In his last start, Brian Matusz gave up five runs in the fourth inning. Four of them scored on Kelly Shoppach's grand slam. He was gone after 75 pitches. Matusz took a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning tonight, with one walk and five strikeouts. That's improvement. Matusz struck out two in the first, on his changeup and slider. He got another strikeout on his slider in the second, and another on his changeup to end the third. If only he could get some run support. Not that he's...

If a pitcher can look good in a non-game situation, I'm told that O's third-round pick Dan Klein did this afternoon at Aberdeen. Klein threw a live batting practice session today. His fastball was in the low 90's (yes we have a BP velocity report) and he touched 95 once. The off-speed stuff showed some good movement as well. I wonder if he threw a knuckle-curve, because he has one. Gil Kubski, the O's area scout that watched Klein pitch at UCLA this year, had this scouting report on...

Did you know that the Orioles are 8-8 on Thursdays, their best record for any day of the week? They're 8-10 on Fridays, including 5-4 at home, so plan accordingly. Since May 12, Luke Scott has posted the fourth-best slugging percentage in baseball at .639. His .396 on-base percentage is sixth-best in the American League and ninth-best in the majors. His 1.034 OPS is fifth-best in baseball, one spot ahead of Albert Pujols (1.004). In Brian Matusz's 24 starts this year, the Orioles have...

After giving up a homer over four straight appearances, O's right-hander Alfredo Simon pitched a 1-2-3, ninth inning last night. He needed a good outing and got one in the O's 6-5 loss to the Mariners. "The night before I just got behind in the count and he was a fastball hitter. Last night I used all my pitches and my two seamer and threw the first pitch for a strike. "Sometimes when you get behind the count and the game is close, they are looking for a homer. If you make a mistake,...

Not much to report from manager Buck Showalter's pre-game session with the media. He gave us thorough injury updates yesterday. We already brought up his reunion with the Rangers in this four-game series. "So, do you like...stuff?" We're still learning about Showalter, and it appears that he's not the type to post the next day's lineup early, as in immediately after the previous night's game. He might approach a player or send a coach to give a heads-up about a pending start, as he did...

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 Brian Matusz LHP

As the Orioles look ahead to the 2011 season, who is going to play shortstop? It's way too soon for Manny Machado and there is not a player pushing for that spot in the upper levels on the farm. Cesar Izturis told Josh Land of the Carroll County Times that he wants to remain an Oriole. Some fans will want someone there with more bat. But of all the positions on the diamond, short is one where you just can't skimp on the defense. In looking for next year's shortstop, he may already be...

This particular week in the calendar year has seen some milestones for the O's throughout the team's history. Going the farthest back and on this day in O's history, Cal Ripken Jr. passed Steve Garvey for the third-longest consecutive games streak by playing his 1,280th straight game. Cal and the O's faced the Toronto Blue Jays on August 18, 1989, and the game was otherwise unremarkable for Cal, but the shortstop would of course go on to set a new major league record by playing in 2,632...

The Washington Nationals today placed outfielder Josh Willingham on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to Aug. 16, with a left knee medial meniscus tear and returned from rehab and reinstated outfielder Nyjer Morgan from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Morgan, 30, rejoins the Nationals after a two-game rehab stint with Single-A Potomac (0-for-3) and Single-A Hagerstown (0-for-3, walk). Morgan is batting .261...

I campaigned for reliever Jason Berken as first half Most Valuable Oriole, and you know what happened next. It's probably not a good idea to have me in your corner. It won't do much for your career or your health. A few reporters were standing around the clubhouse earlier this week nominating potential MVOs. Helps pass the time while waiting for manager Buck Showalter to begin his pre-game media session or for Rick VandenHurk to begin speaking in other languages. (While on the subject of...