--RF Nick Markakis attributes his hot start to a relaxed approach. In an interview with baltimoresun.com, Markakis, 25, explained his winter -- which included a marriage, a six-year, $66 million contract and the birth of his son -- has put him at ease. Through eight games, Markakis is batting .344 with one home run, nine RBIs and 11 runs.
--CF Adam Jones recorded his first outfield assist of the season, cutting down Rangers 3B Michael Young at home plate. Jones could lead the club in outfield assists in 2009, as opponents are unlikely to test the arm of RF Nick Markakis, who led the majors in outfield assists last season. BY THE NUMBERS: 13 -- American League teams that employed Japanese-born players before the Orioles. RHP Koji Uehara enabled the Orioles to join the rest of the junior circuit, while the Reds, Marlins and Diamondbacks have never had a Japanese-born player on their big-league rosters.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "What I like is all three have the ability to do a variety of things. They can work the count -- and that's something (Adam Jones) is getting better at -- they can walk and they can use the other side of the field." -- Orioles manager Dave Trembley on his top third of the lineup: Brian Roberts, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.
