It's that time again when I remind everyone how Kevin Millwood usually gives up runs in the first inning. He didn't run into the run problem in his last start, blanking the Angels on six hits over eight innings, and he stranded Carl Crawford on third base and Evan Longoria on first tonight. Millwood retired Carlos Pena on a popup to shortstop Cesar Izturis, leaving his first-inning run total this season at 38. This is only the fifth time in his last 18 starts that Millwood didn't allow at...

Despite losing 10 of their last 12 games, the Frederick Keys are playoff bound. In fact, it looks like it will be Orioles vs. Nationals in the playoffs. That's the Carolina League playoffs. After going 41-29, Frederick won its division in the first half. The Nats team in that league, Potomac, is leading in the second half. The best-of-five Carolina League semi-finals will begin next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Frederick's Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys will start Oliver Drake in game one,...

Rays pitcher Matt Garza doesn't lack for confidence and he doesn't worry about firing up the opposition. He challenged the Orioles today in a St. Petersburg Times notebook item, still fuming over the four home runs he surrendered against them on July 20, which prompted this response from manager Buck Showalter: "There are a lot of people who feel that way that just don't say it publicly, so what's the difference? A lot of them feel that way. He's certainly a good pitcher and that was a...

Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts have combined for 69 at bats this season vs. Tampa pitching without a single homer or RBI. Markakis is batting .149 (7 for 47) in 12 games this season vs. the Rays while Robers is batting .136 (3 for 22) in six contests vs. Tampa. Some O's that have hit Tampa pitching well include: *Felix Pie at .343-1-3, going 12 for 35 with five doubles. *Luke Scott at .395-5-8, going 15 for 38 with an OPS of 1.357. *Matt Wieters at .308-1-3, going 8 for 26. *Ty Wigginton...

Orioles director of communications Greg Bader told me today that the replica Brooks Robinson jerseys originally scheduled to be given away at Oriole Park on July 17 have now arrived. A vendor error delayed the distribution of the jerseys until now, but the first 25,000 fans 15 and older who attended the July 17 game can now redeem their vouchers (in one of the three methods listed on the voucher itself) and claim their giveaways. As a reminder, if you're planning to redeem your voucher via...

Chris Tillman has been summoned from Triple-A Norfolk and will join the Orioles later tonight or tomorrow. Kevin Millwood is starting tonight, and Jeremy Guthrie goes tomorrow. Sunday's slot is being left open, and Tillman is going to fill it. He'll be working on normal rest. Everyone else in the rotation gets pushed back, bringing the expected six-man rotation. The names will likely change over the course of the month, however, as the young starters reach their innings limits. Adam...

Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Corey Patterson CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Kevin Millwood RHP

The Orioles haven't posted their lineup yet. Still checking on the wounded. Outfielder Corey Patterson told me that he swung in the indoor cage earlier and is "good to go." He's been receiving treatment for a sore neck that restricted him to bunting duties last night.

Earlier today, when we had a live video chat in the MASNsports.com web studio with Adam Jones, I asked him about Matt Garza's comments. Garza, who pitches for Tampa vs. the Orioles tonight, sounds still stung by the game on July 20 when he gave up seven runs and four homers vs. the O's. Garza said of tonight's rematch: "I owe them a lot of payback for the type of outing I had last time against them," he said. "They had back-to-back-to-back. So I'm going to make them feel really...

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock from the 60-Day Disabled List then optioned him to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. The club also transferred outfielder Josh Willingham to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Mock missed the last 129 games after going on the Disabled List (right cervical disk) on April 15, retroactive to April 11. The...