Update: Dallas Braden has been scratched from tonight's start. Vin Mazzaro (2-2, 4.71 ERA) will replace him. The Orioles' lineup could change. More to come. Tonight's game pits two teams with the longest winning streaks in baseball. The Orioles have won four in a row, and Oakland has won three straight. The Orioles have won their last four one-run games, improving their record to 13-11. They've scored 28 runs in the last four games after totaling 27 in the previous seven. Oakland leads...

If it seems like David Hernandez is getting better with each relief appearance, that may be the case. Hernandez is 2-1, 2.13 with two saves in 11 relief outings. And, over his last three games, he has pitched no-hit ball over 3 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Sunday, he entered the game with the Nats and blew away Josh Willingham and Roger Bernadina on eighth-inning strikeouts. He threw six pitches at these speeds: 94, 95, 95, 95, 97 and 94. "I go out there and I don't really feel...

Michael Gonzalez will pitch out of the bullpen tonight at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Gonzalez has been working the first inning on his injury rehab assignment, but the Orioles want him to get more accustomed to his normal role. Gonzalez probably will take tomorrow off and pitch again on Thursday. It's not known when the Orioles will activate him. Gonzalez gave up a two-run homer in his last outing against Brooklyn, but interim manager Juan Samuel noted that the unfortunate pitch was a...

For the Orioles: Julio Lugo 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Jake Fox DH Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Athletics: Crisp CF Barton 1B Jackson LF Suzuki C Kouzmanoff 3B Rosales 2B Ellis DH Davis RF Pennington SS Braden LHP Did the Phillies pick up Garret Atkins today, or is it just a rumor? I haven't seen it confirmed.

Craig Stammen is back with the Nationals for tonight's matchup in game two at Turner Field against the first place Atlanta Braves. Stammen talked to me recently about the demotion in early June and what he has concentrated on to get back to the big leagues. "It wasn't like I was throwing the ball badly. I had really good stuff almost every time I went out. Just didn't execute and was overthrowing a little bit and not really trusting myself as much as I should. I can't really...

Former Orioles catcher and coach Rick Dempsey had his scheduled interview for the full-time managerial position postponed until Thursday. The interview had initially been scheduled for this afternoon. The interview has been moved to Peter Angelos' law office. The delay will allow certain members of the organization to attend who wouldn't have been available today.

If part of being a pitching prospect is learning to deal with adversity, than the 2010 season is becoming Brandon Erbe's personal classroom. He and Kevin Millwood have something in common. They both made 14 starts this year without getting a win. Millwood got the elusive first win in his 15th start. Erbe is not quite sure yet when his 15th start will take place. A few days after his last start, June 20 vs. Toledo, he felt some right shoulder soreness and went on the disabled last Friday,...

Whether you're into the political scene or just itching to get back to Nationals Park to see some baseball, the Congressional Baseball Game might be for you. This evening, at 7 p.m., members of both parties will settle the score on the baseball diamond instead of in the U.S. Capitol. Tickets are just $10 and proceeds benefit the Washington Literacy Council and The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. For over a century, Republicans and Democrats have come together to enjoy the...

As I wrote earlier, Felix Pie will continue his injury rehab assignment tonight at Double-A Bowie after working out yesterday. He could return to the Orioles on Friday when they begin a three-city road trip in Boston. They'll need to figure out how to use him. Does Pie become the starting left fielder and leadoff hitter, with Corey Patterson taking a seat on the bench? Patterson has provided a spark at the top of the order, batting .272 and going 10-for-28 in his last seven games, but he...

It was a Monday of good news for O's pitching prospect Zach Britton. First he was named the latest Eastern League pitcher of the week. Then, late Monday night, after a Baysox doubleheader, Britton got the word from O's director of player development John Stockstill that he was being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk. He will join the Tides on Tuesday in Charlotte and is set to make his first start on Thursday in Norfolk against Charlotte. "I was just sitting in the stands sweating. John...