As the Orioles look to snap a 17-game road losing streak tonight at Cleveland, they send lefty Keegan Akin (0-1, 4.13 ERA) to the mound. Akin has a scoreless start earlier this year against Cleveland and tonight will make his fourth start of the 2021 season. Akin allowed three runs and five hits over four innings in his last start against Tampa Bay. He gave up one run over 9 2/3 innings his two previous starts this season. In three starts on the year, he is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA with six walks...

The deliberate process of getting outfielder Heston Kjerstad built up physically and able to begin playing in games has been shelved again due to a medical issue. The same condition that kept him inactive following the 2020 draft. Kjerstad, the second-overall pick out of the University of Arkansas, was diagnosed with myocarditis last summer and couldn't participate in spring training earlier this year. He reported to the alternate camp site in Bowie and moved his baseball activities and...

As the Orioles' latest losing streak has reached six games in a row overall and 17 straight on the road, trying to stay upbeat and keep a good energy level is a challenge. They are humans inside those uniforms, and mounting losses frustrate them just as they do fans. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has reminded reporters all year that the Orioles clubhouse has remained upbeat in part because of some veteran leaders and a coaching staff that stays upbeat every day. That can't be easy. "It's...

The Nationals placed Starlin Castro on the restricted list today so the veteran third baseman can attend to "some family matters that he needs to attend to," according to manager Davey Martinez. Castro informed the club of the matter prior to Tuesday night's game and wasn't in the starting lineup for only the second time this season. He left the ballpark prior to first pitch against the Pirates. Though he didn't offer any other specifics about Castro's situation, Martinez stressed that...

Freddy Galvis is batting third tonight in Cleveland as the Orioles try to end their 17-game road losing streak. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter and Austin Hays is in right field again. DJ Stewart gets another start in left. Anthony Santander takes a turn on the bench. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Stevie Wilkerson committed two errors last night. Cedric Mullins is batting .452/.531/.786 this month with three doubles, a triple and three home runs. His 80 hits this season are tied...

There are reasons to keep deflecting attention from the 2021 season and imagining how the Orioles could look further down the road. Because of the struggles that are surfacing again this summer and the promise of better times ahead with the farm system in much better shape. Perhaps at a level that hasn't been achieved since players with no reason to stay in the minors returned in bunches to Triple-A Rochester and waited their turns, forcing the front office into making trades in order to...

The Nationals are seeking a three-game sweep of the Pirates this afternoon, which is good news. This isn't a position they've been in often this season, so a chance at a series sweep and a four-game winning streak should not be taken lightly. There is, however, not-so-great news before we get to today's game: Starlin Castro has been placed on the restricted list. What does that mean? It can mean a lot of things, but essentially it signifies an excused absence for a player, with the team...

The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Luis García from Triple-A Rochester and placed infielder Starlin Castro on the Restricted List on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. García, 21, batted .319/ .396/ .553 in 11 games in the month of June, prior to his promotion. He was named Triple-A East Player of the Week on June 7. García went 11-for-27 (.407) with a double, three home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs in...

BOWIE - The Double-A Bowie Baysox have had such a good season that the first three times they were held to two runs this year, they won by a 2-1 score. But last night, they lost 3-2 to the Akron RubberDucks to open a six-game series and spoil the home debut of their top pitching prospect, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. Bowie began the night with the best record in all of the minors, but is now 25-10 (.714). That ranks third now, behind low Single-A Tampa (27-10, .730), a Yankees affiliate, and...

As Matt Harvey's ERA rose and patience with his failed starts withered away, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde kept defending the veteran by pointing out mistakes committed in the field and run support that lacked. Harvey wasn't nearly as generous after his most recent game, crushing himself like cocktail ice after a loss to the Mets. Hyde, meanwhile, leaned on the dugout railing tonight, watched an unearned run score in the first inning and hated to be proven right. Hyde saw a missed cutoff in...