Today's attendance: 34,255. I remember going on O's Xtra last summer and proclaiming Luke Scott the Orioles' first-half MVP. No question in my mind. So what the heck happened? Am I a distant relative of the SI cover? Scott has bounced to the mound and struck out twice today against Red Sox starter Josh Beckett. His average is down to .189, with a .268 on-base percentage and .378 slugging percentage. Here's the real concern: Scott is batting .203 (59-for-290) since the All-Star break....

I find it amazing, but the Orioles last three-game sweep over the Red Sox in Baltimore, was from September 2-4, 1974. Now the O's last swept four from Boston at home in July of 1998. But the last three-game home sweep came during the 1974 season when the O's had Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins at the top of the lineup. Here is something also pretty amazing. That three-game sweep in 1974 came via three consecutive, complete-game shutouts. In game one of a doubleheader on Monday, September 2,...

The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning, but Luke Scott struck out on three pitches and Nolan Reimold bounced to third. We've seen this act before. Turns out, the rally didn't go to waste. Adrian Beltre fielded the ball and looked to tag Ty Wigginton and possibly throw to first, but Wiggy slammed on the brakes. Beltre froze up and eventually took the out at third, after much internal deliberation, as NicK Markakis scored. I was waiting for Beltre to call time and use...

Manager Dave Trembley was prepared to live without Brian Roberts as his second baseman once president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told him "it was no longer days, it was going to be weeks." That meant finding a new second baseman and leadoff hitter. Just not the same person. Ty Wigginton remains at second, and there's no reason to move him, considering he began today batting .324 with eight homers, 14 RBIs and a .721 slugging percentage. And Trembley seems intent on keeping Adam...

Here is an interesting question. Are the Orioles open to using Jake Arrieta in the bullpen in Baltimore? Don't take it to the bank that it could be the O's plan for the hard-throwing right-hander, but Dave Trembley at least opened the door to that possibility today. There was a time many years ago that pitchers like Mike Flanagan and Scott McGregor came to the Majors and learned the ropes out of the bullpen first, before gaining a starting berth. In talking with the skipper today about...

Orioles reliever Mike Gonzalez began his throwing progression program yesterday in Sarasota by playing catch from 60 feet. Gonzalez will increase the distance to 90 and 120 feet before moving to the bullpen. If his arm holds up, he'll eventually throw batting practice. We're probably looking at three weeks for Gonzalez to get through this stretch. And he'll have to go on an injury rehab assignment in the minors. Shameless plug alert: I'm appearing on O's Xtra today, and I did an...

Brian Roberts still doesn't have a timetable for beginning baseball activities and returning to the lineup. The discomfort in his lower back has subsided considerably and he remains convinced that he'll play this season, but he can't even provide an approximate date. "We're just continuing to do some physical therapy," he said. "Other than that, we're just waiting for it to get better.' Roberts said it's conceivable that he could miss the first half of the season. "I wish I could...

For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Nolan Reimold LF Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Julio Lugo SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Red Sox: Scutaro SS Pedroia 2B Drew RF Youkilis 1B Ortiz DH Lowell 3B Varitek C McDonald LF Van Every CF Beckett RHP

Well, the O's and their fans have had some fun at Camden Yards this weekend. The O's wins this weekend vs. Boston (2) matches their win total of all last year vs. Boston (2-16). Here are more notes on the homers and the win: The Birds scored a season-high 12 runs in the 12-9 win over Boston and they hit five homers in the game. The O's had their best night of the year batting with runners in scoring positon, going 5 for 7 (.714) in those situations. They left just one runner on base in...

Some clubhouse quotes after the Orioles 12-9 win Saturday night over Boston. It's the O's first series win of the year after going 0 and 7. The O's now lead the season series, 3-2 vs. Boston and have won three in a row vs. the Sox for the first time since September 2, 2005. The teams combined for nine homers and it's the 12th time in O's history the team and its opponent combined for eight or more homers in a game. Miguel Tejada on the O's offense breaking out: "It's big. We got...