I certainly didn't expect to ever link Jonathan Schoop, current Orioles infielder with Larry Haney, one-time Orioles catcher from the late 1960s. But as of last night they are the only two Orioles to ever homer in their first major league games. Haney did it on July 27, 1966 against the Cleveland Indians. He was in a lineup that day that included Frank and Brooks Robinson, Boog Powell and Davey Johnson and he caught Dave McNally in a 7-1 O's win. The 21-year-old Schoop homered in his third...

The Orioles didn't play split-squad games last night. The regulars didn't head over to Dunedin. Manager Buck Showalter rested some regulars, went with a makeshift lineup and ended a six-game losing streak. It won't be the same lineup tonight. Showalter dismissed that idea. I'd expect Adam Jones in center field and Matt Wieters behind the plate. Jonathan Schoop brings the most intrigue. Does he stay at second base tonight against Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle, with Brian Roberts...

Jonathan Schoop singled in his first major league at-bat and homered in his third, helping the Orioles to a 9-5 win over Toronto tonight. Schoop became the second Oriole to homer in his major league debut. Larry Haney was the first on July 27, 1966 against Cleveland. It was some night for the 21-year-old infielder and O's 2011 minor league Player of the Year. "For me, that is the first one ever in my career, my major league debut. It's an experience I'll never forget," Schoop...

With a bunch of their regulars planted on the bench tonight, the Orioles ended a six-game losing streak with a 9-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. So, same lineup tomorrow night? "Ah, no," said manager Buck Showalter. Not even tempted? "No." So much for that idea. "We've got some other things we need to accomplish," he said. The Orioles did accomplish something important tonight, guaranteeing their second straight winning season for the first time since 1996-97. Is...

Stating that Jonathan Schoop had a good night would be an understatement. As one of the Orioles' top prospects, Schoop was brought up in early September. Tonight, Buck Showalter mixed up the lineup, giving Schoop the start at second base and setting him up to play in his FIRST major league game. From there, the firsts just kept on comin'. In his FIRST major league at-bat, he got his FIRST hit, a line-drive single to center field. In his third at-bat, Schoop blasted a no-doubter into...

The offense finally showed up for the Orioles. Jonathan Schoop homered in his third major league at-bat and Ryan Flaherty hit a pair of two-run homers as a lineup that featured several Orioles reserves beat Toronto 9-5 in front of 23,698 at Camden Yards. With the win, the Orioles improved to 82-76 and clinched a second straight winning season for the first time since 1996-97. The Orioles also ended a six-game losing streak that had tied a season high. Flaherty went 2-for-2 with a hit by...

With the Orioles officially eliminated from postseason contention, it comes as a surprise to some that the baseball playoffs will actually be watchable this October. Sure, it would have been great to see the O's back in the hunt for a World Series like in 2012, but playing five meaningless games at the end of the season sure beats playing 55 of them. I've always fancied myself a baseball fan that roots for the Orioles, not an O's fan that watches baseball. The game comes first for me....

It figures that the lineup chosen tonight by manager Buck Showalter would produce a bunch of firsts. Jonathan Schoop collected his first major league hit and scored his first run in the third inning. He later hit into his first double play. And yes, this is his first game with the Orioles. Ryan Flaherty followed Schoop's hit with his ninth home run, and his first onto Eutaw Street. It's the 77th Eutaw Street home run in Camden Yards history and the 31st by an Oriole. It's the 11th this...

Jason Pridie, starting in center field tonight, is the 54th player to suit up for the Orioles this year, tying the 1955 team for most in a season. They dressed 53 last year. I don't have a list available of the ones who declined to wear clothes. Pridie grounded out to end the second inning, with Jays second baseman Ryan Goins making a lunging stop and throw. Chris Davis struck out in the second inning, breaking Mark Reynolds club record of 196 set in 2011. He doesn't lead the majors,...

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado hobbled into the auxiliary clubhouse on crutches today and left the same way. He's not quite ready to walk on his own, but he's otherwise in pretty good spirits. That will happen - the crutches and the positive attitude - when an MRI reveals far less damage to the knee than once feared. "Obviously, when it first happened, it was a terrifying moment for myself, all the fans and my teammates," Machado said, recalling the horrific spill he took at first...