Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander Adam Olbrychowski is on a roll recently in Woodbridge, Va. The Pepperdine hurler has allowed three hits or less in three of his last four starts. His most recent start, Aug. 5, was his best in over a month and his top outing since he returned to a starting role nine games ago. Friday at Myrtle Beach, Olbrychowski went a career-high eight innings, allowing three hits, one run, three walks and had six strikeouts for his fourth win of the season, a 6-1...

Keep things in perspective. It's a motto that works for sports and for life. Some of us need to be reminded about perspective more often than others. Given my favorite team's misfortunes, I may as well have those words marked on every page of my Orioles desk calendar. Rather than focus on the day-to-day frustrations of the Birds' 14th consecutive losing season, I'm attempting to consider the big picture and keep things in perspective. After all, how bad could it be? Well ... * The...

As he continues his comeback from a strained rotator cuff,

Despite all the issues swirling around the Orioles, it's still hard to believe that they haven't won a series since June 24-26 against the Reds. You'd think it might happen by accident. They've got four games coming against the White Sox beginning tonight. A split doesn't count. It's got to be at least three out of four. We might have another roster move today, depending on the severity of Cesar Izturis' strained left groin. Izturis could go back on the disabled list, which would...

Recently promoted catcher David Freitas has done quite well as the lead catcher for the Suns, batting .288 with 100 hits in 102 games. He has cranked out 25 doubles, 12 homers and 63 RBI. "David has had an incredible year," Harris said. "He is an extremely mature player both offensively and defensively and we couldn't be happier with his progress." Freitas could get his chance soon with the Potomac Nationals because Devin Ivany was placed on the disabled list and Brian Peacock was...

Washington Nationals right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg, dubbed "Baseball Jesus" by a teammate last season during spring training, made his much-anticipated return to a baseball field facing batters paid to beat him Sunday, as he took the mound for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns against the Greensboro Grasshoppers (no joke) in his first minor league rehab appearance, as he continues his recovery from ligament replacement surgery. The appearance comes two weeks less than one calendar...

ABERDEEN, Md - After pitching very poorly in his last two starts, with the results to show for that, Orioles 2009 first-round pick

ABERDEEN, Md. - In his last outing for the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds, right-hander Matt Hobgood gave up nine runs in just 2 2/3 innings. This start tonight at Ripken Stadium is going a little better for him so far. He has retired the side in order in the first two innings on just 22 pitches. The Orioles' first-round pick in the 2009 draft is working his way back from a strained rotator cuff. Making his fifth start this evening for Aberdeen against Hudson Valley, Hobgood threw...

As you know by now, Mark Reynolds' 450-foot blast into the second deck tied for the sixth-longest home run in the 20-year history of Camden Yards. Here's a partial list: Darryl Strawberry, 465, 6/17/98 Pedro Munoz, 463, 5/25/96 Jeffrey Hammonds, 460, 9/15/97 Mo Vaughn, 457, 7/796 Eric Davis, 452, 9/26/93 Mark Reynolds, 450, 8/7/11 Juan Gonzalez, 450, 7/26/92 Manny Ramirez, 450, 8/14/95 Russell Branyan, 450, 6/11/09 Mark Reynolds talks about his two homers including one that reached the...

ABERDEEN, Md. - It's humid and cloudy here at Ripken Stadium. The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds, who are 16-32, will host the Hudson Valley Renegades, who have a record of 24-23 coming up at 5:35 p.m. Matt Hobgood is starting tonight for Aberdeen and expected to pitch four innings as the Orioles 2009 first-round pick continues to work his way back from a strained rotator cuff. Check back for updates on his outing tonight at Aberdeen. Here is today's IronBirds lineup: CF - Glynn...