Matt Wieters News

He's expensive. He's never lived up to expectations. He might be declining. He's also an underappreciated model of consistency.

With the trade deadline six weeks away, and with the Red Sox having already tried to replace closer Andrew Bailey last winter with out-for-the-season Joel Hanrahan , it's fair to wonder whether they may look to do so again.

They snapped that dubious streak Tuesday night at Comerica Park, beating the former Cy Young Award winner and the Tigers, 5-2, in front of an announced 34,706.

A month ago, the Orioles had the worst 2B and DH, by OPS, in the AL. They also had the best 1B.

One of the benefits of having a good team is that you usually have good players.

Adam Jones hits a lot of home runs. He doesn't walk a lot. This contrast deserves further study, don't you think? Adam Jones has never walked a lot, but in 2013 he's making other hitters look like Zen monks of patience.

MLB Team Report - Boston Red Sox - INSIDE PITCH It's too early to say the Red Sox have a closer problem, particularly considering how good Andrew Bailey was in April and May. But let's just say it would put everyone's mind at ease if the Sox ' closer would start slamming the door in a more orderly fashion.

Sometimes acting skills can be a valuable asset in a professional athlete. In other sports, a good flopper can sell a call to an official in a crucial moment.

Top 6th: Orioles 5, Red Sox 0 - With one out, Ellsburu singled to center and Iglesias reached on an error by Machado at third.

Ty Whittaker was sitting on his couch, perusing the Internet on his iPad last month when he saw the horrifying news: an EF5 tornado had ravaged Moore, Okla., and the surrounding area.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer remains the top vote-getter among American League catchers in the latest All-Star Game ballot update released Saturday night.

Held in check by Baltimore's pitchers for 18 consecutive innings, the Boston Red Sox finally played like the highest-scoring team in the major leagues.

It's too early to say the Red Sox have a closer problem, particularly considering how good Andrew Bailey was in April and May. But let's just say it would put everyone's mind at ease if the Sox closer would start slamming the door in a more orderly fashion.

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis moved into third-place among American League outfielders in the All-Star Game voting, putting the team in position to have four starters in the July 16 exhibition.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox before an announced 42,422 at Camden Yards was time for the down arrow of Garcia's elevator season.

Right-hander Jake Arrieta spoke to the media Saturday for the first time since returning to the Orioles from Triple-A Norfolk.

Friday's 2-0 win over Boston at Camden Yards moved Baltimore to 10 games above .500 for the first time this season, and the Orioles are now 1 1/2 games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox.

It was only a few weeks ago that Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy was lamenting his unproductive start to the season.

Additionally, Alexi Casilla is still on the bench, perhaps because his finger isn't fully healed, but who cares, really.

The Texas Rangers' Chris McGuiness , a former Citadel standout, is forced out at second base by the Cleveland Indians' Jason Kipnis, right, on the front end of a double play in the seventh inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.