After six-walk start Friday, Orioles' Ubaldo Jimenez earns dubious distinction

With six walks in 5 2/3 innings during the Orioles' 5-3 loss Friday to the New York Yankees, Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez took over the major league lead in walks, with 51 in 81 2/3 innings pitched.

“I said [Friday] night, he was very fortunate” to last into the sixth and allow only one run, manager Buck Showalter said Saturday. “I don't want to use the word ‘lucky,' but ... he had, like, 50 or 60 pitches through four [innings], and then he gets out of sync mechanically and it's really hard for him” to recover.

Because of Jimenez's unorthodox delivery, which deceives hitters when he can repeat it, mechanical problems that hurt his command can arise quickly.

“He'll go through some extended periods where he doesn't get back into it. It's something that's been a real challenge for him,” Showalter said. “He's leading the league or baseball in walks, right? It doesn't surprise me.”

Jimenez passed his former Cleveland Indians teammate Justin Masterson, who has walked 46 batters in 89 innings this year. Jimenez's career high is 103 in 198 2/3 innings, in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies. He is on pace to eclipse that.

Around the horn

Showalter said the decision to make Kevin Gausman the “26th man” Friday prohibits the club from using that designation on an infielder if third baseman Manny Machado's suspension begins Friday. The club now will have to make an additional move for an infielder if Machado begins serving his suspension by Friday, but Showalter said he doesn't think a decision on Machado's appeal of the five-game ban will be handed down that quickly. … Right-hander Josh Stinson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He has until Sunday to accept the assignment. … The Orioles wore their orange jerseys on the road Saturday. They are usually reserved for home, but they were brought out at Yankee Stadium to change things up. … After Saturday's 6-1 win, the Orioles are 12-14 in day games. … The Yankees held a pregame ceremony Saturday to honor former first baseman Tino Martinez, who had his plaque in Monument Park unveiled. Martinez also threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … The Yankees will unveil former pitcher Goose Gossage's Monument Park plaque Sunday, which is also the 68th annual Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. … Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki struck out twice Saturday, just the ninth time in 133 games against the Orioles all time he has fanned twice.

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