After his latest tough outing, Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz was talking again about his velocity, which has still not returned to its 2010 output. "The velocity obviously isn't there. Being my fifth start, I feel I've made a lot of progress, but just have got to continue working and get a lot better," Matusz said after giving up six runs, nine hits and three homers in 4 2/3 in Saturday's 10-5 loss to the Reds. Brian Matusz talks about his struggles in the Birds' loss to the...

It was not a home run derby contest tonight at Camden Yards although it looked like it at times. On a night when left-hander Brian Matusz struggled again, Cincinnati beat the Orioles 10-5 in a game that featured nine homers. All but one run scored in the game came via a homer as Cincinnati hit five and the Orioles hit a season-high four in front of 38,976 at Camden Yards. Matusz gave up three homers among nine hits and six runs in just 4 2/3 innings as he falls to 1-3 with an ERA of 6.85 in...

Brian Matusz's hamstring didn't seem to be an issue tonight. The Cincinnati Reds caused all the trouble. Matusz was removed after allowing six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five, but he also served up three home runs, including two to Joey Votto that accounted for five runs. Matusz's ERA rises from 5.60 to 6.85. The concerns also jump up another notch or two. Matusz hasn't cleared the sixth inning in any of his five starts, and tonight's outing is his...

Brian Matusz gave up a double and infield hit to the first two batters he faced in the top of the third inning. He ran the count full to Joey Votto. Then he threw a curvevball. Reds 4, Orioles 1. Votto hit his 100th career home run, a 386-foot shot to right-center field, to break a 1-1 tie. Matusz has thrown 55 pitches in three innings. He's allowed four runs for the third consecutive start. The Reds did Matusz a favor in the second by running on Matt Wieters with two outs. That's rarely...

Adam Jones homered with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Jones drove a Bronson Arroyo pitch an estimated 394 feet to center field for his 13th homer. Jones has recorded at least one RBI in seven straight games, raising his team-leading total to 45. He's tied with Mark Reynolds for the club's home run lead. Brian Matusz threw 15 pitches in a scoreless first inning, and the stadium radar gun clocked his fastball in the 88-90 mph range. Matusz struck...

In case there was any misunderstanding, Orioles manager Buck Showalter made it clear today how much he enjoys beating the Yankees. Showalter gave a most honest opinion on the subject at today's session with season-ticket holders here at Camden Yards. He was asked by one fan what it would take for the Orioles to beat the Yankees. "I can't stand the Yankees, OK," Showalter said. "That stays between us right here. I don't really care if they know, I think they can figure it out. "You...

At the "State of the Orioles" address this afternoon with season ticket holders here at Camden Yards, O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhal was asked by a fan about his contract. He is in the last year of his deal and the fan wanted to know if he will be staying with the Orioles. "I have always taken the position, unlike one my good friends in the game Jim Riggleman, let's just see how we do," MacPhail said. "Let's get to the end of the year and see how we do and take it...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today about Davey Johnson's hiring as Nationals manager. "Managed against him, he was a sharp guy. A very good, solid baseball guy," Showalter said. "A lot of times, players as good as Davey was sometimes aren't always really as good a manager as they are a player. But he's both. He always did a good job with pitching, and looked at the game through a lot of different eyes. It wasn't just a pure infield only. He was very well-rounded. I...

Orioles president Andy MacPhail and manager Buck Showalter just spent about 30 minutes taking fans questions here at Camden Yards as part of the latest "State of the Orioles" address with season ticket holders. MacPhail was asked by a fan why the club seems to be outbid by some other clubs in the international market. "We did spend more last year then we did the year before and we'll probably spend more this year than last year. We are actually making progress in that market based on what...

Brad Bergesen is available in long relief tonight if left-hander Brian Matusz doesn't pitch deep into the game. The Orioles might be forced to make a roster move tomorrow morning If manager Buck Showalter has to use Bergesen tonight for an extended stretch, or if he has to bring in multiple relievers. Showalter will try to avoid Jim Johnson and Koji Uehara after they each pitched two innings last night. Jason Berken and Kevin Gregg are available tonight after throwing one inning last...