but you kind

of did it with your heart and not your hands.

"Especially when you play so many unfriendly venues, more than just the unfriendly fans, it's

nice to get back to this type of baseball environment for our players. It's always a reminder of

what we're trying to accomplish and what it means to so many people other than us."

Showalter said he retrieved the ball from Markakis' double.

"I'm going to write a little something on it and send it over," he said. "It may not be completely

fit for family time. It'll have two sides to it.

"I can take in a moment when you get as old as I am. They did a great job with the video salute,

and the one where Nicky had broke his hand. We miss him."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/duquette-were-still-trying-to-make-the-

playoffs-for-this-season.html

Duquette: "We're still trying to make the playoffs for this

season"

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to sound optimistic that he'll be able to

make a trade by Friday's non-waiver deadline, though he knows that other deals can be

consummated next month.

It's a deadline. It's not a brick wall.

"We're always talking and trying," Duquette said today during batting practice. "We're a good

week away from having people being really enthusiastic about our ballclub again."

Duquette remains in buyer mode and shows little interest in trading away pending free agents

with an eye toward 2016.

"We're trying to build our team and we're trying to make the playoffs this year,' Duquette said,

"so we're hoping to make some moves that will help our club."

The Orioles could choose to extend qualifying offers to some of their pending free agents,

including Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Wei-Yin Chen, and receive draft picks as compensation

instead of trading them to other contenders.

"There's plenty of built-in insurance on potential free agents in the future with the draft picks that

you can acquire and utilize to draft future talent, so it's not that strong of a consideration at this

point in the season," Duquette said.

"We're still trying to make the playoffs for this season."

The Orioles falling seven games behind the Yankees in the American League East hasn't

discouraged him.

The desired pieces remain the same. Duquette wants to improve the Orioles' pitching depth and

find a corner outfielder to increase run production.

Asked if anything is hot at this point, Duquette replied, "I think the market is going to come into

focus now that there's a couple trades already been made. That will give the market a little bit

more focus."

An ESPN.com report today stated that the Orioles remain in talks with the Padres regarding

outfielder Justin Upton, who's also in the final year of his contract, and maybe a starting pitcher

as part of a package.

Duquette didn't shoot it down.

"Well, like I said, we're trying to add to the outfield and some pitching," Duquette said. "I've

already said that about six times. I can't comment on names on the market, but that's what our

focus is."

The question remains whether the Orioles have the desirable prospects to complete a trade and

which ones they're willing to part with to acquire a player the caliber of Upton. They don't seem

inclined to part with Kevin Gausman, who starts tonight.

"We don't have (Dylan) Bundy and Hunter Harvey healthy, right? So the marquee prospects

aren't healthy," Duquette said. "We have some other players that other clubs like."

Duquette continues to deny rumors that surfaced over the weekend that the Orioles were close to

trading Davis to the Pirates for two minor league pitchers.

"I don't know where that came from," he said. "That sounds like gossip. I don't know. It's that

time of the year."

Duquette noted that the Orioles could call up players from the minor league system to aid their

push toward another postseason berth. Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Dariel Alvarez, first

baseman Christian Walker and pitcher Mike Wright, and Double-A Bowie reliever Mychal

Givens are possibilities.

"I still think that we have some players in the minors who can help us," Duquette said.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/pregame-notes-and-braves-lineup.html

Pregame notes and Braves lineup

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Nick Markakis is leading off tonight for the Braves in his return to Camden Yards.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter expects Markakis to receive a warm ovation from fans when

he's introduced.

"He'll be received very well. We've got really intelligent fans and they know the contributions

Nick made not only to the organization, but to the city on and off the field," Showalter said. "He

and his wife and family are very ingrained.

"We all know he's going to get about nine hits the next three days. I bet he'll know how to play

the right field wall. And I'm sure he'll be very, unlike him, talkative in the advance meeting. Of

course they've got Jimmy (Johnson) over there and they've got (Ryan) Lavarnway, so we've got

no chance, right?

"The guy is very easy to get close to and respect. The consistency and the way he grinds. They

know what they're getting every day. He's a good baseball player, a good father, a good husband.

He's solid.

"They've got a couple things planned."

Steve Pearce isn't expected to come off the disabled list when his 15 days are up. He's sidelined

with a strained left oblique and hasn't started baseball activities.

Pearce will stay in Baltimore for at least the next two or three days.

"There's some things that he was feeling that he's not feeling well, so it's good to think that might

be progressing," Showalter said.

Triple-A Norfolk catcher Steve Clevenger was hit on the right hand by a foul tip, but X-rays

were negative. He's expected to miss only a few games.

Showalter thought about using Caleb Joseph as his designated hitter tonight, but Matt

Wieters was bothered by back stiffness on Saturday and it would be risky to have both catchers

in the lineup.

For the Braves Nick Markakis RF

Cameron Maybin CF

Freddie Freeman 1B

A.J. Pierzynski DH

Adonis Garcia 3B

Jace Peterson 2B

Andrelton Simmons SS

Ryan Lavarnway C

Eury Perez LF

Alex Wood LHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/07/nolan-reimold-leading-off-for-orioles.html

Nolan Reimold leading off for Orioles

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Nolan Reimold is leading off tonight for the Orioles as they begin a three-game series against the

Braves at Camden Yards.

Reimold owns a .339 (21-for-62) career batting average in the first inning. Tonight will mark his

21st major league start atop the order.

Reimold went 72 starts between three-hit games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He had a

two-run double yesterday as part of a 3-for-3 afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Ryan Flaherty remains at first base. Chris Davis is in right field and Travis Snider is the

designated hitter.

Matt Wieters is catching after being out of yesterday's lineup due to back tightness.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting .313 (10-for-32) during a nine-game hitting streak, with two

doubles, a home run and five RBIs.

Hardy also ranks second on the team and 12th in the American League with a .339 (20-for-59)

average with runners in scoring position this season.

