I jokingly asked a team official yesterday whether it was safe for me to go out after the game, or if I should be prepared to write a trade story. He texted back, "Enjoy your night." I made the bold assumption that Jake Peavy wasn't being traded to the Orioles. Or Bud Norris. Or Michael Young. Or Raul Ibanez. Or Carlos Quentin. Or Justin Morneau. Or Justin Bieber. Or... Executive vice president Dan Duquette is talking to a bunch of teams. Orioles scouts are spread all over the place. And...

On Friday night, the Orioles beat the Red Sox scoring six runs and hitting four homers. It looked like the offense we saw coming out of the All-Star break was back. But that was not the case. The Orioles have now lost five of the last six games. In that stretch, the team average is .227, scoring 15 runs, while hitting .128 (5-for-39) with runners in scoring position. The Orioles scored 23 runs in the first four games out of the All-Star break, but now have just 15 in the last six. Two big...

This Tuesday, we will be hosting another monthly video chat, which airs live on MASNsports.com. However, this month's will be a special doubleheader, in which both Adam Jones and Darren O'Day will be answering your questions. In order for this event to be successful, we need your help. Submit your questions on Twitter with the hashtags #AskAJ and #AskDarren or leave them in the comment section below. Maybe you're wondering which team Jones thinks is the O's toughest foe. Curious about...

In looking back through franchise history, I have no doubt that the Erik Bedard-for-Adam Jones trade will be looked at as the turning point in this era. However, I think we often forget that there were other players involved in that trade, namely Chris Tillman. Of course, at the time of the trade, Tillman was only a prospect, and he was immediately inserted into the Orioles' minor league system. I attended his major league debut in July 2009, and I can't say that I wasn't impressed. If you...

Denard Span, homerless in the first 104 games of the season, now has two longballs in as many days. Watch out Chris Davis. "Yeah, just another day at the ballpark," Span said, tongue planted firmly in his cheek. "I told you yesterday I might hit 30, and like you said, I'm on pace to do that, if I can just keep it up. So any more questions?" Nope, that about covers it on the homer front. Span has excelled since moving down to the No. 7 spot in the order, putting up five hits in that...

The Nationals got a little bit of a scare early this afternoon when pitching coach Steve McCatty needed to be taken to the hospital after dealing with elevated blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. The good news, however, is that McCatty is fine, according to manager Davey Johnson. "McCatty's doing all right. He's his usual grumpy self," Johnson said with a smile. "Blood pressure went way up and heart rate started going irregular. I know all about it. ... Hopefully he was watching...

Although he didn't get a game ball yet, right-hander Taylor Jordan pitched well enough in his sixth major league start to earn his first big league victory. Jordan was asked who he was going to give the game ball to after the Nationals crushed the Mets 14-1. He said he hadn't procured a game ball yet. At least he didn't think he had one, as he looked into his locker at baseballs from other games. "The ball? I don't have one," Jordan said. "Oh, do I have one? No, these are just...

A few minutes after the Red Sox had ended a six-series losing streak with a win over the Orioles, Nick Markakis talked about Boston taking two of three this weekend. "It's disappointing, especially when you come out with the first win," he said. "They're a good club, and we'll be seeing them down the road. It's not over yet. We need to put this behind us. Have a nice off-day tomorrow and finish up this homestand strong. "You know before the game it will be a battle (against Jon...

The Orioles suffered their fourth shutout loss of the season today and their first since June 8 at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox hadn't blanked the Orioles at Camden Yards since winning 4-0 on July 20, 2011. Manager Buck Showalter focused more on the offense today than starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who allowed three runs and walked a season-high five batters in 5 1/3 innings while remaining winless since May 27. "I see the things everybody looks at, the ERA and what have you, and I've seen...

The Orioles had won their last four games when facing Jon Lester. The Orioles had won six straight series against Boston. Both streaks ended today. It was not the Sunday the Orioles wanted. Lester threw seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits. Jason Hammel's winless streak reached 10 starts as Boston beat the Orioles 5-0 in front of 32,891 at Camden Yards. In going 25-11 in their previous 36 games against the Red Sox, the O's had not lost back-to-back games against Boston. Now they...