2014 Baltimore Orioles season

The 2014 Baltimore Orioles season was the 114th season in franchise history, the 61st in Baltimore, and the 23rd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Birds would finish in first place in the American League East Division and return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, claiming their first division championship since 1997. The Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers in the Division Series and advanced to the AL Championship Series, where they were swept by the Kansas City Royals.

2014 Baltimore Orioles
American League East Champions
Major League affiliations
Location
Results
Record96–66 (.593)
Divisional place1st
Other information
Owner(s)Peter Angelos
General manager(s)Dan Duquette
Manager(s)Buck Showalter
Local televisionMASN
WJZ-TV (CBS 13)
(Gary Thorne, Jim Palmer, Mike Bordick, Jim Hunter)
Local radioWBAL (AM)
Baltimore Orioles Radio Network
(Joe Angel, Fred Manfra, Jim Hunter, Dave Johnson)
< Previous season     Next season >

New Oriole Nelson Cruz led the majors in home runs with 40; following Chris Davis' 2013 championship this was the first time in franchise history two Orioles (or Browns) had won back-to-back home run titles. As a team the Birds hit 211 home runs to lead baseball, their third consecutive 200-homer season (another franchise first).

Preceding offseason

Entering the offseason, the Orioles had 11 arbitration eligible players, three contract options, and several outgoing free agents. They looked to make additions to their starting rotation, to add a "big bat", as well as to improve their bullpen, which was strong in 2012, but "average" in 2013.[1]

Outgoing free agents

Incoming free agents
  • RHP Ryan Webb – signed a 2-year, $4.5 million free agent contract on 12/10/13[19][20]
  • OF Quintin Berry – signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training on 1/03/2014[21] (Contract selected on 9/2/2014[20])
  • OF Delmon Young – signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training on 1/13/2014[22] (Contract selected on 3/30/2014[20])
  • SS Alex González – signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training on 1/31/2014
  • RHP Evan Meek – signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training on 2/5/2014[23] (Contract selected on 3/30/2014[20])
  • RHP Ubaldo Jiménez – Signed a 4-year, $50 million free agent contract on 2/14/2014[20][23]
  • OF Nelson Cruz – Signed a 1-year, $8 million free agent contract on 2/24/2014[20][23]

Preseason trades

Regular season

March/April

On March 31, the Orioles won their 2014 regular season opener against the Boston Red Sox, but then proceeded to lose their next four games. After a full week and a 4–2 loss to the New York Yankees, the Orioles were in last place in the American League East and 3 games below .500. Orioles All-Star 3rd baseman Manny Machado, still recovering from off-season surgery, did not play in any games for the Orioles during the month of April; but Orioles catcher Matt Wieters got off to an uncharacteristically fast start hitting .338 with 4 homeruns and 15 RBIs.[26] The Orioles finished the month with 11 wins and 12 losses.[27]

May

Tommy Hunter started the season as the Orioles closer and was successful in 11 of his 12 save opportunities, but he blew 2 consecutive saves on May 10 and 13 and then was placed on the 15-day disabled list.[28] On May 11, the Orioles placed catcher Matt Wieters on the disabled list. Wieters was hitting over .300 and would ultimately be lost to the team for the entire season. The Orioles finished May with 15 wins and 15 losses but moved up to 3rd place in the American League East. The one bright spot in an otherwise mediocre April–May was the torrid hitting of new Oriole Nelson Cruz; by May 31 Cruz led all of MLB with a staggering 20 home runs and 51 runs batted in.

June

On June 6, the Orioles lost to the Oakland Athletics, 4–3 in 11 innings, dropping them 6 and 1/2 games out of first place. It would be the farthest out of first that the Orioles would be all season.[27] Adam Jones batted .348 with nine homers and 20 RBIs in June.[29] Utility player Steve Pearce, who had appeared in only 3 games for the Orioles in April, batted .361 in June with 5 home runs and 13 RBI's.[30] The Birds finished the month with 16 wins and 12 losses, trailing the first-place Blue Jays by one game.[27]

July

On Saturday July 5, the Orioles split a double-header with the Boston Red Sox and moved into sole possession of first place in the American League East and would remain in first place for the rest of the season.[27] By the All-Star break, the Orioles had increased their lead to 4 games[27] and three Oriole players were voted by the fans to the American League squad: Matt Weiters (his third), Adam Jones (his fourth) and Nelson Cruz (his third). This marked the first time in club history that three Orioles were voted onto the American League squad in consecutive years.[29] By the end of the month, new Oriole closer Zach Britton had 11 saves for the month[31] and the Orioles led the American League East by 1.5 games.[27]

August

On August 9, reserve catcher Caleb Joseph hit a homerun in the Orioles' 10–3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals; making him the first Oriole's catcher to homer in 5 consecutive games.[32] Orioles 3rd baseman Machado injured his right knee on an awkward swing against the New York Yankees on August 11. After going on the disabled list and trying to rest his knee, he decided to have his knee surgically repaired thus ending his season.[33] Oriole shortstop J. J. Hardy batted .322 for the month with 5 homeruns and 18 RBI's.[34] First baseman Chris Davis filled in for Machado at third and hit 7 homeruns with 17 rbi's for the month.[35] The Orioles ended the month of August with four consecutive wins; increasing their lead in the American League East to 9 full games over the second place Yankees.

September

The Orioles started the month with a 6–4 loss to the Minnesota Twins but still maintained an 8 and 1/2 game lead over the second place Yankees.[27] Newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza also started the month with the Orioles and before September was over he would hit 3 triples, 3 homeruns, drive in 10 runs and bat over .300.[36] On September 7, the Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7–5; Nelson Cruz went 4-for-5 with two home runs and 7 RBIs.[37] On September 12, Orioles' first baseman Chris Davis was suspended for 25 games for testing positive for amphetamine.[38] Davis claimed he tested positive due to the use of adderall—for which he previous had a "therapeutic use exemption" but did not have for the 2014 season.[39]

members of the 2014 Baltimore Orioles celebrating at Oriole Park immediately after clinching the American League East title

On Tuesday, September 16, the Orioles clinched the American League East Championship by beating the second place Toronto Blue Jays 8–2. The Orioles had not won an American League East title since 1997 and Tuesday marked the first time since 1969 that the Orioles won a division title in front of their fans at home.[40] Steve Pearce, who had replaced Chris Davis at first base, blasted a three-run homerun off Toronto right-hander Drew Hutchison to give the Orioles a 3–1 lead in the first inning. Oriole right-hander Ubaldo Jiménez, who hadn't been in the starting rotation for a month, picked up the win.[40] On September 25, the Orioles gave up a walk off hit to Derek Jeter in his final game at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles finished the season with 211 homeruns. 2014 is the third consecutive season the Orioles hit more than 200 homeruns and the first time in franchise history that they did it 3 years in a row.[41] The Orioles 401 walks were also the fewest walks as the modern Orioles[41] and their 44 stolen bases were their fewest since 1961.[41]

In-season transactions

Injuries etc.
  • March 31 – May 1: 3B Manny Machado on 15-day disabled list retroactive to 3/21 (offseason left knee surgery)
  • March 31 – May 1: LHP Troy Patton on restricted list (25-game suspension for amphetamine use imposed 12/20/2013)
  • April 7 – OF Nolan Reimold on 60-day disabled list (July 2013 back surgery)
  • April 26 – May 11: 1B Chris Davis on 15-day disabled list (oblique strain)
  • May 11 – August 13: C Matt Wieters on 15-day disabled list (right elbow strain)
  • May 22 – June 8: RHP Tommy Hunter on 15-day disabled list (left groin strain)
  • May 25 – May 27: 1B Chris Davis on paternity list
  • May 31 – June 17: RHP Miguel González on 15-day disabled list (oblique strain)
  • June 2 – June 9: RHP Johan Santana on 15-day disabled list (April 2013 shoulder surgery)
  • June 9 – RHP Johan Santana transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list
  • June 17 – C Matt Wieters underwent Tommy John surgery (out for season)
  • June 22 – July 21 RHP Bud Norris on 15-day disabled list (right groin strain)
  • June 30 – July 5: 3B Manny Machado on restricted list (5-game suspension for bat throwing)
  • July 8 – August 9: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez on 15-day disabled list (right ankle sprain)
  • August 12 – September 2: 3B Manny Machado on 15-day disabled list (right knee sprain)
  • August 13: C Matt Wieters transferred from 15-day to 60-day disabled list
  • August 27: 3B Manny Machado underwent right knee surgery (out for season)
  • September 2: 3B Manny Machado transferred from 15-day to 60-day disabled list
  • September 12 – 1B Chris Davis on restricted list (25-game suspension for amphetamine use)

