Low Single-A Hagerstown infielder Wilmer Difo has been named South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player, while right-hander Lucas Giolito was named Most Outstanding Pitcher and Most Outstanding MLB Prospect. Difo leads or is tied for the league in hits (174) and total bases (257). Difo is hitting .321 on the season and his slash line is .321/.366/.474. He ranks in the top five in the league in RBIs with 88 (third), stolen bases with 49 (second), runs scored with 90 (tied for second), extra-base...

Orioles fans: Time is running out for your chance to enter to win a trip to the 2014 World Series from the Maryland Lottery. Pick up the Orioles scratch-off tickets at your favorite Lottery retailer. You could win cash instantly. Or enter any non-winning Orioles scratch-offs for your chance to win a trip to Game 4 of the World Series. One lucky fan will win this ultimate baseball experience that includes: a trip for two for three days and two nights; lower bowl game seats for Game 4; airfare...

The sun's out this morning and Bud Norris is hoping he's not out of tonight's game after two innings. No repeat of the Wrigley experience. Norris was done after the second inning Saturday afternoon following a rain delay that lasted more than three hours. The Cubs don't have an indoor mound, which would have allowed Norris to stay loose. Then again, a delay of that length may have required divine intervention. The Orioles could use some length from Norris tonight despite a fairly rested...

I think it's safe to say that most of Baltimore is in agreement: Adam Jones is the club's Most Valuable Oriole. In fact, I believe that Jones will seriously compete for the American League's Most Valuable Player honor. He's the pulse of the AL East-leading Orioles, a guy who defends his position at a Gold Glove-caliber level and he's on pace for another 30-home run season. There aren't many players in the game that are more valuable to their clubs than Jones is to the O's. Now that...

Way back on May 28, the Nationals were 25-27, averaging 3.9 runs a game and allowing 3.9 runs a game. The Nationals were two games under .500 and playing like they were a .500 team. The narrative at that time was that they were one of the most disappointing teams in baseball and the hangover from Game 5 in the 2012 National League Division Series and a mediocre 2013 had continued into 2014. Concurrent injuries to star players was once again taking their toil, the Nationals' window was already...

Should the Orioles be concerned about Kevin Gausman? Earlier this year, their 2012 first-round draft pick gave up two runs over 13 innings in back-to-back starts against Oakland and Toronto when both were in first place. He pitched the final game before the All-Star break and gave up just one run in a rain-shortened win over the Yankees that left him with 4-2 record and 3.29 ERA. But in eight starts since the break, Gausman is 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .293 against him...

Did everyone get a Darren O'Day T-shirt last night? In case you missed out, it says "O'DAYYY O'DAY O'DAY O'DAY". If that song is now stuck in your head, my work here is done. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't know about the T-shirt giveaway and asked what was written on it. "At some point this year I might be singing that song, I hope," he said. If I'm O'Day's agent, I'd do a wicked karaoke number with it during the next contract talks. The Orioles hold a $4.25 million...

Think Nationals manager Matt Williams is stewing over the Phillies' 8-4 come-from-behind win Wednesday night that gave them a series sweep? Think again. Sounds more like the skipper has already filed the three games at Citizens Bank Park away. The Nats might not be landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for another six hours, but Williams might as already be in the Pacific Northwest. The Nats didn't look so good Wednesday night. Doug Fister struggled through 5 2/3 innings and gave up...

Kevin Gausman had just a four-inning start tonight, which is tied for the shortest of his big league career. He gave up six hits and three runs as the Orioles lost 3-1 to Tampa Bay. Gausman threw 129 2/3 innings last season, and is at 127 1/3 innings now. It is fair to wonder if he is tiring a bit during a long season. He is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in five August starts. "I definitely haven't thrown this many innings," he said. "I think that can take a toll on your body, but physically I feel...

The Orioles have optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Gulf Coast League team. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Thursday. Same paper move as the one earlier today involving left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Relievers Ryan Webb and Joe Saunders pitched today for Triple-A Norfolk. Evan Meek and Preston Guilmet did not get into the game. Gausman, who worked four innings tonight, is listed as Monday's starter against the Twins at Camden Yards. It's possible that the Orioles push him...