The O's trail Tampa and Matt Garza 4-1 through five innings. No one has shoved anything down anyone's throat that I have seen, but I have noticed the O's not getting any clutch hits off Garza. At least, so far. They had runners on second with just one out in the 3rd and 5th and failed to score. They got two hits and a walk in the 4th and scored just one run. The O's are 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position through five. Garza, who pitched a no-hitter July 26 vs. Detroit, had an...

This game is getting away from the Orioles. The Rays scored twice in the third inning and twice in the fourth to stake Matt Garza to a 4-0 lead. If you still feel good about this one, I admire your loyalty. Or you're still at Happy Hour. Either way, props to you. Just root and drink responsibly. Rick VandenHurk was warming in the bullpen, but he sat down after Kevin Millwood struck out Carl Crawford to end the fourth. Millwood has allowed six hits, walked three and thrown 73...

It's that time again when I remind everyone how Kevin Millwood usually gives up runs in the first inning. He didn't run into the run problem in his last start, blanking the Angels on six hits over eight innings, and he stranded Carl Crawford on third base and Evan Longoria on first tonight. Millwood retired Carlos Pena on a popup to shortstop Cesar Izturis, leaving his first-inning run total this season at 38. This is only the fifth time in his last 18 starts that Millwood didn't allow at...

Despite losing 10 of their last 12 games, the Frederick Keys are playoff bound. In fact, it looks like it will be Orioles vs. Nationals in the playoffs. That's the Carolina League playoffs. After going 41-29, Frederick won its division in the first half. The Nats team in that league, Potomac, is leading in the second half. The best-of-five Carolina League semi-finals will begin next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Frederick's Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys will start Oliver Drake in game one,...

Rays pitcher Matt Garza doesn't lack for confidence and he doesn't worry about firing up the opposition. He challenged the Orioles today in a St. Petersburg Times notebook item, still fuming over the four home runs he surrendered against them on July 20, which prompted this response from manager Buck Showalter: "There are a lot of people who feel that way that just don't say it publicly, so what's the difference? A lot of them feel that way. He's certainly a good pitcher and that was a...

Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts have combined for 69 at bats this season vs. Tampa pitching without a single homer or RBI. Markakis is batting .149 (7 for 47) in 12 games this season vs. the Rays while Robers is batting .136 (3 for 22) in six contests vs. Tampa. Some O's that have hit Tampa pitching well include: *Felix Pie at .343-1-3, going 12 for 35 with five doubles. *Luke Scott at .395-5-8, going 15 for 38 with an OPS of 1.357. *Matt Wieters at .308-1-3, going 8 for 26. *Ty Wigginton...

Orioles director of communications Greg Bader told me today that the replica Brooks Robinson jerseys originally scheduled to be given away at Oriole Park on July 17 have now arrived. A vendor error delayed the distribution of the jerseys until now, but the first 25,000 fans 15 and older who attended the July 17 game can now redeem their vouchers (in one of the three methods listed on the voucher itself) and claim their giveaways. As a reminder, if you're planning to redeem your voucher via...

Chris Tillman has been summoned from Triple-A Norfolk and will join the Orioles later tonight or tomorrow. Kevin Millwood is starting tonight, and Jeremy Guthrie goes tomorrow. Sunday's slot is being left open, and Tillman is going to fill it. He'll be working on normal rest. Everyone else in the rotation gets pushed back, bringing the expected six-man rotation. The names will likely change over the course of the month, however, as the young starters reach their innings limits. Adam...

Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Corey Patterson CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Kevin Millwood RHP

The Orioles haven't posted their lineup yet. Still checking on the wounded. Outfielder Corey Patterson told me that he swung in the indoor cage earlier and is "good to go." He's been receiving treatment for a sore neck that restricted him to bunting duties last night.