Friday Bird Droppings

The Orioles are locked in a tie for first with the hated Yankees and the hated Red Sox and head to Minnesota for a brief three game road trip. Events conspired to hand the last series between the two clubs to the Twins. It sure would be nice put that unpleasantness in the rearview mirror.

School of Roch: S. Johnson to start Saturday, Showalter speaks after 6-2 loss Steve Johnson backers, represent!

Brandon Wood sold from one Triple-A team to another | HardballTalk Discussed a bit yesterday, we reminisced about Wood's days as trade bait and a top prospect for the Angels. So very long ago.

MLB Power Rankings: Orioles flying high - Yahoo! Sports Also noted yesterday was Tim Brown's latest power rankings. [Spoiler] The O's are number one and it makes for a nice moment if you dig that sort of thing and can stomach his odd commentary. I should also note that even Stan the Fan only has the Orioles at 9...behind the Nats, no less!

Chen: 'I will have a better career with him' | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore Wei-Yin Chen and Scott Boras...perfect together!

What's Wrong With Jason Hammel? | Baltimore Sports and LifeBaltimore Sports and Life "A pitchf/x analysis of Jason Hammel to determine why he is struggling so far in the 2013 season."

April Is Over And J.J. Hardy Is Heating Up - Baltimore Sports Report Hardy has already equaled his April home run total in the first third of this month.

On this day in 1960, Joe Ginsberg tied the record for passed balls in an inning (3) set earlier in the week by Gus Triandos; in 1972, Dave McNally tossed his fourth shutout of the season, a 1-0 defeat of the Rangers, though opposing pitcher Pete Broberg allowed fewer base runners; in 2012, the O's led off a game against Colby Lewis and the Rangers by hitting three home runs (Flaherty, Hardy, Markakis).

It's the birthday of Kam Mickolio.