I drew Shackleford in the Preakness pool. I know nothing about him except that his name reminds me of the N.C. State center with huge feet. Jeremy Guthrie is saddled with two unearned runs in the top of the third on first baseman Brandon Snyder's two-out error. Snyder backed up on Laynce Nix's bouncer, allowing the ball to play him, and it deflected off his body and rolled past him. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ian Desmond raced home. Nationals starter John Lannan retired the first six Orioles...

BOWIE, Md. - Here is tonight's lineup for the Double-A Bowie Baysox as they take on the Erie SeaWovles at 6:35 p.m. here at Prince George's Stadium. Brian Matusz is pitching tonight for Bowie, making his second rehab start. Matusz pitched four innings, allowing two hits and one run, Monday with Single-A Frederick. Matusz threw 60 pitches, 37 for strikes in that outing with Frederick and is expected to throw around 75-80 pitches tonight. Check back here tonight often for updates on the game...

Bench coach Willie Randolph is coaching third base today. John Russell had a cortisone injection in his knee. I don't mean to bombard you with blog entries on this sunny day, when you're attention is divided evenly between baseball, the Preakness and the end of the world, but here are some pregame comments from manager Buck Showalter. On how he's not concerned whether Simon will be focused on baseball: "No, I don't have that concern at this point. I think he's ready to go. He's been...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Alfredo Simon from the Restricted List. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, infielder Cesar Izturis has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Simon made three rehab starts at Double-A Bowie, going 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (16.0IP, 6ER), striking out 17 and walking five. He saved 17 games for the O's in 2010 after having his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on April 27. Izturis was placed on the 15-day...

BALTIMORE, Md. -- The Nationals' clubhouse was loose and relaxed. Guys were chatting up each other, playing cards and some joked around. Hardly the feeling you think you would find from a team that just lost two games in New York without plating a run. Yes, this was before Friday night's offensive explosion at Baltimore. The Nationals scored 17 runs and pounded out 19 hits, including six homers and a pair of triples. Nationals third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. said the guys were relaxed...

I'll start with Derrek Lee, since it's the shortest transcription. Lee is clearly frustrated that he's on the disabled list. Can't say that I blame him after dealing with thumb, wrist and foot questions in spring training. A strained oblique is the cherry on top of his melted sundae. Reporters got their first chance to talk to Lee today since he went on the disabled list. He was nice enough to grant an interview and he remained courteous as always, but anyone who's had contact with him...

Second baseman Brian Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but he hasn't started baseball-related activities and the headaches haven't completely gone away. They're not as persistent or intense, but he retains some of the same symptoms that he experienced during the final week of the 2010 season. In other words, don't look for him to be activated on Tuesday. Asked earlier today whether he could return on Tuesday, Roberts replied, "I'm not sure at this...

Jason Berken could start for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday against Louisville at Harbor Park. Berken needs to be stretched out. He's "too strong," according to manager Buck Showalter, who noted that Berken's fastball was 92-95 mph last night. Berken still projects as a reliever, but building up his pitches and innings would allow the Orioles to consider him for starts later this summer. Derrek Lee will need at-bats, either with affiliates or at extended spring training, before coming off...

The Orioles will try to snap a four-game losing streak today with a 4:05 game against the Nationals. That's the starting time. I'm hoping it's not the time of game, especially with the world ending later today. By the way, even if the word ends, I'm still posting a blog entry in the morning. No worries. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Brandon Snyder 1B Jeremy...

It was less than a week ago. Last Sunday, the Orioles blew out the first-place Rays on the road 9-3. At that point, they had won five of six games and were just a game under .500, at 19-20. They took that momentum to Fenway Park and led Boston 6-0 in the sixth inning the next night. But they blew that game. The Orioles haven't won since. After a Tuesday rainout, they lost in 15 innings to the Yankees on Wednesday and wasted Zach Britton's great pitching. Now they have given up 30 runs over...