The Orioles had gone 11 straight games without a quality start. They just lost three straight to the New York Yankees and gave up 32 runs in getting swept. They could use a well-pitched game tonight. But could they get one against a surging and division-leading Houston Astros club? One that had won six in a row and nine of 10, and had scored 25 runs the last two games and 54 over its last six? The Orioles did get a well-pitched game from starter Dylan Bundy, but the O's offense was pretty...

The Orioles made it through nine innings tonight without any extracurricular activities in the dugout. Guys leaned on the railing or sat on the bench. They talked. They spit. They bonded. They watched another early deficit materialize and the Orioles lose for the sixth time in eight games since a .500 July. Given the unwanted attention that clung to them since the fifth inning Wednesday night, they were just glad to shift the focus back to the field. Being on the wrong end of the score must...

NEW YORK - April 7 was the last time the Nationals beat the Mets here at Citi Field. May 20-23, the Nats lost all four games. In that series, the Mets never scored more than six runs in a game. After that series, the Nats were 19-31. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he made sure to keep his players upbeat during those trying times. The Nats have rebounded to win 42 games since that sweep. "Even when things were going bad I seem to always have fun," Martinez said. "I got to keep the boys...

Thirty years ago they went from worst to almost first. The 1989 "Why Not?" Orioles are one of the most popular clubs in team history. After starting 1988 with an 0-21 record and finishing with 107 losses, the '89 team went to the final weekend in Toronto playing the Blue Jays and trailing them by one game for the division title. That O's club lost close games Friday and Saturday and were eliminated, going 87-75 to Toronto's 89-73. But a team picked to finish in the cellar thrilled fans...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is ready to move on from Wednesday night's dugout incident. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde feel the exact same way. The matter has been discussed internally, they've met individually with the media and now they want to drop it. Among the important points made today are how Hyde and Davis respect each other and have cleared the air, Davis won't be fined or face any disciplinary measures, leaving before the...

NEW YORK - Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Max Scherzer did not have his bullpen session today but hopes the right-hander will be able to conduct the session Saturday. Martinez said Scherzer instead went through a measured workout prior to tonight's series opener against the Mets. "He's progressing," Martinez said. "He threw again today, light, but if he feels up to it tomorrow, he might throw a bullpen. We'll see how he feels tomorrow." There had been a preliminary plan to have...

The Orioles' Trey Mancini certainly can sense the pulse of his team. He's a clubhouse leader and cares deeply about his teammates and coaches. Orioles fans have come to learn that about Mancini. As the club begins to move past the dugout confrontation Wednesday involving Chris Davis and manager Brandon Hyde, Mancini said the clubhouse remains positive and upbeat this afternoon. Just like it was before Wednesday's game. "Things like that happen," said Mancini. "It's kind of unfortunate...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis met with the media outside the clubhouse today for nine minutes and offered an explanation for Wednesday night's dugout eruption without getting into too much detail. Davis said he reached a "breaking point" over a poor defensive showing and a season that again has been one long struggle. Davis and manager Brandon Hyde met for more than an hour today, their first interaction since Davis came out of Wednesday's game for a pinch-hitter and had to be...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is out of tonight's lineup for the series opener against the Astros at Camden Yards. Trey Mancini is playing first base, Jace Peterson is in left and Anthony Santander is in right. Rio Ruiz is on the bench after the Orioles recalled him today. Hanser Alberto is playing third base and leading off. Jonathan Villar is batting .393 (22-for-56) with three doubles, two triples, four home runs, 10 RBIs, 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases in his last 13 games since...

The Orioles have swapped out a pitcher for a position player to give their short bench a little more length. Third baseman Rio Ruiz has been recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk and will be in uniform for the series opener against the Astros at Camden Yards. He'll find out later whether he's in the lineup against left-hander Wade Miley. Ruiz was optioned to Norfolk on July 24 following the series finale in Arizona. He joined his wife for the birth of their first child and was transferred to...