For the Orioles Nolan Reimold LF

Chris Davis RF

Manny Machado 3B

Adam Jones CF

Matt Wieters C

J.J. Hardy SS

Travis Snider DH

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Ryan Flaherty 1B

Kevin Gausman RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/some-notes-and-quotes-after-the-orioles-

fourth-walk-off-win-of-the-year.html

Some notes and quotes after the Orioles' fourth walk-off win

of the year

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 28, 2015

The Orioles scored just two runs and Zach Britton allowed a home run. That doesn't seem like it

would end in a win, but it did for the Orioles last night.

As they somehow try to find consistent offense and wins, they found at least a win last night. In a

small victory, they at least gained ground on Minnesota, which was idle. The Orioles are now

three games behind the Twins for the second wild card and they are seven games behind the

Yankees in the American League East.

Kevin Gausman gave the Orioles a very big outing last night. He pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings

on six hits, matching zeroes with Alex Wood. He pitched against Wood in a Southeastern

Conference game in college with Gausman at LSU and Wood at Georgia. Both pitchers got no-

decisions on April 27, 2012 in a game LSU won 6-5.

Two starts ago, Gausman had his shortest outing ever, giving up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings at

Minnesota. He then allowed four runs in six innings at New York. But he was much better last

night.

"Really, it was fastball command," Gausman said. "When I pitched in Minnesota, I left too many

pitches over the plate. Today, I established my fastball in and also down and away. Some days,

you have rough games like that. But that is what veteran guys do really well. Even when they are

struggling, they can get you through five, six, seven innings sometimes."

During a three-game win streak, the Orioles have allowed just four runs. Their starting pitchers

gave up 14 runs in 14 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. In the four games since, O's starters have

pitched to an ERA of 1.30, allowing four runs in 27 2/3 innings.

The Orioles also picked up something last night that has been rare recently and that is a win in

the first game of a series. They were 0-3 in such games in the second half and 1-6 in their last

seven series-opening games until Monday's win.

The Orioles picked up just their third win all year when scoring two runs or less. By my count,

they are now 3-29 in those games.

Matt Wieters was 2-for-23 his past six games going into last night. Then he went 0-for-2 to start

that game. He finished it going single, single, walk-off homer.

That was Wieters' fourth career walk-off homer and the Orioles' third this year. David Lough hit

one off Boston's Koji Uehara in the 10th inning on April 25. Jonathan Schoop hit one off

Washington's Tanner Roark in the ninth inning on July 10. This was the Orioles' fourth walk-off

win of the season.

Before last night's game, Chris Davis was asked about the upcoming trade deadline and whether

it can be an uneasy time for a player.

"Sometimes. I think with all the information there is now, it can really weigh on you if you let

it," Davis said. "But everyone here is focused on what we have to do on the field. We have too

much at stake to worry about guys coming or going."

Davis was also asked if the players check out the standings this time of year and also if they

check on potential moves being made by other teams.

"As far as the standings are concerned, you know where you are," he said. "You are just not

going to turn a blind eye to that. The moves that other teams make are out of our hands. We have

to focus on trying to get a win. It is not productive for us to sit and watch what other teams are

doing."

If you missed it from last night, here is what Nick Markakis said about the standing ovation he

received in the first inning:

"These fans have been great to me my whole career. Tonight just shows what type of fans they

are. Was pretty cool. These people here are great and it's something I'll never forget. Wanted to

acknowledge them to show my appreciation."

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/matt-wieters-and-kevin-gausman-on-the-

win-nick-markakis-on-his-ovation.html

Matt Wieters and Kevin Gausman on the win, Nick

Markakis on his ovation

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

When Orioles catcher Matt Wieters singled in the seventh inning tonight, he snapped an 0-for-14

stretch. Two innings later, he singled again. Two innings later, he ended the game.

Wieters hit his fourth career walk-off homer as the Orioles beat Atlanta 2-1 in 11 innings. His

last walk-off homer was May 1, 2014 in Game 2 of a doubleheader with Pittsburgh.

"It's a great feeling," Wieters said. "To put a good swing on the ball at a time that you need it.

You'll never get tired of hitting them. Right now, being where we are, we just need to keep piling

up wins. Any win is pretty nice right now.

"(Kevin) Gausman threw the ball great, and the bullpen came in and did a great job. That was an

uncharacteristic homer off Zach (Britton), but that guy just put a good swing on the ball. A tough

game with a lot of humidity and I'm glad it ended when it did.

"We need to win these close games and we need to win games late. Key for us is we have to

carry this momentum into tomorrow. It is just as important of a game as today was for us," he

said.

Tonight's game began with a standing ovation for former Oriole Nick Markakis.

"The first at-bat was really cool to see that ovation. I knew Oriole fans were going to give him a

great ovation and he appreciated that," Wieters said.

Wieters missed Sunday's game at Tampa Bay with back tightness, but he was able to return

tonight and provided the Orioles their third walk-off homer of the year. Jonathan

Schoop and David Lough hit the first two.

"I think we were going to play first yesterday and the back was a little tight. I thought playing

first yesterday might keep me from being able to catch today. We could have pushed through and

played, but wanted to be behind the plate today. Was pretty confident I was going to be ready to

go today," Wieters said.

Kevin Gausman didn't get a win, but he didn't give up a run tonight over a career-high 7 2/3

innings when he allowed six hits and lowered his ERA to 4.20.

"I felt I pitched inside well," he said. "Couple of hits at the end of the game. Wish I would have

gotten through that eighth. I felt good physically the whole game and it was pretty muggy out

there. I would reach to try to dry my hands and I couldn't.

"You get through the fifth scoreless and your confidence starts to go up. You get a rhythm going.

Me and Wheaty were on the same page the whole game."

Gausman was matching zeroes with Atlanta's Alex Wood, a former Georgia pitcher he faced

when he was with LSU in college.

"It's fun. You kind of want to feed off each other. You almost want to show up the other guy and

you are waiting for someone to crack. That is the way it is right now. Everybody is hunting for

wins right now and that is the biggest thing, we got a win tonight," he said.

Gausman stepped off the mound before throwing the game's first pitch to give Markakis time to

soak in his ovation.

"What he did for this team and the city, I think it's funny he is still playing right field here. Just

weird seeing him in a different uniform. We all love and respect him and he's just one of those

guys that did everything the right way."

Here is what Markakis said about his standing ovation tonight:

"These fans have been great to me my whole career. Tonight just shows what type of fans they

are. Was pretty cool. These people here are great and it's something I'll never forget. Wanted to

acknowledge them to show my appreciation."

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/os-game-blog-kevin-gausman-on-the-

mound-in-homestand-opener.html

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on the mound in homestand

opener

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

The Orioles have played much better at home than on the road this season. Tonight, they begin a

seven-game homestand hosting Nick Markakis and the Atlanta Braves to start a three-game

series.

Since losing 10 of 13 and 15 of 20 games, the Orioles have won their last two against the Rays.

They ended a four-game losing streak Saturday and followed that up with Sunday's 5-2 win to

improve to 48-49. The Orioles are 27-18 at home.

In the Tampa Bay series, O's pitchers allowed just six runs and 18 hits and pitched to an ERA of

2.08. Orioles starters gave up four runs over 20 innings as the team won back-to-back games for

just the second time in 22 games.

The Orioles could use some improvement in their record in the first game of a series. They are

15-19 for the season, 0-3 in the second half and 1-6 in their last seven such games.

Tonight, Kevin Gausman (1-2, 5.18 ERA) faces Atlanta left-hander Alex Wood (7-6, 3.78 ERA).

Gausman has made four starts for the Orioles. In his first two, he gave up two runs over 11 1/3

innings. In the last two, he has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 13 hits over 9 2/3 innings against

Minnesota and the New York Yankees. In five interleague games, four starts, he is 1-3 with a

6.86 ERA and 1.66 WHIP.

Wood, who is making his 20th start, has allowed 10 runs and 16 hits in 12 1/3 his past two starts.

In four July starts, he is 2-1 with a 6.87 ERA and .347 average against. He has recorded 10

quality starts for the season and the Braves are 8-11 in his starts. He is 3-3 with a 2.28 ERA in 12

career interleague games, including seven starts.

The Orioles will play a total of 20 games against National League opponents this season

including the New York Mets (0-2), Miami Marlins (1-2), Philadelphia Phillies (3-1) and

Washington Nationals (1-2) at Oriole Park and again in September at Nationals Park. Since

interleague play began in 1997, the Orioles are 154-181. The Orioles went 12-8 in interleague

games in 2014, setting a new club record for most interleague wins in a season.

Weekly winners: Two Orioles minor league players picked up weekly honors today. Triple-A

Norfolk's Christian Walker was named Player of the Week in the International League and

Double-A Bowie's Corban Joseph got the same award in the Eastern League.

Walker batted .414 (12-for-29) with three home runs, four doubles, nine runs and 10 RBIs in

seven games and helped the Tides complete a 6-1 homestand. He had four multi-RBI games.

Walker has hit safely in nine of his last ten games, batting .372 (16-for-43) with five home runs,

five doubles and 15 RBIs.

Joseph hit .417 with five home runs, a double, triple, eight RBIs and eight runs scored during his

big week. Released earlier by Atlanta, Joseph made his Baysox debut on June 17 and has hit .321

in 29 games with five home runs and 14 RBIs. The younger brother of Caleb Joseph, Corban has

homered five times the last six games after not homering in his first 63 games of the year.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/chris-davis-on-fridays-trade-deadline-and-

markakis-return.html

Chris Davis on Friday's trade deadline and Markakis'

return

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was asked about the upcoming trade deadline. Like a few

Orioles, he has been the subject of what has amounted to just rumors at this point.

Can the approach of Friday's deadline be an uneasy time for a player?

"Sometimes. I think with all the information there is now, it can really weigh on you if you let it.

But everyone here is focused on what we have to do on the field. We have too much at stake to

worry about guys coming or going," Davis said.

Davis was asked about statements executive vice president Dan Duquette has made that the team

will be buyers, not sellers.

"We have so much to focus with on the field that I let those guys handle that," he said. "We have

all the confidence in the guys in the clubhouse we have now. We like the guys we have. We want

to do well and be in the mix and whoever is in this clubhouse will hopefully help us do that."

Davis was asked to size up the current state of the Orioles after a 4-5 road trip.

"We were able to get two wins with Tampa and that was big after the New York series, which

was disappointing. Think the biggest thing for us right now is to continue to take it one day at a

time.

"There is a lot of excitement around the team right now with the trade deadline. Everything that

is being talked about it. I think this division will come down to the wire like it always does."

Davis said O's players have kept in touch with Nick Markakis who returns to Baltimore tonight.

He said they saw him late in spring training and that takes away some of the awkwardness of

seeing him play for the Braves tonight.

"Not many guys play their whole career in one uniform anymore, unfortunately. I know he's

having a great year and look forward to seeing him. I talk to him here and there. Nicky is not

really a guy that likes to text all the time. Look forward to seeing him tonight," Davis said.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/07/nick-markakis-talks-about-his-return-to-

baltimore.html

Nick Markakis talks about his return to Baltimore

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

July 27, 2015

After spending the day at his home in Baltimore County, Nick Markakis drove to his former

baseball home today - Camden Yards. After nine years as an Oriole, tonight he'll take right field

in the last of the first inning and play against the Orioles.

"Mixed emotions," he said in the Braves dugout. "It probably won't hit me all until game time

standing out in right field in a Braves uniform. I spent nine years here. This was the team that

drafted me. To be gone after so many years, it's definitely different. But I'm in a good place now.

I have great teammates and a great organization and am happy where I am now."

Markakis was asked what was the best thing about being an Oriole?

"The fans. The reason we play this game is for the fans. Ultimately, we wouldn't have a job if it

wasn't for the fans. The fans of Baltimore have always been great to me and my family. I think

that is the one thing I miss the most. The fans and atmosphere.

"They're coming to watch the Orioles and Braves play and are paying money to watch. They can

boo me or cheer me. We'll see what happens," he said.