Season standings

American League East
AL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
Baltimore Orioles 9666 0.593 — 50–31 46–35
New York Yankees 8478 0.519 12 43–38 41–40
Toronto Blue Jays 8379 0.512 13 46–35 37–44
Tampa Bay Rays 7785 0.475 19 36–45 41–40
Boston Red Sox 7191 0.438 25 34–47 37–44

Record vs. Opponents
2014 AL Records

Source: AL Standings Head-to-Head
Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET HOU KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL
Baltimore—11–85–13–41–54–33–44–24–313–62–45–212–76–111–812–8
Boston8–11—4–32–51–54–36–12–54–27–123–41–59–104–27–129–11
Chicago1–53–4—9–109–103–36–131–59–102–54–33–45–22–45–211–9
Cleveland4–35–210–9—8–115–210–92–511–84–32–42–44–26–12–410–10
Detroit 5–15–110–911–8—4–313–63–49–103–45–22–43–44–31–512–8
Houston 3–43–43–32–53–4—3–37–123–34–28–119–102–511–84–35–15
Kansas City4–31–613–69–106–133–3—3–311–84–35–22–54–25–14–315–5
Los Angeles2–45–25–15–24–312–73–3—7–02–410–97–125–214–55–212–8
Minnesota3–42–410–98–1110–93–38–110–7—3–41–65–22–42–54–29–11
New York6–1312–75–23–44–32–43–44–24–3—2–43–38–114–311–813–7
Oakland4–24–33–44–22–511–82–59–106–14–2—9–104–29–104–313–7
Seattle2–55–14–34–24–210–95–212–72–53–310–9—4–39–104–39–11
Tampa Bay7–1210–92–52–44–35–22–42–54–211–82–43–4—5–28–1110–10
Texas1–62–44–21–63–48–111–55–145–23–410–910–92–5—2–410–10
Toronto8–1112–72–54–25–13–43–42–52–48–113–43–411–84–2—13–7

Game log
Past Games Legend
*The codes in larger text are those which will be used most frequently. The codes in smaller text are only used
for one game per season and needn't be concerned about in early months (Apr.-Aug.) of the season.
Orioles Win
(#bbffbb)		 Orioles Loss
(#ffbbbb)		 Game Postponed
(#bbbbbb)		 Clinched Playoff Spot*
(#003399)
Boldface text denotes an Orioles pitcher
Baltimore Orioles 2014 Season Game Log — Season Record: 96–66 (.593) — Home: 50–31 — Road: 46–35

Post-season

Division Series
Main article: 2014 American League Division Series

The Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers in the Division Series.

ALDS notes
  • The 12 runs scored by the Orioles in Game 1 were the most runs the Orioles have ever scored in a post-season game.[42]
  • The Orioles sweep of the Tigers was their first post-season sweep since 1971 when they beat the Oakland Athletics 3–0.[43]
  • By winning successive games against 2011, 2012 and 2013 Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander, David Price and Max Scherzer, the Orioles became only the fourth team to win a postseason series over three Cy Young winners, the only one ever to do so in consecutive games, and the only one not against the 1990s Braves trio of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz. In fact, with the final regular-season win over Toronto's R.A. Dickey, the Orioles won 4 consecutive games started by Cy Young winners, an unprecedented feat.

Championship Series
Main article: 2014 American League Championship Series

The Orioles were swept by the Kansas City Royals 4 games to 0 in the AL pennant series.

Postseason game log
2014 Baltimore Orioles Postseason Game Log

Accolades

The following players represented the Orioles in the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

  • Nelson Cruz (3rd appearance)
  • Adam Jones (4th appearance)
  • Matt Wieters (3rd appearance)

DH Nelson Cruz won the MLB and American League home run championships with 40

Center fielder Adam Jones and Right fielder Nick Markakis both won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Manager Buck Showalter was named the American League Manager of the Year, his third award.

