Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen needed only eight pitches tonight to finish off the Yankees in the top of the first inning. That's a significant total, considering how Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez each have thrown 32 pitches in the opening frame this season, four fewer than Bud Norris during his start on Friday. Chen hit Brett Gardner with one out, but Carlos Beltran grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Alejandro De Aza led off the bottom of the first with a single, extending his hitting streak to...

The Orioles and Yankees meet for the first time this year tonight to begin a three-game series at Camden Yards. Last year, the O's won the season series for the first time since 1997. They came close to a season series win, going 9-9 in 2012 and 9-10 in 2013, but they broke through big last year, going 13-6 against New York, including a 7-2 mark in Baltimore. Orioles pitchers posted an ERA of 2.80 in those 19 games. They held down some of New York's best batters. Brett Gardner hit just .176,...

It's too early to call it a trend, but already three times this season the Orioles starting pitcher has had a pitch count of over 30 at the end of the first inning. Chris Tillman threw 32 pitches in the first yesterday, Miguel Gonzalez threw 32 against Tampa Bay and Bud Norris threw 36 in the home opener on Friday against Toronto. By the way, those are the three games the Orioles lost during their 3-3 start. Way too early to be concerned, but today I asked manager Buck Showalter how O's...

Reliever Wesley Wright, on the disabled list with a strained left trapezius muscle, had an MRI today at 1:30 p.m. and the Orioles are waiting for the results. Matt Wieters took coach's and live batting practice today in Sarasota, and he's scheduled to serve as the designated hitter Tuesday in an extended spring training game. "He was a little sore in the right places," said manager Buck Showalter. Dane De La Rosa, recovering from knee surgery, threw BP to Wieters and also will play in...

BOSTON - The pageantry of opening day at Fenway Park included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft entering the field through the Green Monster each carrying a Lombardi Trophy hoisted above their shoulders. Moments later, Brady would skip the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox star David Ortiz. The game began with Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor striking out for his 11th time in 26 at-bats. Third baseman Yunel Escobar then reached...

The public is invited to watch Orioles minor league players in action in Sarasota during Extended Spring Training during the months of April, May and June. There is no charge to attend the games, which will be held on Field 4 at the Ed Smith Stadium complex beginning tomorrow, April 14. Gates open 30 minutes before game time. Free parking is available in the East Lot. Please note that game times and locations are subject to change without notice due to weather and field conditions. ORIOLES...

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is back in the Orioles lineup tonight after being scratched yesterday with a sore left quadriceps muscle. Everth Cabrera is starting at shortstop. Alejandro De Aza, who's batting .304 with 10 strikeouts in 23 at-bats, continues to lead off. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF Steve Pearce RF Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Travis Snider DH Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Everth Cabrera SS Caleb Joseph C Wei-Yin Chen LHP Catcher Ryan Lavarnway has switched...

BOSTON - It's safe to say Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper is feeling good about friend and teammate Jayson Werth returning to start in left field at Fenway Park today. "Definitely, we're excited about it. I am," said Harper. "Being able to have him back in the lineup is gonna help us hugely. I'm very excited - I think we all are - to get him back. He's one of our leaders on this team, so we definitely need him and the way he plays and everything he's about." Werth, who was...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated outfielder David Lough from the 15-day Disabled List. In a corresponding move, the Orioles have optioned right-hander Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk. Lough, 29, was placed on the 15-day Disabled List to begin the season (retroactive to March 27) with a left hamstring strain. He made one rehabilitation appearance with Class-A Frederick and went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly while starting in left field for the Keys.

Manager Buck Showalter has his four-man bench for tonight's series opener against the Yankees The Orioles activated outfielder David Lough from the 15-day disabled list today and optioned pitcher Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk. Lough played in one rehab game at Single-A Frederick, receiving three plate appearances yesterday and going 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly. His hamstring is fine. Gamboa was called up to the majors for the first time in his career and sat in the bullpen for two games...