Cincinnati Reds

Recognizing Baltimore's feuding gangs should be easy: Red for Bloods. Blue for Crips. But it's no longer as simple as looking for different-colored bandannas hanging from the back pockets of jeans. Gang identifiers, in addition to traditional signs and tattoos, can be almost anything, manifested in wardrobes of significant variety. A blue belt. Red rosary beads. Pockets turned inside out. The 'C' in a Colorado Rockies baseball cap. The red in a Cincinnati Reds hat. There's no set uniform, according to a law enforcement expert, but there are recognized symbols that gang members incorporate into their everyday attire.

Another night, another oh-for at the plate for an Orioles designated hitter. On Wednesday night, it was Nolan Reimold who kept his glove in the clubhouse and took some hacks as the designated hitter. He was hitless in four at-bats -- with three strikeouts -- in a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Through 14 games, the Orioles have gotten just three hits in 53 plate appearances from their designated hitters. So just how poorly have their designated hitters performed? Seven National League teams have gotten more production from their pitchers than the Orioles have from designated hitters.

2005 - Robinson stayed with the Expos organization when it moved to Washington D.C. and began tenure as Manager of the Washington Nationals. 2002 - Hired as Montreal Expos manager. 1991 - Baltimore Orioles fire Robinson after xx-xx season. 1989 - Named American League Manager of the Year after leading Orioles to an 87-75 record. 1988 - Hired as Baltimore Orioles manager. 1984 - Fired by San Francisco Giants after xx-xx season. 1982 - Inducted to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

0 Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association champions from the Baltimore area in 2012. Arundel lost in the Class 4A championship, while North Harford fell in the Class 3A title game. 3 Years, since 1975, in which there wasn't an MPSSAA champion from the Baltimore area (1982 and 2008 were the other years). 6 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championships for Calvert Hall in 11 seasons under coach Lou Eckerl (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012)

Our columnist Peter Schmuck wrote today that the Orioles continue to defy the odds -- literally. Oddmakers, most of whom predicted the Orioles to be one of the worst teams in baseball, continue to see the O's as a playoff longshot. According to offshore online sportsbook Bovada, the Orioles opened the season with 150-to-1 odds to win the World Series, the second-largest odds among all MLB teams only to the 200-to-1 Houston Astros, who actually turned out to be pretty bad. But as teams have dwindled out of competition, the Orioles' odds have become more favorable.

Quote: "It's been awhile since I've done that, and to do it twice in a week, it's been nice. This whole year has been perfect except for the month of August. I'm in heaven." - St. Louis slugger Jim Edmonds after hitting two game-winning homers in three days against the Mets. It's a fact: The Giants have the best home ERA in baseball. Who's hot: St. Louis has won seven of eight and is a season-high 20 games over .500. Who's not: Milwaukee's Mark Loretta was 2-for-33 before his pinch-hit double in the Brewers win over Colorado.

BASEBALLAmerican League* CALIFORNIA ANGELS -- Placed Lance Parrish, catcher, on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 5. Recalled Jose BTC Gonzalez, outfielder, from Edmonton of the Pacific Coast League.* SEATTLE MARINERS -- Placed Dave Valle, catcher, on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 9. Purchased the contract of Bert Heffernan, catcher, from Calgary of the Pacific Coast League.National League* CINCINNATI REDS -- Recalled Milton Hill, pitcher, from Nashville of the American Association.

BASEBALL (NL) * Chicago Cubs -- Named Richie Zisk organizational hitting instructor.* Cincinnati Reds -- Activated Barry Larkin (shortstop) and Bill Doran (second baseman) from the 15-day disabled list.* Montreal Expos -- Fired Buck Rodgers (manager). Named Tom Runnells manager and Jerry Manuel third base coach. Named Pat Kelly manager for Indianapolis of the American Association.HOCKEY (NHL) * Minnesota North Stars -- Traded Kelly Kisio (center) to the San Jose Sharks for Shane Churla (right wing)

0 Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association champions from the Baltimore area in 2012. Arundel lost in the Class 4A championship, while North Harford fell in the Class 3A title game. 3 Years, since 1975, in which there wasn't an MPSSAA champion from the Baltimore area (1982 and 2008 were the other years). 6 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championships for Calvert Hall in 11 seasons under coach Lou Eckerl (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012)

Another night, another oh-for at the plate for an Orioles designated hitter. On Wednesday night, it was Nolan Reimold who kept his glove in the clubhouse and took some hacks as the designated hitter. He was hitless in four at-bats -- with three strikeouts -- in a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Through 14 games, the Orioles have gotten just three hits in 53 plate appearances from their designated hitters. So just how poorly have their designated hitters performed? Seven National League teams have gotten more production from their pitchers than the Orioles have from designated hitters.

