We're getting the bad version of Jake Arrieta tonight. For those of you keeping score at home, that's two impressive outings followed by two poor ones. Arrieta has allowed six runs (five earned) and eight hits in four innings, as the Nationals provide a nice cushion for J.D. Martin. Arrieta also has issued two walks, and his pitch count is up to 84. I expected interim manager Juan Samuel to pop out of the dugout after Adam Dunn's two-run double with two outs in the fourth, but Arrieta...

Jake Arrieta certainly does not look sharp early in this game and the Nationals have taken advantage of their scoring chances to take a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings at the Yard. The O's spotted Florida an early 3-0 lead last night so maybe this is a new strategy. The top of the Nats order, which has been struggling we hear, has gotten on base in the first and third to set up their runs. Nyjer Morgan has already scored twice and Arrieta needed 28 pitches to get through the first...

We can start with Jake Arrieta's marathon first inning, and how his pitch count stands at 57 through the third. We can proceed to the 3-0 deficit, and how Arrieta has allowed five hits and walked a batter. There's also the throwing error by Matt Wieters in the first. And the double play from Miguel Tejada, who swung at the initial offering from Nationals starter J.D. Martin after Corey Patterson led off the bottom of the first with a seven-pitch walk. Garrett Atkins, in his first at-bat...

It's been an interesting few weeks for O's outfielder Nick Markakis. He spoke out about his teammates approach at the plate on offense. And he also found time to meet with O's owner Peter Angelos to exchange thoughts about the future of the Orioles. Does all this mean Markakis is ready to take a prominent leadership role on this team? "You can call it what you want. I think I'm just taking the right steps to try and get this stuff going in the right direction. I'm not saying who we...

Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick will serve as hitting coach tonight. Terry Crowley left the team to tend to a personal matter, but he's expected to return tomorrow. Bordick will wear No. 85, in case you're wondering. Admit it, you were wondering. The Orioles are close to sending left-hander Michael Gonzalez on an injury rehab assignment. Jake Fox is the fourth outfielder tonight while Lou Montanez deals with an oblique injury and Luke Scott serves as the designated hitter. Ty...

He's become the forgotten man on the Orioles. Now, some wonder if he will be a man that is soon leaving the Orioles. It's been a lost season for first baseman Garrett Atkins. He's batting just .219-1-9 in 43 games and has started just four times in June and has not started any of the last eight games. With roster moves looming, no one has to tell Atkins his position on the O's is not secure. "You can't really control what happens outside the lines. So, I'll just go out there...

Ty Wigginton's back began to tighten up late in last night's game, and it's still bothering him today. That's why he's out of the lineup. He's listed as - you guessed it - day-to-day. Also, Lou Montanez injured his oblique in batting practice a few days ago, and he's expected to go on the disabled list tomorrow to make room for Brad Bergesen. Montanez was examined yesterday, and interim manager Juan Samuel said the results weren't good. Garrett Atkins is safe at home, at least for...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Nationals: Morgan CF Guzman 2B Zimmerman 3B Dunn 1B Willingham DH Rodriguez C Morse RF Harris LF Desmond SS Martin RHP

Former Orioles catcher and coach Rick Dempsey will become the fourth candidate to interview for the managerial position when he meets next week with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Dempsey will sit down with MacPhail on Tuesday, according to a source. I couldn't reach Dempsey today, and I'm not sure whether he'd confirm the meeting, but he's on deck. The Orioles also have interviewed Eric Wedge, Bobby Valentine and Buck Showalter. Valentine is out of the running after...

While waiting for Nick Markakis to announce that he wants to manage... I'm sorry to inform you that I'll be attending tonight's game at Camden Yards. I miss one, just one, and the Orioles blow out the Marlins. I can't help but feel responsible for everything that's gone wrong this season. Don't worry, I'm not interviewing for the manager's job. I've been asked about Adam Jones possibly tweaking his back last night. I wasn't there, and I'm sitting at my kitchen table in Sykesville...