The Orioles today announced the launch of the O's Birds Nest rewards program, a new interactive fan-engagement program. Through the free program, fans can earn points and have the opportunity to win unique prizes by supporting and utilizing the club's digital programs and platforms, and by interacting on the club's official website at www.orioles.com and on the Orioles official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. "The O's Birds Nest rewards program will enable the team to further...

DETROIT - Before I pack up and head out of Detroit late this morning, I wanted to pass along some bonus thoughts from the Nationals' two games at Comerica Park, which, by the way, I really enjoyed visiting for the first time. You never really hear Comerica mentioned as one of the nicer parks in the majors, and while it certainly isn't up there with PNC Park in Pittsburgh or AT&T Park in San Francisco or Camden Yards in Baltimore, I enjoyed the layout and feel of the park here in Detroit. I...

The non-waiver trade deadline has passed and it appears the Nationals are staying intact. Given the team's performance this summer, there were times in which I thought there might be a few more mumblings on the rumor mill followed by a few changes come the end of July. But as I've continued to watch this team over the course of season, this might be the best thing for them. Washington is quiet clearly invested in maintaining its core group players who they'll continue to develop over time....

The pressure was on Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette over the past few weeks. A lot of trust has been placed in Duquette to help build a ballclub that will compete deep into October and have a chance at a World Series. The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone and after acquiring three pitchers in a month, Duquette has to be applauded for not allowing any top prospects to depart. That's been the philosophy of the team even before Duquette arrived in...

Overall, the trades leading up to Wednesday's non-waiver deadline can be described in one word: anti-climactic. Cliff Lee and Michael Young stayed put in Philadelphia. Former National Michael Morse stayed in Seattle, even though Texas and Pittsburgh were looking for right-handed power. It turns out there was no market for the Twins' Justin Morneau. It's strange that Bud Norris, traded from Houston to the Orioles Tuesday, will be pitching against his former Astros team in his first...

We probably won't know this answer for a long time, but it's a question worthy of debating now: In adding Bud Norris, did the Orioles give up too much of their future? The Orioles traded 23-year-old LJ Hoes, 19-year-old Josh Hader and another young player to Houston for the 28-year-old Norris. I say another young player because they actually traded a high draft pick (likely in the mid-30s overall) that will be turned into a third young player next June. Was that price too high for a pitcher...

I won't challenge today to be more hectic than yesterday because it might take me up on the offer. I'm just going to quietly assume that it won't happen. I ventured inside manager Buck Showalter's office with WBAL Radio's Casey Willett shortly before 3:30 p.m. to tape his pregame show. Before we could get started, Orioles advance scouting coordinator Ben Werthan handed Showalter his cell phone so he could read a text message. Showalter turned to the wall that contains the names of every...

Miguel Gonzalez took the mound tonight and retired the side in order in the first inning on just five pitches. But his night quickly got more difficult and Houston scored four off him in the second and knocked him out during a five-run fourth inning tonight in an 11-0 win. "My bullpen was great," Gonzalez said. "Everything was down and I thought I would do pretty well. First inning was good. Second inning I was just leaving the ball up and it just carried on throughout the whole game. Just...

The Orioles suffered their fifth shutout of the season tonight and their second of the homestand. They were 7-0 all-time against the Astros at home. Tonight marked the first time that Miguel Gonzalez lost consecutive decisions in 34 career starts, leaving him tied with Ken Dixon for the franchise record. Gonzalez allowed nine runs (four earned) and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. His issue? "Command," manager Buck Showalter said following an 11-0 loss. "I think he threw about 68 pitches last...

Keep in mind, it only counts as one loss. The Houston Astros, who have the worst record in the majors, crushed the Orioles 11-0 tonight at Camden Yards as 25,265 looked on wondering what the heck was going on with the home team. The Orioles have been held to 10 hits in this series and were shutout tonight for the second time in three games. They have scored just 19 runs over the last eight games. Just hours after trading pitcher Bud Norris to the O's, Houston pounded his new teammate,...