While waiting for the Game 1 lineup ...

The Orioles are playing two games in Boston today because of the May 17 postponement. At least, I think that's the reason. There have been so many rainouts, I've lost track of the dates. Boston has lost 11 of its last 14 games, and Tampa Bay has closed to within two games in the wild card race. Game 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury is 14-for-35 (.400) lifetime against Guthrie. David Ortiz is 12-for-35 (.343) with five doubles, three homers and nine RBIs. The Orioles need one more win to avoid 100 losses. They've got seven games left with the Red Sox and four with the Tigers. Vladimir Guerrero is batting .449 (22-for-49) with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight multi-hit games in his last 13 games. He hasn't supplied the power expected of him this season, but his average is up to .293. If he plays next season, and manager Buck Showalter expects some teams to be interested, he shouldn't bat cleanup until maybe September. Nick Markakis' single yesterday broke an 0-for-18 slump. The Orioles are 18-32 in series finales. Left-hander Zach Phillips hasn't allowed a run in seven appearances and five innings since the Orioles recalled him. He faced one batter yesterday, left-handed hitting Bobby Abreu, and retired him on a liner to center field. Kyle Hudson laid down a sacrifice bunt yesterday, advancing Robert Andino to second base in the second inning. It looked like he was trying to reach on a bunt single. Otherwise, I'm not quite sure why he'd want to sacrifice there, creating the second out with No. 9 hitter Craig Tatum coming to the plate. Jake Fox struck out as a pinch hitter yesterday and played left field. That was his second at-bat since Aug. 31. Pace yourself, Jake. Remember when he was one of the biggest stories of spring training? It's obvious that Fox isn't regarded as a nugget in this organization, but I still like his bat coming off the bench. He can run into a fastball and put runs on the board. Mark Reynolds' 27 homers since June 1 are tied with Atlanta's Dan Uggla for most in the majors. The Orioles have drawn 1,681,803 fans in 77 dates at Camden Yards this season, an average of 21,842. Yes, that's tickets sold.