Adam Loewen

After stumbling to a 6-10 record a season ago, the Ravens took a sizable risk: Instead of tearing up their losing team, they kept it together. There was a chance Brian Billick wouldn't be back, but he's still the head coach. Yankees@Orioles Today, 4:35 p.m., Ch. 54, 1090 AM Starters: Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang (16-5, 3.69) vs. Orioles' Adam Loewen (5-4, 5.55)

Last night's scheduled game between the Orioles and Texas Rangers in Arlington was postponed because of rain. The game will be made up today as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m. The Orioles' Steve Trachsel (1-0, 3.18) will face Kevin Millwood (0-2, 1.29) in the first game. It will be the Orioles' Adam Loewen (0-0, 7.71) against Kason Gabbard (1-0, 0.00) in the second game.

The news that Adam Loewen has signed with the Blue Jays is a little bit of a shock - and it probably could be interpreted by the Orioles' front office as a slap in the face - but it's not exactly a setback for the organization. In fact, you can make the case that Loewen did the O's a favor by jumping ship, since the odds of his actually becoming a serviceable position player at the major league level remain quite long. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/schmuckblog)

On Monday, we looked at whether the Orioles are better off now than they were in April. I'd say they are, but barely. There are more bright spots, but the starting pitching is so much worse than expected. Based on 2008 performances, only Jeremy Guthrie can be counted on for 2009. And it's possible Adam Loewen and Daniel Cabrera will never pitch for the Orioles again. Ouch. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/cornersportsbar)

Several of the Orioles had started to walk off the field and manager Sam Perlozzo said that he already began to ponder how his team was going to score a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the New York Yankees last night. Catcher Ramon Hernandez's throw arrived at second base ahead of Johnny Damon, and Brian Roberts' tag was applied before the foot of the Yankees center fielder reached the bag. Second base umpire Lance Barksdale immediately called Damon out, before noticing the ball laying in the dirt near second base.

Toronto -- It happened in the third inning and again in the fourth, fifth and sixth. It was only natural, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said later, to sit back and wonder which missed opportunity on a night of many could cost the Orioles a game that they had no business losing. A team that managed only three hits the day before spent the early innings last night pounding Toronto Blue Jays rookie Casey Janssen. But when Alex Rios turned around a pitch from Kris Benson in the fifth inning for the second time, the Orioles' lead was down to two runs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo repeated the old baseball adage before last night's game. "A post-game speech is only as good as your starting pitcher the following day," Perlozzo said with a wry smile. If Perlozzo hadn't been so overcome with frustration Tuesday night, if he hadn't felt his team needed a tongue-lashing in the worst way, he may have waited to deliver a stern lecture the night before Erik Bedard pitched rather than Adam Loewen. O's@Royals Tonight, 8:10, Ch. 54, 1090 AM Starters: Orioles' Rodrigo Lopez (6-11, 6.73)

He has mastered almost every challenge as a rookie closer, but put Chris Ray in the late innings of a tie game against the New York Yankees and bad things have happened. Ray couldn't even bear to watch his latest misstep last night. The moment the ball left Jorge Posada's bat, Ray's head dropped, refusing to follow the towering flight of the ball that soared over the scoreboard in right field and bounded off the flag court. Yankees@Orioles Today, 4:35 p.m., Ch. 54, 1090 AM Starters: Yankees' Mike Mussina (13-3, 3.40)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Another meaningless game at Tropicana Field - aren't they all here in September? - actually featured a feel-good story line for the Orioles, even if Erik Bedard didn't want to acknowledge it. Bedard, the Orioles' top starter, has said on numerous occasions this year that his only goal was to better his win total from the previous season, which was six. If he was serious - and one never knows with Bedard, who is typically guarded...

He paced around the mound shaking his head after one hit and then stared into the plush outfield grass after another. With poor command of his fastball and changeup, there was little Erik Bedard could do to turn around his fortune. True, Bedard's defense let him down on two occasions, possibly costing the pitcher as many as five runs. But that aside, it had been at least 3 1/2 months since the Orioles' top starter was treated so rudely by opposing hitters. Twins@Orioles Today, 1:35 p.m., Ch. 54, 1090 AM Starters: Twins' Matt Garza (2-5, 5.40)