vernon wells

First baseman Travis Ishikawa, who was designated for assignment on June 29, was claimed by the New York Yankees on waivers Sunday afternoon.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson¿s rough season continued when he blew his sixth save of the season in the Orioles¿ 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday night.

After Saturday's victory before a soldout announced crowd of 46,607 and a FOX television audience, the Orioles (46-36) have won five of eight this season against the Yankees (42-38).

The Orioles managed just five hits in seven innings against Sabathia ¿ and were held without a hit for the game¿s first five innings ¿ but McLouth¿s go-ahead solo homer off Sabathia in the bottom of the seventh was the difference in the Orioles¿ 4-3 comeback win in front of an announced 40,041 at Camden Yards.

With the possibility of freefalling into their worst losing skid in nearly two years, the Orioles received one of their best pitching performances of the season, two homers from reserve Chris Dickerson and a walk-off blast from Nate McLouth to finally beat the New York Yankees in extra innings.

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop had allowed just one earned run in his last 13 appearances for a 0.79 ERA in his last 11 1/3 innings heading into Monday night. That¿s a dramatic improvement over his early season struggles when he allowed seven earned runs in his first seven appearances.

The Yankees went on to plate two runs in the 10th inning for a 6-4 win in the 10th inning, handing the Orioles' a season-high sixth straight loss.

The Orioles hit a season-high three homers off Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes, winning 5-3 before an announced 41,851 in the Bronx.

The Baltimore Orioles waste no time jumping into the thick of the American League East race, that's for sure.

The news broke this afternoon that the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal, pending a physical, with talented but troubled slugger Josh Hamilton.

Mark Reynolds homers for ninth time in nine games

The Orioles have struggled mightily when playing the Blue Jays in Toronto over the past five seasons. The Orioles are 12-42 at Rogers Center since 2006, including a 16-game losing streak they snapped this season. They aren't alone, though; the Blue Jays are 12 games above .500 at home over the past season and a half.

Several top power hitters have struggled after doing well in the home run derby