W – Brandon McCarthy (6-6)     L – Alfredo Simon (3-6)     SV – Andrew Bailey (15)

- Simon struggled again and again the defense behind him struggled as well. Nolan Reimold played a flyball into a double and Adam Jones misjudged a ball that turned into a triple, then he bobbled it letting the runner score. Even so Simon gave up two homeruns and allowed plenty of damage on his own. He gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings with three strikeouts. Brad Bergesen got the final two outs of the 6th inning. Troy Patton got five straight outs before Jason Berken was brought on to get the last out.
- The offense had 12 hits but that only resulted in five runs. We had runners on first and third with no outs and failed to score. We also had a rally going in the 9th inning but it ended suddenly when Blake Davis was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Nick Markakis’ double after the right fielder bobbled the ball. It was a perfect throw and relay after the bobble to get Davis but I might’ve held him at third and then another hit would’ve gave us a lead. Markakis also singled, homered, and walked in the game. Robert Andino singled and doubled. JJ Hardy singled twice. Mark Reynolds singled, doubled, and walked. Vladimir Guerrero doubled. Josh Bell singled and Adam Jones singled and hit a sacrifice fly.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, double (21), HR (13) (.287 AVG)

The Orioles next stop is in LA against the Angels. Jo-Jo Reyes (1-1, 4.22) tries to build off his last start tonight while Dan Haren (12-6, 2.95) tries to shut down the O’s.

W – Guillermo Moscoso (6-6)     L – Brian Matusz (1-5)

- The numbers suggest Matusz didn’t improve from his time down in AAA but there were signs that all hope is not lost. He was hitting 90 mph on his fastball, which is notable because he was barely touching 85 before being sent down, and he made it deep into the game, getting pulled with two runners on in the 7th inning. Troy Patton allowed both runners to score and one of his own to make things look even worse. Overall Matusz was charged with six runs on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Chris Jakubauskas got the last out of the 7th and gave up a run in the 8th.
- The offense chipped in runs here and there but never put a big inning together. Josh Bell had an RBI ground out and an RBI single. Robert Andino had two singles, one of them scoring a run. Vladimir Guerrero doubled twice, the second one scoring our last run. Adam Jones singled and walked, Mark Reynolds doubled, and Nick Markakis singled for our only other hits. Things appear to be back to normal again as the O’s lose to the A’s in Oakland. Our series opening win just didn’t feel right…

Player of the game: Vladimir Guerrero – 2-4, R, RBI, 2 doubles (17) (.278 AVG)

Alfredo Simon (3-5, 4.35) will try to give the Orioles their first series win in an eternity. Brandon McCarthy (5-6, 3.62) pitches for the Athletics.

W – Tommy Hunter (2-2)     L – Gio Gonzalez (9-11)

- Hunter appears to be fully stretched back out as a starter now, throwing 113 pitches over 6.2 innings. He gave up two runs on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts. He gave up alot of hits but pounded the strike zone with strikes and only walked one batter. Our young starters could learn a thing or two about that. It was Hunter’s first win as an Oriole. Hopefully many more are to come. Mike Gonzalez got the final out of the 7th and pitched a perfect 8th. He struck out three batters. Hes pitching much better as of late. Kevin Gregg rebounded and threw a scoreless 9th even though it wasn’t a save situation.
- The offense only had seven hits but there were a few big hits among them. We were 2-3 with runners in scoring position. Matt Wieters hit a solo homerun in the top of the 2nd inning. Robert Andino hit a two run double and Josh Bell a two run single in the 7th to give the O’s the lead back. Mark Reynolds tacked on an insurance run in the 9th with a solo homerun. Bell walked twice and Wieters and Reynolds each walked once in the game. Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Vladimir Guerrero each singled. It was the first time the Orioles won back to back games in a month. Yeah, they’ve had a rough go of things. It was also a very rare win in Oakland.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR (11) (.257 AVG)

Brian Matusz (1-4, 8.77) makes his return to the big leagues tonight as the O’s try to win a rare series. Guillermo Moscoso (5-6, 3.52) pitches for the A’s.

