Some stats, facts and notes to ponder as the Orioles and Yankees hope to begin their rain-delayed series tonight in The Bronx. *The Orioles are 40-26 since Buck Showalter took over as manager. They are six games better than the Yankees during that stretch. *Mark Reynolds is 5-for-9 on the year (.556) when batting with runners in scoring position. His career average is .266 when batting with RISP. *Of the Orioles' 35 runs scored on the year, they have scored 11 in the first three innings and...

For an Orioles fan, deciding on your favorite Yankees player is like deciding on your favorite dental procedure. Nevertheless, I've come to acknowledge, appreciate, and admire - notice I never said like - the talents of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera during the 17 seasons he's been cutting up major league hitters. Rather than breeding contempt, familiarity with one of the game's greatest closers has produced respect. No team is more familiar with Rivera than the Orioles, and Buck Showalter...

The crowd of 13,413 that braved an indefinite rainstorm that passed over Nationals Park last night bore witness to Jayson Werth's first game against his former team. Washington went on to win 7-4 behind an offense sparked by Werth (and his first home run against the Phillies in the fifth inning), Wilson Ramos, Laynce Nix and Rick Ankiel. With sluggers Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche sidelined with injuries last night, it was imperative that the Nationals step up and fill the...

The Phillies had just scored two big runs to cut the deficit to 6-3, and even though it was the eighth inning, the Nationals knew the defending division champions were not going to go away. In the bottom of the eighth, Danny Espinosa went to work, drawing a walk from Phillies reliever Danys Baez. After a groundout by Jerry Hairston Jr. got him to second base, Alex Cora smacked a single to left field to plate a critical insurance tally, and the Nationals led, 7-3. Crucial to the success of...

The Orioles didn't really need a rainout last night, but they got one anyway. The bullpen rested on Monday. The rotation was set, with Brad Bergesen on the verge of being recalled to start tonight. It was time to play ball. If you wanted Bergesen to avoid the Yankees, your wish was granted. He's being skipped, with Chris Tillman scheduled to pitch tonight and Jake Arrieta taking the ball tomorrow night. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees, with 14 hits...

One of the pleasures of this job as it relates to the minor leagues has been the chance to get to know and interview some interesting people. That includes coaches and players. I have met many in the minors that would classify as a great interview. I can now add Bowie Baysox coach

Double-A Harrisburg Senators catcher Derek Norris suffered a sprained ankle Monday running to first base. The reports are it was his right ankle. Norris stepped on first base awkwardly trying to beat out a ground ball versus New Britain. A team spokesman says Norris' ankle is "just sore and stiff" and he has been placed on the 7-day disabled list.

Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth knew this day would arrive. The day he would take the field against his former teammates with the Phillies after four seasons in Philadelphia. "I am looking forward to it," Werth said. "I really am. It is good to see those guys. The last time I saw all these guys was after the last game we played last year. I haven't seen some of them since then. There is still a lot of feelings there. We accomplished a lot together. When you go to war with guys, most...

Brian Matusz threw off flat ground today at the Orioles' minor league complex in Sarasota. It's a positive first step in his recovery from a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz said he played catch from 60 feet. He made 25 throws without any pain. There's a chance that Matusz will rejoin the Orioles after they return from Cleveland and throw in the bullpen for pitching coach Mark Connor. Matusz went on the disabled list retroactive to March 30. Zach Britton took his place in the...

The Orioles will put left-hander Troy Patton on the disabled list later today with a slight shoulder strain. He's expected to miss only one start, though that will become more apparent after he's examined tomorrow. Patton didn't throw today, but he might be cleared for long toss on Thursday. John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development, said Patton most likely will be set back "three or four days." Patton left last night's start against the Gwinnett Braves after facing...