Play Ball: As of 8:12p, we are underway at Camden Yards after a rain delay of one hour and seven minutes. It's 74 degrees at gametime. Jeremy Guthrie is pitching vs. Justin Masterson in game one of this O's vs. Cleveland weekend series. From earlier: The grounds crew is putting the tarp on the field here at Camden Yards. It's getting darker and rain is on the way. We'll see how long before tonight's scheduled game begins. In the meantime, please leave any comments or questions...

The grounds crew has done more than move behind the tarp. The infield is being covered in anticipation of a storm. It isn't raining at the moment, but I guess it's coming. The sky is getting darker. No way we're starting on time.

The Orioles are 9-8 over the last 17 games. That sure beats 2-16. There are many reasons the team has a winning record in that stretch. But Dave Trembley cited his improved and remodeled bullpen as a big reason today during his pre-game media session. "It's real simple. When you pitch, when you hit, when you catch the ball, you have a chance to win. When you get two out of three, you're in it. "When we've lost, we've not had timely hitting and our pitching has not been very good. ...

Nick Markakis's Right Side Foundation has announced that their second annual 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk will be held on Sunday, August 8. The Orioles will take on the Chicago White Sox earlier that day, and Nick will head to Patterson Park later that evening to join his wife and foundation partner, Christina, for the 5K run and 1-mile walk. Interested runners (or walkers, families, or other O's fans) can register online at www.CharmCityRun.com or by calling Kelly Dees at...

First base coach John "T-Bone" Shelby will miss tonight's game because he's being inducted into the Henry Clay High School Hall of Fame in Lexington, Ky. Bench coach Jeff Datz will handle the first base duties. Alfredo Simon doesn't always make it look easy, but he remains the team's closer and continues to have manager Dave Trembley's full support. "I would evaluate him as a guy that is an underdog who has overachieved, who has proven a lot of people wrong, who has come back from a...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Matt Wieters C Rhyne Hughes 1B Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Indians: Cabrera SS Sizemore CF Choo RF Hafner DH Peralta 3B Branyan 1B LaPorta LF Valbuena 2B Marson C Masterson RHP

I got to sit down and grab some more knowledge from Paul Menhart, pitching coach for the Potomac Nationals regarding their roster this year. We already talked about Fabian and Frias, and it was a big week for the P-Nats with the return of Derek Norris, who is back in the lineup in Potomac after getting over a hamate injury. "He is still trying to get back to 100 percent and he looks good behind the plate. He is blocking the ball well and is happy to be back playing healthy." With the...

If you have a few minutes - or 7:56 to be exact - check out the following YouTube clip of Double-A Bowie pitcher Zach Britton and catcher Caleb Joseph touring Camden Yards. You might recall that I mentioned their unexpected appearance in the press box in one of my blog entries. Joseph shows off his dance moves, and they were nice enough to throw a little love at the School of Roch. Thanks, fellas. Check out what happens when they try to ride the elevator up to the press box.

Just as a reminder, Matt Wieters will be at the ESPN Zone on Monday, May 17 to take part in the next Orioles Q&A of the 2010 season. Wieters will answer questions from an Orioles broadcaster, as well as from O's fans, starting at noon on Monday. Following the Q&A, he'll stick around to sign autographs and pose for photos until about 1:00 p.m. So don't miss your chance to get to know Matt Wieters this Monday, and don't forget to grab an autograph before you go. In the meantime, also...

Cleveland is 13-19 on the year and 2-1 on its current eight-game road trip after winning two of three at Kansas City. The Indians are 7-11 in road games and 4-6 in May. Cleveland has played one series versus an AL East team and was swept three straight by Toronto last week. The Indians, who have won seven of their last ten games against the Orioles, have dropped six of their last nine overall. Indians hot hitters: Asdrubal Cabrera: Batting .364 with six multi-hit games in his last ten...