SAN DIEGO - Six victories in a row and eight in the last 10 games. Sixteen games above .500. The Orioles are beating up on struggling teams, just as they're supposed to do while leading the American League East. The Padres, the Rays, the Padres again. It's not for the squeamish or the faint of heart. Three more home runs were only part of the story tonight in an 11-7 win over the Padres at Petco Park. A significant part, given how Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim and Chris Davis increased the June...

Given all the hype and hoopla that surrounded tonight's Mets-Nationals game featuring the major league debut of top prospect Lucas Giolito, the first word that comes to mind to sum up the night for the right-hander is bummer. Not because of his performance, far from it. No, it was a bummer because of the 55-minute delay before the game started and then the 1-hour, 25-minute rain delay that cut Giolito's debut short in the fourth inning. Sadly, the rookie didn't get a decision in a 5-0...

SAN DIEGO - It took only two pitches for Adam Jones to remind everyone how much he loves playing against the Paders, and especially in his hometown. Jones drove a 90 mph fastball from Padres starter Erik Johnson over the right-center field fence at Petco Park to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Jones' ball traveled an estimated distance of 398 feet and made him 17-for-38 (.447) lifetime against the Padres with a double, three home runs, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored. He's 12-for-21 (.571) with...

As the Orioles and San Diego Padres complete their brief two-game series this afternoon at Petco Park, right-hander Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 6.04 ERA) pitches against Padres left-hander Christian Friedrich (4-2, 3.60 ERA). After Tuesday's 11-7 win the Orioles are 46-30 and go for a two-game sweep at Petco Park this afternoon. The Orioles are 31-13 at home and 15-17 on the road. Last night was the opener of a nine-game road trip. The Orioles' offensive numbers in June continue to be remarkable....

It is one of the most-asked questions from fans this year: Will Dylan Bundy enter the starting rotation this season? That was not very likely going into the season, since he is on about a 75-inning limit for this season. Bundy had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and shoulder issues last year. He did not pitch at all in 2013, pitched 41 1/3 innings in 2014 and threw 22 innings last year in the minor leagues for Double-A Bowie. There is no way the Orioles can pack too many innings on him this year...

Winners of five in a row, the Orioles tonight begin a nine-game West Coast road trip with the first of two games at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. The Orioles (45-30) and Padres (33-44) split a two-game set last week in Baltimore. This trip will take the Orioles on to Seattle for four games starting Thursday night and later to Los Angeles for a three-game series versus the Dodgers. Since interleague play began in 1997, the Orioles are 162-182, including 93-81 at home. The Orioles went...

SAN DIEGO - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day threw his second bullpen session today and it wasn't as encouraging as the first, which took place between games of Saturday's doubleheader at Camden Yards. O'Day was supposed to pitch in a couple of simulated games on the road trip following today's session. However, he may need to throw in the bullpen for a third time before he's cleared to face hitters. "Darren's bullpen session was OK. It wasn't quite as good as we hoped it would be," said...

The biggest threat to Lucas Giolito so far in his major league debut hasn't been the Mets lineup. It's the weather. A heavy cell of storms delayed the first pitch of Giolito's career for 55 minutes tonight. Now the Nationals rookie is trying to record as many outs as he can before the next cell hits. With ominous clouds hovering above Nationals Park, Giolito is pitching like a seasoned pro, not a 21-year-old just promoted from Double-A. He has tossed three scoreless innings to begin his...

SAN DIEGO - None of the American League teams relish losing the designated hitter in interleague games in National League parks. It's a disadvantage that manager Buck Showalter probably will mention later today while meeting with reporters in the visiting dugout at Petco Park. However, if a pitcher has to bat, it may as well be Yovani Gallardo, owner of 12 career home runs and one Silver Slugger Award. The 12 home runs are one fewer than the Giants' Madison Bumgarner for most among active...

Manager: Scott Servais (1st season) Record: 39-39 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Robinson Cano (.305/.360/.548 with 19 HR, 54 RBIs), DH/RF Nelson Cruz (.280 with 20 HR, 53 RBIs), 3B Kyle Seager (15 HR,49 RBIs), RHP Taijuan Walker (3-6, 3.45 ERA), RHP Steve Cishek (18 saves, 2.55 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: June 30: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Taijuan Walker, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 July 1: RHP Chris Tillman vs. LHP Wade LaBlanc, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 July 2: RHP Tyler...