The Orioles Class-A Frederick Keys affiliate tonight lost, but still clinched the first half Northern Division championship in the Carolina League. Entering tonight with a magic number of one, the Keys lost at home 8-1 to Salem but wrapped up the division when Winston-Salem beat second-place Wilmington, 2-1. By the way, there is no issue with Keys starting pitcher Rick Zagone, who pitched just two innings tonight. He allowed three runs, none earned and left the game after just the two...

The Orioles fell to 17-45 after tonight's 3-1 loss to the Mets, a game that looked like so many others this season. They wasted a quality start because they didn't hit, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. And they didn't make a key play on defense that cost them a run. "When you're in a funk those things happen," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "It seems like you don't make the play and it costs you, When things are going right, you don't make the plays and it does not...

The Orioles wasted yet another decent starting pitching performance tonight. For the second night in a row, the Orioles scored just once vs. the New York Mets. Jeff Francoeur and Jose Reyes hit solo homers off Brian Matusz as the Mets posted a 3-1 win over the Orioles in front of 42,248 at Camden Yards. The Orioles fall to 17-45. The Mets entered Baltimore with a road record of 8-18 but have now won their first road series all year and have back-to-back road wins for the first time since...

Brian Matusz held the Mets to two runs and four hits over his first seven innings. He didn't issue a walk. He retired 18 of the last 21 batters he faced. So why is Matusz staring at his seventh consecutive defeat? Julio Lugo couldn't turn a critical double play in the sixth as the tie-breaking run scored. And the Orioles didn't get the memo about Mets left-hander Hisanori Takahashi struggling badly in his last two starts and being on the verge of losing his spot in the rotation. Matusz...

The Indians media relations report they have sold more than 10,000 tickets than usual for Sunday's series finale with Nats rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg taking on David Huff. The Tribe are expecting 28,000 to 30,000 for Sunday's game at Progressive Field, which would almost double their normal gate. Indians are averaging a little over 15,000 per game at home. There also has been an additional 50 media credential requests which means the press box is expected to be filled to capacity. ...

Julio Lugo just handed the New York Mets the lead in the top of the sixth inning. With runners on first and third and one out in a 1-1 tie game, David Wright hit a grounder right back to the mound. Brian Matusz threw to second base for one out and Lugo, who had all the time in the world to make a relay throw for an easy, inning-ending double play, threw high to first base. Ty Wigginton had to leap to catch the throw and landed on the bag the same time as Wright as the go-ahead run...

The reports of Mets pitcher Hisanori Takahashi being a slow worker weren't exaggerated. It's like watching Steve Trachsel on Quaaludes. Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" was playing over the PA system between innings, and a few of us started singing, "Taka Takahasi." Very mature, I know. We're still tied, 1-1, heading to the top of the fifth. The Orioles tried to play little ball to push across the go-ahead run in the third, with Corey Patterson laying down a sacrifice bunt after Cesar...

Cleveland, OH -- Nats 2B Adam Kennedy made a bad throw to second base and Cristian Guzman in the bottom of the 1st inning for his 2nd error of the series and 8th error of the season in 58 games. The Indians scored a batter later on a sacrifice fly to take the lead 1-0 in the 1st. Jim Riggleman had said before the game he wanted to get Willie Harris and Kennedy at-bats so they can remain consistent in the field. Ian Desmond gets the the night off, but available for pinch hitting and...

Jose Reyes began tonight's game with the 15th leadoff home run of his career, and the first against the Orioles this season. Reyes drove a 91 mph fastball over the fence in left-center field to give the Mets an early lead. Brian Matusz has surrendered at least one home run in his last five starts. He gave up only two in his first eight starts. Corey Patterson tried to duplicate Reyes' at-bat, but he settled for a double off the out-of-town scoreboard in right. He also climbed up the back...

When a pitcher has a record of 0-9 and ERA of 6.23, it seems it would be hard to find some progress that pitcher is making. Those are Brandon Erbe's numbers right now for Triple-A Norfolk. While Erbe has made two starts without giving up a run since May 13th, he has also allowed four runs or more in four of his last five starts. Despite the numbers, Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin remains upbeat about Erbe and his progress. "Brandon is learning how to pitch at this level. Brandon,...