The Orioles have made another roster claim, this time grabbing right-handed pitcher Todd Redmond from the Cincinnati Reds. To make room for Redmond on the 40-man roster, the club designated outfielder Trayvon Robinson for assignment. Robinson was acquired in November when the Orioles dealt Robert Andino to Seattle. But the Orioles have signed several reserve outfielders since then -- including Chris Dickerson -- and Robinson's spot became less secure. In addition, the club announced that catcher Luis Rodriguez, who was designated earlier this week for Russ Canzler, has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Our columnist Peter Schmuck wrote today that the Orioles continue to defy the odds -- literally. Oddmakers, most of whom predicted the Orioles to be one of the worst teams in baseball, continue to see the O's as a playoff longshot. According to offshore online sportsbook Bovada, the Orioles opened the season with 150-to-1 odds to win the World Series, the second-largest odds among all MLB teams only to the 200-to-1 Houston Astros, who actually turned out to be pretty bad. But as teams have dwindled out of competition, the Orioles' odds have become more favorable.

Wild-card round Friday, both on TBS NL - St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves, 5:07 p.m. AL - Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers, 8:37 p.m.   Division Series All games on TBS Saturday ALDS Game 1 - Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, 6:07 p.m. NLDS Game 1 - Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants, 9:37 p.m. Sunday ALDS Game 1 - New York Yankees at Baltimore/Texas NLDS Game 1 - Washington Nationals...

The San Francisco Giants placed former Oriole Aubrey Huff on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, two days after he left the team because of an episode of anxiety. Huff has been getting treatment in Florida and is expected to rejoin the team Friday in San Francisco, where he will continue to get help. Manager Bruce Bochy spoke with Huff on Wednesday afternoon after days of exchanging text messages. Asked whether Huff's anxiety was related to personal or baseball problems, Bochy said: "I don't know if he even knows.

Former Orioles right-hander Alfredo Simon, who was placed on waivers on Friday, was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday afternoon. There was little doubt that someone would claim Simon, who throws in the upper 90s and could be either a starter or reliever. And the Reds, who lost closer Ryan Madson for the year to Tommy John surgery, could use added bullpen help.   Simon entered the spring as one of a dozen candidates competing for a starting rotation spot and started in the Orioles' first spring training game, but he missed nine days after tweaking his groin during a night start March 18 against the Yankees.  In his first appearance back last Wednesday, Simon allowed six runs in two relief innings.

Pro basketball Shuckers routed by Bombers in debut In their Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League debut, the visiting Bay Area Shuckers ran into an experienced and hot-shooting Beltway Bombers team, falling Saturday night in Upper Marlboro, 151-114. "We knew we were facing a very experienced and talented team tonight, and the Bombers lived up to their reputation," Shuckers general manager John Wolfe said. "We saw some good things, and for our first game together as a team, period, I was encouraged and know that the team will continue to jell and also improve.

Wild-card round Friday, both on TBS NL - St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves, 5:07 p.m. AL - Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers, 8:37 p.m.   Division Series All games on TBS Saturday ALDS Game 1 - Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, 6:07 p.m. NLDS Game 1 - Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants, 9:37 p.m. Sunday ALDS Game 1 - New York Yankees at Baltimore/Texas NLDS Game 1 - Washington Nationals...

Edward C. Liberatore, a retired Major League Baseball scout, died Saturday of congestive heart failure after surgery at St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 87 and lived at Oak Crest Village in Parkville. A scout for the Washington Senators, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Orioles, he began his career in baseball in the 1930s as a second baseman in the Philadelphia Athletics farm system. After an injury at the end of his second season, he began a 55-year scouting career. "His life was baseball," said Chuck Thompson, longtime Orioles broadcaster.

After a bank robbery in Parkton, Baltimore County police might be looking for a Cincinnati Reds fan. The man who robbed an M&T Bank at 212 Mt. Carmel Road wore a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap, investigators said Wednesday. The robber in the Sept. 17 hold-up was described as black, in his 20's, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with a small build, a mustache and bushy hair with a ponytail. In addition to the red-brimmed hat, he wore black zip-up jacket, mirrored sunglasses, white gloves and jeans.

Under blue skies and unseasonably chilly weather, the Orioles began preparations for their 2010 season and what they hope will be a long and productive run at Ed Smith Stadium. About 250 fans turned out at the stadium complex to watch the first spring workout for pitchers and catchers, and to greet the Orioles, who had trained in virtual anonymity in Fort Lauderdale for much of the previous 14 years. "It was fun to be out here today, a lot of fun," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley, who spent part of the workout signing autographs and interacting with fans.