NEW YORK - Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired the right-handed bat that he's been seeking. The Orioles completed a trade with the Seattle Mariners today for first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, according to an industry source. The clubs haven't announced the deal. The Mariners will receive a minor leaguer in return for Morse, according to the source. Still waiting for more details. Morse is expected to join the Orioles in New York. Morse, a free agent after the season, is...

NEW YORK - The Orioles are continuing efforts to acquire first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse from the Seattle Mariners after being awarded a waiver claim on Wednesday. Discussions with the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Josh Willingham, also claimed off waivers this week, have stalled because of their high demands, according to multiple industry sources. Willingham figured to come at a steeper price because he's signed through 2014. Morse is a pending free agent. The Twins are asking...

You wonder whether hitting is contagious? Through their first 114 games of the season, the Nationals were averaging just 3.67 runs per game. They were batting a collective .240 as a team, had a lowly .299 on-base percentage and were slugging just .384. Over the last three weeks, things have turned in a major way. In their last 19 games, the Nats are averaging 5.53 runs per game, a jump of nearly two runs per night over their previous season average. They're hitting .300 as a team, have...

How are the 2013 Orioles different from the 2012 Orioles? If you answered that the bullpen isn't as good this year, you're right. If you said this year's team doesn't hit as well with runners in scoring position, you're wrong. And if you concluded that this year's team is a heavier hitting bunch, you're both right and wrong. Let's address each one in order. First, the bullpen. The 2012 Orioles bullpen was lights-out while the 2013 version is more of a dimmer switch. O's...

After going 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in last night's 9-0 win over the Miami Marlins, right fielder Jayson Werth has a .329/.406/.540 line with 13 doubles and 21 home runs in 101 games and 411 plate appearances in the third year of his seven-year deal with the Nationals. Since returning from a disabled list stint June 4, the 34-year-old outfielder has a .355/.441/.595 line with 11 doubles and 17 home runs in 74 games and 304 plate appearances. The 11-year veteran, to the surprise of...

To say the least, the Orioles needed that win over the Red Sox. Just when you're out, they pull you back in. Well, many of you - most of you - were never really out, but you know what I mean. The roller coaster of emotions for the fans is back on the upswing. The Orioles moved ahead of Cleveland into third in the wild-card race. Yes, only two teams make it to the postseason and the Orioles are 3 1/2 games back. But they gained ground on Oakland, Tampa Bay and Cleveland, all of which lost on...

To say the least, the Orioles needed that win. Just when you're out, they pull you back in. Well, many of you, most of you, were never really out, but you know what I mean. The roller coaster of emotions for the fans is back on the upswing. The Orioles moved ahead of Cleveland into third in the wild-card race. Yes, only two teams make it there and the Orioles are 3 1/2 back. But they gained ground on Oakland, Tampa Bay and Cleveland, all of which lost Thursday. Chris Tillman gave the O's a...

BOSTON - So much for a big three-game series against the Red Sox. Now, it's time for a big three-game series against the Yankees. The Orioles are in another pennant race. Remember when late August and early September games meant nothing more than trying to be a spoiler? Miguel Gonzalez will make his first start since Aug. 20 against the Rays. He's made two relief appearances while manager Buck Showalter has tweaked the rotation with five off-days in August. "It feels like it's been a...

BOSTON - Until tonight, the last Orioles pitcher to record 15 wins was left-hander Erik Bedard in 2006. Now, Chris Tillman has joined him. Will they always be linked? Tillman held the Red Sox to two runs over seven innings, walking none for only the second time this season and striking out eight in a 3-2 victory at Fenway Park. Tillman is 15-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 27 starts. Is he an ace? "I don't know," he said. "I go out every day with the same game plan, whether we're at home, on the...

BOSTON - The Orioles avoided a sweep at Fenway Park and headed to New York in a much better frame of mind after tonight's 3-2 win over the Red Sox. The Orioles improved to 15-24 in one run games. They had lost eight in a row. Here's a sampling of comments from manager Buck Showalter: On Chris Tillman: "Difference. Tilly was solid again. I'm glad we could get a W for him. After the way the game ended last night with the flare to left, the very first hitter hits a ball off the end of the...