Mike Gonzalez will pitch the first inning of today's extended spring training game. The major leaguers go first. Felix Pie has been performing various exercises for the last five days that are designed to strengthen the muscles in his back. He's also allowed to take one-handed swings in the cage. Pie will continue this routine for two more weeks before being cleared to start hitting and throwing. "I feel great, but the trainers and doctors say I have to wait," he said. "The decision...

It's hot. That doesn't really qualify as a view, but it's worth repeating: It's hot. How hot is it? It's so hot, Koji Uehara started to sweat after being told the temperature. The stadium and clubhouse look the same as before. The only change I've noticed is the media trailer is gone. But renovations could start soon. Sarasota County has selected contractors for Twin Lakes Park and Ed Smith Stadium. The County Commission must give its approval next week and release the money, and...

Orioles manager Dave Trembley explained after last night's game that starter Jeremy Guthrie began tiring in the fifth inning. Guthrie's legs were going on him. He was running out of gas. Choose your favorite expression. The right-hander was fading fast. That explains why he left the game after 90 pitches. The Texas heat must have gotten to him. What's gotten into Guthrie? His ERA's down to 3.86 and he's turned in seven quality starts this season, including last night, when he held the...

Win and losses: The O's began their five-game road trip with a 4-3 loss to Texas Wednesday night. They are now 13-28 on the year and have lost four of their past five games. The Orioles are 5-16 on the road, 7-8 in one-run games and 3-8 vs. AL West teams. The offense comes up short: The O's fall to 2-24 when scoring three runs or less. They have scored just 13 runs with a team average of .257 over the last five games. The O's were 4 for 13 batting with runners in scoring position in...

This game has gotten too weird. Koji Uehara is removed with two outs in the eighth inning so another right-hander, Cla Meredith, can get the final out? Was he gassed after 30 pitches? I was standing outside the Ed Smith Stadium clubhouse today when Jim Johnson spotted me and said, "Brian isn't here." Very funny. Johnson must assume he rates lower than Brian Roberts, but I actually wanted to check on him. Johnson was shut down after being diagnosed with a strained ligament in his right...

It was another 4-3 game for the Orioles, but they lost this one when Texas scored in the last of the ninth. Michael Young ripped a leadoff double off the glove of shortstop Cesar Izturis to start the ninth and after a walk and flyout, Alberto Castillio replaced Cla Meredith. Castillo walked Josh Hamilton and Dave Trembley called for Jason Berken, the seventh pitcher of the night. With the bases loaded and one out, Nelson Cruz hit a sac fly to center to end the game and break the 3-3 tie. It...

Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard shut down the Mets in the 7th and 8th innings Wednesday to help the Nats snap a 5-game skid and win 5-3. Storen made his Nats Park debut, getting a nice ovation from the 19,384 as he was introduced following 6 and 1/3rd innings from starter Livan Hernandez. With a man on 2nd, Drew induced Jose Reyes to line out and Luis Castillo to ground out to end the 7th. Clippard had a nice bounce back after allowing the go ahead homer Tuesday in St. Louis by striking out...

Jeremy Guthrie was pitching well tonight and making big pitches when he needed to. He had a 2-1 lead after six innings but did not take the mound for the seventh and Matt Albers came on and now Texas has scored twice in the inning to take the lead 3-2. Guthrie was at just 90 pitches, so why didn't he come out for the seventh? We'll wait on Dave Trembley's answer after the game. Is there a reason other than he just thought it was the right time to go to the pen? Guthrie retired the side...

Did Jeremy Guthrie really come out of the game after 90 pitches? Guthrie held the Rangers to one run, a bomb from Josh Hamilton, and seven hits over six innings. He didn't issue a walk and struck out three. I expected to see him in the seventh, but I'm pretty detached from the game, so I must be missing something. Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Cesar Izturis each have two hits. Most important, Izturis has two RBIs, accounting for both Orioles' runs. Garrett Atkins is 0-for-3 and struck out...

Another outstanding start tonight for Chris Tillman at Triple-A. He pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit for Norfolk vs. Pawtucket with two walks and four strikeouts to lower his ERA for the season to 3.31. Over his last six starts, Tillman's ERA is just 2.14 and he has fanned 30 and walked just seven over 42 innings. A Baltimore Sun report indicates Michael Aubrey will be called up for the weekend series vs. Washington with pitcher Alberto Castillo possibly going back to Norfolk...