Each time Brad Bergesen begins to warm in the Orioles' bullpen, Chris Jakubauskas makes a big pitch to end an inning and stay in the game. He's not especially sharp tonight, but he's stubborn. The Orioles had a chance to wipe out a four-run deficit, or at least take a big chunk out of it, after loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth. Felix Pie and Blake Davis singled, and J.J. Hardy reached on an infield hit. Chris Carpenter was teetering. The Orioles couldn't topple...

Nick Markakis' hitting streak has reached a career-high 18 games. Markakis doubled off Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter with two outs in the bottom of the third inning to reduce their deficit to 4-1. The run is unearned because Carpenter was charged with an error on a sharp ground ball by J.J. Hardy that deflected off the pitcher's foot and bounced to third base. It sure looked like a hit to the rest of us, but so far it hasn't been changed. Update: It's been changed. Credit Hardy...

So far, the St. Louis Cardinals are enjoying their first-ever trip to Baltimore. They won 6-2 last night by taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning and they took a 2-0 lead tonight in inning two. Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer off Chris Jakubauskas to start the St. Louis scoring. It was his second homer of the series, his third in four games and his eighth on the year. Skip Schumaker's RBI single in the third extended their lead to 3-0 and a sac fly by Lance Berkman made it 4-0. It could...

That was a nice eight-pitch top of the first inning for Orioles right-hander Chris Jakubauskas. Pop up, strikeout. fly ball. It can be a pretty simple game. Throw strikes and work quickly. Command your fastball and good things usually will happen. Lance Berkman stepped to the plate in the top of the second, which must have brought disturbing flashbacks for both men. Jakubauskas' only major league start in 2010 ended after a Berkman line drive slammed off his head. Jakubauskas was pitching...

The Orioles public relations staff put out some interesting notes on J.J Hardy today. Did you know his nine homers in June is one off the major league lead for the month. Prince Fielder, Paul Konerko and Carlos Pena have hit 10 to lead MLB in June homers. If Hardy hits one more this month, he will tie Miguel Tejada's team record for most homers in a month by an Orioles' shortstop. Tejada hit 10 in August of 2007. Hardy, who has hit five homers over his last 11 games, has now homered in...

Right-handed reliever Alfredo Simon returns to the Orioles active roster for tonight's game with St. Louis. He was out since June 13 with a right hamstring strain. Simon said he feels great. He pitched two scoreless innings for Double-A Bowie on Sunday after spending some time rehabbing the hamstring in Florida. "I just was working in Sarasota and now I'm ready to go," Simon said. "I just pitched two innings in Bowie and feel ready to go." Simon last pitched for the Orioles on June 12...

Clay Rapada wasn't available to reporters once the clubhouse opened for us at 3:35 p.m. He might have already packed up and left the ballpark. Rapada posted a 7.30 ERA in 22 appearances. Left-handers were 4-for-35 with three walks and 13 strikeouts against him, but right-handers were 9-for-13 with two doubles, a triple, two homers, three walks and no strikeouts. In 12 1/3 innings this season, Rapada allowed 10 runs and 13 hits, walked six and struck out 13. Yes, he was good against...

Luke Scott is feeling better today after suffering a right knee contusion when he made a great catch in the top of the ninth last night. But, he is not in the starting lineup against St. Louis. "Yeah (still sore)," Scott said. "I feel better today than when I left the field. I iced my knee a bunch of times at home. I've got a little stem machine of my own at the house and I did what I could. "Woke up this morning and still have some swelling. It's still a little tight and sore, but I...

The Orioles announced today that they have reinstated right-hander Alfredo Simon from the 15-day disabled list, where he was placed retroactive to June 13 with a right hamstring strain. To open up a spot for him on the 25-man roster, left-hander Clay Rapada has been designated for assignment. Simon has appeared in five games for the Orioles this season, going 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA (14.1IP, 5ER). He pitched 3.0 innings or more in each of his last three outings. Rapada appeared in 22 games for...

The Orioles will activate Alfredo Simon from the disabled list this afternoon and designate left-hander Clay Rapada for assignment. The club has 10 days to trade Rapada, pass him through waivers and outright him to Triple-A Norfolk or release him. The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec tweeted the roster move, and a team official just confirmed it. Rapada was effective against left-handers, as advertised. They went 4-for-35 against him, with one home run, three walks and 13 strikeouts. However,...