SEATTLE - The Orioles lineup for tonight's game against the Mariners continues to include Mark Trumbo batting sixth and Chris Davis batting seventh. No reason to mess with it. Tim Beckham is leading off again. Welington Castillo is catching. Joey Rickard gets the start in right field against Mariners left-hander Andrew Albers. Manny Machado has hit five grand slams in the past two seasons, the most in the majors according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Orioles lead the American League and rank...

After scoring 26 runs on 50 hits in four games at Oakland, the Orioles began their series in Seattle last night winning 11-3, with four homers among 16 hits. When added to the 12 runs the Orioles scored on Saturday night, the team has scored 26 runs on 46 hits the past three games. The team batting average for the year has increased from .260 to .263 in three days. The Orioles scored 10-plus runs for the 14th time this season and that is tied for second-most games in the American League with...

After a much-deserved day off, the Nationals are back to work tonight, opening a very quick, two-game interleague series with the Angels. What would have been a marquee matchup between Mike Trout and Bryce Harper unfortunately doesn't carry the same luster anymore, with Harper on the disabled list after injuring his knee Saturday night. So that one head-to-head showdown between the two stars last month in Anaheim will have to suffice. Gio Gonzalez makes the start, seeking a better result than...

SEATTLE - Infielder Ryan Flaherty and Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander will play again tonight for Single-A Frederick to complete their respective injury rehab assignments. The Orioles will be making room for them Thursday on the 25-man roster. It's going to be a busy off-day. Flaherty can't be optioned without clearing waivers. Santander can't be optioned without clearing waivers and being offered back to the Indians, who surely would take him. The Orioles put Flaherty on the disabled...

SEATTLE - Maybe it was Tim Beckham's leadoff home run on the first pitch. Or the 11 batters who came to the plate in the second inning. It might have been Manny Machado's grand slam into the third deck in left field. This wasn't going to be Yovani Gallardo's night, and the clues were plentiful. The former Oriole was a popular teammate last summer and an easy target tonight. I've seen punching bags treated with a more gentle touch. The Orioles hit four home runs, including two after...

It was quite an eventful weekend on South Capitol Street, between the weather, Bryce Harper's injury, three games in just over 24 hours, a walk-off grand slam and other assorted developments. The Nationals needed a day off yesterday (and, I suppose, so did some reporters) but everyone's back to work today, with the Angels coming to town for a quick, two-game series. Before we get to that, let's spend some time this morning taking your questions. As always, submit them in the comments section...

As the Orioles go through the rest of this season with right-hander Dylan Bundy, it is clear they will continue to get him extra rest when they can. It is also becoming clear that Bundy is starting to get used to and even thrive with the adjusted schedule. The team's best starter over the entire season, the 24-year-old Bundy is 12-8 with a 4.17 ERA in 23 starts. He has a team-leading 16 quality starts and the Orioles are 14-9 in his outings. Bundy threw 109 2/3 innings last season. He is at...

SEATTLE - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will provide additional rest for Dylan Bundy again by withholding the right-hander's next start until Aug. 22 or 23 against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Showalter will take advantage of Thursday's open date on the schedule to tweak the rotation. "Depends on some factors. See how some work days go," Showalter said. Bundy's most recent start came Saturday night in Oakland. He's logged 140 1/3 innings after totaling 109 2/3 last season. Ryan...

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was solid and on target in his rehab start Monday night for high Single-A Potomac, paving his way to return to the Nationals. "Felt good," Strasburg said of the outing. "No issues. Felt strong throughout." He has been on the disabled list with a right elbow nerve impingement since July 24. His last start was July 23. Strasburg went five innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He retired eight consecutive...

SEATTLE - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is taking ground balls, throwing and hitting soft toss as he continues his recovery from a fractured right wrist. However, there's no timetable for an injury rehab assignment and it's becoming more likely that he remains on the disabled list through the month. Hardy hasn't suffered any setbacks. It's just a gradual process that can't be rushed. "It's still just kind of building arm strength and getting back into throwing," Hardy said today while...