After 1,365 games with the Orioles, Markakis signed a four-year, $44 million deal with Atlanta

on December 3. An offseason that began with promise he would re-sign with Baltimore took a

turn.

"Anything can happen," he said. "Early in my career I saw a lot of people coming and going and

you know, you just never thought one day it would be you. It's a business, and I understand the

business aspect of baseball now. It's a tough thing to go through. It was a little hard at first and

took a little time to get over."

Has Markakis noticed the Orioles have struggled to adequately replace him?

"It's not my problem anymore, right? What I did here is play the game the right way, and I left

everything out on the field for this organization when I was here. That is what I am doing over

here in Atlanta."

Markakis said he will continue to make his home in the Baltimore area.

"Yeah, this is where we had our kids. Kids go to school here. We have great support in the

community. We have a lot of friends here and love everything about it," he said.

Markakis said he hoped fans remembered him as someone that "played the game the right way

and came to work every day to help the team win."

As for the current Orioles, he said, "I don't want them to fail. I'm pulling for them. Friends go a

long ways past the game. I want them to have good careers and finish up strong in those careers."

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/07/26/ap-bbo-braves-orioles-preview-1st-ld-writethru

Braves-Orioles Preview

SI.com

July 28, 2015

Win streaks have been hard to come by lately for the Baltimore Orioles. Facing a team that has

struggled mightily on the road could help them extend their current one.

The Orioles hope to see Ubaldo Jimenez maintain his home success as they try to make it four

straight wins Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves.

This hasn't been a very good month for the Orioles, who are 8-13 in July even with their first

three-game win streak since late June. They've fallen seven games off the pace in the AL East

but are just three behind Minnesota in the race for the final wild-card spot.

It didn't look like the win streak would continue after All-Star closer Zach Britton surrendered a

home run to Braves rookie Adonis Garcia in the ninth inning of Monday's series opener. That

was the game's lone run to that point, but the Orioles (49-49) scored in the bottom half on J.J.

Hardy's sacrifice fly and Matt Wieters led off the 11th with a home run for a 2-1 victory.

''To win the last three games, it's been a challenge for us, so I think it's coming at a good time,''

manager Buck Showalter said.

Wieters matched a season high with three hits, connecting for his first home run in 19 games.

''Right now being where we are, cherishing a win is big,'' Wieters said. ''To be able to keep piling

up wins is what we need to do.''

Baltimore has only scored 12 runs and batted .229 during its three-game streak, instead relying

on a starting staff that has posted a 1.31 ERA in those contests.

The Braves (46-53) have lost 14 of 18 on the road, batting .178 with runners in scoring position

after Monday's 0-for-9 effort.

Eury Perez had three hits and Nick Markakis added a pair in his return to Baltimore, where he

spent his first nine seasons.

Jimenez (7-6, 3.81 ERA) should be happy to be back on the Camden Yards mound after allowing

14 runs and 15 hits over seven innings in his first two starts since the All-Star break - both on the

road.

The right-hander lasted a season-low 2 1-3 innings in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the New York

Yankees, giving up seven runs, eight hits and three walks.

''I was executing my pitches down in the zone and right now I'm missing right down the middle,''

said Jimenez in comparing his success before the break to his struggles after it.

He is 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in seven home starts, tossing eight innings in a 4-0 victory over

Cleveland on June 28 in his most recent appearance.

Jimenez is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA in his past four starts against the Braves but will be facing them

for the first time since 2013.

Jonny Gomes is 7 for 19 (.368) with three homers in this matchup.

Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49) looks to continue a string of solid outings for Atlanta after going 1-1

with a 2.81 ERA in his last four starts.

The right-hander struck out seven of the first 10 batters he faced Wednesday against the Los

Angeles Dodgers before struggling with his command in the fifth.

He finished with a career high-tying 11 strikeouts over seven innings and allowed three runs in a

3-1 loss.

Teheran, who has never faced the Orioles, is 0-4 with a 7.61 ERA in nine road starts since

winning his first of the season.

Travis Snider has the most experience of any Orioles hitter against Teheran, going 3 for 7 with

two doubles. Snider is 2 for 31 (.065) this month, however.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/07/27/orioles-braves-matt-wieters-walk-off-home-run-video

Watch: Orioles beat Braves on Matt Wieters's walk-off

home run

By Dan Gartland / SI.com

July 27, 2015

Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is rumored to be on the trading block as the deadline

approaches but he isn’t letting it affect his play. Wieters hit a walk-off home run in the 11th

inning of Monday night’s game to beat the Atlanta Braves, 2–1.

Wieters led off the inning and hit the second pitch he saw over the centerfield fence. It was

Wieters’s fourth career walk-off homer and his first since May 2014. The win brought

Baltimore’s record to 49–49.

Wieters now has four homers on the year in 33 games.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/07/27/ap-bbo-orioles-markakis-returns

Former Oriole Markakis returns to Baltimore with Braves

Associated Press / SI.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE (AP) Sitting in the visiting dugout at Camden Yards, Nick Markakis felt at home

and a bit out of place at the same time.

Markakis played his entire major league career with the Orioles before signing during the

offseason with the Atlanta Braves, who were in town Monday for the start of a three-game series.

''I'd spent nine years here and I'd never even been in this clubhouse or this dugout,'' Markakis

said before batting practice. ''So that tells you a little bit about how I feel. It's a little weird, but

you know, life throws you a bunch of curves and it's all about how you deal with it.''

While with the Orioles, Markakis hit .290 with 141 homers and 658 RBIs in 1,365 games. He

thought he would spend his entire career in Baltimore, but the Orioles opted not to match

Atlanta's contract offer of $44 million over four years.

''I understand the business aspect of baseball now,'' Markakis, 31, said. ''It's a tough thing to go

through - especially when you're attached to a baseball team, an organization for so long. It took

a little time to get over it.''

His association with Baltimore extended well beyond Camden Yards. Markakis and his wife,

Christina, were an integral part of the community.

