Should Brian Roberts be batting third? How about cleanup? Roberts increased his team-leading RBI total to 14 with a two-out, run-scoring double in the fourth inning. Orioles 4, Twins 0. Once again, Carl Pavano got into trouble with two outs. He hit Matt Wieters and allowed a single to Robert Andino. Roberts followed with a double to right field that scored Wieters. Andino held at third. Roberts produced the Orioles' second extra-base hit this season with runners in scoring position and two...

After they went 0-for-9 the last two games and 2-for-20 the past three games with runners in scoring position, the Orioles got some big hits early tonight to lead Minnesota 3-0 in the third. After Carl Pavano breezed through a quick first inning on just seven pitches, the Orioles got to him for three runs on three hits in the last of the second. The rally started with a two-out, none-on infield hit to deep short by Adam Jones. After a walk, Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single to center....

Maybe you don't recognize it, but the Orioles have the lead tonight. Matt Wieters singled with two outs in the second inning to score Adam Jones, giving the Orioles a lead for the first time since the eighth inning of Thursday's game in New York. They hadn't been ahead for 39 consecutive innings. Did it seem that long? Robert Andino walked and Brian Roberts singled to deliver two more runs off Twins starter Carl Pavano, who retired the first two batters before Jones singled and Mark...

Last night, Chris Tillman threw 13 pitches in a scoreless first inning. Tonight, Jake Arrieta threw 13 pitches in a scoreless first inning. It means nothing, but I wanted to mention it anyway. Nine of Arrieta's pitches were strikes. His fastball reached 93 mph multiple times. Denard Span singled on the second pitch, but Arrieta retired the next three batters. Twins starter Carl Pavano needed only seven pitches to dispose of the Orioles in the bottom of the first. Brian Roberts swung at...

In the major leagues, it can take more than quality pitches for a starting pitcher to succeed. He may need poise, confidence, solid mound presence and a short memory to forget a bad outing as he navigates his way through a long season, hoping to make 32 or 33 starts and pitch over 200 innings. Jake Arrieta looks like a pitcher that might score well in some of those qualities a pitcher can take to the mound in addition to having a good fastball. "He has that potential," O's manager Buck...

Manager Buck Showalter would like to give closer Kevin Gregg more work, which might keep him sharp and prevent the kind of outings that we saw last night. Not that there have been many save chances during this skid, but even a random inning could prove beneficial. "It's certainly something that we're conscious of coming out of spring training, but some of the situations that we've had early in the season haven't been there in perfect situations," Showalter said. "We haven't had a lot...

Kevin Gregg is not the only Orioles reliever looking to put up better numbers right now. Lefty Michael Gonzalez, who spent time on the DL with a strained left shoulder last year, said he is healthy and throwing fine right now. Still, he has been scored upon in four of his five outings and is 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA through five appearances. "I'm definitely not getting the results that I want but I feel really good. I am positive and upbeat about that. "Health-wise, my arm feels great. It's...

The tarp is coming off the field, but the Orioles won't hit outdoors. Left-hander Brian Matusz reported to the minor league complex today feeling good physically after yesterday's flat-ground session. Exactly the news that the Orioles wanted to hear. Matusz is scheduled to throw from 120 feet tomorrow, the next progression from 60 and 90. "He gets another day or two of that under his belt and we'll progress him to the mound," manager Buck Showalter said. Matusz will need at least...

It's raining and the tarp's on the field. The clouds seem to be breaking up and we see some clearing. Early word is the storm will pass by 5 p.m., but I've been fooled many times in the past - and that includes the weather. Here's the Orioles' lineup, which includes Luke Scott in left field: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Robert Andino SS Jake Arrieta RHP

The Washington Nationals have renewed their working agreement with Angela T. Gordon, MPT, ATC, retaining her as the team's physical therapist. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gordon provides comprehensive outpatient physical therapy services for the Washington Nationals' players, covering the team's pre-season evaluations in Florida and 40 home games during the regular baseball season. Among the job...