The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on Nick Markakis' two-out single that scored Blake Davis. Davis singled and stole second with one out. Catcher Craig Tatum walked and J.J. Hardy popped up before Markakis came to the plate. Tatum was thrown out at third base to end the inning, but not before Davis scored. Update: Derrek Lee crushed a three-run homer to left field to give the Orioles a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. The rally started when the Reds let Adam...

I am sure Orioles manager Buck Showalter is not at all opposed to Jeremy Guthrie pitching deep into today's game with Cincinnati. In case you have not noticed, Orioles' starters have not been pitching deep into recent games. This weekend, Chris Jakubauskas went just five against the Reds Friday and Brian Matusz only 4 2/3 innings last night. Over the last nine games, Orioles' starters have pitched six innings or more just twice. They have just one quality start and an ERA of 5.32 in that...

You don't have to worry about Jeremy Guthrie's velocity today. His fastball topped out at 97 mph in the first inning. The Reds forced Guthrie to throw 28 pitches in the inning. They didn't score, but they had a single and walk. Guthrie struck out the last two batters he faced. Mark Reynolds committed his 17th error in the second inning on a high throw to second base on an attempted force. That put runners on first and second with no outs. It also put Guthrie in quite a jam. Miguel Cairo...

Now that I've left the MASN set in the bullpen area and returned to the press box, I can pass along more quotes from Jake Arrieta. Arrieta completed a bullpen session today without experiencing any discomfort in his right elbow. "My side was pretty good," he said afterward while standing at his locker. "I was a little timid at first to let it go, but once we got loose, got stretched out pretty good, it felt close to normal. Breaking balls were good. What I really wanted to make sure I...

The Washington Nationals today announced that Davey Johnson has been named to serve as field manager and will be in uniform Monday for the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Angels. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Johnson, a senior advisor to Rizzo since 2009, will direct the Nationals on the field for the remainder of the 2011 season. He also agreed to a three-year consulting contract that will have him remain...

Jake Arrieta threw around 40 pitches in the bullpen today and said his right elbow felt good, but he's scheduled for another side session on Wednesday and is shooting for a Saturday start in Atlanta. Arrieta was supposed to pitch Wednesday against the Cardinals at Camden Yards, but the Orioles want him to throw again in the bullpen and build up to around 50 pitches. Arrieta, who's been receiving treatment on his right elbow for inflammation caused by a bone spur, said he threw the last 10...

The Frederick Keys will be getting their regular first baseman back today as Tyler Townsend has been activated from the disabled list for today's 6 p.m. home game vs. Wilmington He has been out since June 8 with a hamstring injury. He has been one of the Carolina League's best hitters this year batting .317 in 52 games with 19 doubles, 10 homers, 39 RBIs and an OPS of .915. At the time of his injury, he was batting .394 with two homers and eight RBIs in eight games in June. Townsend takes...

Blake Davis is back at second base today. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Derrek Lee 1B Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Blake Davis 2B Craig Tatum C Jeremy Guthrie RHP Guthrie has never faced the Reds. Jonny Gomes is 3-for-7 with a double and home run against him. Scott Rolen is 2-for-15. Hardy is batting .368 with seven doubles, six homers and 12 RBIs as the leadoff hitter. Since May 21, Hardy leads major league shortstops in home...

One of the best stories of the season has been the rise of right-handed starter Brad Peacock with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Peacock has been stifling opposing hitters, going 8-2 in 12 starts (14 games). Opponents are hitting just .182 against the Miami, Fla., native, and Peacock has notched 114 strikeouts, which leads the Eastern League by a wide margin. The 23-year old Peacock also is tops in victories (8-2) and third overall in ERA (2.28) in the entire league. Alongside No. 1...

The last two seasons, Orioles outfielder Adam Jones has hit 19 homers each year. His first-inning solo homer last night was already his 13th of this season. He has now tied Mark Reynolds for the team homer lead. After Saturday's game, Jones, now batting .291, was asked if this is the most confident he's ever been at bat as a major leaguer. "I wouldn't say it's the max," Jones said. "Since Day One I've felt confident and it's just now I'm starting to learn how to handle myself at...