''He'll be received very well,'' Orioles manager Buck Showalter predicted. ''We have intelligent

fans and they know the contribution he made to not only the organization, but the city, on and off

the field.''

Markakis was penciled into the Atlanta lineup as the leadoff hitter. He came in batting .286 with

one homer and 32 RBIs.

''We all know he's going to get about nine hits the next three days,'' Showalter said.

Markakis was asked how it might feel seeing Showalter across the diamond in the opposing

team's dugout.

''It's going to be a little different,'' Markakis acknowledged. ''But at the end of the day, I've got a

job to do, and that's to try and beat these guys.''

Most other times, however, Markakis roots for his former teammates.

''I've got a lot of good buddies over there and you want to see them be successful,'' he said. ''I'm

pulling for them. Friends go a long ways past the game, and I don't want to see them fail.''

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/60908/as-orioles-mull-deadline-options-kevin-

gausman-might-provide-one-solution

As Orioles mull deadline options, Kevin Gausman might

provide one solution

By Eddie Matz / ESPN.com

July 27, 2015

Are the Baltimore Orioles buyers or sellers? And if they are buying, what exactly is on general

manager Dan Duquette's shopping list? As if there weren't already enough uncertainty

surrounding the Orioles with the trade deadline approaching, Kevin Gausman might have just

added to it.

On July 7 in Minnesota, Gausman -- the fourth overall draft pick in 2012 -- turned in the shortest

start of his young career when he got lit up for seven earned runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3

innings. That performance, combined with the prolonged struggles of veteran right-hander Bud

Norris and Opening Day starter Chris Tillman, had fans in Baltimore clamoring for the Orioles --

at the time were just a game and a half off the AL East lead -- to bolster their starting pitching.

But facing the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Camden Yards, Gausman made a strong

statement that the Birds' rotation is just fine as is, thank you very much.

One start removed from the Minnesota debacle, the 24-year-old righty threw 7 2/3 innings of

shutout ball, fanning five and walking just one. Gausman said after the game that he tossed a

shorter-than-usual bullpen session in between starts and threw 107 pitches, a season high and

tied for the second-most in his career. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Gausman, who

throws his fastball a whopping 71.6 percent of the time (fourth-highest among American League

SP's with at least five starts), averaged a season-best 95.9 mph with his heater against the Braves

on Monday.

"Kevin was really on top of his game," said Matt Wieters, whose walk-off homer in the 11th

inning lifted the Orioles to a 2-1 win. "The big thing was he was able to save some bullets for

later in the game when we needed them."

Even though Gausman ended up with a no-decision and his 12th straight start without a win,

dating back to last season, the shutdown outing was the longest of his 30 career starts and came

just when the Orioles needed it. After a brutal stretch in which they lost 15 of 20 games and went

from tied for first in the AL East to seven games back, Baltimore has now won three straight for

the first time in a month. With Minnesota idle on Monday, the Orioles now sit just three games

out of the second wild-card spot. It's a dangerous position to be in.

On the one hand, following yet another Yankees win on Monday -- New York's 11th in 14

contests -- the Orioles are still seven games back in the East. With their chances of a division

title slipping away and with seven players set to become free agents at the end of the season

(including big names such as Wieters, Chris Davis, Wei-Yin Chen and Darren O'Day), there's

strong sentiment in Baltimore that the team is better off selling and getting prospects in return to

restock a thin farm system, rather than trying to compete and potentially coming up empty-

handed.

On the other hand, just a year after the Royals and Giants made the World Series as non-division

winners, the wild card is well within the Orioles' reach. Especially if Gausman continues to

throw like he did against the Braves.

As for the trade deadline and how the Orioles will position themselves, Gausman isn't wasting

any mental energy on it.

"I try not to pay attention to it," he said after the game. "The only thing I can control is what I do

on the field."

It's a strategy that, at least for the moment, seems to be working.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/60893/orioles-batting-manny-machado-third-search-

for-leadoff-answer

Orioles batting Manny Machado third as search for leadoff

hitter continues

By Eddie Matz / ESPN.com

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE -- If tonight's lineup is any indication, Manny Machado's days as a leadoff hitter

could be numbered. After hitting first in the Baltimore Orioles' lineup for the majority of the

season, the 23-year-old third baseman finds himself batting third for tonight's series opener

against the Braves.

It marks the fourth straight game that Buck Showalter has penciled in the All-Star third baseman

at the three-hole in the lineup. Prior to this season, Machado had never hit third as a big leaguer.

Of course, he'd hardly ever hit leadoff either (two games in 2013). But the free agency departure

of Nick Markakis -- who, by the way, makes his Baltimore return with the Braves tonight --

combined with the early-season struggles of Alejandro De Aza(traded to Boston in June after

hitting just .214 in 30 games) led to Machado and his team-leading .365 on base percentage

becoming entrenched at the top of the O's order.

It's a seemingly unnatural spot for Machado, a 2015 Home Run Derby participant and one of the

game's emerging sluggers: Of the hitters ranked among the American League top 10 in OPS,

Machado (currently eighth at .890) is the only who has consistently hit leadoff.

"We've had to do some things that aren't conventional," said Buck Showalter earlier today.

But this past weekend at Tampa, after watching his team average just 3.2 runs over its first 17

July games, the Orioles' skipper moved Machado -- whose 21 home runs are tied for ninth in the

American League, but who has nine solo shots among his last 10 jacks -- into the three hole.

Although Machado has failed to impress in his new slot (2-for-12, no extra-base hits, no RBIs),

his replacements in the top spot have fared even worse: Jimmy Paredes and David Lough have

combined to go 2-for-13 with no walks and six whiffs.

Tonight, outfielder Nolan Reimold -- who boasts a .324 OBP for his career and hasn't batted

leadoff since May 2013 -- is atop the O's order.

For what it's worth, Showalter is fully aware of the conundrum his recently anemic offense faces:

"If you hit Manny first, who hits third? If you hit him third, who hits first," the manager asked.

