Ramos' homer, Desmond solo shot get Nats within 6-4

Ramos' homer, Desmond solo shot get Nats within 6-4
The Nationals are no longer searching for their first hit of the afternoon against Boston right-hander Clay Buchholz. Nor are they staring at a scoreboard full of goose eggs. Adam LaRoche's leadoff single in the fifth, a sharp grounder down the right field line, ended a string of 12 straight hitters retired by Buchholz to start the game. After Jayson Werth struck out, LaRoche moved to second on an infield single by Mark DeRosa. A fielder's choice grounder by Xavier Nady erased DeRosa at...

Jackson cruises through three, runs into trouble in fourth (updated)

Jackson cruises through three, runs into trouble in fourth (updated)
After three spotless innings of three-up, three-down baseball, Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson has run into some trouble in the fourth. Leading off the fourth, Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury worked the count full, then laced a clean single to left, the first hit for either team in a crisply played game. Dustin Pedroia followed with a line drive to left that went for a run-scoring double and a 1-0 Red Sox lead. Adrian Gonzalez flew out to left, with Pedroia successfully testing left fielder...

Today's Red Sox-Nationals lineups

Today's Red Sox-Nationals lineups
The Nationals have just finished batting practice, fans are starting to stream into Nationals Park and the last exhibition game of the spring will start at 3:05 p.m. Remember, today's game is going to be televised live on MASN/MASN HD, so you can tune in and get a look at the Nats in their last game before Thursday's opener in Chicago against the Cubs. Here are today's lineups. For the Red Sox: CF - Jacoby Ellsbury 2B - Dustin Pedroia 1B - Adrian Gonzalez DH - David Ortiz 3B - Kevin...

For Strasburg, a memorable first major league opener in store

For Strasburg, a memorable first major league opener in store
It's hard to believe, but Stephen Strasburg's opening day start in Chicago on Thursday will be his first opener as a major leaguer. Imagine the butterflies accompanying most players on their first opener - and then factor in the emotionally charged intensity that accompanies the right-hander on a typical start and you have to wonder whether Strasburg will be battling himself. Remember, Strasburg's first minor league start in his rookie season was on April 11, 2010, when he pitched for the...

Sutcliffe-Hoiles battery returns for 20th anniversary of Camden Yards

Sutcliffe-Hoiles battery returns for 20th anniversary of Camden Yards
When the Orioles open the 2012 season Friday against the Twins - and begin a season-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards - they'll turn back the clock to 1992 for the ceremonial first pitch. Rick Sutcliffe and Chris Hoiles, who were the pitcher and catcher during the ballpark's debut two decades ago, will reprise their role as battery mates for Friday's festivities. Sutcliffe, you'll remember, threw a five-hit shutout against the Indians on April 6, 1992 in the first...

Flashback: Spring training, Thomasville, Ga., and the "Oriole Way"

Flashback: Spring training, Thomasville, Ga., and the "Oriole Way"
One of the major benefits to the Orioles' move to Sarasota, Fla., from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., three years ago was the shortening of the distance between the club's major and minor league spring facilities. Even though the O's big league camp had been at Fort Lauderdale Stadium from 1996-2009, the minor leaguers remained at least a three-hour drive away at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, making it difficult to get pitchers extra innings against farmhands or for a major league manager to easily...

Mussina, Dauer, Youse joining Orioles Hall of Fame

Mussina, Dauer, Youse joining Orioles Hall of Fame
Former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame, the team announced today. Former O's second baseman Rich Dauer will also be enshrined as a selection of the Veteran's Committee, and longtime Orioles scout Walter Youse will be inducted posthumously as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Mussina spent the first 10 of his 18 major league seasons with the Orioles from 1991-2000, going 147-81 with a 3.53 ERA in 288 starts. He ranks among the club's all-time...

Orioles trim camp roster by eight players

Orioles trim camp roster by eight players
The Orioles today announced eight spring training roster cuts, bringing their spring roster to 35 players. The Orioles optioned infielder Matt Antonelli and right-handers Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk. Outfielder Scott Beerer, catcher John Hester, infielder Steve Tolleson, right-hander Armando Galarraga and left-hander Dontrelle Willis have been reassigned to minor league camp. Additionally, left-hander Zach Britton (left shoulder impingement) and second baseman Brian...

A peek at the renovations to be unveiled at Camden Yards

A peek at the renovations to be unveiled at Camden Yards
Opening day is like Christmas morning and New Year's Day rolled into one for baseball fans, filled with eager anticipation and a feeling of renewal. When fans stream into Camden Yards on April 6 for the season opener against the Minnesota Twins, they'll also get to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking ballpark and check out some new additions, the product of an offseason's worth of busy construction activity. This morning, the Orioles released the first artist's rendering...

Orioles unveil rendering showcasing Camden Yards renovations

Orioles unveil rendering showcasing Camden Yards renovations
Today, the Orioles unveiled the first rendering showcasing the improvements taking place at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for 2012. The renovations, which are part of a multi-year plan, represent the club's continued commitment to honor the proud history of the franchise, improve the design aesthetic and functionality of the park, and enrich the overall fan experience. "This most recent phase of upgrades continues to tell a story about one of the most iconic parks in baseball history," said...

Orioles announce Military Appreciation Day details

Orioles announce Military Appreciation Day details
The Orioles today announced that they will celebrate Military Appreciation Day, presented by Budweiser, this Saturday, March 24 for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. All active, retired or reserve military members, as well as Department of Defense employees, can receive $3 off any lower box, reserved grandstand or left field pavilion ticket at the Ed Smith Stadium box office with proper ID. In addition, the first 2,000 fans age 21 and over...

Lee County votes to pursue Nationals for spring training

Lee County votes to pursue Nationals for spring training
Lee County, Fla., commissioners voted this morning to enter into negotiations with the Nationals that could lead to the club moving from its current spring training facility following the 2013 Grapefruit League season and relocating from Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., to City of Palms Park across the state in Fort Myers. According to the Naples Daily News, the county's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue the Nationals, who would join the American League's Minnesota Twins...

Nationals option Harper, two others to Triple-A Syracuse

Nationals option Harper, two others to Triple-A Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today optioned catcher Jhonatan Solano, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Bryce Harper to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals currently have 37 players in their big league camp.

Guest bloggers to return to MASNsports.com for 2012

Guest bloggers to return to MASNsports.com for 2012
Last season, MASNsports.com expanded its voice and added different viewpoints by welcoming guest bloggers to our site. The rationale was simple: There were so many dedicated fan sites out there that we wanted to give them a platform to share their thoughts, opinions and observations about the Orioles with the rest of Birdland. The initiative got rave reviews, in cyberspace and beyond. We must have hit on something, because our guest blogger program was quickly mimicked - by our competitors in...

MASNsports.com's Kubatko on panel at April 11 Sports Legends media roundtable

MASNsports.com's Kubatko on panel at April 11 Sports Legends media roundtable
Think of the things that each year signal the arrival of spring - the first sighting of a robin, the jingling of the Good Humor truck's bells, the long line at the post office to drop off income taxes by the April 15 (or this year, April 16) deadline. Yes, there are certain, undeniable signs that spring has arrived in Charm City. Another comes Wednesday, April 11, from noon-1:30 p.m., when members of Baltimore's baseball media convene at Sports Legends Museum for their annual roundtable and...

Tonight's lineup plus Harper note

Tonight's lineup plus Harper note
VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' lineup has been posted for tonight's game against the Tigers, a game which can be seen live on MASN starting at 6 p.m. As you'll notice, the lineup tonight has a heavy regular season flavor to it. SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman DH Michael Morse 1B Mark DeRosa RF Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos CF Brett Carroll LF Jason Michaels P Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson will be on the bump for the Nationals tonight, marking his third start of spring....

Johnson on Clippard's role, DeRosa's influence, Harper's injury and more

Johnson on Clippard's role, DeRosa's influence, Harper's injury and more
Tyler Clippard will continue to be one of the most important parts of the Nationals' bullpen. But manager Davey Johnson wants to make one alteration to the right-hander's job description heading into 2012. "I don't envision him coming into ballgames before the seventh inning," Johnson told reporters in Viera, Fla., this morning before the Nationals hosted a Cardinals split squad. "Last year, I think he had a lot of appearances prior to me getting here early on where there was a fire that...

O's trim roster by eight

O's trim roster by eight
The Orioles today announced eight spring training roster cuts, bringing their spring roster to 49 players. The Orioles optioned infielders Ryan Adams and Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk. Right-hander Dylan Bundy has been optioned to Single-A Delmarva. Outfielders Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes, catchers Michael Ohlman and Brian Ward, and right-hander Steve Johnson have been reassigned to minor league camp.

Gonzalez's start that wasn't was pretty impressive

Gonzalez's start that wasn't was pretty impressive
Officially, Gio Gonzalez's four-inning stint against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon doesn't exist. It was washed away, just like the game itself, after four innings. What happened before, however, left both Gonzalez and Nationals manager Davey Johnson quite pleased. Gonzalez allowed two singles, fanned a pair and had a 1-0 lead when rains swept through Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., before the top of the fifth. As the Nationals packed up to head back to Viera, Fla., Gonzalez told...

Nats-Cardinals washed out after fourth inning

Nats-Cardinals washed out after fourth inning
Today's Nationals-Cardinals game in Jupiter, Fla., has been canceled after a rain delay. The Nats were leading 1-0 after the fourth inning when play was halted. Lefty Gio Gonzalez went four innings for the Nationals in his second spring start. He allowed two hits and struck out two. The Nationals scored in the third inning when Brett Carroll hit a leadoff single off St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook, went to third on a one-out single by Andres Blanco and then came home on Roger Bernadina's...