O's Season Comes To An End In NY

Ok...I've put this off long enough. The pain is gone. I've gotten over the Game 5 loss to New York. I've learned to appreciate the O's 2012 season for what it was...a complete success and something I'll remember for a very long time.

The Birds took the Yankees to a winner-take-all game in New York, but fell 3-1. CC Sabathia pitched a complete game, out-dueling Jason Hammel. There was a controversial call where Nate McLouth's monster home run was ruled foul even though it appeared to nick the foul pole in right field. The O's had the bases loaded in the eighth with just one out but couldn't deliver a clutch hit to tie the game or take the lead. Still, the season was amazing...I can't complain. What a ride.

 It helps that the Yankees were swept in four games by the Detroit Tigers. I can't help but think that the O's would have made the ALCS just a bit more entertaining...but who knows? The game is all about momentum, but New York looked flat after an emotional series with the Birds.

The 2012 Orioles exceeded everyone's expectations, except maybe their own. They were picked to finish last in the AL East. Many of the experts predicted them to lose 100+ games. The club flip-flopped their record from 2011, when they went 69-93. They finished 24 games over .500 and second in the division behind New York. The O's played six postseason games, winning three of them. They knocked-off the Texas rangers, the club that had gone to the World Series the past two seasons. They were one win away from advancing to the ALCS.

I'm proud. And I can't wait for next season...for the first time in a long time, I actually mean it when I say we'll get em' next year.

Thanks for the incredible season, O's.

Hardy Lifts O's Over Yankees in 13th Inning

It took 13 innings, but the O's forced a Game 5 winner-take-all showdown in the Bronx after a thrilling 2-1 win on Thursday night.

Nate McLouth put the Birds on the board with a solo homer in the fifth inning, and continues to be the offensive spark of the club in this series. The Yankees tied it up in the sixth, and neither team scored again until J.J. Hardy's RBI double plated Manny Machado in the 13th.

Joe Saunders went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just a run on three hits and four walks. The 'pen was outstanding...Tommy Hunter, Luis Ayala and even Pedro Strop made scoreless appearances...Strop was credited with the win and Jim Johnson shut the door for his second save of the series.

So this is it...is there any magic left? The Birds and Yankees go at it Friday night for one last time this season. The winner will face the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. The loser will wonder what could have been...

O's Drop A Heartbreaker In Extras

The Birds were two outs away from taking Game 3 in the Bronx, but the Yankees tied it up in the ninth and won it 3-2 in the 12th.

Miguel Gonzalez was incredible, allowing just a run on five hits over seven innings, walking none and striking out eight. Darren O'Day pitched a scoreless eighth  and it was up to Jim Johnson to close it out...Johnson got one quick out before giving up a game-tying homer to Raul Ibanez, who was pinch-hitting for a slumping A-Rod. Ibanez hit a lead-off walk-off homer against Brian Matusz in the 12th to give New York a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series.

Offensively, the O's couldn't get much going...the only two runs scored came on solo homers from Ryan Flaherty and Manny Machado, who became the first rookies in the history of the game to hit their first homers in the same postseason game.

The O's now need to win on Thursday to force a Game 5, and will send Joe Saunders to the mound.

Chen Leads O's Past Yankees To Even Series

Wei-Yin Chen was magnificent and the O's evened-up the series with the Yankees after a 3-2 victory on Monday night.

It was my wife and my first playoff game at Camden Yards, and it didn't disappoint. There were over 48,000 fans screaming and rocking the Yard, waving white "BUCK-le up" towels and cheering on their hometown team. I've never seen, or heard, anything like it before.

And the O's put on quite a show. Chen gave up just two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings, throwing a career-high 112 pitches. He gave up eight hits and a walk while striking out three in his first postseason appearance. Darren O'Day and Brian Matusz were lights-out, and Jim Johnson redeemed himself with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out A-Rod swinging to pick up the save.

The O's now head to Yankee Stadium for up to three games...the Birds have taken 2 of 3 each trip to New York during the regular season, and will need to do so again to advance to the ALCS. Miguel Gonzalez is slated to start Game 3 on Wednesday night...Let's Go O's!!!

Johnson Rocked As O's Fall To Yankees In Ninth

The Orioles, playing in the Postseason at Camden Yards for the first time since 1997, fell to the Yankees 7-2 in front of a wild sell-out crowd on Sunday night.

With the score knotted at two, Jim Johnson came on in the ninth and gave up a homer to the first batter he faced. Johnson hadn't surrendered a home run in four months before the fatal blast. And it didn't stop there...Johnson was tagged for five runs (four earned) in just 1/3 of an inning. There was a lot of second-guessing after the fact (I was a bit guilty myself), but the fact is that Buck Showalter put his best option out on the mound in the ninth. Johnson has been a beast all year and led the Majors with 51 saves during the regular season...he's the main reason the O's are in the playoffs to begin with.

The offense couldn't solve the Yankees' CC Sabathia, who held the Birds to two runs on eight hits in 8 2/3 innings. Jason Hammel pitched well in his return but lasted just 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks.

The O's are down 1-0 in the best-of-five series, and host the Yankees Monday night before heading to New York for the final three games (if needed). Wei-Yin Chen will take the mound, and my wife and I will be there to rock the Yard! Let's Go O's!!!

O's Top Texas, Will Face Yankees In ALDS

The Orioles went in to Texas and took care of business, defeating the Rangers 5-1 in the Wild Card playoff game and advancing to the American League Divisional Series against the Yankees.

In their first playoff game in 15 years, the Birds managed to outplay Texas, a team that had reached the World Series the past two seasons.

Joe Saunders was magnificent, allowing just a run on six hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings, striking out four and winning for the first time at Rangers Ballpark. Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz and Jim Johnson held Texas to just three hits over the final frames.

The Birds got on the board in the first inning thanks to an error, a stolen base and a single. Nate McLouth led the club with two RBIs, and J.J. Hardy went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

The O's now move on to face their divisional rivals, the New York Yankees, in a best-of-five showdown. The first two games will be played at Camden Yards, with Jason Hammel expected to start Game 1 for the Birds.

Birds Fall To Rays, Fly To Texas To Face Rangers

The Orioles dropped the final game of the regular season, 4-1 to the Rays. Fear not, O's fans, the Birds are still in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, they just aren't assured of a home playoff game...yet.

The loss meant the Birds now fly to Texas to face the Rangers; had the O's won the Rangers would have come to Camden Yards...

The Rays pitching was insane for the third straight game...it was clear Tampa Bay was not mailing it in (like a certain Boston team that lost to the Yankees 14-2 and were outscored 28-7 in the three-game series). The Rays only allowed five runs over the series...the Birds gave up nine.

On Wednesday night, Chris Tillman didn't give up many hits (four) but three were solo homers. Tillman (9-3)  walked none and struck out five in the five-inning effort. Jake Arrieta served up a solo shot to Evan Longoria in sixth inning...Longoria's third homer of the game.

The O's were kept off the board until Adam Jones' sac fly in the ninth inning, and managed just two runs on five hits over the last two games. The Rays finished the year with 90 wins and the best ERA in the Majors. The O's flip-flopped their record from last year...in 2011 they were 69-93...they finished 2012 with a 93-69 record, 2nd in the East.

Here's hoping the Birds' bats come back to life Friday night in Arlington. Either Joe Saunders or Steve Johnson will take the mound. Whichever team wins will take on the Yankees on Sunday...Let's Go O's!!!!

Davis' Blast Powers O's Past Rays

In a game that featured only four combined hits, it was Chris Davis' solo homer in the fourth that led the O's to a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

The Ray's James Shields struck out 15 O's, walked none and allowed only two hits, but Davis took advantage of Shields' one mistake and launched it 440 feet to give the Birds the lead. Davis has now homered in six straight games and now leads the club with 33 long balls this season (Adam Jones has 32).

Miguel Gonzalez was pretty good too, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings. Jim Johnson picked up his MLB-best 51st save.

The Yankees beat the Red Sox in 12 innings so the O's still trail New York by a game in the East. It all comes down to this, the final game of the regular season...Chris Tillman takes the mound for the Birds.

Birds Rally Late But Fall To Rays

It looked like the O's were going to pull out the old magic in the ninth inning Monday night, but it wasn't enough as the Birds fell to Tampa Bay 5-3 in St. Petersburg.

The Orioles went down 1-0 in the fourth before Matt Wieters' solo homer in the seventh knotted the game at a run a piece. A rare Manny Machado in the bottom of the frame led to three unearned runs, and Tampa scored again in the eighth to take a commanding 5-1 lead.

The ninth started off with some real promise...J.J. Hardy singled and wound up at 2nd base on a throwing error before Chris Davis launched his 32nd homer of the season to trim Tampa's lead to two. Adam Jones and Wieters both singled to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but Jim Thome and Mark Reynolds struck out swinging before Endy Chavez grounded out to end the game.

Wei-Yin Chen (12-11) took the loss after allowing four runs (one earned) off six hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings, fanning four. Pedro Strop allowed a run on a hit and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning...his ERA stands at 2.45, which shows just how dominant he was in the first 3/4 of the season.

The Yankees crushed Boston 10-1, so the O's are now a game out of first place with just two games remaining. Miguel Gonzalez will take the mound on Tuesday night.

O's Sweep Sox, Clinch Playoffs

The O's started things off right on Friday night and kept the momentum going in the three-game series against   Boston, sweeping the Sox and clinching a postseason berth for the first time since 1997.

Yup. You read that right...THE ORIOLES ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

My wife and I were lucky enough to be there for six of the seven games this homestand. The one game we missed was the opener against Boston Friday night. It was fireworks night at the Yard, and the Birds started the party early. Chris Davis launched a two-run homer in the first and Ryan Flaherty connected for his first career grand slam later that same inning to put the O's up 6-1 in a game they eventually won 9-1. Chris Tillman (9-2) allowed a run in the first but held Boston to just one hit and two walks over eight innings, fanning four.

Saturday's game featured Brooks Robinson's statue being unveiled and was a little closer. It was fitting that our third baseman of the future, Manny Machado, broke a 3-3 tie with a solo homer in the seventh inning. The Birds held on to win 4-3. Tommy Hunter (7-8) took the win and Jim Johnson picked up his 49th save of the season.

