I didn't make it back home from Bowie before Chris Tillman had walked off the mound for the last time. Tillman lasted only 3 2/3 innings in today's start in Kansas City, allowing eight runs and 10 hits to raise his ERA to 7.16. I wonder if manager Buck Showalter will mention pitch sequences again in his post-game session with the media. Tillman threw a flat breaking ball on a 2-2 count to the Royals' No. 8 hitter, Brayan Pena, in the fourth inning. He threw the same pitch with the count...

Pete Kerzel, our wonderful editor here at MASNsports.com, pointed out that 56 years ago today, Damn Yankees opened on Broadway. On May 5, 1955, fans watched as slugger "Shoeless" Joe Hardy joined the Washington Senators to help the struggling franchise win the pennant. Damn Yankees earned a number of Tony Awards in 1956 and stayed on Broadway for 1019 productions. In 1994, the revival at Marquis Theatre brought the classic back to life. The Nationals played the musical's signature piece...

Single-A Frederck outfielder Trent Mummey, who suffered a concussion when his head struck the outfield wall in yesterday's game at Harry Grove Stadium, today was placed on the disabled list. It appears Mummey could miss at least two weeks. Steven Bumbry, who was with Frederick earlier, is returning to the Keys from Single-A Delmarva. Pitcher Tim Bascom joins Frederick from Double-A Bowie. At Delmarva, the Shorebirds have added Mikey Planeta off the DL and pitcher Doug Ferguson from...

The long-awaited resurgence of Nick Markakis' bat may be underway. Maybe now I won't get any comments from fans that want him waived to help the club get out from under his contract. After driving in two runs last night, one with a homer, Markakis has singled in his first two trips this afternoon at Kansas City. His average is now at .229, meaning plenty of more hits should be forthcoming as well over the next few weeks. Have I mentioned six or eight or 20 times recently that I feel no...

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first today at Kansas City. But the Royals came right back and got four off Chris Tillman in the last of the first to lead 4-1. Nick Markakis singled in the first with one out and later scored on an Adam Jones single. It's Jones' 16th RBI. He now has eight hits over his past 15 at bats. But the first three hitters reached for the Royals as they took the lead. Chris Getz led off with an infield single to short. Robert Andino double-clutched...

Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings today in his first start on his rehab assignment, which ended with Harrisburg defeating Bowie, 8-6. The Senators scored twice in the ninth off Brandon Cooney. Simon read his prepared statement in one of the third-level suites at Prince George's Stadium and took questions from reporters related to today's outing. The entire session lasted about six minutes. Alfredo Simon talks about his rehab start with Double-A Bowie "I feel great. My pitches...

Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon read the following statement concerning his legal issues in the Dominican Republic. He later took baseball-related questions from a small group of reporters at Prince George's Stadium: "Today is the day that I'm addressing everyone in my personal and professional life. "I want to take this opportunity to apologize to my sport, to the entire Baltimore Orioles organization, the owner, general manager, the front office, the coaches, my teammates, sponsors, and...

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said pitcher Alfredo Simon will make his next start with Double-A Bowie next week at Prince George's Stadium. The Orioles have an agreement with Major League Baseball that Simon can remain on the restricted list and continue his assignment as if he's going through a regular spring training. "I think the deal that was worked out in New York is pretty reflective of what you'd expect for spring training. That's how much time he gets, what a...

Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings, and a reliever is warming in Double-A Bowie's bullpen. It looks like his first start in an affiliated game is over. Simon is charged with four runs (three earned) and six hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. He also hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. We had trouble getting an accurate read on the speed of his pitches. One fastball was clocked at 122 mph on the ballpark's radar gun. Another ball, which Harrisburg No. 9 hitter Archie...

The Orioles just passed along their lineup from Kansas City, and it includes Jake Fox behind the plate. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP Alfredo Simon allowed a leadoff double in the second inning, but he retired the next three batters, getting a called third strike on Tim Pahuta. Simon has allowed one run and three hits, and struck out four, over two innings....