W – Jo-Jo Reyes (6-9)     L – Doug Fister (4-13)     SV – Jim Johnson (2)

- Reyes bounced back from his poor start last time out, throwing six strong innings. He allowed one run on four hits and two walks and struck out four batters. I still don’t think hes a long term option for the rotation but its good that while hes in it he performs well, just like Alfredo Simon. Willie Eyre looked good again out of the bullpen, striking out two batters over two scoreless innings. Kevin Gregg couldn’t record an out giving up four runs on four hits and two walks in the 9th inning, making it a save situation for Jim Johnson who finished off the inning without any further damage.
- The offense was pretty consistent throughout the game, scoring runs in four different innings. Nick Markakis hit a two run homer in the 1st inning after Nolan Reimold singled to lead off the game. Robert Andino hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 2nd. Markakis hit RBI singles in the 5th and 6th innings. Vladimir Guerrero singled in two runs in the 5th and Adam Jones had an RBI single in the 6th. Jones had two other singles and was hit by a pitch in the game. Reimold doubled twice and walked. Craig Tatum singled, doubled, and stole a base. Chris Davis singled.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR (12) (.284 AVG)

W – Max Scherzer (12-7)     L – Jeremy Guthrie (5-16)     SV – Jose Valverde (35)

- Things were looking good heading into the 6th inning. The offense had jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the 2nd inning. Adam Jones led off the inning with a single then Vladimir Guerrero hit a two run homer. Matt Wieters followed with a single, Chris Davis reached on an error, and then Blake Davis hit his first major league homerun. Guerrero and Blake Davis each singled in the game also. Chris Davis had two singles as well.
- Unfortunately the 5-0 lead wasn’t enough because Jeremy Guthrie gave up a run in the 4th inning and then five more in the 6th to blow the game. He gave up eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings with a strikeout. Chris Jakubauskas finished the 6th and pitched two more scoreless innings. Mike Gonzalez pitched a scoreless 9th but the offense was never able to get the lead back.

Player of the game: Blake Davis – 2-4, 3 Run HR (1) (.268 AVG)

W – Brad Penny (8-9)     L – Troy Patton (0-1)     SV – Jose Valverde (34)

- Alfredo Simon started the game and struggled for the second start in a row. He was in trouble in almost every inning he pitched and was only able to limit the damage so much. He gave up four runs on 11 hits and three walks over 4.2 innings with only one strikeout. I don’t know why the Orioles have decided to leave Simon in the rotation and send Chris Tillman to AAA. I think its pretty clear Alfredo is best suited for the bullpen and Tillman has alot more potential. Troy Patton finally got into a game and gave up a run over 2.2 innings. He was saddled with the loss but didn’t pitch bad. Willie Eyre made his Oriole debut and looked good getting out of a jam in the 8th and pitching a scoreless 9th. The revolving door continues.
- I don’t know whats gotten into JJ Hardy this season but that contract extension is looking better and better. He hit two more homeruns tonight, a solo homer and a two run shot, giving him 23 on the year. His career high is 26 and I’d be surprised if he didn’t surpass that total. Our other run came on a Vladimir Guerrero RBI single. Looks like the day off and move down to 5th in the order helped as he had another single in that game as well. Adam Jones singled and doubled. He was also robbed of a game tying homerun in the 8th inning at the center field wall. Matt Wieters doubled and walked, Mark Reynolds singled, and Felix Pie stole his third base as a pinch runner.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR (23) (.277 AVG)

The season continues tomorrow night. Jeremy Guthrie (5-15, 4.38) gives it another go, this time against Max Scherzer (11-7, 4.33) and the Tigers.

W – Mark Buehrle (10-5)     L – Chris Tillman (3-5)     SV – Sergio Santos (25)

- It seems like the Orioles can only win one game per series. I can’t remember the last time we won back to back games. Chris Tillman looked terrific in his last start but that memory was quickly erased by his terrible performance last night. He gave up six runs on eight hits and three walks over 2.2 innings with three strikeouts. He was sent back to AAA Norfolk after the game and reliever Willie Eyre was recalled. I would’ve left him up for the rest of the season. We’ve been yo-yoing Tillman up and down for the past three years. Let him build some confidence. Maybe next year…
- Brad Bergesen did a nice job holding the White Sox scoreless over 4.1 innings. He didn’t strike anyone out but did get more ground balls than fly balls. The key for him is always going to be if he has his sinker working. Jason Berken pitched 1.1 scoreless and Mike Gonzalez got the last two outs. Troy Patton hasn’t pitched in a week after looking impressive in his last few outings. Have to wonder what thats about. Maybe an injury from pitching in both ends of the double header against the Yankees?
- The offense scored all three runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Nolan Reimold hit a ground rule double, JJ Hardy singled him in, then Nick Markakis launched a two run homer. Reimold also had an infield single. Chris Davis and Robert Andino also each singled for the only other hits in the game. I hate to say it as hes been my favorite player this year but Mark Reynolds is in a slump. His average is back down to .212 and he hasn’t done anything since his two homer, historical second deck shot and all, game against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 1-4, 2 Run HR (11) (.285 AVG)

This weekend its the Tigers who come into town hoping to embarrass us some more. Brad Penny (7-9, 4.93) starts game one for Detroit against Alfredo Simon (3-5, 4.08) and the O’s.

W – Mike Gonzalez (2-2)     L – Jason Frasor (2-2)

- Tommy Hunter was much better in his second start and deserved to get the win but Jason Berken made sure that didn’t happen. He held the White Sox scoreless for the first five innings and went into the 7th inning with a 4-1 lead. Unfortunately he was replaced with two outs with runners on second and third and Berken let both runners score. Hunter was charged with four runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings with two strikeouts. Jim Johnson, Kevin Gregg, and Mike Gonzalez each pitched scoreless innings to allow the offense to eventually win it.
- JJ Hardy hit a solo homerun in the 1st to give the O’s an early lead. It was extended to 4-0 with an RBI single by Robert Andino, a sacrifice fly by Nick Markakis, and a solo homerun from Adam Jones. We waited until the 10th inning to complete the comeback when Nolan Reimold hit a walk off two run homer off of Jason Frasor. Jones singled and doubled and Hardy had three singles in the game to go with their homers. Chris Davis singled twice and walked. Felix Pie singled and walked. Nick Markakis singled.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 4-5, solo HR (21) (.275 AVG)

W – Gavin Floyd (10-10)     L – Jo-Jo Reyes (5-9)     SV – Sergio Santos (24)

- Reyes made his first start as an Oriole and it seemed to follow the pattern of most of his starts elsewhere. I wasn’t very impressed. Not much swing and miss stuff from the lefty. He gave up four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings to put us in another early hole. I say put Jo-Jo back in the bullpen. Chris Jakubauskas did a very good job to keep us in the game and gave us a chance to get back in it, holding the White Sox scoreless for four frames. He started the 9th but walked the leadoff batter and was replaced by Jason Berken, who finished the inning.
- The offense got us back in the game in the 5th inning when they scored three runs. Matt Wieters, Felix Pie, and Robert Andino hit consecutive singles to open the inning and load the bases. JJ Hardy grounded into a force that allowed a run to score, Nick Markakis hit an RBI single, and Adam Jones reached on an error while another run scored. Markakis and Pie each also doubled in the game. Pie and Jones walked while Vladimir Guerrero singled. There was a bad call by the third base ump when Markakis was called out trying to steal third that got Buck Showalter tossed from the game. Nick was clearly safe and it could’ve made a difference in the game. But we did also strand runners on third with one out on two occasions, which definitely made a difference in the game. We just don’t do the little things right. Feels like we never have.

Player of the game: Felix Pie – 2-2, R, BB, double (8) (.229 AVG)

Tommy Hunter (1-2, 4.43) will try to prove he can do better than his first start against Phil Humber (8-8, 3.56) and the Chicago hitters.

W – Jesse Crain (6-3)     L – Jim Johnson (5-4)     SV – Sergio Santos (23)

- Jeremy Guthrie had one bad inning early on but ended up with a solid outing and was in line for the win for a half an inning. In the 2nd inning he gave up a lead off homerun to AJ Pierzynski, a double, an RBI single, and a two run homer. He gave up an unearned run in the 6th thanks to an error by Josh Bell. He struck out two batters but didn’t walk anyone over seven innings, giving up those five runs on eight hits. He was in line for the victory until Jim Johnson gave the White Sox the lead right back in the 8th. Bell missed another play that wasn’t ruled an error and Adam Jones made a stupid mistake by airing out a throw, allowing the runner on first to move to second and eventually score. After all was said and done Johnson gave up two runs and the game was lost. Kevin Gregg pitched a scoreless 9th, too bad it wasn’t a save situation.
- JJ Hardy made his return to the lineup and almost won the game when he hit a three run homer, his 20th, in the bottom of the 7th inning. It gave the O’s a 6-5 lead after we were losing the entire game. Hardy became the third Oriole to hit 20 homeruns and we’re the only team in the majors with three players with 20+. Obviously it hasn’t done much to help us win games. Hardy also doubled twice and drove in another run. Nick Markakis and Josh Bell each singled in runs as well. Bell had two singles in the game. Matt Wieters doubled twice, singled, and walked in the game. Nolan Reimold singled.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 3-5, R, 4 RBI, 2 doubles (19), HR (20) (.270 AVG)

Jo-Jo Reyes (5-8, 5.37) makes his first start as an Oriole tonight against Maryland native Gavin Floyd (9-10, 4.56) and the White Sox.