General Manager Dan Duquette was named The Sporting News' Major League Baseball Executive of the Year

Roster
2014 Baltimore Orioles
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

 Manager

Coaches

Farm system
See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Norfolk Tides International League Ron Johnson
AA Bowie Baysox Eastern League Gary Kendall
A Frederick Keys Carolina League Luis Pujols
A Delmarva Shorebirds South Atlantic League Ryan Minor
A-Short Season Aberdeen IronBirds New York–Penn League Matt Merullo
Rookie GCL Orioles Gulf Coast League Orlando Gómez

[44]

References
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  2. Gleeman, Aaron (January 31, 2014). "Rays sign Wilson Betemit". HardballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. Connolly, Dan (January 10, 2014). "Baltimore Orioles re-sign Alexi Casilla to a minor league deal". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  4. Ghiroli, Brittany (January 7, 2014). "Os resign Gamboa and Clark to Minor League deals". Britt's Bird Watch – MLBlogs Network. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  5. Fordin, Spencer (January 6, 2014). "Chris Dickerson signs Minor League deal with Pirates". pirates.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  6. Durrett, Richard (December 6, 2013). "Houston Astros to sign Scott Feldman". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  7. Sullivan, Paul (January 31, 2014). "Cubs come to agreement with free agent pitcher Jason Hammel". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  8. "Blue Jays sign Dan Johnson to minor league deal, with invite him to spring training". Bluebird Banter – SBNation.com. Vox Media. November 15, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  9. Kane, Colleen (January 21, 2014). "Sox announce spring training invitees". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  10. Wagner, James (December 12, 2013). "Nationals officially announce signing of Nate McClouth". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  11. Associated Press (December 17, 2013). "Michael Morse, San Francisco Giants finalize $6 million, 1-year deal". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  12. Schindler, Jesse (November 22, 2013). "Yankees sign infielder Yamaico Navarro". Pinstripe Alley – SBNation.com. Vox Media. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
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  14. "Royals sign pitcher Jon Rauch to minor league contract" (Press release). Kansas City Royals, MLB Advanced Media. January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
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  16. Axisa, Mike (February 7, 2014). "Brewers to sign Francisco Rodriguez to one-year deal". Eye on Baseball – CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  17. Short, D. J. (December 21, 2013). "Nationals sign catcher Chris Snyder to a minor-league contract". HardballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  18. DiComo, Anthony (January 6, 2014). "Mets sign catcher Taylor Teagarden to Minor League deal". MLB.com: News. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
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  20. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-east/baltimore-orioles/
  21. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=bal#month=1&year=2014&team_id=110
  22. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/13/orioles-sign-delmon-young/
  23. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=bal#month=2&year=2014&team_id=110
  24. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=bal#month=11&year=2013&team_id=110
  25. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=bal#month=3&year=2014&team_id=110
  26. "Matt Weiters". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  27. "2014 Baltimore Orioles". BaseBall Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
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  29. "Cruz, Jones, Wieters voted All-Star starters". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  30. "Steve Pearce". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  31. http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/31054/zach-britton
  32. Townsend, Mark. "Orioles rookie Caleb Joseph has homered in five straight games". YahooSports. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  33. "Manny Machado: Surgery only choice". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  34. "J. J. Hardy". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  35. "Chris Davis". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  36. "Alejandro De Aza". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  37. "Cruz drives in seven as O's avoid sweep, pad lead". MLB.com. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  38. Crasnick, Jerry (September 12, 2014). "Chris Davis banned 25 games". ESPN. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  39. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/chris-davis-suspended-25-games-for-amphetamines--would-miss-first-8-games-of-postseason-153728321.html
  40. "With 8-2 win Tuesday, Orioles clinch first American League East title since 1997". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  41. "Baltimore Orioles/batting". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  42. "Orioles set postseason team record with 12 runs in Game 1 win". espn.com. Associated Press. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  43. "1971 Baltimore Orioles". BaseballReference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  44. Leventhal, Josh, ed. (2014). Baseball America 2015 Almanac. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN 978-1-932391-54-1.
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