W – Shawn Camp (2-3)     L – Willie Eyre (1-1)     SV – Frank Francisco (12)

- Tommy Hunter started and didn’t fare too well. He gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over six innings with three strikeouts. After the game he was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. He was released later and it appears to have been severe dehydration. The game was tied going into the 8th inning until Willie Eyre gave up a two run homer to Brett Lawrie. He came out of the game with one out, Zach Phillips got the second out, and freshly brought up with rosters expanding Rick VandenHurk got the final out and pitch a scoreless 9th.
- Only three players had hits for the Orioles but we still scored six runs somehow. Vladimir Guerrero and Matt Wieters hit back to back homeruns in the 4th inning. Wieters also had an RBI double and a walk. Guerrero had three RBIs on two doubles. Robert Andino singled and doubled, Nick Markakis walked twice, and Adam Jones was hit by a pitch and walked. Wieters has been hitting very well since August. I’m sure many have lost interest and not noticed but hes trying to give us reason to be excited for next season.

Player of the game: Vladimir Guerrero – 3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 doubles (23), HR (11) (.280 AVG)

The Orioles head down to Tampa Bay to face David Price (12-11, 3.40) and the Rays tonight. Zach Britton (8-9, 4.28) will try to build off his last start.

W – Henderson Alvarez (1-2)     L – Jo-Jo Reyes (7-11)

- This game was over almost before it started. Reyes couldn’t make it out of the 3rd inning, giving up seven runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Brad Bergesen was next and the batting practice continued. He allowed four runs on four hits and a walk over 2.1 innings. Troy Patton gave up a two run homer during his two innings. Zach Phillips and Chris Jakubauskas each tossed a scoreless inning despite giving up multiple hits.
- The offense was nonexistent. The rookie Alvarez earned his first win by throwing eight scoreless innings. We only had four hits in the game – a double by Matt Angle and singles from Vladimir Guerrero, Robert Andino, and Ryan Adams.

Player of the game: Matt Angle – 1-2, double (2) (.143 AVG)

W – Willie Eyre (1-1)     L – Brian Tallet (0-2)

- It was a back and forth game that looked like we would lose for sure, but we came up with two runs in the bottom of the 10th to pull it off. Jeremy Guthrie started and gave up three runs in the top of the 2nd inning but settled down after that, not giving up any more runs. He lasted six innings giving up those three runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Jim Johnson picked up where Guthrie left off, throwing two scoreless innings. Kevin Gregg continued his reign of terror in the closer’s role, blowing the save by allowing a run on three walks and a single. Willie Eyre gave the Blue Jays the lead in the top of the 10th on a wild pitch but ended up with the win.
- The offense came back from the early deficit and eventually took the lead back. Matt Wieters got it started with a two run homer after Vladimir Guerrero singled in the 3rd inning. Wieters also singled in the game. Guerrero hit an RBI double to give us the lead in the 5th after Nolan Reimold tapped a single to the mound and Brett Cecil threw the ball away allowing a run to score to tie the game. Trailing by one run going into the 10th Wieters and Mark Reynolds each walked to start the inning. Back to back RBI singles by Jake Fox and Ryan Adams gave us the walk off victory. Adams had another single in the game. Reimold also singled and walked. Robert Andino and JJ Hardy each doubled. Reynolds and Nick Markakis each walked twice.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR (15) (.265 AVG)

Jo-Jo Reyes (2-2, 4.57) faces off against his former team for the first time since being claimed off waivers tonight. Toronto sends Henderson Alvarez (0-2, 4.76) to the mound looking for his first ML win.

Game One: Orioles 12, Yankees 5

- Tommy Hunter pitched a great game until he tired in the 7th inning. Fortunately the offense put up huge numbers on the board so it didn’t matter. He ended up giving up four runs on five hits over sevens innings with four strikeouts. Willie Eyre gave up a run in the 8th and Jim Johnson pitched a perfect 9th.
- Every hitter in the lineup had a hit in the game and most of the hits went for extra bases. Mark Reynolds hit a solo homerun, JJ Hardy hit a two run shot, and Matt Wieters connected on a three run homer. Wieters also doubled. Nolan Reimold had a double, triple, and three RBI. Matt Angle and Robert Andino each hit a double and stole a base. Ryan Adams also doubled.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, double (24), HR (14) (.267 AVG)

Game Two: Orioles 2, Yankees 0

- The first game of a Sunday double header was a quick one and Zach Britton finally had a good outing. It was great in fact, holding the Yankees scoreless for seven innings and striking out five batters. It seems like he hasn’t pitched well since May. It would be nice to see him end the season on a positive string. Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless 8th and Kevin Gregg a scoreless 9th to record his 19th save of the season. It was the Orioles sixth win in a row, the longest winning streak of the season.
- JJ Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero drove in the only runs of the game on singles. Mark Reynolds went three for three with a double. Nick Markakis also doubled. Ryan Adams singled.

