Miguel Gonzalez's final line tonight didn't need to be changed after Brian Matusz replaced him with two runners on base and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Those runners didn't budge, which is typical when Matusz comes into a game with the bases littered. Matusz induced a fly ball from Kelly Johnson to strand Yunel Escobar and Desmond Jennings, who singled with two outs. Matusz has stranded all five runners he's inherited this season and all 19 since he moved to the bullpen last...

It happened again. The Tampa Bay Rays have homered in the first inning in all three games of this series at Camden Yards. How often does that happen? Desmond Jennings walloped his second leadoff homer in three nights, and Evan Longoria added a two-out solo shot to give the Rays a 2-0 lead against Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles hadn't permitted a run in the first inning before this series. Now they've given up four. Kelly Johnson homered off Chris Tillman last night as the...

You can look at David Price's 0-1 record and 5.82 ERA through three games and think he is struggling, but that is really not true of the 2012 AL Cy Young winner. He gave up eight runs in five innings in his second start against Cleveland, but allowed just three earned runs over 12 innings (2.25 ERA) in his other two starts, one of which came against the Orioles. In his most recent start - Saturday against Boston - he allowed just one run and four hits over six innings. Last season Price gave...

Steve Pearce gets the start as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight, just as manager Buck Showalter alluded to following last night's game. Pearce is 0-for-13 this season after hitting .340/.377/.851 with three doubles, seven homers and 18 RBIs in 26 exhibition games. He's 1-for-5 with an RBI against Tampa Bay left-hander David Price, who starts tonight. This isn't the first ace that Pearce has been dealt since the Orioles broke camp. "It's the job description. It's tough. That's...

In case you are wondering, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said his slow start at the plate has nothing to do with any physical ailment. He had surgery in June to remove a herniated disc in his neck and fuse two vertebrae. He was slowed in spring by right shoulder soreness and earlier this season with a hamstring injury. In 12 games, Reimold is batting .189 with one homer, one RBI, a slugging percentage of .270 and an OPS of .539. "I feel all right," Reimold said earlier in Orioles...

Steve Johnson tossed four innings today in an extended spring training game in Fort Myers, throwing 70 pitches and withstanding a line drive off his thigh. The Orioles will send Johnson on a rehab assignment, with the affiliate to be determined. He's finally getting out of Florida. Johnson will be a starter during his assignment. No relief work, though he came out of the bullpen today. There's a good chance that Johnson will join Triple-A Norfolk and make a start in Charlotte. Manager Buck...

Steve Pearce is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price. Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Matt Wieters, 9-for-29 (.310) with three doubles and a home run lifetime against Price, is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce DH Nolan Reimold LF Alexi Casilla 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Kelly Johnson...

A good start for Harper. That is left-hander Bryan Harper, who is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three games for low Single-A Hagerstown. From April 6-14, Harper pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendering only one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. He is the only left-handed reliever in the 'pen for pitching coach Franklin Bravo's Suns. Update: Suns left-handers Brett Mooneyham and Harper have both been placed on the disabled list. Right-handers Cody Davis and Christopher McKenzie have...

There were a few moves in the Orioles minors today. Double-A Bowie reinstated lefty pitcher Rick Zagone off the disabled list and released the club's sixth-round pick from 2008 out of Missouri. The release of the 26-year-old Zagone is a bit surprising and perhaps an indication of the pitching depth at the higher level of the minors. He went 9-5 with an ERA of 3.41 in 28 games and 22 starts last season between Single-A Frederick, Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. Zagone led O's minor league...

So let me get this straight: Bryce Harper missed Tuesday's game with flu-like symptoms and was still feeling ill on Wednesday, but talked his way into the Nationals' lineup anyway. Harper told reporters in Miami that he threw up during the second inning during last night's game and felt his head spinning at the plate. Then he goes out and smacks four hits, including a double, and drives in a run. This guy is something special, all right. And at this point, I truly don't understand any...