On Sunday afternoon, J.J. Hardy went deep on his bobblehead day. Nate McLouth and Chris Davis also homered in the 6-3 win. Joe Saunders (9-13) took the victory after allowing three runs on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings, walking none while striking out five. Jim Johnson picked up his 50th save, becoming just the 10th player in history to accomplish the feat. The Birds are a ridiculous 73-0 when leading after seven innings.

After the game, the O's stayed on the field and we all turned our attention to the jumbo-tron, where they were airing the end of the Angels-Rangers game. The Rangers were leading in the ninth, and if the Angels lost, the Birds were guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. It was a pretty special moment, but the Angels rallied for two runs in the ninth to spoil the party. I left strangely disappointed when you consider we had just swept Boston and were in a first place tie with the Yankees.

The Birds found out later that night that they had made the playoffs, after the Angels fell in Game 2 of their doubleheader against Texas. The O's now take on Tampa Bay to wrap up the regular season, while Boston heads to New York to take on the Yankees. No matter what happens, the Orioles are in the postseason for the first time in 15 years...Let's Go O's!!!

O's Launch Seven Homers In Rout Of Jays

A day after being blanked by Toronto, the Birds whacked seven homers in a 12-2 win over the Blue Jays on  Wednesday night at Camden Yards.

Five Orioles went deep, as the club tied a franchise record with the seven dingers. Nate McLouth started things off with a solo homer in the first...Jim Thome, Manny Machado and Chris Davis all went deep in the fifth...Mark Reynolds went yard in the sixth, Davis struck again in the seventh and Machado added another bomb in the eighth.

Miguel Gonzalez held Toronto to just two runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings, striking out one. Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter each pitched a scoreless inning.

The Birds and Red Sox begin a three-game set over the weekend...Chris Tillman takes the mound.

O's Drop Second Straight To Toronto

The O's hadn't lost back-to-back games at home since late July, but it happened on Tuesday night after they were blanked 4-0 by the Blue Jays.

There hasn't been much to cheer about the past two nights at the Yard...the O's have hit a little bump in the road at the worst possible time. Luckily, the Yankees lost on Tuesday night as well so the O's didn't lose any ground (New York won on Wednesday afternoon so the O's are now two games out of first).

Joe Saunders wasn't bad, but he had absolutely no run support. Saunders (8-13) allowed four runs (three earned) in 6 1/3 innings but gave up 11 hits while walking none and fanning two. The O's managed just six hits (five singles) and stranded nine men on base.

Sadly, the highlight of the game was the ninth inning...Dylan Bundy made his home debut and pitched a scoreless frame, and the O's loaded the bases with two outs before Ryan Flaherty skied a ball to center field to end the game.

The O's need to win on Wednesday night to split the series and keep up in the postseason race...they lead Oakland by a half-game for the top Wild Card spot. Miguel Gonzalez will try to right the ship tonight...

Birds Settle For Doubleheader Split With Jays

Over 30,000 fans welcomed the O's home for a doubleheader against Toronto on Monday, and the Birds gave them quite a show...a rousing 4-1 win in Game 1, and a heart-breaking 9-5 loss in Game 2.

Adam Jones put the Birds on top 2-0 with a two-run blast in the fourth inning of Game 1. Jones went 4-for-4 with three singles in the game. Ryan Flaherty blasted a solo shot in the fifth.

Steve Johnson started and impressed yet again, lasting only five innings but blanking the Jays on three hits and three walks, fanning six. Johnson is now 4-0 since being called up with a 1.62 ERA.

Wei-Yin Chen struggled in Game 2, allowing two runs in the first and two more in the second to put the Birds in an early hole. The O's battled back, and trailed 5-4 heading into the seventh inning. Jake Arrieta had struck out the side with runners on the corners in the sixth, but gave up a grand slam with two outs in the seventh to effectively end the O's comeback attempt. The Orioles loaded the bases in the ninth but managed just a run in the loss.

The Birds send Joe Saunders to the mound on Tuesday night, as they try to bounce back and keep pace in the postseason race,

O's Can't Complete Sweep In Boston

You can't win 'em all, right? The O's came close to a three-game sweep of Boston, but Ryan Flaherty struck out looking with the bases loaded in the ninth inning and the Birds fell to the Red Sox 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Tillman allowed just one run on six hits and a walk over six innings, striking out four. Troy Patton's first appearance since coming off the DL was a success, as he retired two of the three batters he faced. Luis Ayala took the loss after giving up a run on back-to-back doubles to start off the eighth inning. Dylan Bundy made his MLB debut later that inning and needed just seven pitches to get the final two outs.

The Birds loaded the bases in the ninth with just one out, but Manny Machado grounded into a force-out before Flaherty struck out to end any chance of a comeback in extras.

The Orioles went 6-3 on the road trip after starting off with two straight losses in Oakland, and didn't lose any ground since the A's beat the Yankees in New York. With just 10 games left, the O's are a game behind the Yankees for first in the East and lead Oakland by a game for the top Wild Card spot.

The Orioles host Toronto for four games starting with Monday's doubleheader...I'll be there for the twin-billing. Steve Johnson will start Game 1 while Wei-Yin Chen is slated for Game 2.

Thome Puts O's Ahead To Stay In 12th

Orioles magic...feel it happen! The Birds did it again Saturday afternoon, beating the Red Sox 9-6 in 12 innings at Fenway Park.

The O's won six straight for the first time all season (they had won five straight six times before) and have now won 16 straight extra-inning contests, a franchise best.

Randy Wolf started and went five innings, surrendering three runs. Jake Arrieta allowed another two runs to score over two innings in relief, and Pedro Strop allowed Boston to tie the game after giving up a run on back-to-back doubles with two outs in the eighth. Tommy Hunter was credited with the win after a scoreless 11th inning, where his fastball was clocked at 100 mph. Jim Johnson picked up his Major League leading 47th save.

Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds both blasted solo homers. Jones led-off the 12th with a double and came home on Jim Thome's ground-rule double. Thome, playing in his first game since returning off the DL, was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts before knocking the eventual game-winning hit.

The Birds look for the sweep on Sunday afternoon...Chris Tillman takes the hill.

O's Finally Beat Lester, Sox

You know it's a magical season when the O's beat Jon Lester. In 21 starts, Lester has owned the Orioles with a perfect 14-0 record. But on Friday, the Birds finally handed him an "L" in a 4-2 win in Boston.

Miguel Gonzalez (7-4) took the win against his former club. Gonzalez went 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning three. Jim Johnson closed out the game in the ninth, picking up his 46th save of the season, an Oriole record.

Matt Wieters paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. The Birds out-hit Boston 10-8 and went 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The O's (86-64) are still just a game behind the Yankees in the AL East. Randy Wolf will take the mound for the Birds on Saturday afternoon.

O's Need Extras To Sweep M's

It only took 11 innings this time. Just a day after a marathon 18-inning win, the Birds took down the Mariners 3-1 on Wednesday night, completing a three-game sweep.

It was the O's 15th straight extra-inning victory this season...that's the longest streak since Cleveland won 19 straight in 1949.

The Eric Bedard trade continued to haunt Seattle, as it was Adam Jones who launched the eventual game-winning homer off his former club. Chris Tillman, also acquired in the trade, started the game on Monday and was credited with the win.

Both clubs scored a run in the fourth and took a 1-1 tie into the 11th inning before Jones' heroics. Jim Johnson picked up his 45th save of the season, tying Randy Myers for the most all-time as an Oriole.

As of this post, the O's (85-64) are a game behind the Yankees (86-63) for first in the East, and are tied with Oakland for the top Wild Card spot. Oakland opens up a three-game set in New York tonight, while the O's start their own three-game series in Boston. Miguel Gonzalez is slated to take the mound against Jon Lester.

O's Rally Past Mariners In 18 Innings

This season gets crazier by the minute...the O's outlasted the Seattle Mariners in a 4-2, 18-inning victory that started on Tuesday night and ended almost six hours later on Wednesday morning.

The Birds had been held to just two hits through eight innings and went into the ninth trailing 2-0. The O's started the ninth off with back-to-back singles to chase Seattle's starter, then tied the game with a two-run single off the M's closer. Little did they know the game would be deadlocked for another nine innings...

Is it even shocking that it was Taylor Teagarden's pinch-hit single in the 18th that scored the go-ahead run? Not this year. Teagarden has only seven hits this season but three have given the O's the lead in extra-inning contests...absurd? Nope...it's just Orioles Magic.

The O's have now won 14 straight extra-inning contests. They were tied for first in the East with New York (the Yankees are now a half game ahead after a win Wednesday afternoon). Joe Saunders takes the mound Wednesday night as the Birds go for the three-game sweep of Seattle.

O's Strike Early Against Seattle

The Orioles gave Chris Tillman plenty of run support on Monday night, taking a 7-0 lead over the Mariners after two innings in Seattle.

Tillman (8-2) hadn't pitched in two weeks, but continued his dominance over the team that traded him away. He allowed just a run (a solo homer) on three hits, walked none and struck out four over six innings. The 'pen didn't fare as well, but the early cushion was too much for Seattle to overcome.

Nate McLouth started things off with a lead-off homer, and the O's went on to score three in the first and another four in the second. Matt Wieters homered in the fourth inning, his third dinger in the last two games, and has tied his career-high with 22 long balls on the season.

The O's are just a half game behind New York for first in the East, and still hold the second Wild Card spot. The Birds send Wei-Yin Chen to the mound on Tuesday night...

O's Sink A's, Secure A Winning Season

It's official. The 2012 Orioles are a winning club. The O's won game number 82 on Sunday night, avoiding a sweep with a 9-5 victory over Oakland.

Matt Wieters homered twice, and Endy Chavez went 4-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the club. Wieters became the fifth Oriole to hit 20+ homers this season. Pretty much the entire lineup contributed, as Nate McLouth and Mark Reynolds were the only Birds to go hitless (though Reynolds drove home a run with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth).

Randy Wolf started for the first time as an Oriole, and though he didn't go deep, he kept the Birds in the game. Wolf lasted just four innings but surrendered only two runs before being relieved. Brian Matusz (6-10) picked up the win and Jim Johnson collected his 43rd save of the year.

The Birds remain a game behind New York in the East and are two games behind the A's in the Wild Card chase. If the season ended today, they would travel to Oakland for a one-game playoff. There's still plenty of time left...the O's start a three-game set in Seattle on Monday night, with Chris Tillman scheduled to start.

Five-Run Third Sinks O's In Oakland

The O's took an early lead but a five-run third inning was too much to overcome in a 5-2 loss to the A's on Saturday night.

