Jason Hammel has allowed 29 runs in nine starts this season, including tonight's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fifteen of them have scored in the first two innings. Hammel threw 21 pitches in the opening frame tonight and fell behind 1-0 on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly to right field. Matt Joyce singled with one out and Ben Zobrist doubled to left, with Chris Dickerson slipping on the warning track. Joyce held at third and scored easily on Longoria's fly ball. The Rays almost added...

Here are a couple of rather impressive notes on the Orioles' Triple-A Norfolk club, which is hosting Lehigh Valley tonight with Steve Johnson on the mound. * Norfolk's 29-12 record is now the second best in all of minor league baseball, topped only by Single-A Ft. Myers of the Florida State League at 29-10. * Norfolk is averaging 6.7 runs per game over its last 21 games and 5.5 runs per game on the year. * Playing in a big pitcher's park, Norfolk batters have hit 28 homers in 20 home...

Tsuyoshi Wada's next injury-rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk is Tuesday against the Durham Bulls. Wada allowed four runs (three earned) in four innings yesterday in his first start. He surrendered two home runs and left the game after 78 pitches. Asked what he was looking for from Wada, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Health." "I wasn't going to base it too much performance-wise," Showalter said. "You know Ron (Johnson) gave me his thoughts on it. Probably the third start, there's...

If he gets a win tonight here against Tampa Bay, Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel would improve to 6-1 this season. He would become the first Oriole to go 6-1 or better to start consecutive seasons since Mike Boddicker went 6-1 to begin the 1985 season and 10-1 the following year. Hammel had a 6-1 start to the 2012 season. While that is a very impressive stat for Hammel, he has allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings over his last two starts, raising his ERA from 3.79 to 4.93. That is higher...

Miguel Gonzalez is expected to start for the Orioles on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. The Orioles also are considering Monday night, but they're leaning toward giving him an extra day. He's eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday. Gonzalez threw 50-55 pitches in a simulated game today without a bandage on his right thumb. The blister appears to be healed. Asked how he felt afterward, Gonzalez said, "Good, not bad. Thought it was going to be...

You want lineup changes? You've got them. Yamaico Navarro is making his first start for the Orioles at second base tonight, as they begin a three-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Nate McLouth is the designated hitter tonight, with Chris Dickerson starting in left field. For the Orioles Nate McLouth DH Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson LF Yamaico Navarro 2B Jason Hammel RHP Miguel Gonzalez threw...

After making eight starts with Triple-A Norfolk, right-hander Jair Jurrjens is here at Camden Yards today and expected to be activated to start tomorrow afternoon against Tampa Bay. Jurrjens went 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA for the Tides, allowing two earned runs or less in five of his eight starts. Over 51 2/3, he has allowed 44 hits with 15 walks, 36 strikeouts and a .228 batting average against. Some good stats in the International League, but does he have a feel for how that stuff will play...

Jair Jurrjens is sitting at his locker at Camden Yards, further confirmation that he's starting Saturday afternoon against the Rays. The Orioles will need to clear a spot on the 25- and 40-man rosters. They could option infielder Yamaico Navarro and transfer second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list. Also, Alex Burnett is here as an extra bullpen arm, and will eventually be optioned. In eight starts at Triple-A Norfolk this season, Jurrjens is 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA. In 51 2/3...

Duking it out against the Cardinals, the Orioles are looking for their fans to rally behind them and support their push to the top. But this is not a battle of who's best on the diamond. Rather, it's a debate of who looks best on the field in ESPN's "Battle of the Uniforms." Mimicking their wearers' 2012 season, the Orioles' uniforms have played the role of an underdog, scrapping their way into the final round of the battle as a No. 13 seed. Defeating the other orange uniforms, the...

The Washington National Opera, in conjunction with the Washington Nationals, will present the fifth annual Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park featuring a live simulcast of the legendary American musical Show Boat on Saturday, May 18. The event is free and open to the public and will take place rain or shine. Gates will open at 5 p.m. for "pregame" activities, including entertainment and activities, and Show Boat will begin at 7 p.m. Seating will be available in the stands, while...