The Orioles improved to 8-1 in series openers under manager Buck Showalter. They were 9-25 before his arrival. Showalter used one of his favorite expressions, saying he didn't think Brian Matusz was "carrying all his bullets tonight." He brings up bullets frequently. I hope he isn't forced to start calling them "wizards." "He got through it and gave us a chance to win," Showalter said. "I'm not going to say he made the pitches when he had to. You hear enough of that, but tonight I...

The Orioles did not post another shutout, but they did post a pleasing victory over an AL East rival that was desperate for a win. Luke Scott hit his 26th homer, that's a new career high and Brian Matusz pitched well again vs. Boston as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 5-2 at Camden Yards Tuesday night in the opening game of a six-game homestand. Matusz improved to 7-12, 4.72 as he gave up two runs and six hits over six innings plus a batter. When he gave up a two-run homer in the fifth to Jed...

Koji Uehara replaced Michael Gonzalez with one out in the eighth inning and retired the next two batters, fielding a bouncer to the mound and getting the force at second base, and inducing a fly ball to right-center field. Nothing to it. Nobody is warming in the bullpen. Uehara is coming back out for the ninth after throwing eight pitches. No way you take him out. And it made sense to go with your hottest reliever with a runner on first base in the eighth. The baton is being passed, but it...

Nick Markakis became the 19th outfielder since 1900 to record at least four seasons with 40 doubles in his career. Markakis is now tied for the third-longest streak of 40-double seasons. The other three players are in the Hall of Fame. Joe Medwick did it for seven straight years beginning in 1933. Harry Heilman's streak lasted five seasons beginning in 1923. Markakis is tied with Tris Speaker, whose streak of four consecutive seasons began in 1920. Yeah, it's been a while. Jay Moskowitz,...

The Orioles scoreless streak, dating back to Brad Bergesen's first-inning balk at Anaheim Friday night, ended at 30 innings tonight when Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer off Brian Matusz in the fifth inning. After 30 straight, Lowrie rocked one out to left as Matusz found too much of the middle of the plate on a 3-1 pitch. That cut the O's lead to 3-2 and was Lowrie's fourth homer. Matusz has fanned David Ortiz twice tonight and Big Papi is now 0 for 8 with 7 strikeouts vs. the...

Left-hander Brian Matusz took a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning, but Jed Lowrie deposited a 91 mph fastball into the left field seats with one out and Mike Lowell on base to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-2. The Orioles scored twice in the third on Adam Jones' infield hit and shortstop Marco Scutaro's throwing error. Luke Scott raced home from first base as the ball rolled into right field. Manager Buck Showalter walked over to Scott in the dugout and engaged him in a lengthy...

Not his age. He hasn't been around that long. Nick Markakis just collected his 40th double with one out in the first inning. He becomes the first player in franchise history with four consecutive 40-double seasons. Markakis scored on Luke Scott's single, giving the Orioles an early 1-0 lead against Josh Beckett. Scott was in a 2-for-21 slump. Brian Matusz got through the first inning without allowing a run, though he needed 23 pitches to do it. Victor Martinez singled with two outs before...

Luke Scott is 2-for-21 since homering off Chicago's Gavin Floyd. Felix Pie is hitless in his last 12 at-bats. The Orioles have 18 quality starts in their last 26 games. Their pitchers are riding a 26-inning scoreless streak and haven't allowed an RBI since Alex Rios homered in the eighth inning of Thursday's game in Chicago. In Brian Matusz's 26 starts, the Orioles have scored two runs or fewer 14 times while he's been in the game. They're 3-11 in those instances. Matusz is 0-9. Only...

Harrisburg Senators second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi has picked up where he left off with Potomac, hitting above .300 in 19 games so far at the Double-A level. This week, the talented young infielder got word he has been selected by the franchise to participate in the prestigious Arizona Fall League representing the Nationals. "I found out a couple of days ago. I was really pumped," says Lombardozzi. "I think it will be a great experience for me to go out there. I have never been out...

Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Brian Matusz LHP Manager Buck Showalter was vague when the subject turned to tomorrow's potential call-ups. He said some decisions could hinge on the health of the current roster. Asked if he could reveal any names, Showalter replied, "No." Then he chuckled. "I can tell you who's not coming. No, I can't do that, either." It's fair to speculate that...