He smashed a 411-foot homer in the first inning, drove in a career-high five runs and got robbed of a second homer last night. But when asked today which meant more to him, catching a shutout or having the big night at the plate, Chance Sisco quickly answered. "The shutout," he said. "I believe it was the first shutout I've caught in the big leagues and that was definitely fun. Every inning Cuz (coach Tim Cossins, catching instructor) just kept reminding me to keep the foot on the gas pedal...

The Orioles are set with two of their starters for next week's series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. However, they haven't committed to anyone for Monday's opener and are mulling a variety of possibilities. "Not ready to announce," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We just have some gaps to fill and we'll do that here shortly." Asked whether the choice could come from the minors, Hyde replied, "We're looking at the whole organization to see what we're going to do. We're not sure as...

Chance Sisco and Anthony Santander combined for nine RBIs last night and they're back in the lineup this afternoon against the Indians. Sisco is catching and batting fifth and Santander is in right field, with Trey Mancini replacing Chris Davis at first base. Sisco is 7-for-16 with two home runs in four home games. Santander is 14-for-35 in nine home games. Hanser Alberto is 11-for-28 during a six-game hitting streak. He's batting .359 (33-for-92) in 22 games this month and .362 (21-for-58)...

DETROIT - The Nationals look to go two games above .500 for the first time this season with a win Saturday in the second game of their series versus the Tigers at Comerica Park. Juan Soto continues to do Juan Soto things. His solo homer led off the second inning and set the tone for the Nationals 3-1 win over Detroit Friday night. Aníbal Sánchez tossed six innings allowing one run for his fourth win. "For me it's really important because we set the tone right away and the pitcher too,"...

It must be pretty exciting for the organization that the two Orioles pitching prospects to make the All-Star Futures Game are among the youngest players on either the American League or National League rosters. The rosters for the game on July 7 in Cleveland were announced Friday. Single-A Delmarva right-hander Grayson Rodriguez makes the roster at age 19 and Single-A Frederick lefty DL Hall joins him on the AL roster at 20. There are six players among the 50 players on both rosters that are 19...

DETROIT - The Nationals sent outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Double-A Harrisburg to make room for the return of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Taylor was batting .211 in 76 at-bats this season with no homers and two RBIs. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he wants Taylor to play every day and get continous at-bats while with the Senators. "I've always said he's one of the best center fielders in the game," Martinez said. "He can steal bases, he can do a lot of things, and it was hard...

DETROIT - A pair of former Tigers World Series pitchers came up big for the Nationals in Friday's series opener. Right-hander Aníbal Sánchez, who pitched for Detroit in the 2012 World Series, returned to his old stomping grounds and dodged trouble for six innings, while Juan Soto demonstrated his power, guiding the Nationals to the 3-1 victory over the Tigers at Comerica Park. The Nationals are now 41-40, moving above .500 for the first time since April 18. Newly signed reliever Fernando...

The return of Orioles rookie left-hander John Means makes life a lot easier for manager Brandon Hyde, who has four-fifths of his rotation in place. It's far from perfect, but the situation doesn't seem as dire. The off-days on Monday and Thursday allow Hyde to tweak the rotation if he chooses, but he hasn't figured out what to do. Andrew Cashner gets the ball this afternoon and Gabriel Ynoa closes the series, but Monday night's starter against the Rays at Tropicana Field is to be...

The Orioles began play tonight with a record of 4-19 in June. They had lost 13 of the last 14 and 17 of 20. Cleveland began play with a June record of 16-7 - best in the American League. The O's offense has been slow enough recently to the point the club scored three runs or less nine times in the last 13 games and 17 times in the past 26. So the Orioles naturally scored four runs in the first and second innings tonight to lead 8-0 after two. They beat Cleveland 13-0 to improve to 23-58 at the...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde hasn't memorized the standings. He isn't loyal to them. They aren't part of his daily reading. The Orioles are halfway through their schedule following tonight's 13-0 romp over the Indians at Camden Yards that raised their record to 23-58. They had the same amount of wins and losses at this point in 2018. Hyde will take your word for it. "I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what our record is," he said before Chance Sisco and Anthony Santander homered...