The Toronto Blue Jays have taken a 3-0 lead to the bottom of the third tonight against Zach Britton and the Orioles. This would probably be a bad time to remind everyone that Toronto went 15-3 against the Orioles last year and has won 20 of the last 26 games between the teams. They out-homered the Orioles last season 34-8 in the 18 games. It wasn't a longball tonight, but a Mark Reynolds' error that helped Toronto to two runs in the second. After a leadoff single by Juan Rivera, catcher...

Manager Buck Showalter was asked today if American League hitters are starting to make some adjustments against lefty Zach Britton, who is pitching tonight here against Toronto. Over his last two starts against K.C. and Oakland, Britton has allowed 19 hits and nine earned runs over 11 2/3 innings as his ERA has increased from 2.14 to 2.93. Buck Showalter talks about if it's time for Zach Britton to begin making adjustments "No. There are no secrets," Showalter said. "They had watched...

Adam Jones was in no mood to brag about his great catch against Seattle on Wednesday earlier today in the Orioles' clubhouse. He was asked what it was like to get national attention over the play where he ran back to the warning track and made a basket catch with his back to the infield to rob Miguel Olivo of extra bases. It was the Play of the Night on ESPN's "SportsCenter" and a top web gem on "Baseball Tonight." "I don't care. It's a great catch, but that was Wednesday and today...

One of the biggest issues surrounding the Orioles lately has been the continued lack of production from right fielder Nick Markakis. Markakis does not have an extra-base hit over the last 15 games and 64 at-bats and has just two over his last 24 games. He has now gone 10 games without a multi-hit contest. Buck Showalter discusses Nick Markakis' struggles with the media "I think it's been frustrating for him," manager Buck Showalter said. "A day or two goes and you think he is on his...

Derrek Lee will bat leadoff and serve as the designated hitter tonight for Double-A Bowie. Showalter said it's not certain how many games Lee will play with Bowie. He did say the plans for his grandfather's funeral were finalized and it will be next Friday in California. Lee will leave the team Thursday (he likely would be activated by then) and perhaps be placed on bereavement leave where he can come off the roster for several days. "We'll go day-to-day with that (Lee)," Showalter said....

Here's the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Blue Jays: LF Felix Pie CF Adam Jones RF Nick Markakis DH Vladimir Guerrero C Matt Wieters SS J.J. Hardy 1B Luke Scott 3B Mark Reynolds 2B Robert Andino P Zach Britton

The Nationals could very well have their shot at not one, but two front-line UCLA right-handed starters Monday in the draft. The hard-throwing Gerrit Cole that we previewed Thursday, and right-hander Trevor Bauer. What is the difference between the two? Cole may throw a little harder, but Bauer makes more hitters miss, according to Jim Callis, executive editor for Baseball America. He sees good things from both choices, but thinks Bauer might be the better long-term choice. "(Bauer's...

Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee will begin his injury rehab assignment tonight at Double-A Bowie. Lee was supposed to report to the Baysox last night, but took some time to attend to his family after his grandfather passed away. Lee has been on the disabled list since May 17 with a strained left oblique. The veteran first baseman is hitting .231 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games this season.

The Washington Nationals' 6-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks kicks off an 11-game West Coast road trip that will see them visit San Francisco and San Diego as well. It's a brutal trip, not as much for the quality of competition - though that's tough enough - but just for the nature of the trip. Imagine how you'd feel waking up in a different city every third day for almost two weeks, four time zones from home. History hasn't been all that kind to the Nats on these extended west coast...

The debate will rage on at least for a few more days. Should the Orioles shy away from drafting a high school pitcher with the fourth pick in round one of Monday's First-Year Player Draft? Should they take a college player or pitcher that is likely closer to getting to the majors? The last three times the Orioles drafted a high school pitcher in Round 1, they took Matt Hobgood in 2009, Adam Loewen in 2002 and Richard Stahl in 1999. Only Loewen ever made the majors and Hobgood is rehabbing...