It is an extremely noteworthy accomplishment for the franchise to see five All-Star invites for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Even prior to the arrival of heralded No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper, the Senators were 13 games above .500 and cruising along in the western division of the Eastern League. Harrisburg stands at 53-36 at the All-Star break, with a 5½-game lead over Richmond atop the division. The Senators begin the second half of the season with a seven-game...

Since plate umpire Marty Foster issued warnings to both benches, he's had to toss Red Sox pitcher Kyle Weiland and manager Terry Francona, and Orioles pitcher Michael Gonzalez and manager Buck Showalter. Weiland hit Vladimir Guerrero on the hand. Gonzalez threw behind David Ortiz. Buck Showalter is not happy with losing Reynolds and Guerrero Ortiz still hasn't been hit in this series, but he's been front and center in the series-long feud. He's the biggest target and nobody can hit...

Left-hander Brian Matusz threw 105 pitches in 5 1/3 innings today for Triple-A Norfolk. He left with two runners on base, and they both scored while he sat in the dugout. Matusz is charged with two runs and six hits. He walked three, struck out six and threw a wild pitch. He threw 60 strikes among his 105 pitches. Nick Bierbrodt let the inherited runners score. Matusz gave up two hits in the first inning, a bunt single and walk in the third, a single and walk in the fourth, a single in the...

Mitch Atkins is done after 1 2/3 innings, which makes him a perfect fit for this Orioles rotation. Atkins gave up three home runs in the second inning, though not in a row. It wasn't that bad. Kevin Youkilis just tied the game, 6-6, with a two-run shot that sent Atkins to the bench. Atkins also surrendered homers to Marco Scutaro and Dustin Pedroia among his seven hits and 64 pitches. Jeremy Guthrie is making his second relief appearance. He's scheduled to start the second-half opener...

The Orioles didn't turn a double play. They didn't come up with a sharp ground ball. They didn't put a batter away after getting ahead in the count. They didn't keep the game scoreless in the bottom of the first inning. Yes, the Orioles will play from behind again today. The Red Sox scored twice off Mitch Atkins in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead at Fenway Park. Robert Andino couldn't turn a double play on Dustin Pedroia's sharp grounder that followed Jacoby Ellsbury's leadoff...

It is kind of hard to remember the Orioles began this year going 6-1. Or that a month ago they were 30-31 and an out away from getting to .500. Another season is unraveling daily amidst injuries, poor starting pitching, a lack of clutch hitting and some young players that are failing to make progress. With 11 losses in the last 12 games and a 6-20 record over the last month, it's not a pretty picture right now. With that as a backdrop, today I am taking a look back at what has happened since...

For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Mitch Atkins RHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Gonzalez 1B Youkilis 3B Ortiz DH Reddick LF Varitek C Drew RF Scutaro SS Weiland RHP Orioles starters have completed seven innings just once in the last 25 games and have a 7.41 ERA in 119 innings. In the last 15 games, the starters are 2-11 with a 9.00 ERA in...

Now, more of my recent conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter about the team's minor league system and player development. Showalter said the minors are where a coach and manager can have a real significant impact on a player. "It's a fun and gratifying job where you can see a return for your work quicker," Showalter said. "In the minors, you can see day-to-day improvement and such an eagerness to learn. I can get jealous of the impact those guys have, not only in their...

It is kind of hard to remember the Orioles began this year going 6-1. Or that a month ago they were 30-31 and an out away from getting to .500. Another season is unraveling daily amidst injuries, poor starting pitching, a lack of clutch hitting and some young players that are failing to make progress. With 11 losses in the last 12 games and a 6-20 record over the last month, it's not a pretty picture right now. With that as a backdrop, today I am taking a look back at what has happened since...

Buck Showalter spent seven seasons in the minor leagues as a player and five as a manger. He helped start the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise from scratch. He knows a little something about player development. While he has to be most concerned with the players on the Orioles' 25-man roster, he also spends part of his day checking out reports on the club's minor leagues. That is where hopefully, some future Orioles are currently playing and developing talent in the minors is critical to any...