Player of the game: Zach Britton – 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 K, W (8-9) (4.28 ERA)

Game Three: Orioles 3, Yankees 8

- Brian Matusz just can’t get it together this season. He was having a decent outing and even hit 93 mph on the radar gun at one point but blew up in the 6th inning and ended up allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. It raised his ERA to 9.07 on the season and his record is now 1-7. Chris jakubauskas finished the inning giving up another run. Mark Hendrickson gave up a run in the 7th and Brad Bergesen pitched two scoreless innings.
- The game was tied after the 3rd inning. Adam Jones had two sacrifice flies and Ryan Adams hit an RBI double but the scoring stopped after that. JJ Hardy and Nick Markakis also hit doubles. Markakis also walked twice.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 1-2, R, 2 BB, double (24) (.287 AVG)

Game Four: Orioles 2, Yankees 3

- Alfredo Simon pitched another good game, holding the Yankees to three runs over seven innings with six strikeouts, but the offense only had three hits. Mark Reynolds and JJ Hardy each hit solo homeruns and Adam Jones doubled. Nick Markakis walked twice. Matt Wieters also walked. And as a bonus: Mike Gonzalez is finally pitching like we expected him to when we signed him two years ago, tossing two scoreless innings.

Player of the game: Alfredo Simon – 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, L (4-7) (4.26 ERA)

AAA Norfolk 2, Gwinnett 4

LHP Chris George – 6.2 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 K, L (6-5) (4.27 ERA)
CF Kyle Hudson – 1-4, R, double (7) (.305 AVG)
LF Robbie Widlansky – 2-3, RBI, BB (.286 AVG)

AA Bowie 2, Erie 6

RHP Oliver Drake – 6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, L (2-5) (5.71 ERA)
CF Xavier Avery – 2-3, R, BB, 2 doubles (29) (.264 AVG)
LF Buck Britton – 1-3, RBI (.286 AVG)

A Delmarva 8, Greensboro 9

LHP Tim Berry – 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (5.40 ERA)
CF John Ruettiger – 3-5, 2 R, 2 doubles (4) (.238 AVG) – Minor League Player of the Night
3B Tyler Kelly – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB (11) (.287 AVG)
RF Brenden Webb – 1-3, 2 RBI, BB (.227 AVG)

GCL Orioles 0, Rays 3

LHP Israel Sosa – 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, L (2-1) (1.53 ERA)
LHP Dustin Ward – 2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K (0.95 ERA)
RHP Jose Nivar – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (1.83 ERA)

W – Jo-Jo Reyes (7-10)     L – Anthony Swarzak (3-4)

- Reyes bounced back from his last start and was able to replicate the success he had in the start prior to that. Again he pitched six innings allowing one run on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. It wasn’t quite as clean as his best outing as an Oriole but he kept the Twins off the board for the most part and set us up for the win. Chris Jakubauskas strung together two scoreless innings to get the ball to Kevin Gregg for the 9th. Gregg allowed a single but ended the game without incident.
- Francisco Liriano started for the Twins but was out of the game after two innings with an injury. The offense took advantage against Minnesota’s bullpen. Robert Andino walked with the bases loaded against Liriano but then Craig Tatum hit a two RBI double in the 6th and Mark Reynolds launched a three run homer in the 7th inning. Vladimir Guerrero, Nolan Reimold, and Ryan Adams each singled twice. Adams, Tatum, Matt Angle, and JJ Hardy each walked. Hardy and Nick Markakis singled. Angle also singled for his first major league hit.

Player of the game: Craig Tatum – 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, double (3) (.246 AVG)

The Orioles return home this weekend for a series against the Yankees, weather permitted. Game one will definitely be played with Tommy Hunter (1-1, 6.20) facing AJ Burnett (9-10, 4.96) tonight.

W – Jeremy Guthrie (6-16)     L – Kevin Slowey (0-2)

- The Orioles finally won a series but it came on a very sad day for the organization. Former Cy Young pitcher, pitching coach, general manager, and tv commentator Mike Flanagan was found dead on his property Wednesday night. It was later confirmed that he had committed suicide. Just terrible news about a very likable guy. He had a great dry humor that translated well on the tv broadcasts and while his time as GM wasn’t a success, he wasn’t exactly given the reigns either. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. RIP.
- Jeremy Guthrie pitched a great game only allowing one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven innings. He needed a good outing to get his season back on track. Mike Gonzalez struck out the side in the 8th, making it seven straight batters hes fanned. Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless 9th to seal the victory.
- The offense exploded for five runs in the 5th inning and that was all they needed. Mark Reynolds led off the inning with a solo homerun. Jake Fox, returning from AAA Norfolk, singled and scored on Nolan Reimold’s triple. Ryan Adams doubled to score Reimold and scored himself on Matt Wieters double. Wieters doubled again in the 9th to produce another run. Fox, Reimold, and Adams each added singles. JJ Hardy singled twice, Robert Andino singled, and Nick Markakis walked.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (23) (.264 AVG)

W – Alfredo Simon (4-6)     L – Brian Duensing (8-13)

- Its been a while since a pitcher has been a player of the game, but Simon earned it last night. He held the Twins to one run on three hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over eight innings. Just when I thought he was about to head back to the bullpen he goes and throws a game like this, likely resulting in at least a few more starts and probably for the rest of the season. Willie Eyre tossed a scoreless 9th to seal the win.
- The offense jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and never looked back. Vladimir Guerrero opened the 2nd inning with a single, moved to second on an error, and then to third on a wild pitch. Matt Wieters doubled to send him to the plate, Mark Reynolds singled, and Nolan Reimold hit a three run homer to bring everyone home. Guerrero doubled to start the 3rd, Wieters walked, and then Mark Reynolds tripled them both in. Robert Andino followed with an RBI single. Reynolds drove in another run in the 5th on an RBI single. Wieters walked four times in the game. JJ Hardy hit three singles and Ryan Adams hit his first major league double.
- Felix Pie was designated for assignment with Matt Angle brought up from AAA. I’ve been calling for this move for at least a month so I’m glad it finally came to fruition. Pie has struggled mightily this year and just doesn’t play smart baseball. Angle will at least do the little things right and give you solid defense. He also knows how to use his speed to steal bases, unlike Pie.

Player of the game: Alfredo Simon – 8 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 8 K, W (4-6) (4.30 ERA)

Jeremy Guthrie (5-16, 4.55) returns from some rest after experiencing some shoulder discomfort tonight looking to give the Orioles a series victory. Kevin Slowey (0-1, 6.20) will try to put an end to that thought.

W – Zach Britton (7-9)     L – Carl Pavano (6-10)     SV – Kevin Gregg (18)

- Britton made his first start since going on the disabled list and battled through five innings. He only gave up one run and struck out four but he allowed ten base runners and threw alot of pitches per inning. Since hes missed some time in the middle of the season he should pitch through the end of the season and I’m sure the Orioles would like to see him end on a positive note to get ready for next year. Chris Jakubauskas threw 1.2 scoreless innings, then Mike Gonzalez struck out all four batters he faced, leading to a perfect 9th for Gregg.
- The offense knocked in runs in four innings, one a piece. Ryan Adams hit an RBI single in his first at bat since replacing Josh Bell on the roster in the 3rd. JJ Hardy hit a solo homerun in the 5th and Matt Wieters connected with a solo shot himself in the 6th. Nick Markakis doubled in a run in the 7th to complete the scoring. He also singled. Mark Reynolds singled twice, Robert Andino singled and walked, Nolan Reimold singled, and Hardy walked in the game.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR (24) (.269 AVG)

Game One: Orioles 3, Angels 8

- Jo-Jo Reyes couldn’t repeat his last start and got smoked for five runs on eight hits and three walks with six strikeouts over five innings. Vladimir Guerrero and JJ Hardy each doubled and singled and Matt Wieters and Robert Andino each singled twice but Dan Haren kept us off the board for the most part.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 2-5, R, double (20)

Game Two: Orioles 8, Angels 9

- This was a heart breaker. The Orioles battled back to tie the game with two runs in the 8th inning and took a two run lead in the top of the 12th but Kevin Gregg gave up three runs without getting an out in the bottom half to blow the game. Tommy Hunter started and gave up six runs on ten hits over 6.1 innings. Jim Johnson threw three innings as the Orioles try to stretch him out to move him into the starting rotation in September. Adam Jones had four hits including a homerun. JJ Hardy doubled and singled, Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters each hit three singles, and Nolan Reimold singled twice.

Player of the game: Adam Jones – 4-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (22) (.299 AVG)

Game Three: Orioles 1, Angels 7

- The series finale was just an embarrassment from start to finish. Brian Matusz got rocked again, this time for six runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk with two strikeouts over four innings. The offense got shut down by a pitcher, Jerome Williams, that hadn’t had a win in the majors since 2005. Matt Wieters hit a solo homerun, Robert Andino doubled, and Nick Markakis singled twice in the loss. The defense was awful as well, Blake Davis made two errors while making his first career start at third base. Craig Tatum also had a throwing error. Josh Bell was sent down to AAA.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 1-4, solo HR (12) (.261 AVG)