In a season that has been extremely tough on their fan base, the Orioles made a move yesterday that avoided what would have been another gut punch. Within 90 minutes of the deadline to sign 2018 draft picks, the Orioles reached an agreement with University of Arkansas right-handed pitcher Blaine Knight. During such a miserable season, letting one of the top college pitchers get away would have further riled up an already riled-up fan base. And it would have been a big mistake. The Orioles need...

Mark Reynolds raced out of the blocks when he joined the Nationals, hitting four homers in his first six games with the team. He ended up with six homers in May, his first month with the club. His next homer didn't arrive until June 29 at Philadelphia. Then came the walk-off thriller Reynolds produced as a pinch-hitter last night. Nats manager Davey Martinez said Reynolds made an adjustment last week in the series against the Phillies that has started to pay dividends. "He's actually been...

MINNESOTA - The next step in Chris Tillman's injury rehab assignment takes him down to the Carolina League, his fourth level of the minors, while the Orioles figure out exactly what to do with him. There doesn't appear, at least on the surface, to be a clear plan with Tillman beyond deciding the location of his starts. He's pitched for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, low Single-A Delmarva and Triple-A Norfolk. The Single-A Frederick Keys get a turn Tuesday night because they're home. It's...

The biggest comeback of the season in the opener of a four-game series to snap a five-game skid? Check. A nail-biting low-scoring affair culminating in a dramatic walk-off win in the second game? Check. Suddenly, the Nationals have a different kind of streak going, and they have been via a pair of thrillers. Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds crushed a walk-off solo homer over the left field wall to lift the Nats a 3-2 win over the Marlins before 32,652 at Nats Park. It was their second win a row,...

MINNESOTA - Put the first inning of tonight's game in a time capsule for future generations to study. For them to gain a better understanding of how a season can unravel so easily like a ball of yarn. How breaks keep eluding teams that are unable to create their own good fortune and anything that can go wrong is bound to happen. Tim Beckham wallops the first pitch from Twins starter Lance Lynn and center fielder Jake Cave makes a leaping catch at the fence to rob him of a home run. Beckham...

MINNESOTA - David Hess will make his next start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday afternoon in Durham, the turn that belonged to Jimmy Yacabonis before today's roster maneuvering. With Yacabonis no longer scheduled to take the mound, the Orioles have made him an option to join the club for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He could be the 26th player. Hess was optioned today while Dylan Bundy came off the disabled list. "David's going to start Sunday, get the ball back...

Sporting a beard and longer hair, right-hander Joe Ross returned to Nats Park to throw a bullpen session and then a 25-pitch simulated game to live hitters. Manager Davey Martinez said he was "tickled" at how good Ross looked, and that the slider looked strong. Martinez believes the Nationals could get Ross back on the mound before the season is completed. "What I've seen today, he looked really good," Martinez said. "Who knows what will happen down the road, but if he continues to...

MINNESOTA - Of all the lessons that were thrust upon rookie pitcher David Hess this season, perhaps the clearest and most valuable to him was the idea that he deserved his spot on the 25-man roster and in the rotation, no matter how fleeting. The Orioles optioned Hess this afternoon to Triple-A Norfolk to create room for starter Dylan Bundy, who came off the disabled list to make tonight's start against the Twins. Hess got back in his street clothes and said his goodbyes before heading out the...

Manager Davey Martinez had positive updates on Nationals right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross, saying they did "very well" during their simulated games at Nats Park on Friday. Strasburg and Ross faced live hitters during early pregame drills before tonight's game against the Marlins. Ross threw 25 pitches, his first chance to face live hitters as he recovers from Tommy John surgery performed last July. Martinez monitored both simulated games from right behind the batting cage,...

MINNESOTA - Joey Rickard gets the start in right field tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Twins at Target Field. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. Caleb Joseph is catching Dylan Bundy, who came off the disabled list this afternoon. Chris Davis is batting fifth. His next strikeout will give him 1,306 to pass Cal Ripken Jr. for the most in club history. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Adam Jones CF Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Trey...