Left-hander Brian Matusz has held Erie to two hits over four scoreless innings tonight at Double-A Bowie. He's walked one and struck out none. I don't know if it qualified as a monkey on Jeremy Guthrie's back, or the weight of the world, but he should feel a bit lighter after today's 8-3 victory over the Nationals. Guthrie hadn't won since the season opener at Tropicana Field. It sure helps when a team scores runs for you. If you doubted it, well, here's your proof. "The team swung...

Today's attendance: 33,107 The Orioles scored eight runs while Jeremy Guthrie was pitching? The world really is coming to an end. Asked whether he felt relief that the Orioles supported Guthrie today, manager Buck Showalter said, "Relief? No. I just wanted him to pitch well. It's kind of like, the extra off days. ... Any time you take a starting pitcher and change up his routine like we had to with him, that was somewhat a concern going into it, but he handled it well. He pitched real...

BOWIE, Md. - Brian Matusz has pitched three shutout innings for Double-A Bowie against Erie tonight in his second injury rehab start. He has allowed just one hit and one walk so far. After a 1-2-3 first inning and a quick second where he gave up just a bunt single, Matusz got a double play ball to help him move quickly through the third inning. He issued a leadoff, five-pitch walk and then got No. 9 hitter Shawn Roof to hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Four pitches later, a groundout ended the...

BOWIE. Md. - Wearing a white No. 10 Bowie Baysox jersey, Brian Matusz retired Erie leadoff hitter Jamie Johnson on a flyout to center on his second pitch. That got his second injury rehab start under way. He pitched a 1-2-3 first inning on just five pitches, all strikes. He retired the No. 2 hitter on a pop to shallow left on the first pitch and got No. 3 hitter Rawley Bishop to ground out on an 0-1 count. That was fast. The Baysox are coming to bat in the last of the first here at Prince...

You know all about Jeremy Guthrie's run support issues, but here's a reminder: Before today, the Orioles hadn't scored in Guthrie's last three starts while he was in the game, and in five of seven. He received the lowest run support of any American League starter at 1.70 per game. In his seven previous starts, the Orioles scored six runs while he was in the game. So what's happening today? The Orioles erupted for four runs in the bottom of the third to give him a 4-2 lead. He must be...

I drew Shackleford in the Preakness pool. I know nothing about him except that his name reminds me of the N.C. State center with huge feet. Jeremy Guthrie is saddled with two unearned runs in the top of the third on first baseman Brandon Snyder's two-out error. Snyder backed up on Laynce Nix's bouncer, allowing the ball to play him, and it deflected off his body and rolled past him. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ian Desmond raced home. Nationals starter John Lannan retired the first six Orioles...

BOWIE, Md. - Here is tonight's lineup for the Double-A Bowie Baysox as they take on the Erie SeaWovles at 6:35 p.m. here at Prince George's Stadium. Brian Matusz is pitching tonight for Bowie, making his second rehab start. Matusz pitched four innings, allowing two hits and one run, Monday with Single-A Frederick. Matusz threw 60 pitches, 37 for strikes in that outing with Frederick and is expected to throw around 75-80 pitches tonight. Check back here tonight often for updates on the game...

Bench coach Willie Randolph is coaching third base today. John Russell had a cortisone injection in his knee. I don't mean to bombard you with blog entries on this sunny day, when you're attention is divided evenly between baseball, the Preakness and the end of the world, but here are some pregame comments from manager Buck Showalter. On how he's not concerned whether Simon will be focused on baseball: "No, I don't have that concern at this point. I think he's ready to go. He's been...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Alfredo Simon from the Restricted List. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, infielder Cesar Izturis has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Simon made three rehab starts at Double-A Bowie, going 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (16.0IP, 6ER), striking out 17 and walking five. He saved 17 games for the O's in 2010 after having his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on April 27. Izturis was placed on the 15-day...

BALTIMORE, Md. -- The Nationals' clubhouse was loose and relaxed. Guys were chatting up each other, playing cards and some joked around. Hardly the feeling you think you would find from a team that just lost two games in New York without plating a run. Yes, this was before Friday night's offensive explosion at Baltimore. The Nationals scored 17 runs and pounded out 19 hits, including six homers and a pair of triples. Nationals third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. said the guys were relaxed...