Adam Jones is a man on a mission. Prove to the Mariners that they never should have traded him. Jones is 6-for-9 with five RBIs in the first two games of this series. He's singled twice and delivered a two-run triple tonight, helping the Orioles to a 4-1 lead. Luke Scott broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with a single off Felix Hernandez that scored Derrek Lee, who singled with two outs to start the rally. Hernandez hit Guerrero to bring Scott to the plate, and the left fielder responded...

The Mariners scored once in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead, which might not seem too bad on the surface. Let's dig a little deeper. Chris Tillman hadn't allowed a hit in the first two innings, but he threw 38 pitches. My math tells me that's 19 pitches per inning. That doesn't add up to quick outs. Tillman opened the third by hitting No. 8 hitter Brendan Ryan (.208) and walking No. 9 hitter Michael Saunders (.180). I don't have to tell you the flaws in that...

* Derrek Lee is now the only Oriole to start every game. Nick Markakis and Mark Reynolds were on that list until today when neither is in the starting lineup. * After grounding out with the bases loaded to end the second inning tonight, Robert Andino is now 2-for-12 on the year batting with runners in scoring position. * Chris Tillman entered this game with an ERA of 11.57 in the first two innings this year, but pitched shutout ball in those frames tonight versus Seattle. * Adam Jones now...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave Robert Andino the start at third base over Jake Fox, his two backup options with starter Mark Reynolds taking a seat on the bench. Andino figures to provide better defense, though his only six career starts at third before tonight came during the 2010 season. Overall, Andino had appeared in nine games at third before tonight and didn't commit an error in 11 chances over 58 innings. It figures that the ball found Andino twice in the first inning tonight,...

Here are some quotes from manager Buck Showalter that came out of his pregame session with the media: On Mark Reynolds: "He's not starting tonight, but he'll be back in there tomorrow, more than likely." "There are things that him and Jimmy (Presley) are constantly working on and it clicks for a day or so, and then he kind of gets into some habits again. Hitting up here is an ongoing process. Just because it clicks and you're doing it for a day or two... Hitting and playing in the big...

ATLANTA - Laynce Nix will make his sixth consecutive start for the Nationals tonight in left field. Before the game, manager Jim Riggleman explained that his decision to use Nix has more to do with Nix's recent success than the lingering knee injury to Michael Morse. "Basically, I'm just choosing to play (Laynce) Nix, but Mike (Morse) can play. He's just not going to move around as good as maybe he would if he was 100 percent," Riggleman said. "Nix is a strong guy. He's got power....

Contrary to popular belief, Chris Tillman has not been terrible for the Orioles this year. There have been two terrible starts, but four others that have been decent. Tillman gave up six runs in just 1 2/3 on April 13 versus the Yankees. In his last start, he gave up ten hits and eight runs in just 3 2/3 against Kansas City. Those were two terrible starts. In his four other outings, his ERA is 3.22. The Orioles are 3-1 in those four games, by the way. But Tillman's overall ERA of 7.16 is...

ATLANTA - According to Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, catcher Wilson Ramos performs better when he plays in back-to-back games. As a result, Riggleman plans to utilize Ramos in two or three game stretches moving forward. "Wilson (Ramos) just plays better when he plays more," said Riggleman. "He showed us that in spring training. The games that he's played this year, whenever I get him two or three days in a row, he just seems to produce more." Ramos went 5-for-11 during his only...

Justin Duchscherer threw a side session today in Sarasota and will pitch a two-inning simulated game on Friday. He's eligible to come off the disabled list May 30. Third baseman Mark Reynolds has bigger worries than the virus that's sweeping through the clubhouse. He's not in the lineup, and he managed to smile when asked if it's just a scheduled day off. "I don't think it was an off day. I think it's because I'm struggling," he said. "I think they're just giving me a day. And it...

Brian Matusz threw 40 pitches, including 26 strikes, over three innings in an extended spring training game today at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. Matusz didn't walk a batter and said he had a good feel for his fastball. His off-speed stuff was a little inconsistent, but it was very good at times. Matusz was hit on the right wrist/palm area by a comebacker, but he's fine. I'm sure manager Buck Showalter held his breath while watching the video. Matusz will join the Orioles in St....