The Orioles are trying to retrieve Josh Bell's home run ball. They hope it's the first of many. Bell homered for the first time in 75 major league at-bats, bringing home Felix Pie in the second inning and giving the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Pie led off with a single and Craig Tatum struck out looking - because it's the thing to do in this series - before Bell stepped to the plate. The ball traveled 394 feet to center field. The Orioles would like for it to carry a little further - into his...

Nick Markakis sat down to breakfast this morning, looked at his plate, and Jeff Nelson called him out on strikes. How is that possible? Maybe it didn't really happen, but Markakis struck out looking to end the bottom of the first inning. Mark Carlson's working behind the plate today, and he gave Cliff Lee the outside corner on an 87 mph cutter. Markakis froze in quiet protest, but didn't put up an argument. That's four straight at-bats for Markakis that ended with a called third strike....

Well, it wasn't exactly a grilling by the Baltimore baseball writers, but top pick Manny Machado did speak with those writers today for the first time since signing his 5.25 million dollar contract with the Orioles. It was a telephone press conference with Machado in Florida answering a few questions from reporters at Camden Yards. Here is how it went. Q: What was signing night like for you and did you feel certain a deal would get done? "Well, that night was just going crazy, with my...

The Orioles put Bowie starting pitcher Chorye Spoone on the disabled list Friday due to a tired shoulder, but they have not necessarily shut him down for the rest of the season. The DL move came one day after Spoone's outing Thursday at Trenton, where he allowed a career-high eight walks and hit three batters over a 3 2/3 innings outing. "There is nothing physically wrong with his shoulder, it's just a little tired. We will have him skip one start but he may not be done for the year,"...

Manager Buck Showalter may accompany director of player development John Stockstill to Bowie tonight to watch Jim Johnson pitch. Johnson could be activated after throwing Tuesday and Wednesday for the Baysox, or the Orioles could wait until Sept. 1. A decision is pending. Johnson is on the 60-day disabled list, so room must be created for him on the 40-man roster. David Hernandez is expected to start playing catch on Sept. 1. There's still a chance that he'll be shut down for the rest of...

O's manager Buck Showalter said today the Orioles have not made a final decision yet on whether pitching prospect Zach Britton will be a September callup. Britton is 9-6, 2.70 this year between Double-A and Triple-A. He's now pitched 136 2/3 innings after pitching 140 last year and a career-high 147 1/3 the year before at Delmarva. How many innings Britton has left to pitch is for sure a big factor in that decision. "It's more, what's his career high (in innings). You look at that...

Manager Buck Showalter usually takes the lineup card to home plate only before the first game of a series, but he'll handle those duties again today. He figures it's a good idea to wipe the slate clean after last night's two ejections. "Turn the page," he said. "It's part of it. It's a tough game to umpire, a fast game. I was talking to Larry Young about it, one of the umpire evaluators or whatever they call them, and you understand. The game moves so fast, sometimes it's an educated...

For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Julio Lugo SS Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Josh Bell 3B Brad Bergesen RHP For the Rangers: Elvis Andrus SS Michael Young 3B Josh Hamilton LF Vladimir Guerrero DH David Murphy RF Bengie Molina C Mitch Moreland 1B Andres Blanco 2B Julio Borbon CF Cliff Lee LHP

We have another afternoon FOX game today, which means a free night to get into all sorts of trouble. Not me, of course, but everyone else. Shortstop Manny Machado will speak to reporters via conference call today at 3 p.m. after signing his $5.25 million contract yesterday in Miami. He'll be introduced to the Camden Yards crowd on Sept. 3 or 4. Make him feel at home. Umpire Jeff Nelson was forced to skip breakfast today. The waitress brought his food, but he couldn't work the plate. JDB...

Checking in on some O's notes, stats and facts as they get set to play Texas in game three of the series this afternoon at Camden Yards. *The Orioles have been involved in a shutout in back-to-back games for the first time all year, one they won and one they lost. They have been involved in shutouts in three of the last four and four of the past eight games, winning two and losing two. *The Orioles had just three hits in 30 at bats and were shutout on Friday for the ninth time on the...