Zach Britton cruised through the first two innings and entered the third up with his team up 2-0...he finally made it through the inning with his club trailing 5-2. Britton (5-3) lasted just four innings, surrendering the five runs on four hits and four walks in his second straight poor outing.

Offensively, the O's outhit the A's 8-5 and scored first on a Mark Reynold's RBI double in the second and a Nate McLouth homer in the third, but the bats went quiet over the final six frames.

The Birds have now dropped two straight and trail New York by a game in the East. The O's look to salvage the series with a win on Sunday afternoon...Randy Wolf will make his first start as an Oriole.

O's Fall To A's Out West

After a Yankees loss, the O's had a chance to take sole possession of first place in the East, but fell to Oakland 3-2 on Friday night.

Chris Davis blasted his 26th homer, a monster shot to dead center to tie the game at two in the fifth inning, but Oakland scored in the bottom of the frame and the Birds were unable to come back. The Orioles grounded into four double plays on the night, and Xavier Avery was caught stealing with Davis at the plate to end the game.

Joe Saunders looked good but took the loss after allowing all three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings, fanning six. Jake Arrieta pitched the final two frames, striking out five of the six batters he faced.

The upside? The O's are still tied for first place in the East on September 14th...simply amazing. Zach Britton is scheduled to take the mound on Saturday night.

O's Sweep Rays After Walk-Off Win In 14th

For the first time in 15 years, the O's have reached 81 wins in a season. With Thursday's 3-2, 14-inning win over Tampa Bay, the Birds, expected by many to hit 100 losses this year, have ended their 14-year losing streak...finally.

In the process, the club extended an incredible streak of 13 straight extra-inning victories, a franchise record.

In yet another marathon game, the O's had plenty of chances, but finally came through in the 14th. The Birds went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 16 men on base, but Manny Machado's RBI single to score Adam Jones gave the O's their second straight walk-off win over Tampa Bay.

The Birds went 5-2 on the homestand, splitting with New York before sweeping the Rays. The O's remain tied with the Yankees for first in the division, and now head out on a nine-game road trip through Oakland, Seattle and Boston. Joe Saunders takes the mound on Friday night.

O's Walk Off In Ninth Inning Thriller

The magic continues...the Birds walked-off in the ninth inning with a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.

Nate McLouth was the hero this time with the game-winning hit, a single off the right field wall that plated Manny Machado. Machado had singled to start the inning after ending the eighth with a spectacular defensive play. Both players got the obligatory shaving cream pie to the face after the game...

Things started off awkwardly, as Miguel Gonzalez served up a solo homer to the very first batter he faced. Gonzalez settled down though, allowing just two runs on six hits and five walks while striking out four over six innings. Jim Johnson (2-1) picked up the win.

The O's have now taken two of three from the Rays and remain tied for first in the East with the Yankees. The Birds finish off the seven-game homestand tomorrow afternoon...Wei-Yin Chen is slated to take the mound.

Hardy Powers O's Past Rays

It was a bittersweet victory...the O's took a share of first place in the East after a 9-2 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, but may have lost ace Jason Hammel.

Hammel (8-6) left in the fourth inning after he appeared to aggravate his right knee while on the mound. He had held the Rays to just one hit (a solo homer) and a walk. It was just his second start since rehabbing the knee after having surgery in July. Hammel said the pain he felt was similar and will undergo an MRI today. This would be a huge blow to a club that just lost Nick Markakis for the rest of the regular season...

The bullpen stepped-up, though. Steve Johnson (3-0) took the win, and five relievers combined to allow just a run (another solo shot) on four hits over the final 5 1/3 frames.

J.J. Hardy homered twice, drove in five runs and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Matt Wieters added a two-run double in the fifth and Chris Davis went Yard in the seventh.

With the Yankees falling in Boston, the Birds are tied for first and are two games ahead of the Rays. Miguel Gonzalez looks to extend the lead later tonight at Camden Yards...

A Yankee Spanking

The O's had a chance to take sole possession of first in the East but fell to New York in a 13-3 drubbing on Sunday afternoon.

Zach Britton lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks while fanning two. Britton (5-2) was looking for his fourth straight "W" but never found a rhythm; he walked in two runs in the fourth inning before being pulled for Jake Arrieta. The bullpen didn't fare much better, as four relievers combined to allow eight runs on nine hits and three free passes.

The O's scored all three runs in the fourth inning, cutting the Yankees lead to two runs, but the Birds managed just four hits all game and never came any closer.

It was revealed after the game that Nick Markakis would get surgery on his broken thumb suffered in Saturday night's contest. Nate McLouth batted lead-off while Chris Davis manned right field. Markakis hopes to return in four weeks...

The O's are off Monday before hosting Tampa By for three games starting Tuesday night. Miguel Gonzalez is slated to take the hill.

O's Survive Late Rally, Topple Yankees

The Yankees loaded the bases with none out against O's closer Jim Johnson in the ninth inning, but the Birds held on (with a little help from the first-base ump) to win 5-4 on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

The Yankees had scored once before the game ended after Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play...replays clearly showed Tex was safe with a head-first slide into first base. But the O's got a call that New York usually gets, and the game was over.

The Yankees had taken an early 2-0 lead against O's starter Joe Saunders, but the Birds tied the game at two in the second after back-to-back solo shots from mark Reynolds (who woulda thought?) and Lew Ford. Saunders (2-1) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out two. Darren O'Day and Brian Matusz turned in impressive outings out of the 'pen, but set-up man Pedro Strop struggled yet again. Strop allowed two hits (one a homer) and a walk after retiring two batters before Matusz bailed him out.

The Yankees made it interesting in the ninth, and had the ump made the right call the game would have been tied...instead, the Birds have taken two of three and are tied for first with New York with one game left between the two clubs. Zach Britton takes the mound Sunday afternoon...

Birds Bash Six Homers, Drop Yankees

The momentum had just shifted in the Yankees favor, as New York scored five times in the eighth inning to tie the game at six runs a piece. The O's answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame, homering three times, and took a 10-6 victory in front of a full house at Camden Yards on Thursday night.

The Birds started things off right, scoring four runs in the first inning, including a three-run bomb from Matt Wieters. Robert Andino added a solo shot in the fourth, and Mark Reynolds went deep in the sixth to put the O's on top 6-1. But New York battled back, taking advantage of Pedro Strop's lack of control to tie the game in the eighth.

Adam Jones led-off the bottom of the frame with a solo shot to left to put the Birds on top. After Wieters singled to right, Mark Reynolds struck again, slamming his eighth homer in the past seven games. The guy is a Yankee killer...he's had three multi-homer games against New York in the past week. Chris Davis finished off the scoring with a solo homer onto the flag court.

This was probably the most intense game I've ever been to at Camden Yards...over 46 thousand fans were rocking the park, and for the first time O's fans outnumbered Yankees fans in September. The place was LOUD. The atmosphere was electric; it felt like playoff baseball in Baltimore. Cal Ripken was honored earlier with a bronze statue and stayed to watch the magic of these 2012 Orioles...

Lost in the offensive barrage was the return of O's ace Jason Hammel. Hammel held the Yankees to just one run on six hits and two walks over five innings, striking out six. He took the no-decision after the Yanks roughed-up Strop; Darren O'Day (7-1) took the win.

The O's and Yankees now own identical 77-60 records, and face-off three more times over the weekend. The Birds send Wei-Yin Chen to the mound Friday night...

Birds Miss Out On Sweep Up North

The O's win streak was snapped at three after the club fell 6-4 to the Blue Jays in Toronto on Wednesday night.

The Birds struck first, scoring twice in the second. Toronto scored a single run in the second and third to tie the game, which remained knotted at two until the Jays broke it open with a four-run seventh.

Miguel Gonzalez wasn't rocked but took the loss and was charged with five runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four over 6 1/3 innings. Luis Ayala came on in relief and allowed both inherited runners to score before Brian Matusz came on to escape the inning with two strikeouts.

Mark Reynolds crushed a two-run homer in the ninth, his sixth in the last six games, but it just wasn't enough. The O's went 4-2 on the road trip and now sit a game behind the Yankees in the AL East. New York comes to town for a four-game showdown starting tonight. Jason Hammel returns from the DL and will take the mound. I'll be there for my Cal Ripken statue...Let's Go O's!

Britton Brilliant As O's Rout Jays

The Orioles ripped the Blue Jays apart on Tuesday night, knocking a season-high 18 hits in a 12-0 romp at Rogers Centre.

Zach Britton turned in yet another gem, going seven strong innings and allowing just four hits and two walks while fanning eight. Britton (5-1) set a career-high last start with 10 k's and has now won four straight.

The Birds matched a season-best with 12 runs, and they didn't get on the board until Mark Reynolds launched a three-run bomb in the fifth inning. Reynolds has five homers over the last five games and now has 17 long balls this season. The O's added another run in the sixth, three more in the seventh and another five in the eighth in their second consecutive shut out of Toronto.

Every O's starter except Robert Andino notched at least one hit...Nick Markakis, Chris Davis, Reynolds and Manny Machado all had three a piece...it was Machado's first three-hit game of his young career.

The win, coupled with a Yankees loss to Tampa Bay, gave the Birds a share of first place in the AL East. The O's and Yanks now share an identical 76-59 record...simply amazing. The Birds go for the sweep later tonight and send Miguel Gonzalez to the mound.

Saunders Impressive As O's Blank Blue Jays

Joe Saunders took a perfect game into the sixth inning, and the Birds toppled Toronto 4-0 on Monday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Saunders (1-1 as an Oriole) went 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits (all singles) and two walks while fanning two. The 'pen held the Jays hitless over the final 2 2/3 frames...

Of the O's nine hits, three went for doubles...J.J. Hardy led the team with two RBIs.

After three straight day games, the Birds battle the Jays on Tuesday night. Zach Britton is scheduled to take the hill.

Reynolds Powers O's Past Yanks

The Orioles took two of three from the Yankees in New York for the third time this season, crushing the Bombers 8-3 on Sunday afternoon.

Down 2-0 early, the Birds battled back and took the lead for good with a four-run sixth inning. Mark Reynolds homered twice for the second time this series, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat since David Ortiz in 2003. It was the first time since 1976 that the O's won all three series in New York's stadium.

The O's are now 7-7 against the Yankees this season, and the O's host New York for the final four regular-season contests next week. The Birds went into the Bronx three games behind the Bombers but left just two games back, and were oh so close to sweeping the home team.

