On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I, like millions of fellow Americans, was on my daily commute to work, only I work two blocks from the White House. I first heard the news on the elevator up to my floor: "A plane hit the World Trade Center in New York." There were no details at that point and no reason to think that America was under attack. Once I reached my desk and got on the Internet, I realized there was a much bigger story and, like all my fellow Americans, I was then glued to the...

It's no secret the that Orioles' bullpen hasn't been all that reliable through the first month of the season. Even when he gets the job done, closer Kevin Gregg raises the stress level in Birdland to epic proportions. Mike Gonzalez's last outing was fantastic, but given his other performances this year it was still a little hard to watch. Koji Uehara is walking people, Jim Johnson is giving up home runs, Josh Rupe has been a disaster. With the starting pitching having success, it's even...

The Orioles will attempt to break out the brooms tonight in an unusual four-game series that started on Friday. How often does a team play a road game on Sunday and remain in the city overnight? Better to do it in Chicago than, say, Detroit. Jeremy Guthrie is sporting a 1-3 record, which clashes with his 2.53 ERA. He's allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts. Guthrie is 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA lifetime against the White Sox. Paul Konerko is 5-for-24 with a double and two homers....

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado hit his fifth home run today, a two-run shot that raised his RBI total to 20. He's batting .337. Machado has five homers and 12 RBIs in his last seven games. Believe the hype. Jacob Pettit, a 42nd-round pick from Western Oregon State College, struck out eight over eight scoreless innings. Chris Jakubauskas, on an injury-rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk, allowed one run and three hits in 1 1/3 innings. He threw 37 pitches, 21 for strikes. Nolan...

The Orioles have taken the first three games of this series after today's tense, 6-4 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Kevin Gregg made it interesting, to say the least, by walking leadoff hitter Alexei Ramirez and giving up a single to Carlos Quentin before recording his first out in the ninth inning - a called third strike on Paul Konerko. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the amount of walks in the Birds' 6-4 win Gregg fell behind, 3-1, to Alex Rios before...

Zach Britton is lined up for his fifth win of the season, which again comes across as pretty impressive for a guy who wasn't supposed to be in the majors. Britton held the White Sox to one run over six innings, allowing five hits, walking three and striking out one. He threw 96 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.63. This wasn't Britton at his best, but the Orioles will take it. At some point, the starters will need to get deeper in these games. There are no rules against going eight...

The Washington Nationals put Laynce Nix in the clean-up spot Sunday. Nix has had a pretty good start of the season at the plate in an utility role. Nix is batting .314 with three homers and nine RBIs. He hit a home run off of Tim Lincecum to start the series against the San Francisco Giants, and is an impressive 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Sunday is second game for the Nationals with the knowledge that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be out of the lineup until at least late...

Pitcher Alfredo Simon faced 19 batters and threw 64 pitches yesterday in an extended spring training game at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Chicago that Simon didn't allow a run, struck out six averaged 94 mph with his fastball. Simon will pitch again on Thursday, though the Orioles haven't determined whether it will happen in Sarasota or with one of their minor league affiliates, according to a team official. Also, Brian Matusz had a good...

I pointed out earlier today that Felix Pie is 5-for-9 lifetime against White Sox's starter Gavin Floyd. Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw the same stat. Look who's in today's lineup: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie CF Robert Andino SS Zach Britton LHP Pie is making his first start since April 17. He has three at-bats since that game in Cleveland.

Maybe it's just my sense of humor, but I think the Orioles should make Vladimir Guerrero walk to U.S. Cellular field today. No team shuttle, no cabs. Guerrero went the entire month of April without a walk. And without a 3-0 count. At some point this season, a manager will order an intentional walk with first base open, and Guerrero will swing at two of the pitches. Maybe three. The Orioles finished the month of April with a 12-13 record, their most wins in the first month since 2007. That...