Nick Markakis entered tonight's game without an RBI or homer this year vs. Tampa. That first-inning, two-run shot to right took care of both of those. Markakis was 7 for 51 in his first 13 games on the year vs. Tampa. He had a batting average of .137 and slugging percentage of .255 vs. Rays pitchers. But he is 2 for 3 with two RBI so far as the O's lead 7-2 after five innings. Wieters is 2 for 3 and had a two-run double in the third that gave the O's a 5-1 lead. Wieters is now 11 for...

Luke Scott thought he hit a home run in the fifth inning. The umpires ruled that he hit a double. Scott wasn't convinced, and neither was manager Buck Showalter. Instant replay came into play at Camden Yards for the second time this season, and Scott lost his argument. He had to settle for a double on a ball that hit the orange AT&T sign in right-center field, not above it. Scott was circling his arm over his head as he chugged into second base, baseball's universal home run sign. Nice...

That didn't take long. John Jaso, the rare leadoff-hitting catcher, got hold of a 93 mph fastball from Jeremy Guthrie and drove it 436 feet into the seats in right-center field. So much for back-to-back scoreless outings. You'll recall that the Angels couldn't push across a run against Guthrie in 8 1/3 innings. The Rays did it in one batter. Guthrie has posted a 2.51 ERA in nine second-half starts. He's got a 2.79 ERA in three quality starts against the Rays this season, though he's...

On Friday evening, former Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan collected his third save of the season by striking out his former teammate and friend, Ryan Zimmerman. "All I was thinking was that I didn't want to face Adam," Hanrahan joked on Saturday, but admitted that it's strange facing some of his good friends and former teammates on the mound. "Between the lines, it's all about business and it was nice to get the job done for our team." Hanrahan is cruising through an impressive year...

The Bowie Baysox and Harrisburg are now tied for the final Eastern League playoff spot with identical 75-64 records with three games to go. Bowie is playing at Richmond tonight while Harrisburg is at Binghamton. Should the teams finish tied for second place and that last playoff spot, they will play a one-game playoff contest on Tuesday at Bowie. Eddie Gamboa (7-5, 3.70) is tonight's Baysox starter. He is coming off 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his last outing and is 1-1, 2.45 vs. Richmond...

Chris Tillman hasn't been promised a specific number of starts over these final weeks of the season. He takes the ball tomorrow for the first time in the majors since July 19. That's the only guarantee. "He's going to get an opportunity to pitch tomorrow," manager Buck Showalter said. "I haven't seen him pitch other than on tape and everybody here has, so I'm kind of the last guy. We'll see after tomorrow's start where we go." It's Tillman's turn to be evaluated. "You've just...

Brandon Snyder has been here for three games now without an at bat. It's becoming apparent that, despite his callup, he will likely not get too many starts. I asked Buck Showalter today if Snyder can gain something here, even if not playing much and if he can evaluate some things about Snyder without seeing him play much. "I know there's never any substitute for actual game participation, but as we get into a couple of clubs that won't be involved in the playoffs, we'll get some looks...

On July 19, Chris Tillman gave up eight runs in just 2 2/3 vs. Tampa Bay. For him, the rematch and the resumption of his Major League career comes tomorrow here at Camden Yards. Tillman will make his 7th big league start of this season Sunday vs. the Rays. This is his third stint with the Orioles after going 11-7, 3.34 in 21 starts with Norfolk. "I have to just go out and do what I know I can do. I've been pretty consistent down in Norfolk. That's been the thing I wanted to work on...

Still no Adam Jones, who continues to receive treatment on his sore upper back. He's also allowing the cortisone injection that he received Thursday night to work its magic. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells is upbeat about the progress that Jones has made, according to manager Buck Showalter, but don't look for the center fielder in tomorrow's lineup. He probably won't be there. "He's a little better today, but I don't think him playing is imminent," Showalter said. "I think it...

Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Julio Lugo 3B Corey Patterson CF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's Tampa Bay's lineup: Jaso C Zobrist 2B Crawford LF Longoria 3B Pena 1B Joyce RF Hawpe DH Upton CF Bartlett SS Shields RHP