After winning with five home runs last night, the Orioles had just one extra-base hit, a double, tonight. They had to grind out a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "That is the best way to describe it," said catcher Caleb Joseph, who contributed a two-run single. "You are going to grind these games out. Most AL East games are that way. Coming off last night, we had a great game and you want to repeat it, but the pace of the game kind of slows your excitement down a little bit. "But Wei-Yin...

The Orioles won tonight, the Yankees lost and the Blue Jays are losing to the Red Sox 11-4 in the 11th inning. I could close this entry now and wish everyone a peaceful night, but I may as well continue with some quotes from manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles lead the Yankees by seven games in the American League East and are poised to expand their lead to 10 over the Jays. They're 20 games above .500 at 75-55, and 10-4 vs. Tampa Bay this season. Wei-Yin Chen didn't make it through the...

It was a night where neither starter completed five innings and the game moved along at a snail's pace. But given the opportunity to produce big hits, the bottom of the Orioles lineup took advantage. Caleb Joseph - batting eighth - came up with a clutch two-run single, and Jonathan Schoop - the No. 9 batter - added an RBI hit of his own as the Orioles beat Tampa Bay 4-2 at Camden Yards. With the win, the Orioles get back to 20 games over the .500 mark at 75-55. They have won 14 of their last...

PHILADELPHIA - In a game that was seemingly filled with close, questionable calls, the Phillies got the benefit of the doubt on a few key ones, and they escaped with a hard-fought 4-3 win. The Nationals battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the eighth on Asdrubal Cabrera's solo homer. But the Phillies won a challenge in the bottom of the eighth, when Kevin Frandsen's foot was ruled to be just off first base and Ben Revere was called safe upon review, and then they...

Due to the pace of tonight's game at Camden Yards, it has now been reclassified as a mini-series. We had two crew chief reviews in the first three innings. We've had only one run score despite six hits by the Rays. We've decided that a pillow and blanket might be needed later. I had a beef and broccoli stir fry for dinner, but that's not official. The umpires want to take another look at it. The Rays might have scored more than one run off Wei-Yin Chen in the top of the first, but...

A pair of southpaws doing battle tonight in Philadelphia. Cole Hamels was off to smooth start with two quick outs in the first. Against Anthony Rendon, a grounder to third base was fielded by Andres Blanco, who threw to first for the out. But first base umpire Gary Cederstrom ruled that first baseman Darin Ruf drifted off the bag and called Rendon safe. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg requested a video review. The video replay in New York overturned the call and Rendon was out. Nationals...

Don't be surprised if the Orioles decide to option a starting pitcher within the next few days and call up an infielder to give them a four-man bench before rosters expand. The affiliates end their season on Sept. 1, at which point the Orioles could recall the pitcher without having to wait the minimum 10 days. Send down a starter who wouldn't be available anyway and add a position player. Meanwhile, manager Buck Showalter talked about how Kevin Gausman continues to feel good after having...

For those planning to watch Wednesday night's Nationals game at Citizens Bank Park, you'll have to tune in 30 minutes later than normal. First pitch has been backed up to 7:30 p.m. because the Phillies will be honoring the Mid-Atlantic Little League champion Taney Dragons in a pregame ceremony. As for tonight, first baseman Adam LaRoche is out of the Nats lineup, but not because left-hander Cole Hamels is starting for the Phils. Manager Matt Williams told reporters in Philadelphia that...

The Orioles have been playing well at home here at Camden Yards, a trend they look to continue as they host Tampa Bay tonight in the second game of a four-game series and 11-game homestand. Since June 30, the Orioles are 16-5 at home with a 2.66 team ERA after going 19-21 in their first 40 games at the Yard. In their last 21 home games, the Birds have outscored their opponents 105-62. Last night's 9-1 win was the Orioles' 10th in their last 12 series openers, including eight in a row from...

After hitting five more homers last night, the Orioles have now hit 168 for the season, which easily leads the majors leagues. Colorado is second with 150, and Toronto and Houston are tied with 144. The big league average right now is 114. The Orioles are on a pace to hit 211 homers. They led the majors with 212 last season. They have seven seasons of 200 or more homers in club history, but have never had three in a row. They will if they reach 200 this season. The Orioles have now hit three...