The Orioles are returning to Camden Yards for a six-game homestand that begins tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays, who just swept the Boston Red Sox to claw back into the wild card race. Probably not the best time to be catching these guys. Zach Britton is seeking his 10th victory. He's faced the Rays three times this season, going 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. They're batting .186 against him. The Orioles have plenty of holes to fill and decisions to make during the winter, and...

The Single-A Frederick Keys will host Potomac tonight in the fifth and deciding game of their playoff series. The Keys are one win from the Carolina League championship series. There are many reasons why the Keys set a club record with 80 regular season wins and now are a win away from advancing in the playoffs. One somewhat unheralded player that should get some of the credit and attention is catcher Brian Ward. Despite having modest stats on offense, Ward has emerged as a real solid player...

The Single-A Potomac Nationals scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth frame to topple Frederick 6-1 in a must win Game 4 at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. The deciding game five at 7 p.m. Monday night in Frederick. Zach Walters, Destin Hood and Jose Lozada each had a pair of RBIs for Cameron Selik, who notches the win. Richmond dropped Harrisburg 2-1 to sweep the series 3-0. The Senators' lone run came on an Erik Komatsu double and then he scored on a Stephen King base hit. ...

This time the Orioles let the lead get away in the seventh inning. Trailing 5-3 heading to the last of the seventh, Toronto scored three runs then to post a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Orioles. Buck Showalter talks to Jim Hunter about the O's 6-5 loss in Toronto Toronto took the series two wins to one and wins the season series, 12-6 against the Orioles. The Jays took two out of three in all six series between the clubs this season. With a win either yesterday or today, the Orioles...

The Frederick Keys took a 1-0 lead to the eighth inning this afternoon at Potomac. Six outs from advancing to the Carolina League championship series, the Keys could not maintain the shutout. Potomac came up with six runs in the last of the eighth to post a 6-1 victory that evens the best-of-five series at two wins and sends the clubs back to Frederick Monday night at 7 p.m in the fifth and deciding game. The winner of that game will play Kinston in the championship series. Right-hander...

The Nationals' catcher Jesus Flores has had a good homestand and has been able to hit the ball well to the outfield, especially the left field corner in his past few games. Flores has gone 5-for-8 with two doubles and an RBI during the Nationals' homestand against the Mets, Dodgers and Astros. Flores said his confidence is growing as he gets more playing time and gets farther away from the shoulder and labrum issues that sidelined him for close to two seasons. "I feel like I am having a...

Even with how yesterday's game ended, the Orioles' bullpen has posted an ERA of 0.83 over the last five games, allowing just two runs over the last 21 2/3 innings. Here is the rundown: Tuesday at NYY: 1.1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K Wednesday at NYY: 6IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 6K Thursday vs. NYY: 6IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 8K Friday at Tor: 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 0K Saturday at Tor: 6.1IP, 2H, 2R-ER, 2BB, 5K TOTALS: 21.2IP, 6H, 2R-ER, 7BB, 22K. Until Kevin Gregg allowed two hits with two outs in the ninth on Saturday,...

With Adam Jones scratched again, I get to file a second lineup today. Too bad I don't get paid per-lineup entry. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Game update: Nick Markakis' two-out, two-run single off Blue Jays reliever Carlos Villanueva in the fourth inning gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Only one run off Tommy Hunter is earned. Mark...

Here is the Nationals' lineup for the series finale with the Astros.   Desmond - SS Ankiel - CF Zimmerman - 3B Morse - LF Werth - RF Espinosa - 2B Marrero - 1B Ramos - C Strasburg - P  

Adam Jones was scratched from yesterday's lineup with a swollen ankle, but he's starting in center field today. Matt Angle is starting in left field ahead of Nolan Reimold, who remains on the bench. For the Orioles: Matt Angle LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the Blue Jays: Mike McCoy SS Eric Thames LF Jose Bautista RF Adam Lind DH Brett Lawrie 3B Kelly Johnson...