It might sound a bit strange to praise the Orioles defense tonight, on a night they hit four homers, got fine starting pitching and won 9-1 over the Chicago White Sox. But coming off last night's 12-2 loss, there were several big plays early on by the Orioles defense that helped keep Chicago off the board and build some momentum for starting pitcher Andrew Cashner. Two plays in the first two innings saved three runs and kept the game 0-0 in the first two innings before the O's homer barrage...

Brandon Hyde can live with the losses because he has no choice and understands they're part of the rebuilding process. He knows the deal. They're a necessary evil. It's sloppy play in the field and on the basepaths that can irk the Orioles manager and test his patience, with last night's ugly loss to the White Sox a prime example. Hyde keeps pushing for improvements, looking for the incremental steps that lead to better days. Within the first three innings tonight, he saw Rule 5 shortstop...

DENVER - Though he's out of the Nationals lineup for the third straight day, Anthony Rendon is showing signs of progress in his recovery from a bruised left elbow. Rendon, who was struck by a pitch Saturday night in Miami, was able to take swings in the batting tunnel today at Coors Field and the results were encouraging. "He swung today, so he feels pretty good," manager Davey Martinez said. "He's still a little tight in there, but he got some swings in and we'll see where he's during...

DENVER - Max Scherzer believes he'll be good to make his next scheduled start as planned Friday night. But even if he isn't, the Nationals ace is grateful he's only dealing with a mild ribcage strain after dodging a foul ball Sunday in Miami that could have caused far more damage had it struck him. "First of all, you've got to understand: This is best-case scenario," Scherzer said this afternoon. "That ball was hit over 100 mph, right at my head. I'm just lucky I still have one blue...

After losing four games over the last three days, the Orioles look for their first win on this homestand tonight. The Orioles (8-16) host the Chicago White Sox (9-12) in the second game of a three-game series. O's pitching has an ERA of 8.50 during the 0-4 homestand versus the Twins and White Sox. The Birds are 1-10 at home with seven consecutive losses. Last night they allowed 12 or more runs for the third time in a series-opening 12-2 loss at Camden Yards. With their win Monday, the White...

Alex Cobb hasn't been told exactly where he's slotted in the Orioles rotation following Thursday's off-day. He expects to pitch in Minnesota over the weekend and could take the mound for Friday night's series opener. The uncertainty is beginning to feel like the norm and Cobb would prefer to ditch it. He craves a routine that's been difficult to find, first because of the late signing last spring and a couple of interruptions due to blisters/cuts on his right middle and index fingers,...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said his bullpen should be fine tonight. The club didn't make a roster move prior to first pitch. He said it without fingers crossed. At least not visibly. "With that being said, would love to have Cash (Andrew Cashner) go deep in the game," Hyde said. "We should be OK, but looking for Cash to give us some innings and pitch like he's been pitching. Love to see him go deep." Miguel Castro won't be available tonight after throwing 45 pitches last night in...

Young shortstop Richie Martin is one example of what this season is about for the Orioles. They are taking a look at a young player with some skills as they try to find their way when thrown into the deep end in the major leagues for the first time. In the case of the 24-year-old Martin, it is as a Rule 5 pick from December. Not only is this his first time in the majors, but the 2015 Oakland Athletics first-round draft pick has never even played at the Triple-A level. In 60 plate appearances,...

DENVER - What a difference a day makes. It's currently 20 degrees warmer at Coors Field than it was for last night's series opener, and there isn't a cloud in the sky, either. Now the Nationals have to hope the result on the field differs from last night as well. After dropping that game 7-5 - their seventh loss in eight series openers so far this season - the Nats face another uphill climb and will need to win the next two games to return home with a series victory and a .500 record. And...

Dwight Smith Jr. is back in left field tonight for the Orioles after sitting out last night's game with a sore right quadriceps muscle. Joey Rickard remains in center field, Chris Davis is back at first base and Richie Martin is the shortstop. Trey Mancini has hit safely in 12 of 14 career games against the White Sox and is 20-for-54 (.370). He's in right field again tonight. Jonathan Villar is a career .385 hitter (20-for-52) against the White Sox. Andrew Cashner owns a 4.34 ERA and 2.089...