Garrett Olson took the win to go to 3-0 on the year in his shakiest outing yet.  The youngster gave up nine hits in only five innings and earned all three runs.

Olson had thrown only 70 pitches when Trembley replaced him with the lead noticing Olson's less than top form.

The bullpen shut down the Nationals highlighted by a three strikeout eighth by the new go-to, Jim Johnson, setting up Sherrill for his 16th save.

Crowd favorite Luke Scott went yard for the second time this homestand and third time on the year.

The turning point came though in the bottom of the fifth scoring runs on a Mora (who did make the start despite a sore shoulder) double to drive in Brian Roberts followed by a Millar single to score Huff.

Millar ended the rally prematurely by running through first and on to second only to be thrown out by the catcher after Huff scored. This is the second time recently Millar has given away an out on the same situation.

Millar then blew a must-get RBI in the bottom of the eighth with a man on third and one out. It did not hurt Friday night but those are mistakes the Orioles can't afford over the season - least of all from veterans.

The Birds keep their momentum going into game two Saturday as Brian Burres (3-4) goes against 11-season vet Odalis Perez (1-3)at 7:05.

(Friday's Box Score)

(Photo: AP)

What better way to greet the regional rivals at home than hot off a dramatic two-game sweep of the Red Sox. 

The three game weekend series gets started Friday night at 7:05 with hot handed Garrett Olson (2-0) taking on the rebounding righty Shawn Hill (0-0).

The Nats come in as the NL East cellar dwellers 18-24, a full three games behind the Braves in a much-hyped and underperforming division. 

That Nationals advertising team made quite an entrance via the inner harbor with mascot and founding father in tow.  Give them credit; the Orioles should get that creative.

There’s been no update from the warehouse just yet on the status of Melvin Mora’s shoulder or if he’ll be available this weekend.  It’s a safe bet that Ramon Hernandez won’t make an appearance as last word on his wrist was he physically couldn’t swing a bat on Thursday.

I like the looks of Aubrey Huff at third so I’m not too worried about the Mora situation, but with a Sunday day game after a night game on Saturday, it could be a stretch for Quiroz to catch all three. 

After taking two against the Sox and winning five of their last six, the Orioles have climbed back up into the thick of the AL East with a 21-19 record.  This puts the Birds ahead of the slumping Jays and Yanks, two and a half games behind the first place Rays and one and a half from the Sox.

Speaking of slumping Yanks, with their loss to the Rays Thursday night the Bronx Bummers are now pulling up the rear in the East. 

Brian Cashman appears to be on the hot seat in New York while the promising young rookies he opted to hang onto instead of trading for Johan Santana are struggling mightily between triple-A and the DL. 

Meanwhile, Santana with his 3.10 ERA and 52Ks in 52 innings is taking the mound for the cross-town Mets against said Yankees Friday night at Yankee Stadium.  It’s a crime that this game won’t be broadcast nationally, but anyone with the MLB Package should check it out between Orioles innings.

The weather outlook is looking worse in NYC than it is here in Baltimore (should clear up here by game time), but should make for an interesting game whenever it gets played.  Real luck would be for Santana to get scratched Friday night and penciled in for Sunday which is on ESPN, but that’s a long shot.

This will help you get in the mood as Orioles gametime approaches: