Update: I just got off the phone with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who said it's "unlikely" that the Orioles will make a trade today. "At this point, I would believe not," he said. I'll check back with him later this afternoon. Now, back to your original entry, already in progress: The 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline is bearing down on us, and I passed up a chance to accompany my parents and the birthday girl to the beach this morning because I need to make phone...

During a season where he has recorded 15 saves, several have been of the shaky variety for O's closer Alfredo Simon. He appeared on his way to one Friday. A save. A shaky one. But it turned into a loss and blown save. Alex Gordon hit a two-out, three-run homer in the last of the ninth as KC stunned the O's 7-5 at Kauffman Stadium. Simon came on to preserve a 5-4 lead and the got the first two batters out in the ninth. Then, he walked Rick Ankiel and Wilson Betamit singled. Gordon, who...

Jason Berken gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and stands to be the loser if the Orioles don't rally. Update: Berken's off the hook. Ty Wigginton doubled to tie the game in the eighth, and he scored on Wilson Betemit's error to give the Orioles a 5-4 lead. Berken was making his first appearance since July 24, and his second since July 21, as interim manager Juan Samuel tries to ease up on him. After carrying a heavy workload in the first half, Berken has allowed seven runs and...

When the Orioles officially added new pitcher Wynn Pelzer, acquired in trade yesterday, to the Bowie Baysox roster tonight, he took the spot vacated by right-hander Chorye Spoone, who went on the disabled list. Spoone, who is on the O's 40-man roster, is dealing with some shoulder fatigue. The 24-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in September of 2008 but this setback is not considered major at all. "It's precautionary right now," O's assistant director of player development, Tripp...

Apparently, it's longer than the one Brian Matusz wore last night. Interim manager Juan Samuel indicated before the game that he'll stick with Arrieta if the rookie right-hander encounters some early-inning trouble. No quick hooks here. That's probably a good idea, considering that Samuel went to his bullpen in the fourth inning last night. Arrieta received a visit from pitching coach Rick Kranitz in the first inning, and a lecture in the dugout while the Orioles were batting in the top of...

It is not an official coaching position, but former Oriole B.J. Surhoff has recently been seen at Frederick and Bowie. He's lending a hand with some Orioles minor leaguers and was also recently seen observing the Orioles from a press box suite at Camden Yards. "B.J. has been kind enough to do some consulting on some player development issues," O's director of player development, John Stockstill said. Surhoff was at Bowie last night and is there again tonight. Surhoff played the game...

Katherine Connors, the laid-back beauty queen from Iowa, threw the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Nationals Park. Connors met with Miguel Batista before the game and the reliever provided some first pitch tips. Batista urged Miss Iowa to take a few steps toward home plate, instead of throwing from the mound. He also encouraged her to throw high to avoid bouncing the pitch. She listened. It was high and a little outside, but Batista managed to snag it. One of the most anticipated...

For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Royals: Chris Getz 2B Jason Kendall C Billy Butler 1B Jose Guillen DH Rick Ankiel CF Wilson Betemit 3B Alex Gordon LF Yuniesky Betancourt SS Mitch Maier RF Sean O'Sullivan RHP

I had an idea who this month's winner might be before I even finished tallying up the points. He was so often first to the table and flush with bonus trivia, with a photo or two posted to the MASNsports.com Facebook page thrown in there as well. During the month of July, Chris in Baltimore racked up four points for a correct answer every week and a heavy handful of bonus points for his extra efforts during this month's 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest here in the O's Buzz. Charles B...

Some notes from around the O's minors: *Triple-A Norfolk (50-57) plays at Scranton tonight with Chris George (5-4, 4.00) on the mound. He has allowed two runs over 12 innings in his past two starts. Robert Andino has hit .356-2-8 during a ten-game batting streak. Corey Patterson and Rhyne Hughes each hit in 11 in a row earlier for the Tides, a Norfolk season best. Norfolk relievers on a roll: *Armando Gabino is 2-0, 0.47 over his last six games with 18 K's in 19 1/3 IP. *Dennis Sarfate...