Three starters taking their final turns in the rotation this season have posted a 0.41 ERA. Never can say goodbye. Kevin Millwood tossed seven scoreless innings on Wednesday. Chris Tillman allowed one run over seven innings tonight in Game 1. Jeremy Guthrie has shut out the Tigers over eight innings in Game 2. They're proving to be a tough act to follow for left-hander Brian Matusz and Brad Bergesen, but these guys love the competition. Koji Uehara has replaced Guthrie, with a shot at his...

Nick Markakis just hit his 11th home run to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the third inning. He drove an 0-2 pitch an estimated 382 feet to right field. That's five hits for the Orioles, and we don't have any outs in the third. Me: "When's the last time Robert Andino has played both ends of a doubleheader?" Guy next to me: "When he was 12." Josh Bell is appearing at an Elkridge Wendy's tomorrow at noon. That frosty machine is going to get a workout. He might be scratched from the...

A quick update on how some of the Nats' prospects are hitting in Viera after the first two weeks of instructional league competition. Rick Schu, Nationals hitting coordinator, broke down a few of the guys on the roster. For our update on Bryce Harper, check this capsule from earlier this week. OF Destin Hood, Hagerstown "He is swinging the bat really well. We want him to execute situationally. We are looking for Destin to be more aggressive in hitters counts and use his lower half. He...

In his last start of last season, Chris Tillman gave up six runs over two innings vs. Cleveland. Today, he ended his 2010 season on a real high note, allowing just three hits and one run over seven innings in the Orioles 10-6 win over the Tigers in game one of today's doubleheader. Chris Tillman talks about his outing in the O's 10-6 win in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader "I think it's huge, that last start of the year is always a big boost into the off-season. Last year I had a tough...

Starter Chris Tillman was the obvious topic of conversation after the Orioles' 10-6 victory in Game 1. "Chris was outstanding," manager Buck Showalter said. "I'll tell you, the cutter was a really good pitch for him. Liked the way he gave up the home run early and responded. You really like to see shutdown innings after the runs we scored, too. That's a sign of maturity as he goes forward." How important was this outing for Tillman going forward? "Him or me?" Showalter replied,...

The Orioles used one big inning and one big pitching performance to beat the Tigers 10-6 in game one of a doubleheader at Camden Yards. With the win they improved to 64-95, matching last season's win total. They also improved to 32-22 under Buck Showalter. His 32 wins matches the combined total of Dave Trembley and Juan Samuel over 105 games. Buck Showalter talks with the media following the O's 10-6 win in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader Winning pitcher Chris Tillman gave up just one...

Chris Tillman's final start turned out to be an outstanding one. Also, good call by manager Buck Showalter to allow the right-hander to take the mound again, and pitch him in Game 1 so he wouldn't have to wait. Tillman held the Tigers to one run - Don Kelly's homer - and three hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out a season-high seven. Tillman threw 102 pitches, 70 for strikes. After walking 12 batters over two starts, Tillman issued only three in his final two outings....

The Orioles didn't have a hit through three innings. Now they have four hits, six runs and two hit batters. Corey Patterson started the rally in the fourth with a bunt single. The Orioles loaded the bases on a walk to Nick Markakis and a Jeremy Bonderman pitch that hit Luke Scott. Felix Pie singled off the out-of-town scoreboard to tie the game, 1-1, and leave the bases filled, and Adam Jones emptied them with a double to left. Jones is two RBIs away from tying his career high of...

It's been one of those "weird years." That is the phrase Nick Markakis used to describe his season. In some respects, his stats have matched what he did last year. He hit .293 then and is at .293 now. He had 45 doubles last year and has 45 now. He had an on-base percentage of .347 last year and is at .367 now. He is tied for third in the AL in doubles, is tied for 11th in walks and is 14th in on-base percentage. He leads all league lefty hitters with an average of .351 vs....

Corey Patterson DH Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Robert Andino 2B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Chris Tillman RHP Reliever Jason Berken is visiting the clubhouse today while waiting to have his right shoulder examined by a team physician. Berken, who was diagnosed with a slight tear in his labrum, hasn't started a rehab program. However, he said the shoulder feels great.