ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles continue to downplay last night's unscheduled landing in Jacksonville, saying some of the media reports were exaggerated and it was really no big deal. "We're fine," said center fielder Adam Jones, clearly annoyed that the incident remained a hot topic today. Reminded how the Orioles' celebration was delayed because of their unexpected stop, Jones replied, "Doesn't matter. We're still fine. We're here alive and well." Manager Buck Showalter said...

There is no doubt that some Orioles fans may be a little nervous with Wei-Yin Chen on the mound tonight. The left-hander has been so good for most of this year for the O's but has shown signs of wearing down in recent starts. Chen is winless at 0-3 over his last six starts. In five September starts, he is 0-3 with a 5.90 ERA. Chen is now at 186 innings after throwing 164 2/3 last season in Japan. Chen was able to pitch seven innings or more, eight times over his first 22 O's starts, but has...

At the start of his afternoon press conference today, Davey Johnson was asked about the Orioles, his former team both as a player and a manager, clinching their first playoff spot since Johnson managed them in 1997. "It was great. Great," Johnson said. "Beat the Yankees. Finish ahead of the Yankees." Johnson then paused. "That'll get you fired," he said with a laugh. A couple minutes later, Johnson was asked how he feels about being mentioned as a candidate for the Manager of the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are encouraged by Jason Hammel's simulated game today in Sarosota, and he remains a candidate to start this weekend in the playoffs. Hammel threw 73 pitches in five innings at Ed Smith Stadium. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session and could start Saturday, at the earliest, because manager Buck Showalter won't use him on fewer than four days rest. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow when he comes in," Showalter said. "If he comes through that...

The Phillies defeated the Nationals 8-0 on September 27, 2010, before 14,309 at Nationals Park, to clinch the NL East crown. The Nationals managed just two hits that day, as Roy Halladay tossed a complete game for his 21st win. A look back at the starting lineups that day: Phillies Victorino CF Polanco 3B Utley 2B Howard 1B Werth RF Ibanez LF Ruiz C Valdez SS Halladay P Subs: Wilson Nationals Espinosa 2B Morgan CF Desmond SS Dunn 1B Morse RF Bernadina LF Ramos C Gonzalez 3B Lannan...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis was supposed to have the pins removed from his left thumb today, but the date has been pushed back a week after his examination today by a hand specialist in Sarasota. "They're staying in another week, so I'll get them out next Tuesday or Monday," he said. "It was just crushed too bad in there and I had a lot of pieces here and there. Probably on a clean break the pins could come out today, but my situation's a little different,...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base tonight against Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Chris Davis stays in right field and bats third. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

Kurt Suzuki has told manager Davey Johnson in the past that he has no problem starting every single game. Until the Nationals clinch the NL East title, Johnson is taking Suzuki up on his offer. Suzuki's getting the start behind the plate for the 10th straight day, a very lengthy streak for a catcher. In the last nine games, Suzuki is batting .294 with a home run and seven RBIs, so Johnson doesn't want to go away from the hot hand. He'll stick with Suzuki until the Nats are able to lock up...

The Orioles today announced that tickets for a possible tiebreaker game to be played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, October 4 will go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, October 2, exclusively online at www.orioles.com. Full and 29-game Season Plan Holders who paid their postseason invoice have already received tiebreaker tickets along with their postseason tickets and will be charged only if a tiebreaker is played. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. until noon, 13-game Plan Holders will receive...

For the Orioles, the 2012 season has represented such a team effort. So many players making so many key contributions. When it came time for reporters to vote for the Most Valuable Oriole Award, it was not easy to make the choice of that one player that deserved to be atop the ballot. In the end, Adam Jones was a repeat winner of the award. Catcher Matt Wieters, another player who got MVO votes, felt Jones was a solid choice. "I think Adam is a great choice for that award," Wieters said....