They're left-handed and their paychecks are distributed by the Orioles, but there's more to the connection between Brian Matusz and Zach Britton. Britton wouldn't have made his major league debut April 3 without Matusz going on the disabled list. The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008. The one victory was provided by Matusz. And I seem to recall guaranteeing it. Matusz threw a bullpen session today in Oakland, the last step before making his 2011 debut Wednesday in Seattle. It...

The season-long gripe about the Nationals is that they are a good-pitch, no-hit team. And, the question is: Where would the Nats be in the National League East if they had had even mediocre hitting? The Nationals went into Sunday with a .227 average, which ranks next-to-last in the league, and 194 runs scored, which ranks 12th. A 17-run game in Baltimore boosted that ranking. Ryan Zimmerman has been out since April 10 with an injury to his stomach muscle. Outfielder Jayson Werth hasn't...

For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Athletics: Crisp CF Barton 1B Jackson LF Willingham DH Suzuki C DeJesus RF Ellis 2B Kouzmanoff 3B Pennington SS Moscoso RHP The Orioles are 1-11 in Oakland since 2008 and have been outscored, 60-32. They've scored two runs or fewer in eight of those games. This doesn't bode well for...

I wrote in my last entry that Brad Bergesen didn't look like a pitcher who had saved his spot in the rotation. The frustration was written all over his face as he stood on the mound, waiting for manager Buck Showalter to take the ball. Bergesen obviously knew what was coming, and it wasn't just his manager. The Orioles sent out a press release at 3:15 a.m. announcing that Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Pedro Viola is in Oakland and will be officially recalled before...

It was a familiar script for the Orioles on Saturday night at Oakland: another loss and another night with not much offense. Oakland scored single runs in the second, third, sixth and eighth innings in a 4-2 win over the Orioles, as the A's take the first two games of this series. For the second night in a row the Orioles were held to six hits and once again they failed to produce a single extra-base hit. The Orioles fall to 1-11 in Oakland since the 2008 season and they have been outscored...

The Orioles haven't been particularly sharp in the early innings tonight. They put runners on first and second with no outs in the first inning on Robert Andino's bunt single and an error. Andino popped up another bunt, but this one cleared the mound. Nick Markakis failed to advance the runners, flying to left field. With Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, Andino broke too soon for third base and got caught in a rundown. So much for that rally. Second baseman Ryan Adams made a diving stop of...

Xavier Avery, the center fielder for Double-A Bowie, needed all nine innings, but extended his hitting streak to 11 games tonight as the Baysox lost 8-3 at Harrisburg. After going hitless heading until the last inning, Avery singled in the ninth to extend his streak, which began on May 18 against Richmond. Avery is batting .425 (17-for-40) with six multi-hit games during the streak. His average for the season is now up to .262 in 48 games. Avery has six doubles and has scored nine runs during...

Brian Matusz played catch today with Jeremy Guthrie, and he'll throw a bullpen session tomorrow for pitching coach Mark Connor. Unless his left arm falls off, Matusz will start Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Notice that I say "left arm." I think he'll still take the ball if his right arm becomes detached. Jim and Rick interview Brian Matusz about his health and his pending return Seriously though, Matusz is ready after making his third injury rehab start last night at Triple-A...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled CA CRAIG TATUM from Triple-A Norfolk. Tatum, 28, batted .200 (13-65) with 7 RBI in 21 games for Norfolk. He hit .281 (32-114) in 43 games with Baltimore in 2010. Tatum will wear uniform #15.

So will the Orioles take a position player or pitcher with the fourth pick in round one of the June 6 First-Year Player Draft? Will they take Bobby Bundy's brother or perhaps will Anthony Rendon fall to the Orioles at number four? These are some of the burning questions with the draft now just over a week away. Both Jim Callis of Baseball America and ESPN's Keith Law project the Orioles will take Oklahoma high school pitcher Dylan Bundy in their latest mock drafts. Callis has Pittsburgh...