For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Ty Wigginton 2B Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Lou Montanez DH Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Rangers: Elvis Andrus SS Michael Young 3B Ian Kinsler 2B Vladimir Guerrero DH Josh Hamilton CF Nelson Cruz RF Joaquin Arias 1B David Murphy LF Matt Treanor C Scott Feldman RHP

Every year when Ian Desmond blew out the candles on his birthday cake, he closed his eyes and wished one day he would make it to the big leagues. Drafted out of high school by the Expos in 2004, it took six years in the minors for Desmond to make his dream come true. On Thursday afternoon, Desmond talked about his baseball journey in taking questions from fans at the ESPN Zone in downtown Washington during the first Nats Q&A of the season. After the talk, Desmond signed autographs and...

Brian Roberts still intends to fly down to Sarasota and continue baseball activities, but it won't be this week. And I won't be here to greet him. Roberts is hospitalized after being diagnosed with pneumonia. He sent me a text message earlier today saying that he's feeling OK and will report to Ed Smith Stadium "hopefully sometime soon." When will this guy catch a break? I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon. I hope this wasn't part of some elaborate scheme to avoid me. Usually, it's women...

The 40th Anniversary Celebration of the 1970 World Series is still several weeks away (set for Saturday, June 26), but the Orioles have announced an exclusive luncheon with members from the 1970 team that you might want to plan for now. As part of the celebration, the Orioles will host a gala luncheon for fans, also on Saturday, June 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At the luncheon, fans will have the opportunity to meet members of the 1970 team, participate in a Q&A session, and get their...

You know it's extended spring training when... ...Mike Gonzalez is getting his signs from Dashenko Ricardo. Gonzalez played catch with Ricardo, who spent most of last season at rookie-level Bluefield, before taking the mound for today's game against a collection of Twins minor leaguers. With Ricardo behind the plate, Gonzalez allowed a single and walked a batter in his scoreless inning. He struck out two, including the last batter on a 89 mph fastball. The leadoff hitter reached on an...

A lot of fans have been asking about Mychal Givens, the shortstop that the Orioles drafted in the second round, with the 54th overall selection, last June out of Plant High in Florida. Givens turned 20 a week ago today and continues to play every day at extended spring training. He is expected to play for a short-season O's affiliate when they begin play next month. Gary Kendall, who will manage again this year at Aberdeen, is heading up the staff at extended spring training in Florida and...

Mike Gonzalez will pitch the first inning of today's extended spring training game. The major leaguers go first. Felix Pie has been performing various exercises for the last five days that are designed to strengthen the muscles in his back. He's also allowed to take one-handed swings in the cage. Pie will continue this routine for two more weeks before being cleared to start hitting and throwing. "I feel great, but the trainers and doctors say I have to wait," he said. "The decision...

It's hot. That doesn't really qualify as a view, but it's worth repeating: It's hot. How hot is it? It's so hot, Koji Uehara started to sweat after being told the temperature. The stadium and clubhouse look the same as before. The only change I've noticed is the media trailer is gone. But renovations could start soon. Sarasota County has selected contractors for Twin Lakes Park and Ed Smith Stadium. The County Commission must give its approval next week and release the money, and...

Orioles manager Dave Trembley explained after last night's game that starter Jeremy Guthrie began tiring in the fifth inning. Guthrie's legs were going on him. He was running out of gas. Choose your favorite expression. The right-hander was fading fast. That explains why he left the game after 90 pitches. The Texas heat must have gotten to him. What's gotten into Guthrie? His ERA's down to 3.86 and he's turned in seven quality starts this season, including last night, when he held the...

Win and losses: The O's began their five-game road trip with a 4-3 loss to Texas Wednesday night. They are now 13-28 on the year and have lost four of their past five games. The Orioles are 5-16 on the road, 7-8 in one-run games and 3-8 vs. AL West teams. The offense comes up short: The O's fall to 2-24 when scoring three runs or less. They have scored just 13 runs with a team average of .257 over the last five games. The O's were 4 for 13 batting with runners in scoring position in...