Brad Bergesen replaced starter Brian Matusz in the sixth inning and gave up two singles, struck out two batters and served up a three-run homer to Don Kelly. That's good and bad in the same inning. Chris Jakubauskas replaced Jeremy Accardo in the eighth and gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Jhonny Peralta, after the Orioles had scored three runs in the top half of the inning. That's just bad. Matusz was charged with six runs and seven hits in five innings, with three walks,...

When Mark Reynolds hit his 37th homer on Saturday against Justin Verlander, he moved into a tie with Albert Belle and Boog Powell for ninth most homers by an Oriole in one season. Powell hit 37 in 1969 and Belle did it in 1999. Reynolds may not add to his total today as he is not in the lineup this afternoon in Detroit. He has now hit five homers over his last seven games and if he can add one or more in the remaining games, he can continue to move up the single-season homer charts. If he...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday the team continues to speak with pitcher Chien-Ming Wang's representatives as they look to nail down a contract extension. Wang finished up his return to baseball after two seasons away with a serious shoulder injury, by throwing six innings of one run ball and contributing an RBI single in the Nationals 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves Saturday. Wang's record is an impressive 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA. He recorded 16 strikeouts in his final four...

Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer off Brian Matusz in the bottom of the first inning to give Detroit a 2-0 lead. It happened so fast, I was still driving back from Hunt Valley. Cabrera jumped on Matusz's first pitch, a curveball. The inning included a throwing error by third baseman Chris Davis, but Jake Fox threw out Austin Jackson at the plate. Matusz has allowed 17 homers in 45 2/3 innings, and at least one in every start except his first. Update: The Orioles scored three runs in the...

Here is today's starting lineups for the final home game of season: Braves: Bourn - CF Prado - LF Jones - 3B Uggla - 2B Freeman - 1B Diaz - RF Ross - C Wilson - SS Minor - P Nationals: Desmond - SS Werth - CF Zimmerman - 3B Morse - LF Marrero - 1B Espinosa - 2B Gomes - RF Ramos - C Detwiler - P

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo spoke about the future of top outfield prospect Bryce Harper, who will begin play in the Arizona Fall League on Oct. 4. Rizzo said they will play Harper at every outfield position so he continues to gain experience at the position. Harper was primarily a catcher in high school and at the College of Southern Nevada. He played right field in SIngle-A Hagerstown and right field at Double-A Harrisburg. "I still want him moving to several of the outfield...

Here's a lineup you won't recognize. It doesn't include Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, J.J. Hardy, Mark Reynolds or Matt Wieters. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF Robert Andino 2B Chris Davis 3B Vladimir Guerrero DH Jake Fox 1B Nolan Reimold RF Kyle Hudson LF Pedro Florimon SS Craig Tatum C Brian Matusz LHP

Just when it appeared that Brian Matusz had thrown his last pitch in 2011, he's back on the hill for one more start. There's no way for Matusz to salvage this season, but manager Buck Showalter wants him to go out on a high note. Showalter appreciates how Matusz has worked overtime to achieve better results, even if they haven't come to him. Matusz is 1-8 with a 10.68 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP in 11 starts. He's totaled three innings in his last two appearances, allowing 11 runs and 11 hits,...

Some notes to ponder as the Orioles play their last road game of the year today at Detroit. The Orioles are 67-91. If they can go 3-1 or better in the remaining games, they will have their first 70-win season since 2006, when they were 70-92. * The Orioles have been playing a lot of close games lately. Of their past 19 games, 13 have been decided by two runs or less and the Orioles are 9-4 in those games. Eight of the club's last 13 games have been decided by one run and they are 5-3 in those...

The Orioles used the suicide squeeze to take a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth, and Kevin Gregg stranded the tying run to pick up his 22nd save and his second in three nights. Pretty routine stuff, right? Pedro Strop allowed his first run as an Oriole, tying the game in the eighth inning. Chris Davis singled to lead off the top of the ninth, and pinch-runner Kyle Hudson went from first to third on a strikeout. Kyle Hudson talks to reporters about scoring the game-winning run in...