A few items from my conversation this morning with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who was returning from his visit to Delmarva: * MacPhail hadn't intended to add any more position players to the expanded roster, but injuries to Adam Jones and Corey Patterson could force another move. Jones (back) is expected to miss at least a few more games. Patterson (neck) was available to bunt and run last night, but nothing else. "We might have to revisit it if we think those injuries...

We love to second-guess here, and the ninth inning allowed us to work our craft. Should Corey Patterson have been sent up to pinch-hit for Nolan Reimold? Should you bunt with Cesar Izturis on deck? Should Izturis be allowed to hit in that situation? What about Josh Bell? Reporters were kicking around suggestions after the game. We basically agreed that manager Buck Showalter's options were limited, which is odd in September. Teams can expand their rosters, yet the Orioles looked like they...

Tampa Bay right-hander Matt Garza has had a lot of success vs. the Orioles, going 8-1, 3.14 in 11 career starts vs. the Birds. But on July 20th, the O's scored seven runs off him in 6 1/3 innings and hit four homers against him. That game clearly didn't sit well with Garza. Tonight, Garza starts vs. the O's at Camden Yards. He tells the St. Petersburg Times he owes the Orioles "a lot of payback" and that he's "going to make them feel really uncomfortable in the box." He went on to...

The Bowie Baysox are pushing for a playoff berth and they now hold second place in their division, and a playoff spot, by a ½ game over Harrisburg heading into their final series of the year. Bowie begins a four-game set to end the regular season at Richmond tonight. The Baysox posted huge wins the last two nights over Altoona, thanks in large part to Joel Guzman, who hit first-inning homers to jump start the offense in each of those wins. Guzman hit number 33 last night,...

Brad Bergesen gained some satisfaction from working into the sixth inning tonight, but it was a small victory - and one that didn't count in the standings or on his record. The five-run second inning was a killer. "It is what it is and you've got to put it behind you and go from there," he said. "I was able to do so tonight and chew up some more innings, not put that stress on the bullpen. That was really the positive for me tonight." The Red Sox kept falling behind in the count and...

The Orioles are 1-12 in games that decide the winner of a three-game series, including 1-7 at Camden Yards. Their only victory came on May 13 against Seattle. Better execution in the field might have changed tonight's outcome. Ty Wigginton committed a costly error at first base and couldn't field Brian Roberts' one-hop throw on a potential double play. Josh Bell threw behind Roberts, which disrupted the second baseman. "There are situations in a game that you can go back on," manager...

Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang continues to take positive steps as he rehabs from major shoulder surgery 13 months ago. Wang threw 40 pitches in the bullpen early this week at the Nationals training facility in Viera, Florida. He is also playing catch and gets every fourth day off. Wang has been building arm strength and has worked in some long toss sessions. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams says Wang is making progress and he is pleased with what the pitcher has been...

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler notched the win in a rehab start Thursday as Syracuse topped Rochester 7-3. Detwiler went five innings, scattered five hits, allowed three runs but only one of which is earned. He walked only one batter, had two strikeouts and registered 12 ground outs. Detwiler threw 56 pitches, 39 for strikes. Detwiler (1-0) said his sinker was working "pretty well" and that his hip felt "alright" after the game. As in the past, he will have to wait to see how...

But enough about my love life. The Orioles put the potential tying runs on base in the ninth inning against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. Too bad the bottom of the order was coming up. Pinch-hitter Corey Patterson laid down a nice bunt to advance Felix Pie and pinch-runner Julio Lugo, who entered the game for Matt Wieters (3-for-4, two RBIs). Patterson's neck must be feeling a little better, though he didn't have to take any swings against Papelbon. Manager Buck Showalter let Cesar...

It was the final regular season home game for Bowie tonight, but maybe not the final time they will be at this stadium this year. In front of a small, but enthusiastic crowd of 1,694, the Baysox beat Altoona 7-2 tonight and, coupled with Harrisburg's 3-2 loss to New Hampshire, they moved into second place in the Eastern League's Western Division. They are a 1/2-game up on Harrisburg for the final playoff spot as Bowie now heads to Richmond for a four-game series that ends on Monday. ...