The Orioles had a chance for a series victory over the New York Yankees tonight, but lost 3-2 to wrap up the rain-shortened, four-game series. New York took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Mark Teixeira RBI double and the lead grew to 3-0 in the fourth on Nick Swisher's two-run homer. It was his 21st of the year and sixth over the last seven games. O's starter Alfredo Simon took the loss, giving up four hits and three runs over seven innings. He tied his career-high, throwing 114 pitches. The...

Alfredo Simon tied his career high with 114 pitches tonight. The last time he did it? His last start on Aug. 23 against the Twins. OK, he's stretched out to be a starter. Simon can't win tonight, as he left after the seventh inning with the Orioles losing, 3-1, but he deserves a better fate. He held the Yankees to three runs and four hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. That's more impressive than controlling the offensively-challenged Twins in their ballpark. Simon has allowed four...

The Nationals selected outfielder Brian Goodwin from Miami-Dade Junior College with one of their three first-round selections. His combination of speed and skill was a perfect match for the Nationals' seemingly never-ending quest for a lead-off center fielder of the future. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said on draft night that they felt the 6-foot, 195-lb., Goodwin had a "huge upside." Goodwin batted .382 (60-for-157) with 11 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 42...

If that headline sounds familiar, I wrote the same one for Brian Matusz last night. Remember how Matusz retired nine in a row in Game 2 before Mark Teixeira singled with one out in the sixth and Robinson Cano followed with a home run? Well, Alfredo Simon retired nine Yankees in a row tonight before Cano singled with one out in the fourth and Nick Swisher followed with his 21st home run. Yankees 3, Orioles 0. Swisher has six homers in his last seven games. He hit No. 20 last night after...

Double-A Bowie second baseman

In case you missed the sight of manager Buck Showalter's voice, here are some comments from his pregame session with the media. On adding players Thursday when rosters can expand: "I think it's got to serve a purpose, whether it be what the club needs or what the organization needs to make better decisions in the offseason. I know Andy (MacPhail) feels the same way. We've got some people in mind that fit, but things could change." On whether Jim Johnson needs to start next month to be...

Manny Machado of the Frederick Keys is at Camden Yards today to go on the MASN O's Xtra pre-game show as guest tonight. He spent time this afternoon standing around the batting cage talking with Orioles players. "It's great, just to see what the guys are going through right now," Machado said. "Hopefully, you know, within the next two years I can be up here and do what they are doing." The Orioles' top pick in last year's draft, the 19-year-old Machado has been with Frederick since...

First baseman Chris Davis will swing a bat tomorrow down in Sarasota as he begins baseball activities. Jason Berken will head to Sarasota later this week to begin a throwing program after his wife is induced at 6 a.m. tomorrow. He'll hold his baby girl before holding a baseball. The Orioles want Berken to pitch in a few games in September before he comes off the disabled list, but the minor league seasons end next week. They might have to organize simulated games at the minor league...

The New York Yankees were going to fight the Orioles' rescheduled date of Sept. 8 of a game that was postponed Saturday by Hurricane Irene. The Orioles and Yankees made up one game of the postponed Saturday doubleheader by playing two games Sunday, but the two teams, through their player representatives, management, Major League Baseball and the players' union, argued about when the second postponement should be played. The Yankees and manager Joe Girardi weren't interested in giving up...

For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Adams 2B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 3B Alfredo Simon RHP