Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed this afternoon that the Orioles will tender a contract to closer Jim Johnson for the 2014 season, viewing him as part of a core group that he wants to keep in Baltimore. Johnson's status was uncertain after nine blown saves and the prospect of receiving another substantial raise from the $6.5 million he's earning this season. That's a significant chunk of money for a ninth inning specialist. "Jim Johnson is one of our core players,"...

After a strong finish at Triple-A Norfolk that has carried over into a solid September with the Orioles, right-hander Josh Stinson hopes he has finally found a permanent major league home. He pitched 13 innings for the Mets in 2011, 9 1/3 for the Brewers in 2012 and 16 for the Orioles this year. Late in spring training in March, Stinson was with three teams in about the span of a week. On March 29, he was claimed by Oakland on waivers from Milwaukee and then on April 4, he was claimed by the...

Right-hander A.J. Cole made one of the most impressive jumps this season, moving up from high Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg. This was a far cry from his previous season with the Oakland A's organization, when he dropped down from high Single-A to low Single-A. But fortunately, in the Michael Morse triangle trade that also involved Seattle, Cole was made available to the Nationals again and general manager Mike Rizzo snatched him back. Potomac manager Brian Daubach had Cole when he...

Chris Davis is starting at first base tonight for the Orioles after sitting out last night's game with a sore right foot. Brian Roberts is leading off as the designated hitter, with Jonathan Schoop at second base. For the Orioles Brian Roberts DH Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Scott Feldman RHP For the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Daniel Nava...

The Orioles are down to their last three games and will attempt to play spoilers by denying the Red Sox home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Orioles (9-7) are the only American League East team to post a winning record against the Red Sox in 2013. The Yankees were 6-13, the Rays were 7-12 and the Blue Jays were 8-11. Scott Feldman is making is final start in 2013. Will it also be his last start with the Orioles? He's a pending free agent. Mike Napoli is 11-for-27 (.407) with...

PHOENIX - Hello from Arizona, where I'll make sure to check with the Diamondbacks before taking a dip in their pool after any of the games this weekend. After all, I don't want Senator John McCain calling me an "overpaid, immature, arrogant, spoiled brat." Davey Johnson has said time and time again that he wishes that the Nationals had come into this season with more of a balanced bullpen. The Nats broke camp with just one left-hander in their 'pen - Zach Duke, a career-long starter...

Davey Johnson was especially blunt in his assessment of 25-year-old right-hander Stephen Strasburg's last outing. Washington's 2009 No. 1 overall pick gave up six hits and three runs in six innings of work in which he struck out six and threw 109 pitches to the Miami Marlins. "He was actually awful," Johnson told reporters after the start. "He was. I mean, every pitch he threw was up. He's got such great stuff, but everything was belt-high. I grew to love him when he pitched for me in...

The Orioles and Red Sox wrap up the 2013 regular season with a three-game set at Camden Yards starting this evening. Both teams' regular season fates have been decided, but these remaining games aren't as meaningless as they might seem. (And I'm not talking about the opportunities that Chris Davis has to increase his team records for home runs and extra-base hits, although those matter, too.) With one win, the O's could earn consecutive season series victories against Boston for the first...

Remember when Kevin Gausman made starts in May and June and gave up seven runs each in outings against the Nationals and Rays? Gausman does and he says he's better for the experience. "I had some struggles as a starter here and I'm thankful for that," he said yesterday. "That definitely kind of humbled me and I wanted to get back out and work on things to become consistent. Right now, I feel my delivery is as clean as its been all year and I have some great sink on my fastball. My stuff...

The Orioles' season is almost over, but the questions keep coming in waves. Sometimes, you actually wave to me before asking them. But that only happens in person. I keep answering them and you keep asking them and we dance the night away. Here's the latest sequel to "Because You Asked." Unfortunately, I had to rush through it because someone named Sweet Pea said she needed to have a few words with me. No idea what that's all about, but I'm told she brought refreshments. Will the...