The O's head to Canada to take on the last-place Jays for a three-game set starting Monday afternoon. Joe Saunders is slated to make his second start as an Oriole.

Chen's Stellar Start Wasted

The Orioles were cruising until the seventh inning, when a pair of free passes and an error gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead and eventually the win.

Wei-Yin Chen was stellar, and didn't allow a hit until serving-up a solo homer to Robinson Cano in the fourth inning. Chen (12-8) didn't allow another run until the fateful seventh frame. He gave up a run on a bloop single before being pulled in favor of Pedro Strop, who came on to get the final out. Strop had trouble finding the strike zone, walking Ichiro Suzuki to load the bases before walking Derek Jeter, knotting the game at three. A fielding error by J.J. Hardy allowed New York to take the lead. Strop was pulled in favor of Brian Matusz, who coaxed a pop-up to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

The O's had taken a 1-0 lead in the first and added another run in the second off a Manny Machado single. Matt Wieters added a solo shot in the fourth to give Chen a comfortable three-run cushion, but it just wasn't enough. The Birds went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and managed just three runs despite working eight walks off New York's staff.

A win would have put the O's just a game behind the slumping Yankees in the AL East, instead the Birds are now three games behind their divisional foes. The loss also snapped a franchise-best streak of 13 straight one-run victories. The Orioles still have a chance to win the series on Sunday afternoon; Chris Tillman looks to put the Birds back in the win column.

Gonzalez, Reynolds Lead O's Past Yanks

The Orioles kept the pressure on the Yankees on Friday night, beating their divisional rivals 6-1 in New York.

Miguel Gonzalez (6-3) was lights-out, allowing just four hits (all singles) and a walk while fanning a career-best nine batters over seven innings. Brian Matusz gave up a solo homer in the ninth but struck out two in a convincing series-opening win.

Mark Reynolds gave the Birds a 3-0 lead with a two-run shot in the second inning, and added a solo homer in the ninth. J.J. Hardy belted a solo homer in the sixth.

The O's now trail the Yankees in the East by just two games with two games remaining in this series. The Birds (73-58) trail Oakland by a game for the top Wild Card spot but hold sole possession of the second slot.

Things are getting pretty intense...the O's are in serious contention on September 1st. I've been waiting years for the Birds to play meaningful baseball this late in the season. Wei-Yin Chen looks to secure the series win later this afternoon.

Britton Brilliant As O's Topple Chi-Sox

The Orioles took the series from the Chicago White Sox with a 5-3 victory on Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards.

Zach Britton turned in one of his best performances...ever. He went eight solid innings, allowing just a run on seven hits, walking none while striking out a career-high ten. Britton (4-1) was in control the entire game...he never went to ball three against a single batter.

The O's were retired in order through the first eight batters before Taylor Teagarden went deep to tie the game in the third. It was the first of five straight extra-base hits...the four-run inning was capped-off with Adam Jones' 26th homer of the season and second in as many games.

The Birds (72-58) are now three games behind the first-place Yankees...and head to New York to start a three-game set on Friday night. Wow. Big series? That's an understatement. Miguel Gonzalez is slated to take the mound...stay tuned!

Saunders Rocked in O's Debut

The O's win streak was snapped at four as the Birds fell to Chicago 8-1 on Wednesday night at Camden Yards.

Joe Saunders, making his Orioles' debut, gave up four runs in the first and was charged with seven runs (six earned) on ten hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings, fanning four.

The O's managed just three hits in the game (two went for doubles) but scored only once on a sacrifice fly.

On the bright side, the Yankees had lost earlier so the Birds didn't lose any ground in the chase for first in the East. The Birds wrap-up the four game set on Thursday afternoon...Zach Britton is slated to take the mound.

Tillman Stifles Sox

The Orioles held the Chicago White Sox to just two hits in a 6-0 victory on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

Chris Tillman (7-2) went seven solid innings, allowing just an infield single while walking four and fanning five. Brian Matusz pitched the final two frames, allowing just an infield hit as well while striking out two.

The Birds put three runs on the board in the second inning with Nick Markakis' bases-clearing double. Lew Ford homered for the second straight game, a solo shot in the third. Adam Jones ended his drought with a solo homer in the seventh, his 25th of the season and 100th of his young career.

The O's have now won four straight and send newly acquired lefty Joe Saunders to the mound on Wednesday night.

McClouth Lifts O's Over White Sox

The Orioles won yet another one-run ballgame with a 4-3 victory over Chicago on Monday night at Camden Yards.

The O's took an early 1-0 lead on Lew Ford's first homer of the season. Chicago took the lead in the sixth and again in the eighth before Nate McClouth stepped to the plate in the bottom of the frame. Mark Reynolds had just worked his third walk of the game before McClouth crushed his second homer of the year.

The Birds set a new franchise record as they have now won 13 straight one-run games, and tied a season high as the went 13 games over .500. The O's (70-57) are now just 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the East and are tied with Oakland for the Wild Card lead. Chris Tillman takes the mound Tuesday night.

Rain Washes Chance At Sweep Away

Rain postponed Sunday afternoon's game between the O's and Jays. The game will be made-up as part of a doubleheader on Monday, September 24th at Camden Yards.

Johnson Solid As O's Spank Jays

Steve Johnson went six strong innings and the O's offense backed him up in an 8-2 win over Toronto on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

Johnson (2-0) allowed two runs in the first before settling down to pitch five scoreless frames. He allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out seven.

J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters had two RBIs each...Hardy doubled and homered in the game.

The O's go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon...Chris Tillman is slated to take the mound.

Chris Davis Powers O's Over Jays

It was fireworks night at Camden Yards on Friday night, and it was Chris Davis who provided the in-game show, launching three home runs in a 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Davis knocked solo shots in the second and fourth and then a two-run bomb in the sixth. The crowd came to its' feet in the eighth, but Davis went down swinging. No Oriole has ever hit four homers in a single game...

Davis now has 23 long-balls on the year, second only to Adam Jones (24) and now leads the team with 64 RBIs (Jones has 63).

Zach Britton turned in his second straight quality start, lasting 6 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on four hits and two walks, fanning six. Matt Lindstrom gave up a two-run shot in the ninth, but Jim Johnson retired the side to pick up his 39th save of the season, tied for best in the Majors.

The O's (68-57) are now tied with the A's for the second Wild Card spot...Steve Johnson takes the mound on Saturday night.

Hunter Rocked By Rangers

The O's were unable to take the series in Texas, as they were rocked 12-3 on Wednesday night.

Tommy Hunter allowed only a solo homer in the second inning before getting blasted in a nine-run fourth. Hunter (4-8) didn't record an out in that fateful frame, allowing seven runs on seven hits including a two-run shot and a grand slam. Kevin Gregg came on in relief and allowed another two-run blast, and suddenly a 1-1 tie ballgame was a 10-1 blowout...

Nick Markakis went 3-for-4 with a triple and drove in all three runs for the Birds.

Although they lost the series, the O's still went 3-3 on the road trip through Detroit and Texas, which was no small feat. The club rests on Thursday before hosting the Blue Jays for a three-game set starting Friday night. Zach Britton takes the mound for the O's.

Tillman Tops Texas

This playoff push is getting pretty exciting, and the O's continue to play great ball against great teams. Tuesday night was no exception, as the Orioles toppled the Texas rangers 5-3 in Arlington.

Chris Tillman was in command, allowing just a solo homer in the third before surrendering a two-run bomb in the seventh. Tillman (6-2) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out seven. Pedro Strop possibly saved the game with a full-count strikeout of Josh Hamilton with two on and two outs in the seventh. Jim Johnson was credited with the save after a 1-2-3 ninth.

The O's took a 1-0 lead in the first before breaking through with a four-run fifth. Nate McLouth launched his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, to cap-off the scoring.

The Yankees and Rays both lost, so the Orioles now trail them in the East by five and one game, respectively. The O's still hold sole possession of the second Wild Card spot. Tommy Hunter takes the mound tonight against his former team.

Gonzalez, O's Fall To Texas

It started out promising...the O's scored in the first inning but then were shut down in a 5-1 loss to the Rangers on Monday night.

Adam Jones' RBI single was all the Birds could muster as they were held to just four hits all night, all singles except for a Nate McLouth double in the first (he scored on Jones' single).

Miguel Gonzalez (5-3) lasted just five innings, surrendering four runs on eight hits and three walks, fanning two in the loss. J.C. Romero doesn't seem to be the left-handed solution out of the 'pen, as he surrendered another run in the ninth.

With the loss, the O's (66-56) fell six games behind the Yankees in the East, and two games behind the Rays in the Wild Card race, though they still hold the second spot. Chris Tillman looks to bounce back tonight and put the Birds back into the win column.

Birds Battle Back To Tame Tigers

It's almost become normal this season...these O's never say die. Down 5-0 in the first inning, the Orioles battled back to beat the Tigers 7-5 in Detroit on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers hadn't lost a home series since early June, winning 18 of their past 20 at Comerica Park, but the Birds took 2-of-3 from them over the weekend. It was the third time in the past 18 games that the O's have been down by five runs and came back to win.

Wie-Yin Chen (12-7) looked lost early, giving up five runs in the first inning. He settled down and dominated Detroit's potent lineup, lasting five innings and picking up an improbable win. The bullpen held the Tigers to just two hits over the final four frames...amazing. Jim Johnson retired the side in order in the ninth, recording his 37th save in 40 attempts this season.

The top of the order came through, with the first five batters in the lineup accounting for seven of the O's nine hits and all seven RBIs. Chris Davis homered for the second consecutive game, J.J. Hardy celebrated his 30th Birthday with a two-run double and Nate McLouth had a two-run triple.

The Orioles (66-55) are still in third in the East but now hold sole possession of the second Wild Card spot. The Birds send Miguel Gonzalez to the mound on Monday night as they take on the Rangers for a three-game set in Texas.

Britton Solid As O's Top Tigers

Zach Britton went seven scoreless innings and the O's toppled the Tigers 3-2 on Saturday night.

Britton (2-1) allowed just six hits and three walks, striking out five in his best outing of the season. Pedro Strop allowed two runs in the eighth but Jim Johnson shut the door and picked up his 36th save of the season. The O's improved to 50-0 when leading after seven innings...amazing.

Chris Davis provided all the offense with a three-run shot in the seventh inning, his 19th of the season.

With the win, the O's (65-55) took sole possession of the second Wild Card spot...Detroit is just one game behind them. The Birds look to take the series on Sunday afternoon; Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound.

