Labor Day Bird Droppings

I overlooked it with the Cal 2131 post and all, but yesterday was also the anniversary of Eddie Murray's 500th homerun against Detroit in 1996.

Wait well worth it for Fiorentino | MLB.com: News
On Sunday, Jeff Fiorentino made his first start since 2006 -- batting seventh and playing left field.

O's expected to call up five more -- baltimoresun.com
Once the minor league season ends Monday, the Orioles are expected to add five players to the big league roster: right-handers Koji Uehara and Bob McCrory, lefty Chris Waters, infielder Justin Turner and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez.

Thomas Boswell - Against AL East Powers, Baltimore Orioles Are Taking the 'Only Way' - washingtonpost.com
Everywhere in Birdland you hear optimism and with cause. "We're doing it the right way," said team president Andy MacPhail, building through the minors and trades, not quick-fix free agents. "It's a good thing this way works, as the Rays and Rockies have shown recently, because for us it's also the only way."

Christian: Dream becomes nightmare for Nats | InsideNova.com
The 100-win mark is something each and every team dreams of when spring training rolls around. Now, with just over a month left in the season, there are four teams battling to stay away from 100 losses.

Rich are trying to buy success again - The National Newspaper
This year, however, has seen a step backward. In the first week of September, four of the six division leaders – the Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers – have the biggest payrolls in their divisions.

Scout.com: Montanez Continues Rehab Assignment In Bowie
In order to maximize his potential of making the big league team next year, Montanez said he has been working out in all three outfield spots and has accepted his potential role in the future. "I know Jones is going to be the centerfielder, Markakis is going to be the right-fielder and it looks like Nolan's going to be the left-fielder, so I have to work at all three and whenever they have off days," Montanez said.

Updating Jones and Uehara - MASNsports.com
"Believe it or not, his ankle looks a whole lot better than when I first saw it," manager Dave Trembley said. "It's not too pretty right now. He's out for an extended period of time. It's going to take some time for him to recover from this. It might be by the time he's 100 percent, we might be running out of time with the season.

Despite Gem From McCurry, Shorebirds Lose 1-0 - WBOC-TV
Cole McCurry etched his name into the record books, but it wasn't enough as the Lakewood BlueClaws defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 1-0 in game four at Perdue Stadium.   In his 38th start as a Shorebirds pitcher, which ties with Richard Bartlett for the career mark, McCurry tossed eight stellar innings, fanning nine batters.  

Explore Howard: The Driver's Seat / Mount St. Joe’s Clevenger has been a catch for Cubs
Steve Clevenger, 23, was a shortstop throughout his high school career at Mount St. Joseph and in college — one season each at Southeastern Louisiana and a Florida junior college. But after the 2006 minor league season, the Chicago Cubs, who drafted him in the seventh round that year out of Chipola Junior College, approached him about making the switch to catcher. Clevenger had never played the position, but he did not balk at the opportunity.

I positively guarantee you that the Orioles won't lose tonight. This is your open Thread.