Hosting the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards, the Orioles look for their 79th win of the season here this afternoon. They are currently 5-1 in the middle of an 11-game homestand. After last night's 3-2 win, the Orioles are 27-19 in one-run games including a 16-6 mark at home. Five of the last seven Orioles games have been decided by two runs or fewer. Darren O'Day pitched a scoreless eighth inning last night on just 10 pitches. O'Day has allowed one earned run over his last 27 games,...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander Wei-Yin Chen from the Gulf Coast Orioles and have optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to Short-Season Class-A Aberdeen. Chen, 29, is 13-4 with a 3.76 ERA (148.1IP, 62ER) in 25 starts for the Orioles this season. Clevenger, 28, has batted .234/.289/.364 in 27 games for the Orioles. He batted .305/.366/.389 with two home runs and 30 RBI in 64 games for the Tides this season.

The Orioles optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to short-season Single-A Aberdeen today to create a roster spot for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who's starting against the Twins at Camden Yards. Clevenger will return on Tuesday. In the meantime, the Orioles want him to start at least one game for the IronBirds to stay sharp. Newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza didn't make his flight to Baltimore this morning, which explains why he's not in the lineup. The Orioles will wait until Monday to...

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg put together a start Friday night that reminded the Nationals why they made him their No. 1 overall selection in 2009. In a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Seattle Mariners, Strasburg came within one out of eight full innings, allowing six hits, one run, a solo homer, no walks and eight strikeouts. His 210 strikeouts this season are a new Nationals record, and it's only August 31. Gio Gonzalez tallied 207 strikeouts in 2012. Strasburg has thrown the 210...

Outfielder Alejandro De Aza was acquired from the White Sox last night, but he won't start this afternoon for the Orioles. Instead, David Lough will get a rare start in left field, batting second. Ryan Flaherty will also get a start, playing second base and batting eighth. After going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an RBI and two runs scored last night, Jimmy Paredes will get another start at third base. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF David Lough LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz...

SEATTLE - Jayson Werth made the postseason with the Dodgers in 2004, four years in a row with the Phillies from 2007-2010, then again in 2012 with the Nationals. He made it to the National League Championship Series in 2010. He won an NL pennant in 2009. He got a World Series ring in 2008. No shortage of accomplishments there. Yet, here's what Werth said last night after the Nats increased their lead over the Braves to seven games with 28 games left in the regular season: "I think we got a...

SEATTLE - After one of his worst outings of the season, Stephen Strasburg delivered quite possibly his best. Strasburg went 7 2/3 innings tonight, allowing just one run on six hits, striking out eight and walking none. He dominated the Mariners through the middle innings, kept his pitch count low and led the way for the Nationals, who snagged their second straight win here in Seattle, this one by a 3-1 score. Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer in the first to give Strasburg a cushion, and...

Got anyone you want to trade? Give the Orioles a call before it's too late. Husband, wife, kids, that weird uncle who makes you uncomfortable during the holidays? I'll repeat that you can't judge a trade that involves minor leaguers for a few years. We have no idea how pitchers Miguel Chalas and Mark Blackmar are going to pan out, but the Orioles deemed them expendable. In the meantime, they get outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who provides immediate help with his left-handed bat and his...

The Orioles are adding wins and players while reducing their magic number. Guess it's all good these days in Birdland. Who remembers that series sweep in Wrigley Field now? Last night's win puts the Orioles a season-high 22 games over .500 at 78-56, and their lead atop the American League East is eight games. The Orioles are 5-1 on this homestand and they are 20-6 in their last 26 home games. They also made two trades last night, one during and one after the game. The Orioles acquired...

Executive vice president Dan Duquette promised that the Orioles are done making trades tonight. The next day is another matter, but it's safe to go home. As reporters filed into the interview room following the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Twins, the team announced a second deal within an hour. Infielder Kelly Johnson is headed to Baltimore in exchange for minor league infielders Jemile Weeks and Ivan DeJesus Jr. The Orioles also got infielder Michael Almanzar, who returns to the organization...