PITTSBURGH - What's the biggest reason the Nationals are having so much trouble consistently scoring runs this season? The easy answer, as Davey Martinez has said on more than one occasion, to blame the club's struggles with runners in scoring position. "It's more collectively," the manager said after Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Pirates. "Individually, the guys hit the ball here and there. But it's more like our situational hitting. Runners on second base. Sometimes you've just got to...

To gain a more complete understanding of the improvement in reliever Zach Britton's sinker, count the bruises on catcher Caleb Joseph. I didn't do it - we're friendly, but the relationship has its limits - but he wore a few more Tuesday night after knocking down multiple pitches in the dirt in the ninth inning to keep the game tied and set up Jonathan Schoop for the walk-off single. Britton at his best, like during the 2016 season, is a tremendous challenge for the guy squatting behind the...

For Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy tonight, it came down to a five-run third inning that beat him. There was a double play chance not taken and a long plate appearance won big-time by the batter. It conspired against him as the New York Yankees beat the Orioles 9-0 at Oriole Park to split a four-game series. The Orioles' bats could do very little with New York right-hander Sonny Gray. He entered with a 5.85 ERA and had allowed 13 hits and 11 runs over 4 1/3 innings in his past two starts. In...

Dylan Bundy can't seem to regain his footing after a hamstring injury. Bundy served up Greg Bird's grand slam tonight in a five-run third inning, his pitch count soaring to 78, and the Orioles settled for a split of their four-game series with a 9-0 loss to the Yankees before an announced crowd of 17,808 at Camden Yards. The Orioles were shut out for the ninth time while falling to 26-67 overall 14-31 at home. They've been held to one run or fewer in 25 games. In two starts since coming off...

After a walk-off win last night, the Orioles need a victory tonight to take three of four in a series against the New York Yankees for the second time in 2018. They won three of four at New York April 5-8. The Orioles are 5-4 versus the Yankees for the season and 3-2 at Camden Yards. Last night produced the Orioles' second walk-off win of the season and first since opening day. And it was New York's second walk-off loss. A case could be made that the Orioles are the difference right now at...

The Orioles' lineup has taken on many forms in the first half, and tonight it doesn't include Trey Mancini, who's 2-for-25 this month to lower his season average to .220 with a .657 OPS. It's a startling drop for a player who finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting in the American League last season after batting .293/.338/.488 with 26 doubles, four triples, 24 home runs and 78 RBIs in 147 games. A player with a career .306/.357/.472 slash line in four minor league seasons. "Trey's...

Andrew Cashner is making his second stop on the disabled list this season. The Orioles placed Cashner on the 10-day DL today with a strained muscle in his neck and recalled right-hander Yefry Ramírez from Triple-A Norfolk. Ramirez is eligible to return because he's replacing an injured player. Cashner worked 6 1/3 innings last night, his second-longest outing of the season, but he received a trigger point injection in his neck today to quiet the spams that crop up periodically. Manager Buck...

Orioles lefty reliever Donnie Hart didn't know the answer when a reporter asked him today how many times he's been on the Orioles roster this year. Yesterday he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk for the seventh time. And even though he has been on the O's roster that many times, the length of the stay has often been very short. Here is the rundown, with the first day each time being the day he was recalled and the second being the day he was sent back to the minors: April 13-15 May 13-20...

Andrew Cashner is receiving a trigger point injection in his neck this afternoon due to spasms, a procedure he's undergone in the past around the All-Star break. The latest one puts Sunday's start in jeopardy. Cashner could go on the disabled list and return immediately after the break. The Orioles' options for Sunday's starter include Yefry Ramírez, who would be eligible to return if replacing an injured player, and Jimmy Yacabonis, who can return at any time because he was the 26th man...

The Orioles and OriolesREACH have again partnered with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the ninth annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, July 15. Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and his wife, Jill will serve as race ambassadors for the third straight year. The 3.1 mile run/one mile walk starts at 8 a.m., beginning at Oriole Park, and ends on the field. Participants will enjoy a pre-race warm up with the Oriole Bird, music, and other entertainment, as well...