Xavier Avery can cross "home run" off his list of firsts in the majors. Avery produced the all-important tack-on run in the bottom of the eighth with a shot off Chris Perez that cleared the left-field fence and increased the Orioles' lead to 9-7. Avery has a home run, walk and two RBIs in his second game since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Avery had six home runs in 224 at-bats with the Tides. He hit four in 557 at-bats with Double-A Bowie last year. Pedro Strop needed only five...

Orioles starters posted an 11.66 ERA in the last three games before tonight. Jake Arrieta couldn't stop the bleeding. Arrieta was charged with five runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches, 56 for strikes, before manager Buck Showalter ended his night. The Indians sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the fourth and turned a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 lead. They loaded the bases with one out and Arrieta walked Shin-Soo Choo to force in...

The Nationals were able to get a few hits early on against Braves right-hander Randall Delgado. Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler got off to a good start and contributed offensively for one of the few times in his career. Detwiler's RBI single plated Michael Morse in the second, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. In the third inning with two outs, Ian Desmond smacked a single to left field that scored Adam Laroche and Morse. Desmond was tagged out at third. Nationals lead 3-0. Desmond...

ESPN's Buster Olney says the Orioles would be a good fit for the Phillies' Jim Thome, and I agree with him. The question always is, at what price? What would it cost in a trade to get a 41-year-old slugger to see if he has one last push left to help an offensively challenged club? Olney posted this on his Twitter account tonight: My speculation and nothing more, at this point: I think that on paper, Orioles and Rangers are two best possible fits for Thome. Thome has always hit with plenty...

Jake Arrieta threw 29 pitches in the top of the first inning, and the Indians pieced together three singles to take a 1-0 lead. It didn't last long, but more on that later. Michael Brantley recorded the RBI after Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis reached base. Brian Roberts reached on Casey Kotchman's error in the bottom of the first, but his slump grew to 4-for-35. Roberts moved up on a wild pitch, took third on Xavier Avery's grounder and scored on shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera's...

Pfitzner Stadium, home of the high Single-A Potomac Nationals, was damaged by a fire today in Woodbridge, Va. A team official, who was at the stadium when the fire broke out, said the fire originated in the front office area, which is one story above the concession stands. He said the fire began around 4:40 p.m. The fire has been extinguished. "There was a fire located on the front office level. Everyone is accounted for and has been evacuated. No one is unaccounted for," according to the...

For the third time in the last five games, Robert Andino will make a start at third base tonight. You have to wonder if Andino might not be the club's best option at third now, a position that has been error-filled for the Orioles this year. With some uncertainty for the team at the hot corner, does Andino think he could be the guy right now to provide the team with some stability on defense there? He is not making any public proclamations about wanting that job. "Whatever I have to do to...

The game time temperature is supposed to be 100 degrees. The Orioles are having an abbreviated batting practice and they're again allowed to wear shorts and T-shirts. Yes, they're also hydrating. "It's not like the air conditioner comes on for the other team," manager Buck Showalter said. "We're both playing in it. And the last time I looked, this game is played in the summer in hot weather, home and away." Jake Arrieta, who starts tonight for the Orioles, is 6-0 with a 2.59 ERA in...

It is looking unlikely, but Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis still has hopes to return to the active roster before the All-Star break. The Orioles will send Markakis to short-season Single-A Aberdeen next Monday and Tuesday, and to Double-A Bowie Wednesday through Friday. He may not play in games there, but will continue to receive treatment from the medical staffs at those two affiliates while spending some time working with Terry Crowley and Mike Bordick. Orioles doctors will examine...

Left-hander Ross Detwiler, (4-3, 3.09 ERA) will take the mound tonight, looking to beat the division-rival Braves. Atlanta is second in the NL East, 3 1/2 games behind the Nats. For Atlanta, righty Randall Delgado will take the mound. He's 4-8 with a 4.52 ERA on the season. The Nationals are hoping their bats will stay hot at Turner Field. In their last series, a four-game set in Colorado, the Nats scored a total of 35 runs. For the Nats: LF Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan...