The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same...

Last night, Brian Burres in his return the the majors after a brief demotion to Norfolk, looked like well, um -- the same Brian Burres.

Meanwhile, his counterpart, Gavin Floyd, well, looked like he belonged in the majors. Floyd, who nearly no-hit the Orioles earlier this year, earned his 14th save and helped Chicago down Baltimore, 8-3, for their second straight win.

The weakness of the squad -- the starting pitching -- showed why it might have to really be overhauled during the off season. After giving up a quick two-run homer to Nick Swisher, Burres' night went downhill from there. The southpaw lasted five innings, and gave up six runs -- five earned -- on ten hits. Randor Bierd pitched three innings of relief and gave up two runs, as the game was pretty much conceded by then.

Nick Markakis and Luke Scott had two hits, and each drove in a run; however, not much could be said for the rest of the team.

In perhaps their roughest stretch this summer, they have only one two games -- including the continuation from Chicago out of eight -- on the home stand in which they had the Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox roll into town...