Monday Bird Droppings: O's reclaim first, Duquette back to business

The O's go into a day off on a high note. They snapped their losing streak, reclaimed first and pushed Toronto's bullpen as they head out for a ten game road trip. Good luck out there, eh? The Orioles also finally acquired the lefthanded starter they've craved since Wei-Yin Chen took his talents to Miami.

I think it's also safe to say that had Brian Matusz emerged from his Iowa exile to dominant the Mariners in his first start since 2012, that this place would go ballistic. So there's that. Orioles host the Rangers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Wrapping up the win that sends Orioles back into first place - Steve Melewski
Lotta postgame locker, room stuff from Steve-O.

Orioles Acquire Unexciting, Generic Innings Sponge | FanGraphs Baseball
Wade Miley may be vanilla, but he's, like, Breyer's vanilla or something

The worst Trade Deadline deals since 1986. | Sports on Earth
A little good, a little bad here.

Two Months Remain; How Do The Orioles Compare? - Baltimore Sports and Life The Orioles look to be squarely in the contender camp, but are not exactly the cream of the crop.

Pirates recall Max Moroff and option Steven Brault - TKB
Ex-O Brault (that rhymes!) made his second start for the Pirates today. Went a bit better than Matusz.

Michael Young nearly decked a disguised Elvis Andrus
I mean, they bury the lede here...Andrus was dressed like a creepy clown. Gotta support Michael Young on general principle.

On this day in 1993, Jeffrey Hammonds became an instrument of karmic justice as he lined a foul ball off the face of Glenn Davis, who was sitting in the dugout at the time of impact. Cal Ripken, Jr. played his 2,000th consecutive game on 8/1/94.  Mike Mussina struck out 15 and allowed one hit in a 10-0 shutout of the Twins on 8/1/00.

You should have a slice pie in honor of the birthday of Adam Jones. George Bamberger, innovator of the Staten Island Sinker (aka spitball) and O's pitching coach from 1968-1977 was an August 1 baby. Travis Driskil and Tony Muser also celebrate birthdays today.