I guess it's up to fans and the media to be impressed with how the Orioles have matched last year's victory total with more than a month remaining in the regular season. Does manager Buck Showalter allow himself a few minutes to step back and appreciate the accomplishment? "No form or fashion," he said following tonight's 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays. "I don't think you're going to find anybody in that locker room who knows that unless you tell them. I think if someone had told us...

Unless the Orioles go 0-36 the rest of the way, they will top last year's win total. The Orioles beat Toronto 8-2 in front of 25,082 at Camden Yards tonight to improve to 69-57. Last year's team went 69-93. Steve Johnson gave up a two-run homer in the first to Edwin Encarnacion, but no runs after that as he improved to 2-0 in his two big league starts. Johnson gave up four hits over six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts, and now has an ERA of 3.18. In his two Orioles starts, he...

PHILADELPHIA - For the second straight night, a Nationals starter got hit around pretty good in the first inning but rebounded to keep his team in the ballgame. For seemingly the 10th time this month, Steve Lombardozzi delivered a big hit in the fifth, tying this game at 2-2. The Nats fell in an early hole when Gio Gonzalez allowed four of the first five Phillies hitters to reach in the first inning, plating two runs for the home team. Gonzalez recovered, however, minimizing the damage and...

New Orioles Hall of Famer Mike Mussina said he understood that some Baltimore fans were mad at him when he signed with the Yankees. But he said time heals some of that and he was pleased with the reception he got tonight as he entered the Orioles' Hall. "I think time settles things down," Mussina said. "I think it was a nice reception today. I think the people were glad to see me come back. It was nice to be on the field again. It was a nice reception and I think right now most people are...

Mike Mussina gave a short induction speech tonight. The Blue Jays forced Steve Johnson into a long first inning. Mussina slipped on his green Orioles Hall of Fame jacket, thanked a few people, said he hoped the game would be played because he hated rain and was done. Johnson threw 24 pitches and served up a two-run homer to Edwin Encarnacion. Johnson gave up a one-out single to Mike McCoy, who was thrown out by Matt Wieters trying to steal second base. Jose Bautista walked and Encarnacion...

The fans voted for the Potomac Nationals' 35th anniversary team, and it is an impressive lineup, featuring home run hitters Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla, and pitchers Andy Pettitte and Dan Haren. Potomac Franchise 35th Anniversary Team C - Jorge Posada (1993) 1B - Albert Pujols (2000) 2B - Adam Kennedy (1997-78) SS - Rafael Belliard (1981) 3B - Roberto Bonilla (1985) OF - Bernie Williams (1988) OF - Barry Bonds (1985) OF - Magglio Ordonez (1995) P - Andy Pettitte...

PHILADELPHIA - Davey Johnson said last night that he planned to give Ian Desmond the weekend off to let him deal with his strained right hamstring before hopefully having him back against the Marlins on Tuesday. The same likely goes for Michael Morse, who is dealing with some tenderness in his right hand after getting hit by a pitch last night. If Morse doesn't play tomorrow, he'd have a chance to capitalize on three straight days off, including Monday's off-day. "I don't see any chance...

After getting on the mound in a simulated game yesterday, Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel remains very encouraged by his rehab from right knee surgery. He still hopes to be back with the club possibly as soon as early next month. "I still think the first week (of September, I can return), I'm hoping," he said. "I would hope maybe one more sim game and then a rehab start, then I would hope to be good to go by then. That is what I have for my plan, but I mean we're not rushing it. The guys are...

While Chris Davis put his name in the record book with a three-homer game on Friday night, he hopes that in the big picture what he is doing most this year is earning himself a job on the 2013 Orioles. He feels he is well on his way to doing that during a season where he is batting .256 in 108 games with career-highs in homers (23) and RBIs (64). "I think so. So far this year, I've proved I could compete every day at this level," Davis said. "I've had some ups and downs but I think that...

Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome will be examined by another doctor and may receive a second epidural injection because of lingering inflammation caused by a herniated disc in his neck. Thome tried to swing a bat in Sarasota and still is experiencing some weakness and discomfort in his lat muscle. The Orioles aren't viewing it as a major setback, but it's disappointing news after he seemed to be progressing much faster than anticipated. Left-hander Troy Patton could throw from a mound...