Showalter endorses aggressive baserunning

BOSTON -- The Orioles want to see aggression on the basepaths, so manager Buck Showalter isn't going to get upset every time somebody gets thrown out. Showalter said Thursday that he had relayed that message to Brian Roberts, who was thrown out attempting to steal third in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Roberts, who had successfully stolen second base, was thrown out at third base in the same inning. Moments later, third baseman Manny Machado got a pitch to hit and took it deep. But Showalter said that you can't assume the hitter would've even gotten that pitch if Roberts was still on base.

"I thought [the pitcher] lost a little focus," said Showalter. "That doesn't mean he would've hit a two-run homer. That doesn't mean that would've happened. ... I like the fact that he stole second. I like the fact that Robby's taking what's there. He wasn't expecting him to throw a fastball up that's easy to throw on. I'm just glad that Robby's feeling good. I dwell on the base he stole a pitch or so before that."