KANSAS CITY - Royals starter Yordano Ventura delivered the first pitch this afternoon following a delay of 1 hour and 35 minutes. The sun isn't shining, but at least it stopped raining buckets. Manny Machado, who belted his 26th home run last night, drew a six-pitch walk off Ventura. Well worth the wait. Machado hasn't missed a game this season, with today marking No. 127. He's the only player in the majors this season with perfect lineup attendance. Seattle's Kyle Seager also has appeared...

After going 2-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list following a prolonged bout with back spasms, Denard Span is getting the night off from the starting lineup as the Nationals complete their three-game series against the Padres. Left fielder Jayson Werth will take over leadoff duties in Span's absence, with Michael A. Taylor playing center field and hitting eighth against San Diego right-hander Andrew Cashner. Rookie righty Joe Ross, whose brother Tyson stymied the Nats...

We hope you're following us on Twitter, and if not, what are you waiting for? On Monday, Aug. 31, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will take time from his busy schedule of crushing home runs to hold an exclusive autograph signing at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant. The key to get in? You need to be following @masnOrioles on Twitter! On Sunday evening, we will be tweeting out an event ticket, which will get you into Monday's event at Dempsey's. There, Davis will be signing exclusive...

KANSAS CITY - Outfielder Nolan Reimold cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles designated Reimold for assignment on Monday as part of a flurry of moves. They also reinstated outfielder Steve Pearce from the disabled list, recalled reliever Jorge Rondon from Triple-A Norfolk and placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. Reimold is expected to join the Tides in Gwinnett. He could have refused the assignment. The Orioles...

KANSAS CITY - The tarp is off the field and the sky is clearing over Kauffman Stadium. I'm still soaked from the walk to the press gate - my shoes should be dry by Labor Day - but it's not about me. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is flying to Dallas and will meet up with the Orioles on Friday. He can continue treatment for a strained groin. Catcher Steve Clevenger also is flying to Dallas on Friday and will come off paternity leave. Tyler Wilson is scheduled to throw a 40-50 pitch bullpen session today...

Manager: Jeff Banister (1st season) Record: 65-61 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B/DH Prince Fielder (.316/.380/.474 with 17 HR, 71 RBIs), 1B Mitch Moreland (.287/.335/.490 with 18 HR, 67 RBIs), RF Shin-Soo Choo (.248 with 15 HR, 56 RBIs), LHP Cole Hamels (1-1, 4.73 ERA), RHP Shawn Tolleson (26 saves, 2.78 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Cole Hamels, 8:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 29: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. LHP Martin Perez, 8:05 p.m., MASN2...

KANSAS CITY - Steve Pearce remains in left field today and Matt Wieters is serving as the designated hitter, as the Orioles attempt to gain a split of their four-game series against the Royals. Ryan Flaherty is back at shortstop after homering last night. I'm told that outfielder Dariel Alvarez won't join the Orioles today, so stay tuned. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Gerardo Parra RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters DH Steve Pearce LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty SS Caleb...

After their five-homer outburst last night that led to an 8-5 win over Kansas City, the Orioles can split the four-game series with a victory this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. The Orioles are now 63-63 for the season, 26-38 on the road, 20-39 when their opponent scores first and 54-16 when they score four or more runs. The Orioles ended a six-game losing streak with the win Wednesday night. During the six losses, they hit just .225, with two homers, and scored 15 runs. They had seven or fewer...

KANSAS CITY - I wrote this morning about the possibility of a roster move. Well, I'm hearing that the Orioles are calling up outfielder Dariel Alvarez from Triple-A Norfolk. Alvarez, 26, isn't on the 40-man roster, but there are three open spots. Selecting his contract isn't complicated. I don't know whether a reliever is being optioned from the eight-man bullpen or if there's an undisclosed injury. I don't know whether Alvarez is being added today or placed on the taxi squad. But he's...

It's tough to pinpoint exactly what was going wrong for the Orioles over their season-high six game losing streak. The bats had cooled, but the starting pitchers were averaging nearly a 6.00 ERA during the O's most difficult stretch of the season. Was the offense to blame or the arms? How much of a factor was tough luck? Last night in Kansas City, everything seemed to click once again for the Birds, and they avoided their longest losing streak in more than four years. On the mound, Wei-Yin...