With the July 31st trade deadline just days away, leadoff is certainly one place the Orioles -- who

currently sit three and a half games behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot -- could use

an upgrade. In the meantime, the revolving door will continue.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/107864/wieters-has-a-night-where-things-go-a-little-

bit-better

Wieters has a night where things go a little bit better

ESPN.com

July 27, 2015

Maybe this was the breakthrough game for Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters.

Wieters had three hits, including his first home run since June 25, as the Orioles rallied from a

ninth-inning deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1.

Climbing the walk-off list

The walk-off home run was Wieters’ fourth. That’s tied with Cal Ripken Jr., Fred Lynn, Bobby

Grich, Frank Robinson and Rafael Palmeiro for third-most in Orioles history since the franchise

moved to Baltimore. Wieters is halfway to team leader Brooks Robinson, who had eight in his

Hall-of–Fame career, and two behind Eddie Murray for second.

How’s he doing?

It has been a rough go recently for Wieters in his return from Tommy John surgery. He was

hitting .200 in July and was 0-for-14 before getting a hit in each of his last three at-bats on

Monday.

It has been an all-or-nothing proposition for Wieters this month. He has three three-hit games,

but has a hit in only four other games, and is hitless in his nine other starts.

Two of Monday’s hits, including the home run, came as a right-handed hitter. He entered the day

5-for-29 (.172 batting average) from the right side. When Wieters is fully healthy, he typically

hits well from the right side. He entered 2015 with a .280 batting average and .489 slugging

percentage as a right-handed hitter.

Inside the AB: His other key hit

Wieters had a big hit, besides the home run, in the Orioles’ rally from a run down in the bottom

of the ninth inning. His single allowed Adam Jones to go from first to third with nobody out.

Jones scored on J.J. Hardy’s sacrifice fly to tie the game.

What was notable is that Wieters was down in the count 0-2 against Braves closer Jim Johnson.

Wieters entered the day 2-for-32 this season in at-bats that ended after an 0-2 count.

But he had an inkling as to what pitch was coming from having caught Johnson before.

“I knew from catching the ball that he likes to go to that breaking ball a lot to try and bounce it,”

he said on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network in a postgame interview. “I think he just left it up and I

was able to not try to do too much with it.

Wieters was on the right track. Entering the at-bat, Johnson had thrown 49 pitches on 0-2 this

season, with 13 of them being curveballs.

Of those 13 curves, Johnson had hung three in the strike zone (as this one would be) and missed

high with one. Nine others were below the knees or in the dirt.

Winning ways

The Orioles improved to 15-10 in games Wieters has caught this season. They are 34-39 in all

other games.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/os-minor-league-team-wear-spongebob-uniforms

O's minor league team to wear SpongeBob uniforms

By Peter Hailey / CSN Baltimore

July 28, 2015

No one is really sure how far Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia is from Bikini Bottom, but on

Friday, August 7th, the two places will converge, as the Norfolk Tides will be holding

SpongeBob SquarePants Night.

According to the Tides' website, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate will "be wearing one-of-a-kind

SpongeBob SquarePants themed jerseys" when they take the field against Pittsburgh's Triple-A

affiliate Indianapolis Indians. The team will also have a silent auction during the game for the

jerseys, which winning fans will be able to take home immediately after the 9th inning (the

proceeds will go to the United Way of South Hampton Roads).

Here is a photo of the uniforms that will be worn on SpongeBob Night, which look so good, even

Squidward can't deny their beauty:

"The Norfolk Tides are excited to be involved with Nickelodeon and are elated to be the first

Minor League Baseball Club to wear these unique and fun SpongeBob SquarePants jerseys,"

said Joe Gregory, the team's general manager. Every single 90s kid is excited about the jerseys

too, Joe.

For fans of the show, which started in 1999 and ran for nine seasons, August 7th can't come soon

enough. The cartoon developed a massive following while airing on Nickelodeon, which means

the Tides could end up making a lump some of cash -- one that would make Mr. Krabs jealous -

- from the promotion.

When asked for his opinion on the jerseys, SpongeBob's pet snail Gary said, "Meow." No word

on whether the team plans to sell Krabby Patties in the stands during the game.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/which-jimenez-pitches-against-braves-tonight

Which Jimenez pitches against Braves tonight?

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 28, 2015

Tonight's Game:

Atlanta Braves (46-53) vs. Baltimore Orioles (49-49), Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore,

7:05 p.m.

Starting pitchers:

Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.49) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 3.81)

Keys to the Game:

Will Jimenez be better than in his last two starts? He's allowed 14 runs in his last seven innings.

Can the Orioles win their fourth straight? They last won four straight June 25-28.

News and Notes:

The Orioles are at .500 for the 14th time this season, equaling the third-most in club history.

The Orioles are three games behind Minnesota for the second wild card spot.

Current Braves are batting .319 against Jimenez.

On Apr. 17, 2010, Jimenez threw a no-hitter against Atlanta.

Travis Snider is 3-for-7 with two doubles against Teheran.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/markakis-gets-loud-ovation-his-baltimore-return

Markakis gets loud ovation in his Baltimore return

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE – Nick Markakis walked up to the batter’s box, and the cheers began. Louder and

louder.

The fans at Oriole Park stood to acknowledge one of the best players in recent Orioles history.

Markakis stepped out of the box and gestured to the Orioles bench.

Finally after a few moments, the stepped into the box to face Kevin Gausman, and after drawing

the count full, he lined an opposite-field double to left.

The fans cheered for the now Atlanta Brave, though not as many as before when Markakis pulled

into second.

Before the game, manager Buck Showalter predicted that Markakis would probably get nine hits

in this three-game series.

He has eight to go.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/very-maryland-y-bobblehead-coming-camden-

yards

A very Maryland-y bobblehead is coming to Camden Yards

By Peter Hailey / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

If you like bobbleheads, Old Bay, black-eyed Susans, little bibs with the Maryland state flag on

them, or tiny crab mallets, then clear out your schedule so you're totally free on August 1st,

because you absolutely need to be at Camden Yards.

