In a season where they are on a pace to lose over 100 games, tonight, for one night at least, the Orioles posted an impressive victory. They spotted the first-place Texas Rangers a 4-0 lead in the third inning, yet rallied to win 6-4 in the opener of a four-game series. Texas began the night with a 50-34 record and leading the AL West by six games. They were 31-15 at home and 17-6 since June 12th. Scott Moore hit a solo homer in the 5th and the O's scored two in the 7th, one on a Felix Pie...

Starting in left field again tonight, Felix Pie launched a ball into the second deck in the seventh inning to reduce Texas' lead to 4-2. Pie had two hits and an RBI on Tuesday. He tripled last night and homered tonight. I'm not putting him in the Hall of Fame, but he's hard to miss. Pie has collected hits in eight of his 11 starts this season. He's totaled 11 hits in his last eight games. That's an interesting symmetry. Too bad there was such a large gap after his eighth game. I...

Once again, I give you three moments from tonight's game that jumped out at me and almost knocked me over. 1. Jeremy Guthrie has been high and tight to Vladimir Guerrero in three at-bats, and Guerrero looks like he's contemplating a trip to the mound. As I noted earlier today, Guerrero was 1-for-17 lifetime against Guthrie before tonight, so I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but it's getting a little tense. My guess would be that Guthrie is wild, because he's buzzed a few other...

The O's began their four-game series at Texas tonight and it isn't going well so far. They trail 4-0 after three innings. Like last night, the opposing starter is picking up a lot of early strikeouts. Righty Tommy Hunter, who pitched to an ERA of 4.05 at Triple-A, but is 5-0, 1.98 in six Major League starts, has fanned six in three shutout innings. He has allowed a Tejada double and Lugo infield single. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie, who enters tonight with a mark of 0-6, 6.17 over his last...

I just spoke with Mark Viviano, who's handling the sideline duties for MASN in this series. Interim manager Juan Samuel confirmed that Saturday's starter will come from the minors. The Orioles considered left-hander Mark Hendrickson before deciding on a call-up. Samuel didn't mention Chris Tillman by name, but he's expected to take the ball for the Orioles. It's also assumed that third baseman Josh Bell will be optioned to make room for Tillman, though that move hasn't been confirmed,...

After today's afternoon game in Frederick, the Orioles promoted Keys first baseman Joe Mahoney and closer Jose Diaz to Double-A Bowie. Mahoney, in 72 games, is batting .299-9-49 with 18 doubles and an OPS of .823. He is batting .341 with runners in scoring position. The 26-year-old Diaz is 3-0, 1.69 and went 12 for 12 in save chances for the Keys. Over 26 2/3 innings he walked nine and fanned 33 and allowed a batting average against of just .216. Even though Robbie Widlansky and Joel...

He may not be an All-Star yet, but rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg is collecting yet another unique honor. The Syracuse Chiefs will be giving away Stephen Strasburg action figurines on August 27th before their game against Buffalo. The first 3,000 fans who purchase a ticket to the game will receive a voucher for the must-have collectible. Strasburg will be depicted mid-windup in his Chiefs white home uniform. The figurines are limited edition and hand numbered. Each mini-Strasburg stands...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson DH Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Scott Moore 2B Julio Lugo SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Rangers: Elvis Andrus SS Michael Young 3B Ian Kinsler 2B Vladimir Guerrero DH Josh Hamilton LF Bengie Molina C Nelson Cruz RF Justin Smoak 1B Julio Borbon CF Tommy Hunter RHP Single-A Frederick right fielder Ronnie Welty extended his hitting streak to 13 games today in a 7-4 loss to Potomac.

There has been some really good relief pitching on the farm this year for the Orioles. Near or at the top of that list would be right-hander Brandon Cooney, who has excelled at Frederick and now is pitching very well at Bowie. Between the two clubs this year, the 24-year-old, a 30th-round draft pick in 2007, is 4-0 with six saves and an ERA of 0.99 in 30 games. Cooney gave up three runs in his first outing with the Baysox on May 19, but has not allowed an earned run since. That is 19 1/3...

Though Brooks Robinson Jersey night isn't scheduled until Saturday, July 17, there's been a change to the previously scheduled promo night at Camden Yards that's worth noting ahead of time. The Orioles PR department has announced that a vendor error will delay the arrival of the replica Brooks Robinson jerseys promised on the promotions schedule on July 17. But rather than simply giving fans a raincheck, the O's will compensate the inconvenience to fans by giving away Brooks Robinson...