I'm running a little late this morning (I always blame the kid.) These West Coast games are killing me. They're not doing the Orioles much good, either. The record is abysmal, but I had plenty of concerns before the season began. The schedule is absolutely brutal, and this team has issues. It was a combustible combination, and it's blown up in their faces. I don't ask for much in this world, but I expect my players to run out ground balls and bust their tails no matter the score or...

Offensive offense: One night after being held to a season-low five hits, tonight the Orioles picked up just four hits in a 3-1 loss to Seattle. The Orioles have scored just three runs with nine hits in the two games of this series. The team average is .143 in those two contests. They have scored just 32 runs on the year in their 13 losses. The O's went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and are now batting .150 (16 for 107) with RISP on the season. This is the fourth time on the...

For the Orioles it was another lackluster-looking night of little offense that led to another loss. Seattle starter Jason Vargas, a pitcher with a career ERA of 5.44, held the Orioles to just three hits over seven innings tonight as Seattle beat Baltimore, 3-1. The O's, who went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position tonight, have scored just three runs on nine hits in this series. The O's got a season-low four hits for the game. David Hernandez deserved better, giving up three runs...

Major League Baseball will announce the AL's Gold Glove winners around 3 p.m. You can watch live on ESPNews if your boss isn't looking over your shoulder. Adam Jones will become official, and we'll learn whether Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki will join him. You'll probably collect on your bet if you choose them. The assumption is that Grady Sizemore's injury-filled season, which resulted in an early shutdown and two surgeries, will prevent him from taking home the hardware. But that's...

Could someone remind Julio Lugo that it's 90 feet from home plate to first base? it looked like he might have become confused and slowed up after nine. If manager Dave Trembley wanted to send a message to his players tonight, he had an opportunity right there. Run out every ground ball or keep going directly into the clubhouse. Towels are hanging in the shower. David Hernandez is headed toward one of those "he deserved better" starts. He hasn't allowed a run since the first inning, and...

The Rockies prevented the Nationals from going two games above .500 for the first time since 2005 thanks to a 10-4 defeat at Nationals Park Tuesday night. Scott Olsen lasted only two innings plus four batters and the Rockies scored 8 runs in the third to put the game out of reach early. Some Good, some Bad One of the bright spots was the play of 2B Cristian Guzman who had four consecutive hits after striking out in his first plate appearance. Guzman singled three times and then doubled in...

Delmarva Shorebirds right-hander Matt Hobgood is getting better with each start. After allowing three runs in four innings in his first start this season and two runs over 5 2/3 in his second, tonight he pitched seven shutout innings in Delmarva's 1-0, walk-off win over Greensboro. Garabez Rosa led off the last of the ninth with a homer to give the Shorebirds, now 8-5, the victory. Jacob Smith pitched shutout ball over the last two frames and is 3-0. Hobgood, last June's first-round pick,...

Triple-A Norfolk might want to tighten up that defense. The Tides have committed three more errors tonight, including No. 7 for Scott Moore, who continues to struggle with his throws at second base. Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder also have errors tonight, giving them three on the season. Alfredo Simon allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits, with three walks and five strikeouts, in seven innings. He threw 97 pitches, 58 for strikes. Gwinnett leads Norfolk, 2-0, in the eighth. Double-A...

It's no great secret that many Orioles are struggling at the bat right now and have most of the year. With the exceptions of Ty Wigginton (five homers his last seven games) and Nick Markakis (.310 his last seven games), most of the others are in droughts right now. Here's a rundown: Garrett Atkins: Is just 4 for 26 over his last seven 7 games and is 0 for 11 vs. left-handed pitching. Cesar Izturis: 0 RBI his last 10 games. Adam Jones: Has three hits his last 18 at bats and is 0 for 7...

MASN's Amber Theoharis reports that Koji Uehara will throw one inning Thursday in an extended spring training game. Uehara remains on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and the Orioles can't project when he'll be ready to pitch for them. But I guess this qualifies as progress. Also, Brian Roberts has been cleared to begin light exercises and strengthening activities, and he'll be examined again on Friday by back specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins. Manager Dave Trembley...