No big surprises today in the Orioles' lineup. Matt Wieters is catching a day game following a night game, but it's a 4:05 p.m. start and the club was off Thursday. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Nick Johnson DH Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP

Continuing to display the promise demonstrated in his Nationals late-season introduction, left-hander Tommy Milone is off to a great start with the Oakland Athletics. Through nine starts, the former Nationals hurler has gone 6-3 with a 3.75 ERA, recording 32 strikeouts to lead the Athletics. The southpaw has adjusted well, returning to his home state in a trade with pitchers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, and catcher Derek Norris, during the offseason. The Nationals received pitchers Gio...

After 30 innings without allowing an earned run in the South Atlantic League, beginning tonight Carolina League hitters will take their shot at Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy. Bundy will make his debut at Single-A Frederick when the Keys host the Salem Red Sox at 6 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys say an over-capacity crowd is expected and fans are encouraged to arrive early. Earlier this week, O's director of pitching development Rick Peterson talked about Bundy's promotion...

The Orioles and Royals have a 4:05 p.m. start today, so the lineup will be coming your way earlier than usual on a Saturday. Perhaps it will be joined by the announcement that Adam Jones has signed a six-year extension. It didn't happen last night, and executive vice president Dan Duquette refused to confirm whether it would get done before the homestand ends. He hates talking about it. We hate the secrecy. It's an interesting relationship. So when's the last time you felt this good about...

Jason Hammel failed to complete six innings in his last two starts, but he made it tonight, shutting out the Royals on five hits before

The Orioles set a Camden Yards record tonight with a walk-up crowd of nearly 11,000. It was Fireworks Night, but there also was a buzz in the air about Adam Jones' contract extension and the Orioles continuing to possess the best record in the American League. It was loud until the end, when Dana Eveland recorded the final out to secure an 8-2 victory over the Royals. "They're engaged, and it was a good atmosphere," manager Buck Showalter said. "And we've got to keep doing the things...

It has not been the start Ryan Zimmerman wanted to have this season. Recovering from an injury and mustering only eight extra-base hits, his average has hovered below .250 in 30 games. You could tell the veteran was waiting for a game or an at-bat to break out of it. Baseball is a game of opportunity. That chance knocked on the door in the latter stages Friday night in Atlanta. Zimmerman had the answer. Braves starter Tim Hudson got into trouble in the seventh inning. Down 4-3 with two outs,...

There was a festive mood at Camden Yards today with the news that the Orioles are close to signing Adam Jones to a contract extension. Then the game started, and the O's kept the good feelings going. Jason Hammel pitched out of a few jams, Jones knocked in two runs and the O's scored five in the last of the fifth. Chris Davis added a two-run home run in the last of the seventh, and the O's beat Kansas City 8-2 tonight in Game 1 of a three-game series. The Orioles moved to 29-17 and won for...

Jason Hammel has run up his pitch count tonight, but he's held down the Royals. Hammel is shutting out Kansas City on five hits over five innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. But he's thrown 93 pitches, including 61 for strikes. A walk and double put two runners in scoring position with one out in the fourth, but Hammel struck out Alex Gordon and Brayan Pena. Two singles, Hammel's throwing error and a stolen base again put two runners in scoring position with one out in the...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't offer much to reporters regarding Adam Jones' contract extension, but it doesn't appear that an announcement is coming tonight. "There's not a lot I can say about it other than I'm encouraged by the fact that Adam wants to stay in Baltimore, and we'd certainly like him to stay in Baltimore, and hopefully we can work something out in the short term," Duquette said. Asked if a deal could be finalized before the Orioles begin their...