brad mills

Just a handful of Astros who won last year's World Series were with the team when their rebuild began, a signal to the Orioles and their fans that they might not see the current players around when the winning returns.

Sonny Gray, star pitcher of the Oakland A's, suffered back spasms Wednesday and was scratched from his Thursday start. He won't pitch against the Orioles tonight, according to his manager.

Stephen Strasburg surrendered three hits over two innings -- including a single and home run to the first two batters he faced -- in his first action since Sept. 7.

Despite a struggling offense, holes within their starting rotation and losing 13 out of their last 19 games, the Orioles ended went into this week¿s all-star break still clinging to the second wild-card spot.

The Orioles went into the All-Star break with an all-around uninspired performance, falling to the Angels 6-0 in front of an announced crowd of 37,108 at Angel Stadium.

The Orioles fell 5-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays in front of an announced 18,770 at Camden Yards