Well, every time you think maybe the O's offense is coming to life, it doesn't happen. They could not follow up the seven run, 12-hit win over the Twins and Francisco Liriano on Saturday night. Scott Baker, who had pitched to an ERA of 7.56 over his previous three starts, shut down the O's in Minnesota's 6-1 win that split the doubleheader. Tonight he gave up just three hits over eight innings. Luke Scott's solo homer to right in the fifth snapped his 1 for 20 drought, providing the...

Reliever Jim Johnson has been placed on Triple-A Norfolk's disabled list due to right elbow inflammation. The move took place before last night's game. Pitcher Alberto Castillo, who was optioned to Triple-A from Baltimore, took Johnson's roster spot. Johnson was 1-1. 6.52 in ten games with the Orioles and had allowed 15 hits in 9 2/3 before being sent to Norfolk. He pitched one scoreless inning for the Tides, on May 4 vs. Scranton. That was his only Norfolk appearance before the DL...

Julio Lugo SS Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters DH Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Kevin Millwood RHP

The Orioles are now 7-5 over the last 12 games after beating Minnesota 7-3 today in game one of a day/night doubleheader. They improve to 9-21 on the year, 2-3 on this road trip and 5-13 in road games on the season. A win tonight or tomorrow would give the Orioles just their second series victory of 2010. The O's overcame their 2-0, first-inning deficit to win and won for the first time this year (now 1-11) when their opponent scored first in the game. Gary and Eddie talk with Dave...

Jeremy Guthrie gave the Orioles' 6 2/3 innings in Game 1 of today's doubleheader, and he left with a 6-3 lead. Guthrie allowed five hits, walked one and struck out five. He out-pitched Francisco Liriano, and he came into today as the decided underdog in that matchup. The two home runs put me on edge, and the Twins were launching some monstrous foul balls, but Guthrie held them in check and turned in a quality start. A few readers wondered about the decrease in Guthrie's velocity. I...

It's one of the most difficult roles in baseball. Closers need a short memory, a lot of confidence, composure and nasty stuff. They must channel their adrenaline, turn it into a positive force and ultimately shut down the opponent. It's a unique role only suited to certain pitchers. One of those special players is Drew Storen, currently closing games for the Syracuse Chiefs. Storen's been effective and impressive since signing with the Nationals last June. After seven appearances with...

That sentence would have taken on a vastly different meaning earlier this season, but Julio Lugo might be winning over some fans. Lugo is 3-for-4 with an RBI from the leadoff spot. Actual production from the top of the order. Don't adjust your sets. In his last three starts, Lugo has gone 7-for-12 with a walk, RBI and run scored to raise his average to .250. Could he also get the start in Game 2, perhaps at shortstop, with Ty Wigginton replacing him at second? There aren't many hot hands...

Who saw this coming? Be honest. The Orioles took a 5-2 lead over Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano in the fourth inning before Michael Cuddyer led off the bottom half with a shot into the left field seats. They've collected nine hits, including an assortment of bloops and well-placed ground balls. At last count, the Orioles were 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position. All the runs have come with two outs - pretty impressive considering they were batting .176 with two outs and RISP this...

I caught a little of manager Dave Trembley's dugout session with the media earlier today while I waited for O's Xtra to start on MASN2, and he indicated that Adam Jones could bat lower in the lineup. Julio Lugo is hitting first in Game 1, with Jones moving down to second. Trembley noted how Jones continues to struggle at the plate and is chasing bad pitches. It doesn't sound like the leadoff experiment will continue, though finding a replacement has proven difficult. It's not like Lugo...

Orioles: 2B Lugo CF Jones RF Markakis 3B Tejada DH Wigginton C Wieters 1B Atkins LF Reimold SS Izturis RHP Guthrie Twins: CF Span 2B Hudson 1B Morneau DH Thome RF Cuddyer LF Kubel C Ramos SS Harris 3B Punto LHP Liriano