Heartbreak In Detroit

A usually solid bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth and the Birds fell to the Tigers 5-3 on Friday night in Detroit.

Tommy Hunter matched Justin Verlander for six innings...Hunter left with the game knotted at three. Hunter allowed just four hits, but two of them were homers. J.C. Romero gave up a two-run bomb in the bottom of the eighth to break the tie and give the Tigers the lead.

It was a horrific game for the umpires...Nick Markakis was called out at the plate in the first inning, though multiple replays showed he was safe. Then in the fifth, the umps reversed a call at first base, initially calling Jhonny Peralta out then saying he was safe. Mark Reynolds was ejected after spiking his glove in frustration, and Buck Showalter was tossed after arguing about the call. Just another day in MLB, and yet another reason for instant replay in baseball.

Nick Markakis went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, and Matt Wieters launched a two-run bomb in the fifth, his 17th of the season.

The Birds (64-55) now share the second Wild Card spot with the Tigers (64-55). Zach Britton takes the mound on Saturday night.

Tillman, O's Can't Complete The Sweep

The Birds had a chance to sweep Boston, but fell 6-3 on Thursday night at Camden Yards, ending the 10-game homestand with an impressive 7-3 record.

Chris Tillman wasn't sharp, and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks in just 4 2/3 innings, striking out five. Luis Ayala (4-4) took the loss after allowing three runs to cross in the sixth inning.

Adam Jones put the Birds on the board early with a two-run double in the first, and Mark Reynolds went deep for the fourth time in three games in the second to put the O's up 3-1. But that was all the offense the Orioles could muster, and Tillman and the 'pen were unable to hold the Sox in check.

Still, the Birds put together a great series, sweeping Seattle, splitting against Kansas City and taking 2-of-3 against Boston. The O's (64-54) are still in contention, tied with Tampa Bay for the Wild Card lead. Tommy Hunter takes the mound Friday night as the O's face-off against the Tigers in Detroit.

No-Hit Through Five, O's Explode in Sixth

Through five innings, it looked like the Red Sox were going to dominate the Orioles in front of 22 thousand fans at Camden Yards. But, for the second time in two nights, the O's rallied and scored five times in the sixth inning, beating Boston 5-3 on Wednesday night.

J.J. Hardy's single in the sixth broke up the no-hitter, and the O's piled it on from there, scoring five runs on five hits, a walk and a throwing error. Matt Wieters ground-rule double put the Birds ahead for good, followed by a two-run double from Mark Reynolds. Reynolds now has six RBIs in the past two games...

Miguel Gonzalez continued to impress, allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk over six solid innings, striking out two. Gonzalez (5-2) mentioned after the game that he brought a little extra motivation facing his former team...the Sox released him before the season started.

The 'pen was lights out yet again, with Jim Johnson collecting his 35th save of the year after a 1-2-3 ninth. The Orioles (64-53) have a chance to sweep the Sox and go 8-2 on the homestand with a win tonight. The Birds are now in sole possession of the first Wild Card spot in the AL. Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight...Let's Go O's!

O's Roll Over Boston

It was a tight game before the O's blew it open with a five-run sixth, spanking the Boston Red Sox 7-1 on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

Mark Reynolds finally showed signs of life, homering twice and driving in four runs. Omar Quintanilla put the Birds on the board with a solo homer in the third before Reynolds went nuts, bashing a solo shot in the fifth and drilling a three-run bomb in the sixth to cap-off the scoring. Quintanilla now has three long balls since joining the O's, equaling his career total...

Wei-Yin Chen (11-7) was impressive, allowing just one run on nine hits and a walk over six solid innings, fanning four. The bullpen came on and was lights-out, as we've all come to expect at this point of the season...

The O's have now won two straight and have gone 6-2 on the homestand. Miguel Gonzalez takes the mound on Wednesday night.

O's Split Series With KC

Tommy Hunter lasted just five innings but the O's bullpen held the Royals hitless over the final four frames in a 5-3 win on Sunday afternoon.

Manny Machado put the Birds on the board with a two-run shot in the second inning...Machado has now gone deep three times in his first four games as an Oriole. Nick Markakis slapped a solo homer in the fifth to knot the game at three, and Mark Reynolds put the O's ahead to stay with an RBI single in the sixth. Former Oriole Bruce Chen (8-10) took the loss.

Hunter allowed just three runs on eight hits and two walks over his five frames, striking out two and allowing yet another solo home run. The bullpen was fantastic, allowing just one baserunner over the final four innings. Luis Ayala (4-3) took the win and Jim Johnson picked up his 34th save, second-best in the AL.

The Birds are in third in the East but have the second Wild Card spot as of this post. After Monday's off-day, the O's take on Boston for a three-game set. Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound on Tuesday...

After Long Delay, O's Fall To Royals

The O's endured a rain delay that lasted over three hours before falling to Kansas City 7-3 on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

Chris Tillman was tagged for six runs on six hits (three homers) and two walks, fanning five. Miguel Socolovich came on in relief and served up a solo homer to a suddenly power-hitting Royals club.

Down 7-0, the O's made it a game with a three-run seventh, but the rally was cut short after Adam Jones grounded out with runners on second and third.

The Birds have now dropped two of three to Kansas City, the worst team in the AL. They need to win on Sunday afternoon to split the series and stay in the running, as the loss dropped them to third in the East and into third in the Wild Card race. Tommy Hunter takes the mound and will face ex-Oriole Bruce Chen.

Machado Homers Twice As O's Roll Over Royals

The kid might be here to stay...Manny Machado homered twice and drove in four runs as the O's crushed Kansas City 7-1 on Friday night at Camden Yards.

In just his second Major League game, Machado connected for a solo shot in the fifth before launching a three-run bomb in the sixth. The same fan caught both balls, and traded them for some signed memorabilia after the game.

Equally impressive was starter Miguel Gonzalez, who pitched eight innings of one-run ball. Gonzalez (4-2) allowed just six hits (one a solo homer) and a walk while fanning five in the longest outing of his career.

The O's (61-52) are now tied with Detroit for the Wild Card lead and trail the Yankees by 5 1/2 games in the East. Chris Tillman takes the mound on Saturday night.

Chen Roughed Up As O's Fall To Royals

Wei-Yin Chen got hit hard early and the O's never recovered in an 8-2 loss to the visiting Royals on Thursday night.

Chen (10-7) gave up four runs on four hits in the first inning and never really found his groove. His night was finished after just 4 2/3 innings, and he was charged with seven runs on nine hits and a walk.

Manny Machado made his long-awaited debut as an Oriole and went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.

The O's win streak was snapped at five games...they have yet to win six straight this season. The two clubs go at it again on Friday night, with Miguel Gonzalez slated to pitch for the Birds.

Johnson Shines As O's Sweep M's

The Birds swept Seattle out of town after a decisive 9-2 victory on Wednesday night at Camden Yards.

Steve Johnson received plenty of run support in his starting debut, as the Birds went ahead 7-0 after four innings. Johnson (1-0) went six innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out nine.

Matt Wieters went 2-for-5 and tied his career-best with five RBIs. Nick Markakis tripled and homered, and Adam Jones went 3-for-4 with two doubles.

The Birds have now won five straight for the fifth time this season...they have yet to reach six straight. Wei-Yin Chen looks to give the O's a new season-best mark on Thursday night.

Birds Walk Off With Win In 14th

The O's won their 12th straight extra-inning affair after Adam Jones' bases-loaded single in the 14th inning gave the Birds an 8-7 walk-off win on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

Zach Britton struggled early, allowing five runs in the first and another pair in the second. Britton lasted five innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks, fanning six. Britton was the main question mark of this current rotation, and was optioned to Norfolk following the game...

The Birds battled back from two separate five-run deficits, scoring four runs in the seventh to knot the game at 7-7. Matt Wieters launched two solo homers and J.J. Hardy's three-run blast in the seventh was the big blow of the game. Nick Markakis went 4-for-7 with an RBI.

The O's go for the sweep on Wednesday night...Steve Johnson was called up from Triple-A and will make his first Major League start for the O's.

Tillman Stifles Mariners Yet Again

Chris Tillman should pretend he's facing the Seattle Mariners every time he takes the mound. Tillman pitched into the eighth inning in the O's 3-1 win over the M's on Monday night at Camden Yards.

Tillman (5-1) has been pretty consistent since being called up right before the All-Star break, with a decision in each of his six starts. He went 7 1/3 innings Monday, allowing just a run on five hits and a walk, fanning five. He pitched into the 9th his first outing against Seattle in early July...he seems to bring a little extra in his starts against his former club. In three career starts against Seattle he is now 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA.

The Birds scored all three of their runs in the second inning...Mark Reynolds slapped an RBI double and Nick Markakis drove him home with his 11th long ball of the season.

The Birds have now won three straight and have given up just three runs over the last four games. Zach Britton, the question mark in this current rotation, looks to continue that trend on Tuesday night.

O's Topple Tampa In Ten

As soon as the game went into extras, I had a good feeling the O's would pull it off...and they didn't disappoint. The Birds scored in the top of the 10th and went on to beat the Rays 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.

The Orioles have now won 11 straight extra-inning games, a franchise record. The club is 11-2 in extras after dropping the first two against the Yankees in early April.

Taylor Teagarden was the hero on Sunday, driving home Mark Reynolds with a two-out, full-count double in the tenth. It was just the third hit of the season for Teagarden, but two of those hits have been game-winners in extra innings...

Miguel Gonzalez matched Rays' ace David Price efforts, as both pitchers took shutouts into the later innings. Gonzalez went seven strong, allowing just two hits and four walks while fanning four. The 'pen limited Tampa to just two baserunners over the final three frames...Luis Ayala (3-3) picked up the win and Jim Johnson earned his 32nd save after a 1-2-3 tenth.

The O's certainly impressed over this six-game road trip, taking 2-of-3 in New York and then again against Tampa. The Birds are once again in sole possession of second place in the East and are just a game out of the Wild Card. They start a ten-game homestand tonight, with three games against Seattle up first. Chris Tillman looks to pick up his fifth win of the season.

Chen Does It Again

Wei-Yin Chen blanked the Rays en route to his tenth win of the season, and the Birds evened-up the series with a 4-0 win over Tampa on Saturday night.

Chen (10-6) allowed just five hits and a walk while fanning four over seven shut-out innings. He's the first Oriole to hit double digits in W's this season, and only the second Taiwanese-born player to accomplish the feat.

