Orioles notes and observations (Johnson, Jurrjens, Flaherty, Valencia)

Cowherd: Even in an unimpressive loss, Manny Machado is fun to watch

The Orioles' 20-year-old third baseman continued his tear Wednesday with 4-for-5 afternoon and three doubles.

Freddy Garcia struggles and Orioles get swept by Padres with 8-4 defeat

The San Diego Padres' trip through Baltimore was both quick and painful for the Orioles, who dropped two interleague games to the Padres within a span of 24 hours.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy isn't in love with his new glove

In a sense, baseball players are a lot like other craftsmen.

Freddy Garcia gets hit hard by Padres club that cut him this spring

If you’ve watched Orioles right-hander Freddy Garcia through the last few years, you know he doesn’t have a lot of margin for error.

Gonzalez getting closer to rejoining Orioles after bullpen session

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has not pitched since developing a deep blister on his right thumb May 3 in Anaheim, is getting closer to appearing in a big league game.

Oriole Bird listed among Forbes' 10 most popular mascots in pro sports

The Orioles have been getting quite a bit of national pub these days. They've been rising up everybody's power rankings

Orioles notes and observations (Johnson, Tillman, bottom of the order, Chen)

So closer Jim Johnson finally blew a save in the regular season. How long has it been?

Orioles continue to rise in Tribune weekly baseball power rankings

Tribune national baseball reporter Phil Rogers ranks the 30 teams in the majors.

Strasburg shines as Nationals defeat Padres, 6-2

Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer to back the longest outing of Stephen Strasburg's young career, as the Washington Nationals took down the San Diego Padres, 6-2, in the opener of a four-game series. Strasburg (2-5) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits while...

Five Baltimore Orioles stats that stand out this week

Each Wednesday, blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Orioles.

Jim Johnson blows first regular-season save since July as Orioles fall to Padres, 3-2

Buck Showalter's first glimpse of closer Jim Johnson inside the Orioles clubhouse moments after his remarkable consecutive-save streak came to an sudden end Tuesday night was the sight of Johnson working up a sweat on the exercise bike in the training room.

Some early notes: Miguel Gonzalez, Jake Arrieta and more

The Orioles have not specified the schedule for Miguel Gonzalez yet.

Kevin Gausman not an immediate call-up candidate, but he could skip Triple-A

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said Tuesday that pitching prospect Kevin Gausman is not a candidate to fill the team's two vacant starting pitcher spots over the next week.

Jim Johnson blows save; ends streak

Jim Johnson's impressive regular season saves streak came to an end at 35 on Tuesday night when he allowed four singles and two runs in the ninth in the Orioles' 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres.