The Texas Rangers are trying to hold off the Angels and win the American League West. Tonight, a former Ranger provided Texas a lift. Tommy Hunter pitched seven shutout innings as the Orioles beat the Angels 8-3 at Camden Yards. Even before Hunter did his postgame interview he had heard from some of the Rangers. "They texted me," Hunter said. "I looked at my phone and and I just started smiling. I wish those guys the best, hope they make a deep run in the playoffs and don't forget...

Tommy Hunter gave the Orioles seven scoreless innings tonight in an 8-3 victory over the Angels. His performance might get overlooked because the offense erupted for eight runs - including homers by Mark Reynolds and Nolan Reimold - and closer Kevin Gregg allowed three runs (two earned) in a 43-pitch ninth inning. Buck Showalter meets with the media to discuss the Birds' 8-3 victory over the Angels "Tommy has had some good games," Showalter said. "I thought he carried his stuff a...

Adam Jones is expected to have an MRI tomorrow on his sore right thumb, even if he hadn't heard that when reporters were allowed in the Orioles clubhouse after the game. When asked about the MRI, Jones asked reporters who had said that. He was told it was manager Buck Showalter and Jones said he hadn't talked to Showalter at that point. Jones said he feels certain he will return to the lineup and not be shutdown for the remaining games. He said there was some improvement today. "A lot...

Adam Jones will have an MRI on his right thumb tomorrow after being scratched from the lineup again. An X-ray taken earlier in the week didn't reveal any structural damage, but continuing soreness in the thumb led the Orioles to schedule the MRI. A hand specialist examined Jones' thumb earlier today, and his report was "consistent with what the X-rays said," according to manager Buck Showalter. Jones hasn't started the last six games. He was used as a pinch-runner Tuesday and a...

This spoiler role seems to suit the Orioles. After taking two of three from the Rays, the Orioles crushed the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 tonight at Camden Yards. Los Angeles began the night 3.5 games out of first in the AL West and four back in the wild card with eight wins over their last 11 games. Tommy Hunter entered with a record of 2-3 and 5.98 ERA in his first eight Orioles starts, but tonight pitched seven shutout innings of seven-hit ball. He walked two, fanned five and threw 109...

Matt Angle didn't have a hit last night in the Orioles' 8-3 victory over the Angels, but he laid down a nice sacrifice bunt in the third inning and reached on an error and scored in the fifth. He also made a nice leaping catch near the fence to rob Howie Kendrick in the top of the first. Angle is part of the new go-go Orioles, who have been successful on 19 of their last 21 stolen base attempts since Aug. 26. Eight different players have recorded steals during that stretch: Angle, Robert...

The Orioles drove Angels starter Dan Haren from the game with two on and no outs in the sixth inning. Tyler Chatwood's wild pitch enabled Chris Davis to score, and Nolan Reimold followed with a two-run homer to complete Haren's line and increase the Orioles' lead to 8-0. Haren is charged with seven runs (six earned) and seven hits, with two walks, four strikeouts and a wild pitch. Before tonight, he had allowed three runs or fewer in five of his last six starts and eight of 10. Reimold...

Needing one win for their fourth Carolina League championship, the Frederick Keys came to bat in the top of the third at Kinston tonight trailing 2-0. Frederick scored 11 runs in that inning and holds an 11-2 lead in the fourth. The Keys would win the Mills Cup finals series three wins to one with a victory tonight. The big third inning featured a Miguel Abreu RBI double, a Bobby Stevens two-run single and Manny Machado's three-run homer. Jonathan Schoop plated two runs in the inning in two...

The Nationals' instructional league conducts their first workout with a roster of 52 players today in Viera, Fla. One of the top three selections by the Nationals in the June First-Year Player Draft, Miami-Dade College speedster Brian Goodwin, heads the list of talented outfielders. Goodwin batted .382 (60-for-157) with 11 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored in 47 games with Miami Dade College in 2011. As a member of the Louisville Slugger All-Freshman team,...

Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter could use a good start tonight. In his eight O's starts since his trade from Texas, he is 2-3 with an ERA of 5.98. He has allowed four runs or more in seven of the eight games. Hunter enters tonight's start with a 1-4 record and ERA of 8.79 in seven career games versus the Angels. He is 24-15 with an ERA of 4.71 in 52 major league starts. Here are some other notes about the Orioles and Angels: * I didn't realize this, maybe you have, but the Orioles have...