The Orioles are playing two games in Boston today because of the May 17 postponement. At least, I think that's the reason. There have been so many rainouts, I've lost track of the dates. Boston has lost 11 of its last 14 games, and Tampa Bay has closed to within two games in the wild card race. Game 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury is 14-for-35 (.400) lifetime against Guthrie. David Ortiz is 12-for-35...

I am trying to figure out if Alfredo Simon is one of Buck's nuggets for the future or not. Maybe if I'm not sure, that means he isn't. But he sure has games where he looks very nugget-like. Last year, Simon was, at times, a dependable late-inning reliever. This year, at times, he's been a solid-looking starter. What he can't seem to do is pitch well consistently or for long stretches. It makes you wonder if Simon will always be that way or if something will click at some point and he...

Alfredo Simon allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings today, including three home runs that helped the Angels take an 11-2 victory over the Orioles before an announced 27,471 at Camden Yards. That's a touchdown, two-point conversion and field goal for the Angels. "I think today was, what, his 14th start?" Showalter said. "We keep looking for guys to step up and put themselves in a position where you feel like you can trust them. Some starts make you feel better about that than...

If anyone wondered if the pitch that Alfredo Simon threw that hit the Angels Mark Trumbo in the first inning today was a purpose pitch, it was. At least that is what Simon indicated after the game. Alfredo Simon talks to reporters about his start in the O's loss to the Angels "We got hit yesterday and I'm going to defend my players," Simon said. "We got hit hard and that happened in the game and I have to defend my hitters and my team, so that's what happened." Simon gave up six...

The Orioles' run of solid starting pitching that had carried them to four straight wins over playoff contenders ended this afternoon at Camden Yards. Alfredo Simon gave up six runs and eight hits over five innings as the Angels beat the Orioles 11-2 at Camden Yards to keep the Orioles from their sixth series sweep of the season. Angels leadoff hitter Erick Aybar went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two homers, five runs scored and four RBIs for Los Angeles which also got a two-run double from...

Alfredo Simon has come back out to start the fifth inning, but he's already allowed two home runs to Erick Aybar and one to Vernon Wells, and the Orioles trail the Angels, 6-1, in a game that's moving slower than the Griswolds after they arrive at Wally World. Manager Buck Showalter has Brad Bergesen warming in the bullpen again, so Simon is near the end of a very disappointing afternoon. He's surrendered six runs and seven hits, with one walk, four strikeouts, a wild pitch and a hit...

That didn't take long. Alfredo Simon drilled Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo in the back pocket with a 95 mph fastball in the first inning, and plate umpire Laz Diaz jumped out from behind home plate and issued warnings to both benches. It's fair to assume that Simon was retaliating after Angels starter Ervin Santana hit Nolan Reimold and Mark Reynolds last night. Reynolds was drilled above the left temple, and he's out of today's lineup. Simon walked leadoff hitter Erick Aybar on four...

Some notes as the Orioles and Angels wrap up a series today and the Orioles end a six-game homestand. * Today the Orioles have a chance for their sixth series sweep of the season and first since they took four in a row at Minnesota in late August. The Orioles' five series sweeps this year: April 1-3: 3 games at Tampa. May 10-12: 3 games vs. Seattle. May 24-26: 3 games vs. Kansas City. June 6-8: 3 games vs. Oakland August 22-25: 4 games at Minnesota * The Orioles have now won four games in a...

When Brian Matusz takes the mound in Fenway Park on Monday night, it will have been two weeks since he last pitched in a game. He gave up five runs in just 1 1/3 innings on September 5 at New York and now he is slated to start the evening game of Monday's day-night doubleheader at Boston. "Yeah, I'm excited to get out there and just getting another opportunity is a good feeling. I just want to go out, compete, pound the zone and get ahead." Matusz feels he has had a few productive side...

Mark Reynolds joked with teammates this morning that they need to go easy on him because he's "concussed." At least he's able to laugh about it. Reynolds says he's fine and thought he might be in the lineup today, but a reporter broke the news that he's on the bench. "Oh, there's a lineup up? Then I'm probably not playing," he said. "I was going to go beg Buck (Showalter)." Reynolds was hit above the left temple by an Ervin Santana pitch in the third inning last night and left...