Let's check in with a few Orioles stats and notes after a disappointing end to the weekend. It began with the Orioles blanking Tampa Bay 7-0 Friday, but they lost a late lead and the game Saturday night and fell behind early in losing Sunday. * Vlad Guerrero had back-to-back games on May 15 and 16 with two doubles each. But in the 22 games since then, Guerrero has just three total extra-base hits. His homer yesterday was his sixth of the year and first since May 22 versus Washington....

As any of you who have read my posts over at Dempsey's Army know, I love to beat a dead horse. So today I will, once again, examine the addition of Vladimir Guerrero to the Orioles lineup - and the stunning lack of power Guerrero has added to the batting order. When Guerrero was signed this offseason, he was hailed and the final piece of the puzzle to make the Baltimore offense go. He was a proven cleanup hitter who would bring a presence to the heart of the lineup, provide the team with an...

The Orioles announced after today's game that they have optioned INF Brandon Snyder to Triple-A Norfolk. Snyder was 3-for-13 (.231) in six games over two stints with the Orioles this season.

The Orioles don't ever want to lose any player to injury, but now that Mark Reynolds is hitting homers, they'd really like to keep his bat in the lineup. Reynolds is confident he can play Tuesday after leaving today's game in the eighth with a left forearm contusion. He took a shot off the bat of Sean Rodriguez off that arm in the fifth inning and had it taped after the game. Reynolds said X-rays on his arm were negative. "I think the day (off tomorrow) will do some good," he said....

Adam Jones talked about the inside-the-park home run that provided a convenient snapshot of today's 9-6 loss to the Rays. "I missed the ball," he said. "I had a shot at it. I just missed the ball." Did the ball hit his glove? "I haven't seen the replay of it," he said. "I just know you've seen me catch it many times. It's cool when everybody out there starts ripping you when you usually catch everything. But it's all good." Sounds like the fans were a little harsh in center...

X-rays on Mark Reynolds' left forearm were negative. Manager Buck Showalter didn't hide his disappointment with the Orioles' level of play today, citing the mistakes and the extra outs given to Tampa Bay that contributed to a 9-6 loss. And though Showalter chose his words carefully, it's obvious that he's frustrated with Brian Matusz's inability to hold runners. What's his level of concern with Matusz, who allowed four runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings in his third start since coming...

Brian Matusz may have had a rough day today and a short outing, but it had nothing at all to do with being hurt or any injury. "I'm 100 percent healthy," Matusz said. It was the shortest non-injury start of Matsuz's career, and he gave up four runs and four walks over just 1 1/3 innings today in a 9-6 loss to Tampa. "From the get-go I didn't get a good feel warming up in the bullpen," Matusz said. "Just one of those days where you have to battle without your good stuff. They were...

The Orioles won two of their first three series this year against Tampa Bay, and when they beat the Rays 7-0 on Friday, three out of four was looking quite realistic. But the Orioles could not close out the game last night and Brian Matusz exited early today as the Rays won 9-6 to win the series. Matusz faced 13 hitters and 10 reached base on five hits, four walks and an error. He gave up four runs in just 1 1/3, throwing 52 pitches. He falls to 1-1 this season with an ERA of 5.11 after three...

Manager Buck Showalter must be sitting in the dugout wondering whether ESPN has an open seat on Baseball Tonight. He didn't sign up for this mess. Evan Longoria was credited with a two-run inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning after Adam Jones charged his line drive and watched the ball hook away from him and roll to the fence. The ball appeared to nick his glove, though a few people in the press box are disputing it. It's the latest embarrassment for the Orioles today. The Rays...

Michael Gonzalez is entering today's game with two runners in scoring position, no outs and the Orioles trailing 5-3, in the seventh inning. Gonzalez has been used in non-pressure situations, but Alfredo Simon can't go any further. He's logged 4 2/3 innings, plus two batters in the seventh, and thrown 75 pitches. It's pretty obvious that he's gassed. Simon deserves serious praise for holding Tampa Bay to one run so far and sparing the bullpen of excessive use. Manager Buck Showalter has...