Adam Jones has homered in three consecutive games, which is almost enough to impress Chris Davis, who has done it in four straight. Jones is just trying to keep up. Jones drove a pitch from Blue Jays starter Josh Johnson over the fence in center field in the fifth inning to increase the Orioles' lead to 7-2. He has 19 homers and 67 RBIs this season. Jones has driven in six runs in this series. He's also walked three times, and drawn four in his last five games. Davis and Jones became just...

The Orioles now have five representatives for Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. Chris Tillman has been named as a replacement for Justin Verlander, who's starting today for the Tigers. Tillman, who hasn't pitched since Friday night, will join center fielder Adam Jones, first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and third baseman Manny Machado. This is the first All-Star selection for Tillman, 25, who's 11-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 19 starts this season, with 89...

Left-hander Sammy Solis has recovered from shoulder soreness and will start Monday night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals at Salem, confirmed director of player development Doug Harris. Solis has been out since the middle of June. He returned July 5 and pitched two shutout innings for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals. He had three strikeouts, no walks and has allowed just one hit. He was supposed to have another GCL rehab start this week, but it was rained out. Solis made four...

Well, that didn't take long. The Nationals' new-look lineup has staked rookie right-hander Taylor Jordan to a 1-0 lead in the second, courtesy of an RBI double by Denard Span. Adam LaRoche led off the frame with a single off Henderson Alvarez and, after Ian Desmond struck out, Denard split the gap in right-center to put the Nationals on the scoreboard. It's early, but a lead is a lead. And if it prevents the Nats from heading into the All-Star break on the wrong side of .500, who's to...

Here is a stat you may not have been aware of: O's right-hander Scott Feldman, who makes his third start for the team today, has better stats against the AL East than his overall career numbers. Feldman is 46-51 in his career with a 4.70 ERA. In 25 career starts against the AL East teams, he is 10-9 with a 4.08 ERA. If he pitches well today, the Orioles can head into the All-Star break coming off a win and with a 53-43 record. Click here for an interview I did with Feldman this week about...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to confirm the order of his rotation for the start of the second half. However, he indicated that it may not undergo any changes. Showalter is waiting to find out how the bullpen is used today. He's got a few starters available to pitch in relief if needed. Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman would start the three games in Texas to open the second half. Jason Hammel, Scott Feldman, Chen and Gonzalez would start the four games in Kansas...

If you're one of those people who gives a cursory glance to a game's lineup, here's a warning: Get ready to blink, rub your eyes and react with general surprise when you see the batting order Nationals manager Davey Johnson has penned for today's first-half finale in Miami. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Johnson - a manager who really likes the sameness of a regular lineup - has juggled things substantially in hopes of avoiding a three-game sweep by the Marlins. A night...

Chris Dickerson will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter today, his first start since July 7 in New York. He's been sidelined with a strained left shoulder. Dickerson is 6-for-10 lifetime against Blue Jays right-hander Josh Johnson. Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today. He can rest during the break. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Brian Roberts 2B Scott...

The three-team trade that sent outfielder Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners and brought three players to the Nationals, including the return of right-hander A.J. Cole, has provided a very positive addition to the strength of the pitching in the Nationals' minor leagues that has reached all the way up to the big club. Cole, left-handed reliever Ian Krol and starter Blake Treinen were sent to the Nationals in the Morse deal. Ironically, Krol was the player to be named, and he has made it...

There's plenty to discuss coming out of last night's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Marlins. So let's dive right in. On Bryce Harper getting ejected in a 1-0 game in the eighth inning: Can't happen. It just can't. I know Harper was frustrated by a couple of Hunter Wendelstedt's calls during a sixth-inning at-bat in which he was called out on strikes. Two called strikes in that at-bat was actually on the black. Regardless of all that, you simply cannot get thrown out of a one-run game...