Blue Jays

The Orioles couldn't get out of Canada any faster Wednesday night. The first leg of their three-city, nine-game road trip couldn't have gone any worse. With their starting pitching reeling and questions about the health of two of their top players, being swept out of Rogers Centre was just the beginning. After winning five of six games against the Blue Jays last month, including two of three in a mid-April series here - the once-high-flying Orioles now have their wings clipped.

TORONTO - Inside the cramped visiting clubhouse at "PLREC000155"> Rogers Centre, the Orioles quickly packed their equipment bags, eager to get back home to Baltimore. Despite a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night, the Orioles finished their six-game road trip with series wins in New York and Toronto. Their stay atop the AL East lasted just one day, but the Orioles kept the same tunnel-visioned approach that has served them well all season. “Good road trip, successful road trip, we played a hell of a road trip,” center fielder Adam Jones said.

Day....Time....TV....Starters Today...1:35...CSN...Gustavo Chacin (11-8, 3.73 ERA) vs. Bruce Chen (11-8, 3.75) Tomorrow...7:05...CSN...Ted Lilly (8-9, 5.52) vs. Daniel Cabrera (8-11, 5.00) Wednesday...7:05...CSN...Scott Downs (2-3, 4.06) vs. John Maine (2-1, 2.91) Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) Blue Jays update The Blue Jays are trying to hold off the Orioles for third place in the American League East. Both teams have lost two straight. The Blue Jays have been shut out 11 times, tying the Oakland Athletics for most in the league.

BOSTON -- A year ago today it was all over. The Toronto Blu Jays had won the AL East, edging the Orioles in two games that were as draining as they were electrifying. The series remains vivid in the imagination, serving as a powerful link between these teams.Now they meet again for the final three steps of a 162-gamwaltz, only this time they're preparing to different arrangements. The Blue Jays again hear the fanfare of champions. The Orioles hear only the symphony of revenge.It's a distinction worth noting as the lockout season reaches itclimax starting tonight at Memorial Stadium (7:35, HTS)

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The busy off-season in Baltimore did not go unnoticed in Toronto, but the defending world champion Blue Jays aren't ready to concede the American League East title just yet.They know that the Orioles stayed in the race the past two years with far less talent than took the field in yesterday's 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Blue Jays in the Grapefruit League opener at Grant Field. They know that the winter spending spree was directed entirely at breaking their divisional dynasty.

There's been little rest for the Orioles recently, and fresh off a three-city, nine-game road trip, even manager Buck Showalter said that his team hoped to grind through the three days before their final off-day of the regular season on Thursday. “It feels like we've been going for a month,” Showalter said. But with 10 games to go in the regular season - and every one pivotal in a playoff race - adrenaline replaces any wear and tear. Center fielder Adam Jones went 4-for-4 with a homer and Baltimore native Steve Johnson threw five scorless innings as the Orioles took the first game of Monday's single-admission doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-1. Jones' homer was his his 32nd of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth inning that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead.