If there is one thing we should have learned about the 2012 Orioles, probably long before now, is they are amazingly resilient and can bounce back time and time again. They took another hit last night when Jason Hammel limped off the mound injured, just two games after Nick Markakis headed off the field injured. But that didn't keep the Orioles from winning 9-2 over Tampa Bay to start a big three-game series. Six pitchers combined for a five-hitter as the O's, at least last night, overcame...

I'm 100 percent certain that Nate McLouth will bat leadoff again tonight. The Rays are starting a right-hander, Alex Cobb, and it didn't matter yesterday that they sent left-hander Matt Moore to the mound. McLouth had two hits last night and is 2-for-7 with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases in two games since replacing Nick Markakis atop the order. Does this mean McLouth will have exclusive rights to the leadoff duties? "We're going to take a look at every pitcher," said...

It was a night where J.J. Hardy let his bat do the talking. The Orioles shortstop, usually reserved in interviews, had few words to say after his two-homer, five-RBI night led the Orioles past Tampa Bay 9-2 for a share of first place in the American League East. "I don't know, I can't explain it," Hardy said. "I got a couple of pitches to hit and didn't miss them. He's a tough pitcher (Matt Moore) and it was nice to see him get out of there early. "Steve Johnson for one came in and...

The Orioles won and the Yankees lost, creating another first-place tie in the American League East. Too bad the Orioles weren't in the mood to celebrate. They're fairly low-key to begin with, and Jason Hammel's early exit with pain in his surgically repaired right knee put a real damper on the night. The Orioles will have their resiliency put to the test again. "I don't ever take it for granted," manager Buck Showalter said following a 9-2 win over the Rays before 23,828 at Camden...

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said he felt great and thought he was back on track tonight in his second start since coming off the disabled list. Then he felt something in his right knee again, on the second pitch he threw to Evan Longoria with two outs in the top of the fourth. He went on to walk him and shortly after that, Hammel left the game, injured again. Again, the right knee. The one he had arthroscopic surgery on in July. "It felt exactly the same as it did in the game against...

The Orioles have played themselves into a string of curious and unexpected situations this season. Possibly none more so, however, than this: They may have raised expectations to the point where missing the playoffs would actually be a disappointment. Last night, as Jason Hammel exited the game with an injury, I had the strangest feeling I've ever had as an O's fan. What I should have felt was, "Ah, well, this stretch run is going to be tough, but it's already been a great ride." Instead,...

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel has requested an MRI on his right knee Wednesday after feeling a sharp pain tonight that he's hoping won't lead to another surgery or the end of his season. Hammel said he felt the knee grab on the second pitch thrown to Evan Longoria, who walked with two outs in the fourth inning. He threw one pitch to Matt Joyce, unable to apply any pressure to the right knee, before leaving the game. "It felt exactly as it did in the game against Detroit," said Hammel, who...

It wasn't exactly the way the Orioles drew it up, as their starter left the game in the fourth, but they used six pitchers and a huge game at the plate by J.J. Hardy to beat Tampa Bay 9-2 in Game 1 of a big three-game series at Camden Yards. Pending the outcome of the Yankees-Red Sox game in Boston, the Orioles trail the first-place Bronx Bombers by a half-game. Instant update: The Red Sox walked off with a 4-3 win over the Yankees, meaning the O's and Yankees are tied for first place in...

Some O's and Rays notes as this game moves to the fifth inning with the Orioles leading Tampa Bay 3-1. Steve Johnson came on to pitch in the top of the fourth tonight when Jason Hammel left with a right knee injury. Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA over seven big league games, including two starts, this year. In 21 innings, he has allowed just 14 hits with six walks with 27 strikeouts and a batting average against of only .192. Impressive, as he has done that amid irregular work. He has...

For the second straight night, a Nationals starter is getting the job done against the Mets despite having some command issues. Last night, Gio Gonzalez walked five and was frustrated by his inability to locate his pitches, but he still worked six innings and allowed just a single run. Tonight, Jordan Zimmermann has walked three through four innings and has needed 83 pitches to get to this point, but he's thrown four scoreless frames. The Nats lead the Mets 1-0 thanks to Ryan Zimmerman's...