The Birds finally broke out of their slump, going 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position. All four runs came with two outs.

The O's and Rays are both 56-51 and tied for second place in the East. The two clubs go at it again on Sunday afternoon, with Miguel Gonzalez taking the mound for the Birds.

O's Blanked In St. Pete

Tommy Hunter pitched a pretty good game, but the O's offensive woes continued in a 2-0 loss to the Rays on Friday night.

Hunter went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while fanning three. Unfortunately, two of those hits went over the fence, as Hunter now leads the Majors with 26 dingers allowed this season.

The O's had men on base throughout the game but never got that one clutch hit when it mattered...the Birds loaded the bases in the very first inning but Mark Reynolds struck out to end the early threat. Overall, Baltimore outhit Tampa Bay 8-6, but the O's went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.

With the loss, the Birds fell to third place in the East, as the Rays picked up a full game on the O's and moved into sole possession of second. Wei-Yin Chen looks to put the Orioles back into the win column on Saturday night.

Birds Blown Away In Series Finale

It just wasn't meant to be, I guess. The O's had a chance to sweep a three-game series in New York for the first time since 1986, but were pummeled by the Yankees 12-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

Zach Britton looked awful early, and was tagged for seven runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings. Kevin Gregg came on in relief and gave up a grand slam. Things got a little crazy, to say the least.

The Birds actually managed to churn out 13 hits, but just four went for extra bases. The stat that hurts the most: the O's went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11 men on base. J.J. Hardy went deep in the seventh inning, but it was way too little, too late.

The O's win streak was snapped at three and the club now has Thursday off before starting a three-game set  against the Rays over the weekend.  The Birds (55-50) are now 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees but as of this post are 1/2 a game in front of Tampa Bay.

Seven-Run Second Inning Sinks Yankees

After the Yankees scored five runs in the first inning, things looked bleak for the Birds. But the O's answered with a seven-run second inning and went on to beat New York 11-5 on Tuesday night.

Chris Tillman settled down after a horrific start and lasted five innings, giving up the five runs (four earned) on  eight hits, walking none while fanning three. Tillman (4-1) has now won three straight games, and he almost didn't make it out of the first inning...

After falling behind, the Birds came out swinging in the second inning, and scored all seven runs with two outs. It was simply incredible to watch, and it took the wind right out of New York's sails. The stadium had erupted in the first inning, but the murmurs and boos were audible as the O's took control of the game one inning later. The Birds took the lead for good after Chris Davis launched his first career grand slam to cap-off the second inning. The O's continued to tack-on runs, with Nick Markakis' two-run blast in the eighth ending the scoring parade.

The Birds go for the three-game sweep on Wednesday afternoon...the club hasn't swept New York in the Bronx since 1986. It's long overdue...Zach Britton will take the mound.

O's Hang On To Take Down Yanks

In an intense game that came down to the wire, the O's prevailed, topping the Yankees 5-4 on Monday night in New York.

Miguel Gonzalez (3-2) continued to impress on the road, allowing four runs on six hits (three were solo homers) in 6 2/3 innings. Gonzalez set a new career-best with eight strikeouts, walking none in the 111-pitch effort. Gonzalez clearly ran out of gas in the sixth, and was pulled after allowing back-to-back solo homers after recording two outs.

Wilson Betemit put the Birds on the board with a solo homer in the third, and the O's added another two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh...they would need all of them.

 Jim Johnson came on in the ninth to preserve the one-run lead, and promptly gave up a lead-off double...things looked bleak. But Johnson struck out Russell Martin for the final out, stranding runners on second and third and notching his AL-best 31st save in the process.

The O's (54-49) are now 6 1/2 games behind the division-leading Yankees and are two games out in the Wild Card race. Chris Tillman looks to win his third straight game when he takes the mound Tuesday night.

Chen Twirls A Gem

Wei-Yin Chen struck out 12 batters and Matt Wieters homered to give the Birds a 6-1 victory over the A's on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

Chen (9-6) lasted just 5 2/3 innings but set a career-high in K's and set a new record for most strikeouts in a single game by a Taiwanese-born player. Chen gave up just three hits and an unearned run while walking four.

The O's gave him more than enough support in a four-run third inning, capped-off with a three-run bomb from Matt Wieters. Omar Quintanilla slapped his first homer as an Oriole, a solo shot, in the sixth inning. 


The O's finished the homestand with a dismal 2-4 record, but now head to New York with some momentum. Miguel Gonzalez is slated to take the mound at Yankee stadium on Monday night. 

Hunter, O's Drop Second Straight To A's

Tommy Hunter gave up two more homers and the Birds were held scoreless until the ninth inning in a 6-1 loss to the Athletics on Saturday night.

Hunter (4-6) lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. He surrendered two two-run homers and has now served-up 24 long-balls on the season, the second-most in the AL.

The O's bats fell quiet once again... Nick Markakis' solo homer in the ninth put the Birds on the board and kept the O's from being shut out. The Orioles actually had 10 hits compared to Oakland's 11, but they failed to get the timely hits, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding 11 men on base.

The Birds send Wei-Yin Chen to the mound on Sunday afternoon as they look to avoid the sweep. The O's (52-49) are now tied with Tampa for second in the East and are three games behind Oakland and Anaheim for the Wild Card spot.

Johnson Rocked As O's Fall To A's

It had to happen eventually...the Orioles hadn't lost a game this season when leading after eight innings. On Friday night, the A's scored six times in the ninth inning off Jim Johnson and won the game 14-9.

It was Johnson's first loss of the season, but it couldn't have come at a worse time. The Birds had battled back all game, coming back from an early 5-0 deficit to take a 6-5 lead in the fifth after Adam Jones blasted a three-run bomb. The A's came right back, but the O's scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to go ahead 9-8. Three outs to go...bring in the All-Star closer and take Game 1. That was the plan, at least.

Johnson struggled and was charged with six runs on five hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning, and that was it for the Birds. There was no comeback left after that shocker.

The O's needed this one, considering they are fighting Oakland for the second wild card spot. They'll send Tommy Hunter to the mound on Saturday night.

Tillman, O's Avoid The Sweep

After dropping two straight to the visiting Rays, the Birds managed to salvage the series with a 6-2 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the O's reclaimed sole possession of second place in the East.

On Tuesday, the O's fell to the Rays 3-1. Wei-Yin Chen allowed all three runs on four hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings, striking out five. But the bats were silent for a second straight game, with the O's only run coming in the fourth on Adam Jones' 23rd homer of the season.

Wednesday's game was just plain ugly. Miguel Gonzalez gave up five runs in the first inning and the O's went on to lose 10-1. The loss snapped six straight quality starts for the O's staff, and was the third straight game the offense managed just a single run. The O's and Rays fell into a tie for second in the division.

But on Thursday, Chris Tillman won consecutive starts for the first time in his Major League career as the O's bats came to life. Tillman (3-1) went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks while fanning five. Chris Davis misplayed a ball in left field that contributed to at least one of those runs, but he more than made up for it at the plate. Davis had a three-run double in a five-run fifth inning before launching a solo homer in the seventh to finish with four ribbies.

The O's host the red-hot Athletics for three games starting Friday night. Zach Britton takes the mound for the Birds.

No Offense As O's Win Streak Snapped

The Birds just missed out on a four-game sweep, falling to Cleveland 3-1 on Monday night.

Tommy Hunter turned in another quality start, allowing just three runs on eight hits over seven innings, walking none while striking out four. But Hunter (4-5) was tagged with the loss, as the O's offense struggled to get anything going offensively.

The Birds grounded into three double plays and twice made base-running blunders. The Birds had a real chance to tie the game or even take the lead in the eighth, but Nick Markakis missed the stop sign and was caught up between third and home. Instead of two in scoring position and one out, the O's had a man on third with two outs and failed to score. The Indians tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the frame...

The Orioles wrapped-up the eight-game road trip with a 5-3 record and are still in sole possession of second place in the east. The Birds are back in Baltimore for six games and kick it off with three against the third-place Rays tonight...Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound.

O's Hold On To Win Fifth Straight

Zach Britton pitched six shutout innings and the bullpen held off a late Cleveland rally in a 4-3 Orioles win on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.

J.J. Hardy homered in the first inning and singled in a run in the seventh to finish the day 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Wilson Betemit went deep in the eighth off former Oriole Jeremy Accardo to put the Birds up 4-0.

Britton (1-0) had much better command than he did in his debut last week, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out five, and ended his outing with a bases-loaded strikeout. Luis Ayala pitched two scoreless innings before serving up a two-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth. Jim Johnson allowed another run to cross before striking out Asdrubal Cabrera to end the threat and the game. Johnson leads the Majors with 30 saves, and the O's are a perfect 38-0 when leading after seven innings this season.


The Birds have now won five straight and are still in contention in the East, trailing the Yankees by six games.  Tommy Hunter takes the mound on Monday night as the O's go for the four-game sweep of the Tribe.

Late Homers Lift O's Over Tribe

It looked like it could be another long day for Chris Tillman after he served-up a homer to the first batter he faced on Saturday night, but it was the only run he allowed in a 3-1 victory over Cleveland.

Tillman (2-1) gave up just six hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking one while fanning four in a 116-pitch outing.

Jim Thome put the Birds on the board with a two-run shot in the seventh, and Ryan Flaherty padded the lead with a solo blast in the eighth. Both Thome and Flaherty have now homered in back-to-back games.

The O's have won four straight and sit alone in second place in the East. Zach Britton looks to bounce back from a four-inning effort his last time out and give the O's a series win on Sunday afternoon. The two clubs wrap-up the four-game set on Monday night.

O's Rock Cleveland

The O's bats came to life in a 10-2 drubbing of Cleveland on Friday night.

The two clubs were tied at one after an inning before the Birds exploded with a six-run third and two more in the fourth to take a commanding lead. Jim Thome connected for his first homer as an Oriole in the fourth inning, the 610th of his career.

Miguel Gonzalez picked up his second win after holding the Tribe to two solo home runs in 6 2/3 innings. Gonzalez (2-1) gave up seven hits, walked two and fanned five in a 114-pitch performance.

The Birds have now won three straight on the road after dropping the first two to Minnesota. Chris Tillman takes the mound and looks to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season.

Birds Exit Minnesota With A Series Split

The O's managed to escape Minnesota with a series split after a 4-3 victory on Thursday afternoon.

