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...

In a game where the Orioles used two homers to take an early impressive lead against likely Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the Orioles used little ball to win the game. The game was tied 5-5 starting the ninth when Detroit's Daniel Schlereth came on and gave up a leadoff single to Chris Davis. Kyle Hudson came on to pinch run. He advanced all the way to third base on a wild pitch, third strike to Robert Andino. Matt Angle gets a shaving cream pie to the face after he hits his first career...

I haven't changed my opinion that Matt Angle doesn't hit for enough power to be the regular left fielder next season, but I'll tip my cap to him after his leadoff home run tonight. I don't wear caps, but I'll purchase one for the sole purpose of tipping it. Angle had four homers in 424 at-bats at Triple-A Norfolk this summer. He hadn't hit one in the majors in his first 69 at-bats. And he chose 24-game winner Justin Verlander to be his first victim. Don't try to make sense of...

Detroit's Justin Verlander has not suffered a loss since July 15 against the Chicago White Sox, but he trails the Orioles tonight 5-0 in the third inning. Verlander, who is 24-5 with an ERA of 2.29, gave up a homer to Matt Angle leading off the game. It was Angle's first major league homer after 69 at-bats without one. He hit four homers in 424 at-bats this year at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles added three runs off Verlander in the second on a J.J. Hardy two-run single and a Nick Markakis...