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Orioles closer Zach Britton is not revealing what physical issues he's dealing with right now, but he said getting a second straight day of rest Thursday was helpful after pitching consecutively from Sunday to Tuesday.

Six different Astros homered in the first four innings against Orioles pitchers Freddy Garcia (2-3) and Steve Johnson in an 11-7 O's loss.

The Orioles head into free agency — which starts in earnest Saturday with free agents permitted to negotiate with all 30 teams for the first time this offseason — in a much different situation than this time last year. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is not only in place as club's decision-maker, but he seems to be established as a man with a plan.

Now that the Orioles have declined the $11 million option for next year on Mark Reynolds, the club has two options to try to keep the 29-year-old first baseman.

As expected, the Orioles have declined their $11 million option on first baseman Mark Reynolds for next season, but that doesn't mean that Reynolds' days in a Baltimore uniform are over.

If you would have asked me in May if there were any chance of Mark Reynolds returning to the Orioles in 2013, it would have been a short conversation. "Nope," would have been the answer.

Despite managing just two hits, the Orioles rode Chris Davis¿ seventh homer in six games to a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays before an announced 13,460 at Tropicana Field.

Down the stretch is a daily Orioles Insider blog that will set up the coming night for the O's and their American League competition as the push for the postseason continues.

Manny Machado's key defensive play and Nate McLouth's walk-off single gave the Orioles a thrilling victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

Making his first start at catcher since July 28, Taylor Teagarden took advantage of Sunday's start, driving in the game's only run with a two-out, 10th-inning double off Rays reliever Joel Peralta to give the Orioles a 1-0 win over the Rays.

This weekend's series is important for both teams. The Orioles and Rays share identical 55-50 records and are both 1 1/2 games out of the AL Wild Card.

Chris Tillman picked up the win as the Orioles snapped their three-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Rays in front of an announced crowd of 21,301.

Brian Matusz provided his finest performance of the season, giving the Orioles his fourth consecutive quality start and more importantly, creating a two-way tie between the teams atop the American League East standings heading into Sunday¿s afternoon series finale.

The Orioles look to halt their six-game losing streak in today's 4:05 p.m. game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Baltimore had lost six straight for the first time since Aug. 16-21, 2011.

Despite having not won a game in nearly a week, the Orioles woke up Friday morning somehow still in first place in the American League East. By the end of the night, their struggles would finally catch up with them.

The Baltimore Orioles' 9-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays -- which ended with the game-winning run on second base -- ended this series in bittersweet fashion.

Nick Johnson's brief career in an Orioles uniform has been less than stellar. But on Friday night, with sole possession of first place in the American League East on the line, he played the role of hero.

The Orioles play in their final Grapefruit League game today against the Rays. After today, the Orioles will play three more exhibition games, including the first two at Ed Smith Stadium against Florida Southern on Monday night and then State College of Florida on Tuesday afternoon.

New Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel fared well — for the most part — vs. his old team. The righty allowed a solo homer and a walk but no other base runners in his three-inning start against the Rays.

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel made just one mistake against his former team Tuesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium.

Sunday morning thoughts: Orioles find hope in Rays' success

The word from around the B&O Warehouse is that the Orioles aren¿t done with their winter shopping.

Here's a look at five important questions concerning the 2012 Baltimore Orioles, no matter who is in charge.

Mariners might have interest in Hall of Fame baseball executive, and he lives in Seattle

Chicago White Sox's Phil Humber leads the list of players having All-Star seasons who are unlikely to make the team