It was quite a turnaround considering how the first two games of the series played out...

On Monday, the Birds were absolutely humiliated in a 19-7 spanking to begin the four-game series. Chris Tillman allowed seven runs (just one earned thanks to yet another Mark Reynolds error) and lasted just 2/3 of an inning, throwing 49 pitches. Tillman (1-1) and six relievers combined to give up 20 hits and five walks while fanning just three.

Tuesday's game wasn't much better, as the O's let a 4-1 lead slip away moments after taking it. Zach Britton's season debut lasted just four innings, as he surrendered four runs on six hits and six walks and needed 100 pitches to get 12 outs. Adam Jones gave the Birds the lead with a three-run bomb in the fifth, but the Twins scored three times in the bottom of the frame and twice more in the seventh.

Tommy Hunter set things right on Wednesday with his longest outing of the season. Hunter went 7 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, fanning one. Adam Jones put the O's on the board with a two-run shot in the first, and that held up in a 2-1 victory.

Then on Thursday afternoon, it was Wei-Yin Chen's time to shine. Chen (8-5) lasted seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five. Chris Davis put the O's on the board with a mammoth solo shot in the second, and Mark Reynolds gave them the lead with a two-run bloop single in the eighth. Jim Johnson closed it out and picked up his 28th save of the season.

The Birds are now 48-44 and have reclaimed sole possession of 2nd place in the East, trailing the Yankees by nine games. The O's and Cleveland kick-off a four-game set later tonight, with Miguel Gonzalez taking the mound for the Birds.

Verlander Shuts Down Birds

I was hoping the O's had turned a corner after their thrilling 13-inning victory on Saturday night, but the Birds looked flat in a 4-0 defeat to Justin Verlander's Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

The Birds managed just four hits in the game, three coming from DH Jim Thome. Miguel Gonzalez pitched an OK game but he was nowhere near the dominant force he was in his previous start in Anaheim. Gonzalez (1-1) allowed three runs on six hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out three.

The Birds dropped the series to Detroit and now head to Minnesota to begin an eight-game road trip. Chris Tillman takes the mound on Monday night.

Teagarden Leads O's To Walk-Off Win In 13th

It could have gone either way...it would have been a devastating loss, possibly the worst of the season. Instead, the O's sent fans home happy with a dramatic 8-6 win in 13 innings on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

The Birds took a 4-1 lead into the ninth inning and closer Jim Johnson took the field, but things soon got ugly. An error by defensive replacement Ryan Flaherty led to two unearned runs and Johnson blew just his second save of the season after the Tigers tied it up.

Detroit took a one-run lead in the top of the 11th, but a two-out single from Adam Jones knotted the game at five. The Tigers scored again in the 13th, but once again, the Birds came through. J.J. Hardy broke an 0-for-28 slump with a solo shot to left before Taylor Teagarden stepped to the plate with one on and two outs. Teagarden, appearing in his first game of the season, launched a two-run bomb to right to give the O's a thrilling walk-off win. The Birds have now won 10 straight extra-inning contests after dropping the first two of the season to the Yankees.

The Birds turn to Miguel Gonzalez on Sunday afternoon; he'll go up against Tigers' ace Justin Verlander.

Hammel Injured As O's Fall To Tigers

This is not the way I envisioned the O's opening the second half- Jason Hammel exited the game in the fourth inning after injuring his knee and the O's were held to just six hits in a 7-2 loss to Detroit on Friday night at Camden Yards.

It was actually really tough to watch this game...I was extremely excited to see how this club would kick-off the second half. Hammel was on the mound, Nick Markakis was back in the lineup, the O's had just signed their top draft pick Kevin Gausman and the team, although struggling as of late, was well-rested and in sole possession of second place in the East.

Hammel (8-6) allowed two early runs on four singles in the first inning before settling down. Typically, Hammel is lights-out in the first inning...a graphic on MASN showed that he had only allowed two first-inning earned runs in his first 17 starts. But he equaled that total on Friday night, and left in the fourth inning after injuring his knee. Hammel has an MRI scheduled for Saturday afternoon...

Markakis, batting leadoff for the first time in his career, drove in the first run of the game with a ground-rule double in the third inning, but that was all the O's managed until Matt Wieters drove home Adam Jones with a double in the ninth.

With the loss, the Birds (45-41) maintained their hold on second in the division but now trail New York by eight games and lead Tampa Bay by just 1/2 game. Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound Saturday afternoon and looks to lead the O's back to the win column. I'll be there to cheer on the home team and pick up my Jim Palmer commemorative statue.

O's Head Into Break In Second Place

OK, so this post is a little late...after losing power for four days and heading to Ocean City for a week of vacation, I neglected my Orioles blog. I apologize. I'm back for the rest of the season, I promise.

I'll make this post short and sweet...the O's virtually limped into the All-Star Break but managed to hold on to second place in the ultra-competitive AL East. Every team in the division was at .500 or better at the break, something I don't believe I've ever seen before.

The Birds sent three players to the All-Star Game in Kansas City: Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and Jim Johnson. Jason Hammel fell just short of joining the team with the final fan vote.

It's the first time since 2005 that the O's (45-40) hit mid-season with a winning record. There is certainly a lot to like about this club, but they have struggled recently and there is a lot to work on if they want to remain in contention through the rest of the season.

Stay tuned and Let's Go O's!

Tribe Spanks O's

The O's starting and relief pitching had no answers for the Indians offense, allowing 19 hits in a crushing 11-5 loss on Saturday afternoon.

Dana Eveland was roughed-up early, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks in just 3 2/3 innings. Tommy Hunter followed and was even worse, surrendering another five runs on eight hits and a walk in only 1 2/3 innings. The 'pen allowed just a run in the final frames but the damage had been done. The 19 hits allowed tied a season-worst for the staff...

The closest the Orioles ever came was in the fourth, when Chris Davis launched a three-run bomb to trim the Indians lead to 5-4.

The O's have struggled recently in every facet of the game; they committed another two errors defensively. The starting pitching has been atrocious and the offense has been non-existent up until the past two games. Still, the Birds can split the series with Cleveland with a win on Sunday afternoon. Brian Matusz takes the mound for the Birds.

O's Outlast Indians

It wasn't pretty, but the O's snapped their three-game slide with a 9-8 win over the Indians on Friday night at Camden Yards.

The Birds hadn't scored more than three runs in a game in two weeks...they scored three times in the first inning. But it wasn't nearly enough, as Cleveland just refused to lay down. Every time the O's took a lead the Indians would come charging back.

Matt Wieters gave the O's a 7-5 lead with a three-run blast onto Eutaw Street in the sixth inning, but the Indians tied it up in the seventh. Ryan Flaherty's RBI single gave the Birds the lead in the bottom of the frame, and Xavier Avery launched his first big-league blast, a solo homer, in the eighth (he got the shaving cream pie in the face post-game).

Jake Arrieta lasted just 3 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs on eight hits and two walks. The 'pen allowed another eight hits and three runs but the offense stepped-up and didn't let this one slip away...Matt Lindstrom picked up his first win of the season and Jim Johnson closed the door for his 23rd save.

Dana Eveland takes the mound for the Birds Saturday afternoon. I'll be there for my Earl Weaver statue...

Chen, O's Fall To Tribe

It's getting pretty ugly. The O's dropped their third straight game, falling to the visiting Cleveland Indians 7-2 on Thursday.

And it's not like these games were close. The Birds have been outscored 27-6 over these past three losses. The pitching is now starting to go downhill, after about two weeks of no offense. It's like the starters know they have to hold the other team to all zeroes, and they are trying to be too fine...it isn't working. The offense has completely vanished, and the Birds are in the middle of a 3-for-52 slump with runners in scoring position...

Wei-Yin Chen was the latest starter to falter, surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings, striking out three and serving up two long balls.

J.J. Hardy was the offensive star of the game, going 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer, his 12th of the season. But that was all the O's could manage, going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranding six runners on base.

Jake Arrieta takes the mound on Friday night...here's hoping the Birds find their bats.

A Series To Forget

The last two games were so rough I had to combine them into one story...and I honestly don't even want to do that. But I've put it off long enough...

The Birds were absolutely annihilated in a two-game series against the Angels, allowing 33 hits and 20 runs while scoring just four of their own. On Tuesday, Brian Matusz and the O's lost 7-3, and the Angels racked-up 17 hits. I didn't think it could get any worse. I was wrong. On Wednesday night, Jason Hammel got rocked, and the Birds fell to the visiting club 13-1.

I honestly don't have much else to say...let's just forget this series and move on.

Wieters Lifts O's Over Nats

For seven innings, it looked as if the O's offense was going to let Jake Arrieta and the bullpen down. But Matt Wieters' two-run bomb in the eighth lifted the Birds to a 2-1, series-clinching win over the Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

The O's had managed just six hits, all singles, before Wieters' blast. The Birds have been in a major funk offensively, and finished Sunday's game 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. In fact, the Birds have gone just 1-for-33 with runners in scoring position during the drought...

Jake Arrieta struggled early but settled down and allowed just a run on five hits and a walk over six innings, fanning five. The bullpen continued its stellar run, with three relievers holding the Nats to just one hit over the final three frames. Pedro Strop picked up the win and Jim Johnson recorded his 22nd save after a strike-em' out, throw-em' out play ended the game.

The O's have Monday off before hosting the Angels for two games...Brian Matusz takes the mound on Tuesday night.

Chen Falls To Nats As Offense Struggles

The O's offense failed to show up again in a 3-1 loss to the visiting Nationals in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday night.


Wei-Yin Chen surrendered all three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks in five innings, fanning four. Chen (7-3) has faced the Nats twice this season and has lost both contests. The defense didn't help him out...Wilson Betemit's throwing error with two outs and two on in the 2nd led to two runs. The Birds' defense continues to betray them, and they lead the Majors with 63 errors this season.

The O's managed just five hits and were no-hit through the first four frames. Adam Jones launched his team-leading 19th homer in the seventh, but that was all the offense could manage. The entire team is slumping at the same time, which is never good. The Orioles have scored just 16 runs over the last eight games...

Jake Arrieta takes the mound in the rubber-match on Sunday afternoon. The O's have Monday off before hosting the Angels for a two-game series starting on Tuesday night.

Hammel Brilliant Once Again

Fresh off a complete-game, one-hit shutout, Jason Hammel held the Nationals to just an unearned run as the O's topped the Nationals 2-1 on Friday night in front of a full house at Camden Yards.

Hammel (8-2) went eight innings, tying a career-best set earlier this season with 10 strikeouts while walking none. He gave up just one unearned run on five hits, lowering his ERA to 2.61 in the process. Hammel hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 19 innings,,,

Mark Reynolds put the Birds on the board in the second with his sixth homer of the season, a solo shot to left. Reynolds also committed two errors, one leading to the Nats only run, and now has nine this year in 49 games. I'm hoping Reynolds' bat is finally heating up...we need more homers than errors from this guy.

Buck Showalter pulled Hammel after 96 pitches, electing to go with closer Jim Johnson in the ninth. The skipper said after the game that he was trying to keep Hammel under 100 pitches so he could make his next scheduled start on normal rest. Johnson allowed a walk but picked up his 21st save of the year.

With the Yankees falling to the Mets, the O's (40-30) are again just a game and a half out of first in the East, and send Wei-Yin Chen to the mound on Saturday night for a nationally televised game on FOX.

O's Avoid The Shutout But Not The Sweep

The O's were swept out of New York after falling to the Mets 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Wilson Betemit finally put the O's on the board after a stretch of 28 scoreless innings dating back to the series in Atlanta. Betemit launched a two-run bomb in the eighth inning, and the O's scored once more in the ninth, but Brian Roberts grounded out with the bases loaded to end the threat, and the game.

Brian Matusz was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks in just 4 2/3 innings. Matusz (5-8) didn't pitch poorly but tossed 93 pitches before yielding to the 'pen.

The O's are off Thursday before hosting the Nationals over the weekend. I can only hope that the late-inning offense is a sign of offensive life after the O's managed just 12 runs during the six-game road trip (with five coming in one game). Jason Hammel takes the mound on Friday night at Camden Yards.

For O's, It's Deja Vu All Over Again

A different day, but the same result. The Birds were blanked for the second straight game, falling 5-0 again to the New York Mets on Tuesday night at Citi Field.

This time, the O's managed more than one hit...they got five. But none came with runners in scoring position, as the Birds went 0-for-9 in that all-important category. Matt Wieters was the only O' with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk.

Tommy Hunter looked good early but faltered in the later innings, allowing four of his five charged runs in the  sixth and seventh frames. Hunter lasted 6 1/3 innings, giving up those five runs on seven hits and one walk, fanning three. It was the first walk Hunter allowed in his last three starts, but he again allowed the long ball to beat him. The Birds were down just 1-0 when Hunter served-up a game-changing two-run shot in the sixth inning.

This marked the first time since April 2005 that the O's were blanked in back-to-back games. This club reminds me a lot of that 05' club, mainly because it was the last time the Birds were in contention this late in a season. We just have to hope that these O's don't collapse like that team did...

The good news? The Yankees 10-game win streak was snapped, so the Birds didn't lose any ground to the Bombers. Brian Matusz looks to salvage the final game against the Mets later tonight; a win would give the O's a respectable 3-3 Interleague road trip. The Orioles are off Thursday before hosting the Nationals for a three-game set starting Friday night.

O's Blanked At Citi Field

The Birds were one-hit by the New York Mets, falling 5-0 at Citi Field on Monday night.

Jake Arrieta took a shutout into the sixth inning but was nowhere near as impressive as the Mets' R.A. Dickey. Arrieta (3-9) made one bad pitch: a grand slam that all but assured the Mets a victory. Dickey (11-1) walked two and fanned 13 in his second consecutive one-hitter (he blanked the Rays last week).

With the loss and a Yankees win, the Birds dropped a season-worst 2 1/2 games out of first in the East and now turn to Tommy Hunter to right the ship on Tuesday night. Johan Santana is slated to take the hill for the Mets, but as long as Dickey isn't on the mound, I like the O's chances!

Chen Sparkles As O's Take Series In Atlanta

Again, my apologies. My post is a day late and probably a Buck short...but here goes nothing.

That pretty much sums up Atlanta's offense for the second straight game...NOTHING. Wei-Yin Chen pitched seven scoreless innings and the Birds blanked the Braves for the second straight game, winning 2-0.

Chen (7-2) wasn't quite as dominant as Hammel was on Saturday, but the two hurlers now lead the O's with identical records. Chen allowed just six hits and a walk while striking out two on Sunday afternoon, and Jim Johnson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save of the season.

The Birds mustered just four hits but managed to score on a sac fly and a balk.Nothing like playing small-ball in a National League park...

The Birds have now won four straight series but still trail New York by a game and a half in the standings. The Yankees, winners of nine straight, now take on Atlanta and the O's travel to New York to face the Mets. Jake Arrieta takes the mound on Monday night...

Hammel Falls One Shy Of No-Hitter

First things first. I'd like to apologize for my late posts...these new hours are killing me!

I actually slept through this entire game...I may have to do that more often, as Jason Hammel pitched a one-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over the Braves on Saturday night.

Hammel (7-2) took a no-hitter into the seventh before allowing a two-out single. He finished with two walks and eight strikeouts, needing just 103 pitches in his best start of his carer.

Mark Reynolds' two-run single in the fourth put the Birds on top to stay. Brian Roberts went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Wei-Yin Chen took the mound on Sunday afternoon...that post is coming now : )

Offense Stalls in Atlanta

The O's winning streak was snapped at five games after a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

Just a day after setting season-highs in runs, hits and doubles, the Birds were held to just six hits and two unearned runs. The club went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and simply couldn't take advantage of scoring opportunities...the Birds drew seven walks but not a single one of them turned into a run. The O's grounded into four double plays, the last of which ended the game...

Brian Matusz allowed a solo homer in the first before settling down. He tossed a season-high 116 pitches, baffling when you consider he was batting ninth in the lineup. He almost made it out of the sixth inning unscathed but gave up three runs before being lifted.

Overall, it was a game the O's could have won but let slip away. The Yankees won again, so the Birds are now a game and a half out of first, tying the farthest they've been out this entire season. Hopefully they come out swinging Saturday night behind starter Jason Hammel...Let's Go O's!

Pearce, Wieters Lead Assault As O's Sweep Bucs

The O's are rolling now. The club has won five straight and finished a sweep of the Pirates with a 12-6 win on Thursday night at Camden Yards, capping off a 5-1 homestand.

The Birds set season highs in runs, hits (16) and doubles (8), and took an early lead against former Oriole Erik Bedard, scoring four runs in the first inning for the first time this year. They scored five runs in the fourth to take a commanding 10-0 lead.

Three players combined to knock in all 12 runs: Steve Pearce doubled, homered and drove in five, Matt Wieters slapped two doubles and had five RBIs and Mark Reynolds went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a homer and two driven in.

That was more than enough offense for Tommy Hunter, who allowed five runs through six innings, striking out five and not surrendering a free pass for the second straight start. Hunter (3-3) allowed seven hits, one of them a three-run bomb, but got the win thanks to the O's offensive explosion.

The Birds (37-26) are a half-game behind the Yankees in the standings and now head out on a six-game Interleague road trip starting in Atlanta Friday night. Brian Matusz is slated to take the mound.

Arrieta Dazzles Against Pirates

Is it too soon to say Jake Arrieta is back? Probably. But it's safe to say he looked like the O's Opening Day pitcher again on Wednesday night in a 7-1 victory over Pittsburgh at Camden yards.

Arrieta allowed just a run on seven hits and one walk over seven innings, tying a career-high with nine strikeouts. It was his first win since early May, when he struck out nine Yankees in New York.

After dropping six straight decisions, Jake was banished to the bullpen last weekend...but after a freak accident to scheduled starer Brian Matusz, Buck turned to Arrieta, and Jake made the most of the opportunity. After that start, I'd say it's a safe bet that Arrieta has reclaimed his spot in the starting rotation...

The O's made sure he was pitching with a lead, scoring seven runs in the first seven innings. Wilson Betemit went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs, and Chris Davis went 2-for-4 with a broken-bat home-run (never seen that before) and three driven in. Brian Roberts went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in his second game back with the club.

The Birds (36-26) have now won three straight series and are in sole possession of second place in the East, one game behind the surging Yankees. Tommy Hunter takes the mound on Thursday night as the O's look for the sweep.

O's Victorious in Roberts' Return

Welcome home, Brian Roberts! Roberts went 3-for-4 in his return to the club, the O's mashed three homers and the Birds bested the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-6 on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

I can't even begin to describe how good it feels to see Roberts batting lead-off again for the first time in over a year. I'm a big Robert Andino fan, but nobody can replace a healthy Brian Roberts at second base.

The Birds trailed just once on Tuesday after the Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first. Mark Reynolds launched a two-run bomb in the second to give the O's a lead they would never relinquish. Adam Jones went yard in the fifth for the 18th time this season, and Chris Davis smacked a two-run shot in a four-run sixth inning.

Wei-Yin Chen allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings, fanning four. Chen (6-2) is now tied with Jason Hammel for the team lead in victories.

Kevin Gregg surrendered a two-run homer in the ninth, but it took Jim Johnson just six pitches to record the final two outs and pick up his 19th save of the season.

The Birds (35-26) are now tied with Tampa Bay for second in the division, trailing the Yankees by a full game. Brian Matusz was slated to start on Wednesday night but injured his nose on a bunt attempt on Tuesday...he's a game-time decision. Jake Arrieta is a possible candidate to start, though the club could also recall someone from Triple-A...we'll find out soon enough.

O's Do It Again In Extras

It only took 10 innings on Sunday for the O's to topple the Phillies 5-4. Once again, Adam Jones was mobbed at the plate, but this time it was Matt Wieters with the clutch hit that drove him home.

The Birds won their second straight series and are now 4-2 in Interleague play this season. They have now won nine straight extra-inning games, a franchise record. After starting the season 0-2 in extras, the O's took seven straight on the road and ave now won back-to-back contests at Camden Yards.

Jason Hammel struggled with his command early, walking five batters in the first three innings. Hammel settled down and was able to last six innings, allowing four runs on six hits and those five walks, fanning four in a 115-pitch outing. The 'pen shut down Philadelphia over the final four frames.

Down 4-1 in the fourth, Steve Tolleson tied it all up with a massive three-run bomb off Cliff Lee. It was Tolleson's second homer of the season and third of his career. Tolleson has certainly made an impression while he was up with the club but is expected to be sent down to Norfolk to make room for B-Rob...

The O's are off today before hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game set starting Tuesday night. Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound, and yes, Brian Roberts is expected to be in the lineup.