SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals were doing absolutely nothing at the plate for 3 2/3 innings tonight against Ty Blach. Of the first 12 batters who came to the plate against the Giants lefty, only one (Howie Kendrick) hit a ball out of the infield. And then Ryan Zimmerman drew a two-out walk in the fourth, and Moisés Sierra followed with a single through the right side. And then Michael A. Taylor delivered the big blast this team has so desperately needed for days. Taylor's three-run,...

More cooperative weather tonight will force the Orioles to again confront their slumping offense. They can run, but they can't hide. The Orioles have registered a .215 average that was tied with the Indians for last in the majors before last night. They've scored 19 runs in 10 home games, the lowest total in baseball. I always thought Camden Yards was supposed to be a hitters' park. The Indians and Twins were tied for 28th with 28 runs scored in eight home games. The Yankees were first with...

SAN FRANCISCO - With Shawn Kelley headed to the disabled list, but two workhorses starting the final games of this road trip in advance of an off-day, the Nationals decided to go with an extra bench player tonight and Wednesday against the Giants. That led to the recalls today of infielder Adrian Sanchez and outfielder Rafael Bautista from Triple-A, the two taking the roster spots previously held by Kelley and infielder Matt Reynolds (who was optioned to Syracuse). And manager Davey Martinez...

SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals need a win tonight. It's kind of that simple after losing three in row to the Dodgers and Giants. Beyond that, they need some other events as well to help make a win more possible. The Nats could certainly use a big-time start from Tanner Roark. Here's the good news: He has owned the Giants in his career, to the tune of a 6-0 record and 2.02 ERA in seven regular season appearances (four starts). (We'll ignore a certain home run he surrendered to Brandon Belt on...

With tonight's postponement due to inclement weather, the Orioles likely will push back Alex Cobb to Wednesday night and Dylan Bundy to Thursday night. They could skip Chris Tillman instead of having him open the Tigers series Friday night at Camden Yards. Confirmation on the rotation will come shortly. Update: Cobb starts Wednesday and Bundy Thursday. It's confirmed. The Rays will start Jake Faria on Wednesday and Chris Archer on Thursday. The latter spot had been listed as TBD. The...

Tonight's scheduled game between the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a traditional (single-admission) doubleheader on Saturday, May 12. The first game of the May 12 doubleheader will begin at 3:05 p.m. ET, followed by the regularly scheduled game approximately 30 minutes after the first game concludes. Tickets and parking for Tuesday's postponed game will not be automatically honored for the May 12 doubleheader. Fans...

The tarp is on the field at Camden Yards and showers are headed this way. The Orioles must prepare as if they're playing the Rays tonight in the opener of a three-game series. However, they're also withholding certain roster decisions while braced for a postponement. Third baseman Tim Beckham is undergoing an MRI and figures to go on the disabled list later tonight if the teams are able to play. He's currently active and listed among the reserves. The Orioles could recall Engelb Vielma from...

Trey Mancini is back in the Orioles' lineup tonight and Chance Sisco has moved up to second for the series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. Mancini injured his right knee Friday night, but he pinch-hit last night and figured to return to his leadoff role. Danny Valencia remains at third base and Luis Sardiñas is playing second. The Orioles haven't announced a roster move. For the Orioles Trey Mancini LF Chance Sisco C Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Danny Valencia 3B...

Before the season began, I was extremely excited about the starting rotation that the low Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were going to have due to the vast amount of talent it contained. So far, that excitement has been justified and the standout of the group has been left-hander Zac Lowther. The Shorebirds have one of the top three pitching staffs in the entire South Atlantic League and Lowther has been the ace of the staff in the early going. Lowther, who turns 22 next week, was drafted by the...

The Orioles addressed their need for infield depth this afternoon by claiming utility player Jace Peterson off waivers from the Yankees. Peterson will report to the club on Wednesday. In the meantime, pitcher Gabriel Ynoa has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. Infielder Tim Beckham is expected to go on the 10-day disabled list with a groin injury. He would join second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who's sidelined with a strained right oblique....