The Nationals' formula for success recently has been solid starting pitching, coupled with a power-hitting lineup and a bullpen that has bent but not broke. On Friday night, the Nats bounced back from being shut out in the series opener, dropping the Diamondbacks 7-3. The win snapped a two-game skid. The Nationals have won 13 of 19 games. The formula for that success begins with a heavy dose of right-hander Max Scherzer. The ace tossed seven innings Friday night, allowing two solo homers on...

Orioles pitchers have allowed 22 runs over the last three nights. In the fifth and sixth innings. That is about all you need to know about the pitching since Wednesday night. Boston hammered three homers tonight in the fifth inning and six over the first five frames in crushing the Orioles 13-2 to start a three-game series at Oriole Park. The Orioles fall to 21-48 overall and to 9-26 at home. They've allowed 33 runs these past three games after giving up just 17 the previous six games. The...

Luis Ortiz was given orders to attack. Don't nibble or the Red Sox will devour you. Work quickly, throw strikes, stay aggressive. A high pitch count and short outing would be frowned upon on a club scrambling late last night to find a starter and freshen up the bullpen. Do anything to avoid it. Pitching coach Doug Brocail visited Ortiz by the third inning, which included a bases-loaded jam and prolonged at-bat by Brock Holt, who homered earlier in the game. Holt struck out looking at a slider...

After losing the last night two nights to Toronto, the Orioles' homestand continues tonight. They host the Boston Red Sox in the start of a three-game series. O's pitchers allowed just 17 runs in six games through Tuesday's game and then gave up 20 runs the past two games. During the six-game run, their starters had an ERA of 2.83 and that has been 7.00 the past two nights. The O's bullpen has allowed 13 earned runs over nine innings the last two games. At 21-47, the Orioles have lost six...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said first baseman Matt Adams was good to go Thursday, but the Nats opted to give him some more rest. The veteran slugger is not in the starting lineup tonight mainly because the Diamondbacks are pitching the left-hander Robbie Ray. Howie Kendrick is playing first base tonight. "Yeah, he felt good," Martinez said of Adams. "At that point, just kind of wanted to give him a day. But he swung the bat well, so definitely available." First baseman Ryan Zimmerman...

Mark Trumbo is trying to stay optimistic that he's going to play for the Orioles in 2019. That his major league career won't end after September knee surgery. He might know more about his future in the next few weeks. Trumbo received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the right knee yesterday and has been shut down again after eight rehab games. He's left Triple-A Norfolk and slipped into a wait-and-see mode, hopeful that he can begin a new assignment and eventually join the Orioles for...

The Orioles' Renato Núñez can smile more easily these days. His bat has heated up again after an extended slump that certainly tested him in several ways. On April 24, Núñez was batting .301 with an OPS of .824. But on May 19, he was batting .211/.632. That was more than just a slump for a series or two. But over 22 games since May 20, Núñez has hit .312 with five doubles, nine homers and 18 RBIs. He has 16 homers for the season, which is tied for 10th in the American League....

The Orioles needed more coverage for their bullpen tonight and recalled left-hander Josh Rogers from Triple-A Norfolk. Reliever Josh Lucas was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Lucas handled the last three innings last night and threw 63 pitches. A fresh arm was necessary following last night's 12-3 loss to the Blue Jays. "Last night hurt us in a lot of ways," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We're obviously really short today, so it was a scramble in the office...

Chris Davis is starting at first base tonight and catcher Pedro Severino is batting cleanup as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Red Sox. Severino is slashing .348/.404/.717 against left-handers and the Red Sox are sending Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound. Renato Núñez moves up to third in the order. Anthony Santander is batting fifth and playing left field. Keon Broxton is in center field and batting eighth ahead of Richie Martin. Luis Ortiz, recalled to make tonight's...

Oriole Park is the place to be this summer as the Orioles host a diverse line-up of music artists ranging from emerging performers to Hall of Fame legends throughout the summer as part of the Birdland Summer Music Series. The series is highlighted by the first-ever major concert at the ballpark, featuring world-renowned artist BILLY JOEL, on Friday, July 26, which not only will bring nearly 40,000 people to downtown Baltimore but also help raise funds for a worthy cause. The Orioles Charitable...