The Orioles returned home and the winning continued Friday as Dean Kremer, Cionel Pérez and Félix Bautista combined on a six-hit, 1-0 win over Pittsburgh.

For the Orioles (55-51), it was a nice start to a homestand.

Tampa Bay won Friday but Seattle lost, and the Mariners have now dropped into the third American League wild card spot. They lead the Orioles for that by 1 1/2 games. The O's are two games back of Tampa Bay, which holds the second AL wild-card berth. 

The Orioles went 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position but the Baltimore pitchers made the one run stand up as they pitched their 10th shutout of the season and second in the last eight games. The 10 shutouts match the total from the full 2019 and 2021 seasons combined, when they had five each.

The Orioles have gone 20-7 the last 27 games. It's their best single-season 27-game stretch since going 20-7 from Aug. 28-Sept. 24, 2014.

The name carries a certain amount of weight. But it won't break Dalton Hoiles. He knows that it's a magnet for attention. The oldest son of former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles playing in the same organization. Wearing the same No. 23. It isn't quite on par with being Ryan Ripken or Preston Palmeiro, who are teammates at Double-A Bowie, but there's still a level of expectation that could make him uncomfortable if he allowed it. Maybe it helps that Dalton Hoiles plays the outfield at...

Andrew Cashner will make Wednesday night's start against the Nationals in D.C. following today's successful bullpen session. Cashner said his back responded favorably and he's ready to come off the disabled list. A corresponding move will be made prior to first pitch. "It went good, felt good, and I look forward to getting on the mound Wednesday," he said. Manager Buck Showalter has been able to manipulate the rotation with off-days on Thursday and Monday. Cashner is 2-8 with a 4.98 ERA...

The Orioles are still taking one step forward followed by one step back. They can't seem to build on any momentum they gather. The latest example was the walk-off grand slam hit by Manny Machado that provided an uplifting win on Friday night. It was followed by a 5-1 loss last night to the Los Angeles Angels. Over the last 12 games the Orioles have gone win, loss, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, loss, win and loss. That is a 5-7 record in that span. The Orioles scored 12 runs last...

Yesterday's reunion of the 1992 Orioles that opened Camden Yards has left me with more material than I can squeeze into a few blog entries. Leftovers can be stretched only so far. And this is coming from a guy who's eaten cold Chinese food that's more than a week old. I've brought slices of pizza back to life. I've sniffed and scarfed liver and onions that were hidden in the back of the fridge. I've chewed through chicken that had turned to jerky. You can't scare me. One of Brady...

Orioles pitchers will be subjected to the usual drills in spring training, whether it's pop-ups, bunts or rundowns. They're going to throw on flat ground and off mounds, including one that has strings running across it to emphasize command. Certain pitchers will be given instructions tailored to their needs, others may take the initiative and do a little experimenting. Left-hander Donnie Hart will attempt to perform a balancing act. Hart will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex feeling...

Last night, the Orioles posted their first home win over the Cardinals in franchise history. They hit six home runs. They hit multiple homers off three different pitchers for only the second time. They sat their red-hot catcher, Caleb Joseph, and his replacement collected three hits. It was that kind of night. It's been that kind of season. Nick Hundley didn't garner much attention, but I'm certain that he understood. It was all about the long ball and reconnecting with legends from the...

It started off with Jim Hunter at Orioles FanFest. Then, along came Tippy Martinez during an O's home game. This season, we're watching our Twitter account (@masnOrioles) be taken right out from under us - but we're more than OK with it! If you're on Twitter, you know that @masnOrioles helps keep you updated on all the latest Orioles news, game updates, MASN giveaways and more. You've probably also seen our Twitter accounts being taken over by different people associated with the Orioles...

Twenty years ago today, right-hander Rick Sutcliffe threw a five-hit shutout to pitch the Orioles past Cleveland to open Camden Yards. He threw another strike today to help lift off the 2012 season. He said that 1992 opening day was among the most special in his career. "There was nothing like that one," Sutcliffe said. "There was always going to be another opening day, but there was never going to be another first opening day at Camden Yards." Sutcliffe remembered being a free agent a...

When the Orioles open the 2012 season Friday against the Twins - and begin a season-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards - they'll turn back the clock to 1992 for the ceremonial first pitch. Rick Sutcliffe and Chris Hoiles, who were the pitcher and catcher during the ballpark's debut two decades ago, will reprise their role as battery mates for Friday's festivities. Sutcliffe, you'll remember, threw a five-hit shutout against the Indians on April 6, 1992 in the first...

As I told you yesterday, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles will serve as an instructor in spring training. He leaves for Sarasota on Feb. 16, two days before pitchers and catchers report. Hoiles' duties will be more clearly defined next month. He's expected to serve as a roving instructor, moving between the major league and minor league camps. He'll work with the catchers, of course, but he also could offer instruction on hitting. "I'll go back and forth if that's what the team...

Prince Fielder is off the board, and we're left to ponder how much the Orioles were really in on him. Or we can just move on and never again speak his name. I felt a sense of relief yesterday after news broke that Fielder had agreed to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers, who get to wear the 2012 label of "Scott Boras' Mystery Team." Not because, as a few readers suggested, I didn't want the Orioles to sign him. Preposterous. Why would I root against a feared left-handed...

One of the most memorable moments from my night at Sports Legends Museum, where I served as emcee for "An Evening With Buck Showalter," is when the Orioles' manager said that pitcher Brian Matusz looks to be in excellent condition. The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief that almost fogged the windows. Everyone understands Matusz's importance to this club, and that includes Brady Anderson, who's been training the young left-hander in California. Showalter and Anderson offered high...

Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is 1-for-11 with an infield hit and five strikeouts in three Dominican Winter League games. He hasn't gotten a ball to the outfield. At this rate, the Orioles will be able to sign him to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. I had a nice conversation a few nights ago with former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles. He's looking to get back into the organization where he played from 1989-1998. And he's pretty much willing to work in any...