More pre-game chatter and notes (w/GCL update)

Manager Buck Showalter knew a few days ago that Cesar Izturis was approaching 1,000 career hits. The veteran shortstop reached 1,001 in yesterday's game. "I think about how underappreciated that he is. He's just solid," Showalter said. "It's not always a look-at-me mentality. He just brings it. He's just solid. That's the most common description of him from everybody. He's a guy you can count on. He's very durable. I was happy for him to have a moment yesterday. He's a good one." Showalter doesn't have much interest in the Orioles playing the spoiler role the rest of the way. Asked if it's a motivation for his club, Showalter replied, "I don't think anybody wakes up and says, 'Boy, it would really hurt them if we beat them.' If that's your driving force, I'm OK with that if it makes you play better, but I don't think that's something to get up in the morning thinking about. "Where we are, we're just trying to play good, consistent baseball, and we're going to get a pretty good barometer of where we are comparatively speaking in our division. We'll get to see these guys, and that's good for me. You're not necessarily looking forward to playing these guys, but that's the schedule. It's not going to change." Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk's Nolan Reimold has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games and is batting .320 (24-for-75) with four home runs, 13 RBIs, 15 walks and a .441 on-base percentage during that stretch. He's hit safely in 17 of those 21 games, upping his average from .205 to .238. Reliever Jim Miller has posted a 1.22 ERA in his last eight appearances, with three walks and 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Chris Tillman is making his fourth start tonight since being optioned on July 20. He's 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA, 24 hits allowed, seven walks and nine strikeouts in 13 innings. Norfolk ranks last in the International League with a .973 fielding percentage and 117 errors - 14 more than any other club. Single-A Frederick reliever Brett Bordes has allowed one earned run in his last 17 appearances. The Right Side Foundation, the nonprofit organization of outfielder Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, announced that its 2nd Annual 5K Run & One-Mile Fun Walk yesterday attracted close to 500 participants and was a success for the second consecutive year. Proceeds from the event will benefit distressed children throughout the state of Maryland via The Right Side Foundation's programs and activities. "It was a great feeling to see the community come together again to make the event another rewarding experience," Markakis said in a statement. "Looking at the success of our first two 5K events, Christina and I are humbled by how the people in Baltimore, and around the state, have embraced The Right Side Foundation." The event took place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Patterson Park following the Orioles' 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. Several members of the Orioles' organization were on hand, including Matt and Maria Wieters, Brian and Dianna Roberts, Matt and Tara Albers, hitting coach Terry Crowley, bench coach Jeff Datz and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. Nick and Christina presented awards to the overall male and female race winners, as well as the top male and female finishers in respective age groups. Among the age group winners was Maria Wieters, who took first place in her division with a time of 22:13. It took me that long to walk the two flights of stairs to the press box. GCL update: Jim Johnson tossed a perfect inning today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles, striking out two in a 5-1 win over the GCL Red Sox. He retired the leadoff hitter on a ground ball. Left fielder Lou Montanez went 1-for-5 with a run scored. He's 3-for-12 on his rehab assignment.