Tonight's attendance: 9,299. That's not a record-low at Camden Yards. The Orioles-Rays drew 9,129 on April 12. Tonight's intimate gathering is the second-lowest, which should draw chants of "We're No. 2." (Careful. Just...careful.) As always, keep in mind we're talking about tickets sold, not fannies in the seats. No way we have that many people here unless they're all huddled in the bathrooms.

Corey Patterson walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth, stolen second, took third on catcher Jason Kendall's throwing error and scored on Ty Wigginton's slow roller to second base. Orioles 2, Kansas City 2. That's how you manufacture a run. Now here's how it could have gone a little smoother: Patterson didn't immediately go back and tag on Nick Markakis' liner to right field. David DeJesus made a lunging catch and scrambled to his feet before firing the ball to the plate. By the...

The Orioles have two bunt hits in the first two innings, the second coming from Adam Jones after Matt Wieters singled. With two on and no outs, Garrett Atkins lined softly to Kansas City second baseman Mike Aviles. If Atkins had been able to advance Wieters to third base, Cesar Izturis' long fly ball to right would have tied the game. That is, if you believe that the at-bat would have played out the same. The Royals took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second on Brad Bergesen's balk. Mitch...

Nolan Reimold is starting in left field tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Brandon Snyder is playing first base and Michael Aubrey's in right field. Brad Bergesen walked the leadoff hitter, Scott Podsednik, who promptly stole second. Matt Wieters' throw beat him to the bag, but second base umpire Tim Timmons called Podsednik safe. David DeJesus singled to put runners on the corners. Billy Butler, facing Bergesen for the first time since ending his season last July, blooped a single into right...

David Hernandez says his right shoulder feels much better and he's still scheduled to throw in the bullpen tomorrow for the first time since being scratched from yesterday's start against the Indians. The Orioles would consider placing Hernandez on the disabled list if he can't complete the session. Hernandez played catch yesterday and again today, "and I didn't feel any pain," he said. "I was able to get on top of everything. I was able to get to my arm slot." The bullpen session...

Did Andy MacPhail put Garrett Atkins on the hot seat today? When asked by the Baltimore Sun, how long he would stick with his struggling first baseman he said "it doesn't have to be that way forever." Atkins is hitting just .243-0-6 and was asked today if he feels he's been put on notice. "I'm not too worried about it, it's been 100 at bats. You get five or six more hits, you're hitting .300. Just trying to come in here every day and work to get better and produce a little more out...

Nolan Reimold started at first base for Triple-A Norfolk yesterday, as you know if you've been reading this blog. And the reasoning is fairly obvious. "The club does want to see what he can do at first base. That's why he was taking ground balls there at the end of spring training and why he was doing it here. And it was a good opportunity for him when he went to Triple-A to see if he could get acclimated to that there," manager Dave Trembley said. "There's a need right now. He did at...

Brian Roberts will report to the minor league camp in Sarasota on Wednesday to continue his baseball-related activities. That's it for the injury updates. Manager Dave Trembley didn't have any information on reliever Mike Gonzalez, who threw live batting practice today. The Orioles will bring up a position player by the time they visit Washington this weekend for their first interleague series. "I would think when we play a National League club, we would want another position player for...

MASN has announced plans to televise Stephen Strasburg's next two expected starts at Triple-A Syracuse. The Nationals prospect will take on the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday, May 19th and the Toledo Mud Hens on May 24th. On Wednesday, the game will air on tape delay at 10:30 p.m. following Nats Xtra. On Monday, the game will be televised live at 7 p.m. Both games will appear on MASN. In his last outing, the heralded prospect tossed six scoreless, hitless innings and earned the win. ...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP For the Royals: Podsednik LF Aviles 2B DeJesus RF Butler 1B Guillen DH Callaspo 3B Maier CF Betancourt SS Kendall C Davies RHP