rick porcello

Manager Buck Showalter was trying to find the right word Wednesday afternoon to describe how his inconsistent hitters might be feeling after losing the first two games of the four-game home series against the first-place Boston Red Sox.

Looking at the key additions, key losses and outlooks for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.

Outfielder Nolan Reimold, who struggled badly through the beginning of spring as the team won just five of its first 23 games, is coming around as both he and the Orioles (10-14-4) strive to end the preseason where they want to be.

Spurred by five solid innings from left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and at least five highlight defensive gems ¿ including three by center fielder Adam Jones ¿ the Oriole drew within 4 ½ games of the New York Yankees (33-26) and captured the series against the last-place Red Sox (27-33).

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez will miss his next scheduled start on Sunday and is likely to land on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain.

The last-place Orioles (7-10) didn't lose five in a row last season; it's their longest skid since dropping six straight in late September 2013.

Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop left Boston this morning to report to the team's spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla., where he will rehab his right knee injury.

Baltimore Sun reporter Dan Connolly breaks down the American League Division Series matchup between the Orioles and the Detroit Tigers.

The Orioles will get three straight former Cy Young Award winners in first three games.

Even though right-hander Preston Guilmet has been primarily a one-inning reliever pitching at Triple-A Norfolk this season, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he believes Guilmet can provide the club the length it needs.

Ryan Flaherty has lost focus on just hitting the ball hard somewhere in his quest to end an 0-for-15 skid to start the season. He began last season 0-for-17.

Even with the impressive comeback -- the Orioles sent 10 batters to the plate in the ninth -- the bottom line is that the Orioles (1-4) have still lost four straight and two consecutive series after an exhilarating Opening Day victory against the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox.

J.J. Hardy is back in the lineup after missing Friday with back spasms

In this week¿s battle between the two leading home run hitters in the majors, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis got the best of Tigers slugger and reigning Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

The Orioles pounded Tigers pitching in Wednesday afternoon's 13-3 series finale win over the defending American League champions with three homers and 17 hits.

With a steady barrage of base hits and towering home runs, Chris Davis and Miguel Cabrera are both putting up Triple Crown-caliber numbers as we near the midway point of the 2013 season. They are, in some order, 1-2 in the American League in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and OPS.

The Orioles officially added first baseman Travis Ishikawa before Tuesday's game. Ishikawa had exercised an opt-out clause in his contract Sunday and the Orioles had until midnight to add him, trade him or release him.

The Orioles are considering adding first baseman Travis Ishikawa to their 25-man roster before tonight¿s game in Detroit, according to an industry source.

Chris Davis slugged his way to another milestone Sunday, pulling his 100th career home run into the right field seats, but lost in the shuffle was another trend that shows how well the Orioles first baseman has been hitting this year.

Chris Davis went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs, one double and one run scored in the Orioles' 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon.

The prodigious power has always been there for Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. Now with a more patient approach at the plate, he is making the baseball world aware of it on a nightly basis.

It was another routine sight at Camden Yards on Sunday as first baseman Chris Davis watched another home run fly into the seats.

As most fans know by now, the Orioles made an interesting move on Friday afternoon, outrighting outfielder Steve Pearce to Triple-A Norfolk.

Down the stretch is a new 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 intensifies.

Zach Britton took a huge step forward, throwing his best game of the year. He held a dangerous Tigers lineup scoreless for seven innings in a 3-2 win.

Opening Day is meaningful to Orioles fans for different reasons.

Orioles fall 4-3 to Tigers in 11th on Martinez's RBI single

The St. Louis Cardinals held it together without Albert Pujols, going 7-7 and scoring 4.2 runs per game.