That's because the Orioles will be passing out a "Maryland-themed" Oriole bobblehead ahead of

their 7:05 p.m. home game against the Tigers. According to the team, the first 25,000 fans to

make it out to Birdland on Saturday night will be the proud recipients of this glorious giveaway:

The people behind the Orioles' promotions really outdid themselves on this one -- they truly

crammed as much Maryland-y stuff on that little Oriole as they possibly could. The only

noticeable omissions are a lacrosse stick and a Natty Boh.

Still, with that being said, there's clearly a lot of love for the Old Line state on Saturday's

handout, and if fans are forced to deal with traffic and confusing weather at the ballpark that

night while trying to acquire one, then, well, August 1st may go down as the most Maryland day

in history.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/four-days-trade-deadline-has-anything-changed

Four days to trade deadline: Has anything changed?

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE –- There are four days before the non-waiver trade deadline, and for the moment,

there are just countless rumors involving the Orioles.

The latest one, courtesy of Jayson Stark at ESPN.com, has the Orioles and San Diego Padres

discussing Justin Upton and perhaps pitchers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross.

Last week, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said the team is

looking to add players, and it seems unlikely that the team has enough tradeable pieces to entice

the Padres in a deal of that magnitude.

“If you start talking about what you would like to get, someone has to go away,” manager Buck

Showalter said. “Maybe it’s because they know there may not be that potential to do a whole

lot.”

Chris Davis, who is a pending free agent, acknowledges the talk.

“There’s a lot of excitement right now with the trade deadline,” Davis said. “We have all the

confidence in the guys we have in the clubhouse right now. Last year, we were able to make

some moves and get guys to help us down the stretch. If that’s not he case this year, we like the

guys we have.”

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/why-pearce-not-likely-return-dl-when-eligible

Why Pearce not likely to return from DL when eligible

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE – Steve Pearce has been sidelined with a strained left oblique, and for now, he’s

not yet swinging a bat.

“I have just been getting treatment. Nothing has really changed. Just trying to calm down the

area and just rest up. That’s pretty much all I can do right now. No strengthening, no hitting, no

throwing because anything I can do can aggravate it,” Pearce said.

Manager Buck Showalter said he’ll probably stay with the team rather than go for rehab in

Sarasota.

“There’s not a whole lot he can do there that he can’t do here,” Showalter said. “There were

some things he was feeling that he’s not feeling now, so that’s good. That might be progressing.”

Pearce stayed home while the team played at Tampa Bay.

“It’s hard. Especially being here around the guys, seeing guys hitting, preparing and getting

ready. It’s just frustrating that I don’t get to be a part of it.”

Pearce is eligible to return in a week.

“Time will tell. You don’t really know yet. If I was to play today, it would be a no. If I was to

come off today it would be a no,” Pearce said.

Showalter says he doesn’t expect back when he’s eligible.

“On paper, as far as experience and track record of that injury, no. Who knows? I don’t know

how quickly we caught it. It was getting worse when we DL’d him,” Showalter said.

“If you test it, and you’re wrong, you’ll set yourself back another two weeks.”

Pearce hasn’t been scheduled for a rehab assignment.

“As of right now no. We haven’t talked about any of that. We haven’t really looked past today.

It’s just rest up, get some treatment and how I feel,” Pearce said.

NOTES: Steve Clevenger, who’s at Norfolk, will be out for a few days after he was hit with a

foul ball on his right hand. … Tides 1B Christian Walker was named International League Player

of the Week. … Bowie INF Corban Joseph is the Eastern League’s Player of the week. He is

Caleb Joseph’s brother.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/markakis-its-different-feeling-baltimore-return

Markakis: It's different feeling in Baltimore return

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Baltimore

July 27, 2015

BALTIMORE –- For the first time, Nick Markakis will be the first batter of game here. It’s also

the first time Markakis has been a visitor here.

Three hours before game time, Markakis sat on the bench in a red Atlanta Braves jersey.

“It’s different. I spent nine years here. I was introduced to professional baseball,” Markakis said.

Markakis signed a four-year, $44 million contract with Atlanta last December, and he’s happy.

“It’s definitely different. I’m in a great place now. I have great teammates here, great

organization,” Markakis said. “The thing I miss the most are the fans and the atmosphere.”

Many fans were disappointed when Markakis left and miss his presence on the field. They wish

he were still with the Orioles.

“We’ve got really intelligent fans and they know the contribution that Nick made to not only the

organization, but the city on and off the field,” manager Buck Showalter said.

“You all know he’s going to get about nine hits the next three days.”

His family still lives in the area, and he wants the Orioles do well.

“I don’t want them to fail. I have good buddies over there. You want to see them be successful.

I’m pulling for them. Win, lose or draw, friends go a long ways past the game…Have good

careers and finish up in their careers,” Markakis said.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2015/07/28/orioles-steve-pearce-uncertain-about-return

Orioles' Steve Pearce Uncertain About Return

By Todd Karpovich / PressBoxOnline.com

July 28, 2015

Baltimore Orioles utility man Steve Pearce, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a

left oblique strain July 22 retroactive to July 19, is uncertain if he will be able to return to the

club when eligible.

The versatile Pearce has not been able to perform any baseball activities or lift weights with the

injury. While Pearce was "holding out hope" he could return to the Orioles by Aug. 3, neither he

nor the club were overly optimistic.

"We haven't really looked past today," Pearce said July 27. "Just rest up, get some treatment and

see how I feel."

When asked whether he expected Pearce back next week, Showalter replied, "On paper, as far as

experience and the track record with that injury, no."

Pearce will spend the next two or three days working with Orioles trainers before the team makes

a decision on what to do next. The challenge is not re-aggravating the injury, Showalter said.

Pearce has appeared in 58 games this season and is batting .227 with seven homers and 24 RBIs.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2015/07/28/nick-markakis-takes-familiar-perch-at-camden-

yards

Nick Markakis Takes Familiar Perch At Camden Yards

By Todd Karpovich / PressBoxOnline.com

July 28, 2015

Former Oriole Nick Markakis was greeted with a standing ovation at Camden Yards as he

walked toward the batter's box for the Atlanta Braves July 27.

Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman stepped off the mound to let Markakis soak in the

moment. After taking a few practice swings, Markakis finally acknowledged the crowd's warm

reception with a tip of his batting helmet. He then worked a full count before smacking a double

to left field, prompting another round of applause.

Markakis, who was the Orioles' first-round draft pick in 2003 and spent nine years with the team,

was playing his first game in Baltimore since signing with the Braves as a free agent during the

offseason. He occupied his usual spot in right field and went 2-for-5 during a homecoming in

which the Orioles also honored him with a video tribute.

However, it was Matt Wieters who stole the show during the Orioles' 2-1 victory with a game-

winning homer in the 11th inning. Still, it was a memorable night for Markakis.

"I spent nine years here," said Markakis, who batted .288 at Camden Yards during his career.

"This was the team that drafted me. To be gone after so many years, it's definitely different. But

I'm in a good place now. I have great teammates and a great organization and am happy where I

am now."

Since letting Markakis leave the club, the Orioles have struggled much of the season with finding

an everyday right fielder. Manager Buck Showalter has used eight different players in that spot.

Delmon

Young played a team-high 40 games in right field before being released July 9. Travis Snider

was supposed to help fill the void, but he struggled defensively through parts of the season and is

batting .238 with three homers and 20 RBIs.

The position has gotten so precarious that Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations

Dan Duquette has considered making a trade to find an effective everyday right fielder. Markakis

spent almost a decade filling that void, and Showalter was not surprised he was doing the same

in Atlanta.

"They know what they're getting every day," Showalter said. "He's a good baseball player, good

father, good husband. Solid."

Chris Davis started in right field for the series opener against the Braves. He said seeing

Markakis wearing a different uniform during spring training had already "helped get the

weirdness out of the way" of no longer being teammates.

"Any time you play this game as long as he has, you're bound to switch teams," Davis said. "Not

too many guys play their whole careers in one uniform, unfortunately. But he's having a great

year."

Markakis admitted he missed the Baltimore fans the most. He did reminisce about his time

patrolling the outfield with Adam Jones. Each of them won an American League Gold Glove

Award last season.

"We played together out there for what, seven, eight years," Markakis said about Jones. "I think

at the time it was the longest any two outfielders had played together. And we knew each other

pretty well, and we knew what each other can and can't get to. That goes for the rest of the guys.

I played with them three, four, five years, and the same with Buck, he managed me four years.

It's going to be a little different. It's going to be a little weird me being over here. But at the end

of the day, I've got a job to do, and that's to try and beat these guys."

But it wasn't a good night for another former Oriole.

After the Braves took a 1-0 lead in the ninth when Adonis Garcia hit a one-out homer off Zach

Britton, Jim Johnson, who used to be Baltimore's closer, gave up singles to Adam Jones and

Wieters before J.J. Hardy tied the game on a sacrifice fly. It was the first blown save for Johnson

since taking over the closer role from Jason Grilli earlier this month. He had converted all four of

previous chances since reclaiming the role and has nine on the season.

The Orioles eventually earned their first three-game winning streak in a month.

"It was nice," Wieters said. "We love playing here. We love playing at Camden. It was good to

see Nick come back and be able to get the ovation from the crowd. It makes us all feel good in

here and motivated to play a good game tonight."

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/07/28/bob-haynie-fans-cheer-markakis-and-oriole-victory/

Bob Haynie: Fans Cheer Markakis And Oriole Victory

By Bob Haynie / CBS Baltimore

July 28, 2015

The Baltimore Orioles returned home on Monday for the first time since July 12. They also

renewed acquaintances with an old friend on an emotional evening at Camden Yards.

Former Oriole Nick Markakis and his new team the Atlanta Braves are in town for a three-game

series. The Orioles and Braves treated 26,256 fans to an exciting night of baseball in the series

opener.

Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters blasted a home run off Atlanta lefty Louis Avilan in the bottom

of the 11th inning to give the Orioles a walk-off 2-1 victory. Wieters’ game-winning shot was

the fourth of his career and helped the Birds win their third-straight game.

It was definitely weird seeing Markakis running around Camden Yards in an Atlanta uniform,

for sure. As we know, he was a high-level and respected Oriole for nine seasons.

As I expected, Markakis was treated with the reverence he deserves as he was the recipient of a

couple of standing ovations from Orioles fans. A video tribute to Markakis between innings early

in the game was something that gave all of us in attendance a warm and fuzzy feeling.

That warm and fuzzy feeling looked like it would turn to frustration as Atlanta starter Alex

Wood silenced the Oriole bats for 7.1 innings. Braves 3B Adonis Garcia homered off Birds’

closer Zach Britton in the ninth to give his club a brief 1-0 advantage.

The Orioles were able to tie it up in the bottom of the ninth as they scored a run off Jim Johnson–

another former Oriole–to send the game into extras and set up Wieters’ heroics.

Kevin Guasman was outstanding on the hill for the Birds. The young righty threw 7.2 innings of

shutout baseball as he matched zeros with Wood. Over his last 12.2 innings pitched, Gausman

has allowed just one run has recorded nine K’s.

Heading into Tuesday night’s second game with the Braves, the Orioles are seven behind the

Yankees in the AL East and are three back in the chase for the second Wild Card spot.

Can they make up the difference? I don’t know, but it should be fun watching it all unfold.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/27/video-nick-markakis-receives-standing-ovation-in-

his-return-to-baltimore/

Video: Nick Markakis receives standing ovation in his return

to Baltimore

By D.J. Short / NBCSports.com

July 27, 2015

After playing his first nine seasons in the majors as a member of the Orioles, Nick Markakis left

Baltimore for a four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves last December. The veteran

outfielder made his return to Oriole Park at Camden Yards tonight as a visitor and received a

standing ovation from the appreciative Baltimore crowd before his first at-bat. Check it out

below:

Very cool stuff from the fans. And also from the Orioles, who played Markakis’ old walk-up

music.