Fact-checking before first pitch (w/minor league notes)

Did you know that the Orioles are 8-8 on Thursdays, their best record for any day of the week? They're 8-10 on Fridays, including 5-4 at home, so plan accordingly. Since May 12, Luke Scott has posted the fourth-best slugging percentage in baseball at .639. His .396 on-base percentage is sixth-best in the American League and ninth-best in the majors. His 1.034 OPS is fifth-best in baseball, one spot ahead of Albert Pujols (1.004). In Brian Matusz's 24 starts this year, the Orioles have scored two runs or fewer 14 times while he's been in the game. The Orioles are 3-11 in those games, and Matusz is 0-9. Vladimir Guerrero is 3-for-6 with two homers and six RBIs against Matusz. He needs to plan accordingly. Ty Wigginton is 2-for-2 with two RBIs against Rangers starter Colby Lewis. Since Aug. 3, the Orioles lead the league with a .320 average with runners in scoring position and are second with 54 RBIs. Koji Uehara has posted a 0.56 ERA in his last 13 appearances covering 16 innings. He's struck out 19. Checking the Gulf Coast League: Mychal Givens, the Orioles' second-round pick last year, went 1-for-5 with a run scored today in his first game with the GCL team after undergoing surgery on his left thumb in June. He played seven games at Single-A Delmarva before suffering the injury on June 1, going 4-for-18 with four RBIs. Left-hander Cameron Coffey, taken in the 22nd round last year, allowed six hits and struck out one in three scoreless innings. Coffey was making his sixth appearance with the GCL team. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in March 2009. Checking on Matt Hobgood: Last year's first-round pick, pitching for the first time since July 31, allowed one run and two hits in three innings against Hagerstown. He walked two and struck out four. Hobgood was sidelined with lower-back discomfort.