International League

At a very interesting time in his minor league deal with the Orioles, veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia has been named International League pitcher of the week. The 36-year-old Garcia was 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA this past week in two starts with Triple-A Norfolk. In 16 innings, he allowed just four runs - three earned - and struck out nine with no walks. On the season, Garcia is leading the International League in wins with a 4-0 record. He has a 2.67 ERA in five starts with 21 strikeouts and two walks over a league-leading 33 2/3 innings.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - As a veteran of 14 major league seasons, it took a while for right-hander Freddy Garcia to get used to those long bus rides in Triple-A. But when the 36-year-old pitcher decided to sign a minor league deal with the Orioles before this season - and then agreed to remain with the organization past his initial opt-out date earlier this week - he had the faith that he'd soon pitch again in the big leagues. Garcia will make his Orioles and 2013 major league debut on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium, where he is 8-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 16 career starts.

BASEBALL American League New York Yankees -- Placed Andy Hawkins, pitcher, on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Purchased the contract of Steve Howe, pitcher, from Columbus of the International League.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia will fill the Orioles' empty starting rotation spot Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, manager Buck Showalter said Thursday. The 36-year-old Garcia, who is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Norfolk, was scheduled to start on Saturday for the Tides, which Showalter said is one of the main reasons he's been selected to make the spot start. "His date fits well timing-wise," Showalter said. "That's what you look at first.

Yesterday Triple-A International League Buffalo at Ottawa, ppd., rain Double-A Eastern League Bowie idle Single-A Carolina League Frederick 8, Winston-Salem 2 Single-A South Atlantic League Asheville 7, Delmarva 1 Lake County 4, Hagerstown 3 Today Triple-A International League Buffalo at Ottawa (DH), 5:05 Double-A Eastern League Bowie at Reading, 7:05 Single-A Carolina League Frederick at Potomac, 7:05 Single-A South Atlantic League Asheville at Delmarva, 6:35 Hagerstown at Lake County, 7:05 Tomorrow Triple-A International League Buffalo at Ottawa, 1:05 Double-A Eastern League Bowie at Reading, 1:05 Single-A Carolina League Frederick at Potomac, 7:05 Single-A South Atlantic League Hickory at Delmarva, 1:35 Kannapolis at Hagerstown, 1:35

Results, scheduleYesterdayTRIPLE-A INTERNATIONAL LEAGUERochester 9, Buffalo 2DOUBLE-A EASTERN LEAGUEBowie 5, Reading 4SINGLE-A CAROLINA LEAGUEDanville at FrederickSINGLE-A SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFSCapital City at HagerstownTodayTRIPLE-A INTERNATIONAL LEAGUERochester at Buffalo, 7: 15 p.m.DOUBLE-A EASTERN LEAGUEBowie at Reading, 7: 05 p.m.SINGLE-A CAROLINA LEAGUEDanville at Frederick, 6: 35 p.m.SINGLE-A SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFSCapital City at...

BASEBALL American League * Orioles -- Signed Mark Smith (outfielder) and assigned him to Bluefield of the Appalachian League.* Milwaukee Brewers -- Activated Darren Holmes (pitcher) from the 15-day disabled list. Designated Mark Knudson (pitcher) for reassignment.* Texas Rangers -- Signed Nolan Ryan (pitcher) to option year contracts for 1992 and 1993.National League * Atlanta Braves -- Optioned Pete Smith (pitcher) to Richmond of the International League. Called up Keith Mitchell (outfielder)

AUTO RACINGAuto Racing* CART -- Named John Chuhran director of media relations.BASEBALLAmerican League* BOSTON RED SOX -- Placed John Marzano, catcher, on the 15-day disabled list. Purchased the contract of John Flaherty, catcher, from Pawtucket of the International League.* MILWAUKEE BREWERS -- Placed Bill Spiers, shortstop, on the 15-day disabled list. Recalled Pat Listach, infielder, from Denver of the American Association. NEW YORK YANKEES -- Placed Mike Gallego, infielder, on the 15-day disabled list.

Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia, who could have opted out of his minor league deal with the Orioles after his fifth start of the season Sunday, has told the organization he will stay until at least May 14. “Freddy is a qualified major leaguer and hopefully we can find a spot for him,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. Pitching for Triple-A Norfolk, the 36-year-old Garcia leads the International League in wins (four) and innings pitched (33 2/3). Garcia, who is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA with 21 strikeouts and two walks on the season, was just named the International League pitcher of the week Monday after going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in a pair of eight inning starts this past week.

At a very interesting time in his minor league deal with the Orioles, veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia has been named International League pitcher of the week. The 36-year-old Garcia was 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA this past week in two starts with Triple-A Norfolk. In 16 innings, he allowed just four runs - three earned - and struck out nine with no walks. On the season, Garcia is leading the International League in wins with a 4-0 record. He has a 2.67 ERA in five starts with 21 strikeouts and two walks over a league-leading 33 2/3 innings.

The Orioles didn't have to make any extra travel plans for their top minor-league award winners for the first time in 20-plus years. On Tuesday, as part of minor league appreciation night, the organization honored current Oriole right-hander Dylan Bundy (Jim Palmer Prize) and outfielder L.J. Hoes (Brooks Robinson Award) during a pre-game ceremony at Camden Yards. Only two other times in the club's history have both of its top minor league award winners been with the Orioles in September: Anthony Telford and Leo Gomez in 1990 and Mike Mussina and Chito Martinez in 1991.

Sept. 10, 2000: Down by 17 points, the Ravens storm back to defeat visiting Jacksonville, 39-36 - their first victory over the Jaguars in the team's five-year history. Tony Banks' 29-yard touchdown pass to Shannon Sharpe in the final minute gives Baltimore its second straight victory. Sept. 11, 1976 : Twelfth-ranked Maryland rolls over Richmond, 31-7, in its football opener - the first of 11 straight victories for the Cotton Bowl-bound Terps . Led by quarterback Mark Manges and tailback Steve Atkins, Maryland's offense gains 421 yards.

Chris Tillman made his minor league transitional start Monday at Double-A Bowie in between the two-hit gem against Seattle that he threw Wednesday and his next Orioles outing Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. It didn't go so well. Facing the Akron Aeros of the Eastern League, the Cleveland Indians' affiliate, Tillman lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits, two walks and a wild pitch. He struck out two batters and threw a far-from-economic 72 pitches (40 for strikes)

Lefty Brian Matusz , who was demoted to Triple-A in June after a rough stretch in the majors, threw his best game for Norfolk on Thursday — a shutout against one of the best teams in the International League. What that performance means for his future return to Baltimore, though, is not certain. It's possible Matusz, who was penciled in as the club's No. 2 starter this spring before an intercostal muscle strain landed him on the disabled list, could be back soon — perhaps during the Orioles' upcoming 10-game road trip.

Delmarva Shorebirds shortstop Matt Tucker said he doesn't come to the ballpark every day thinking about his batting average or any other statistics. "I'm here to make it to the major leagues," the Aurora, Colo., native said Friday afternoon from Lexington, Ky., where he was waiting to play the Legends. "That's what we're all here for." Tucker, 24, said the Single-A Shorebirds' emphasis is on winning and not "whether I hit .300 or .250." Tucker leads the Shorebirds this season with a .309 batting average in 28 games.

While this year's top draft pick, catcher Matt Wieters, continues to work out with the Aberdeen IronBirds before playing in Hawaii later this month, the Orioles' first selection in 2006 is concluding a season that started late but had decent results. Third baseman Bill Rowell was batting .273 in 89 games at Single-A Delmarva before yesterday, with 21 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 56 RBIs and a .422 slugging percentage. He hit safely in five of seven games. Rowell was trying to make up for lost time after a strained oblique muscle kept him at extended spring training.