In an act of possible desperation, manager Buck Showalter has opted to use Dylan Bundy and Vance Worley in starter's roles this past week. These two - behind the trio of Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Yovani Gallardo - could stick in the rotation for a little while, despite possible pitch limits, since both are making the move from the bullpen. However, it's not a secret that the Orioles could use help in the starting rotation from outside the organization. And it would be hard to imagine...

NEW YORK - If there's any good to come out of the Orioles' offensive slump, at least it's taking some of the heat off the rotation. Has your concern shifted or are you still pitching a fit over the pitching? The Orioles have been held to a single run in each of the first two games of this series. They entered it having scored at least two runs in 53 consecutive games, a streak dating back to at least 1913. The Orioles are 9-for-60 (.150) with a double, home run, seven walks, 12 strikeouts...

Reynaldo Lopez revealed both weaknesses (a very hittable fastball) and strengths (a very unhittable curveball and changeup) in his major league debut last night, enough to leave the Nationals plenty intrigued to see more of the 22-year-old. "He's young, this is the big leagues, and you're facing big-league hitters," manager Dusty Baker said after Lopez gave up six runs and 10 hits but struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings. "But he's very bright. Just gotta tighten up a few things. I think...

The Orioles have been alone or tied for first place every day since June 4. By the end of tonight, they could fall into second in the American League East. A loss by the Orioles (53-39) at New York and a win by Boston (52-39) over the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park would move Boston atop the division standings. To say there is at least a small segment of some fans that are nervous is an understatement. I've seen fans predict the Orioles will get swept by New York, will be in second place...

Reynaldo Lopez did not necessarily expect to find himself standing on the mound at Nationals Park this evening, a sellout crowd of 38,747 buzzing about the opener of a series against the high-profile Dodgers, but the 22-year-old found himself here because of the eye-popping repertoire of pitches he has shown off in the minors. That repertoire is headlined by a fastball that has reached triple digits before and on this night consistently sat in the 97-98 mph range. Minor league hitters were...

With the 8-4 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday, the Nationals played a second straight game with a couple of offensive starters unavailable. And really it was three starters not available because of the left ribcage strain that has first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list. On Sunday against the Pirates, Daniel Murphy was available only for the pinch-hit that tied the game. Anthony Rendon was a late scratch with flu-like symptoms. Then Tuesday against Los Angeles, Murphy was back but...

NEW YORK - Only a half game separates the Orioles from the Red Sox in the American League East. Their bench is thinner than tissue paper and their offense continues to sputter. Another starter failed to provide length, though the lack of run support basically requires perfection. This hasn't been the best start to the second half. The Orioles lost their third game in a row tonight, falling to the Yankees 7-1 in the Bronx. They were held to four hits and increased the trade value of another New...

The Dodgers rudely welcomed rookie Reynaldo Lopez to the big leagues with a 8-4 defeat of the Nationals on Tuesday in the series opener at Nats Park. The Dodgers connected off of Lopez with four hits in the first inning. Chase Utley started the scoring with a solo shot over the right-center field wall. Howie Kendrick followed with a single and Justin Turner hit a double to put men on second and third. The Dodgers were able to connect on Lopez's 96-98 mph fastball. Adrian Gonzalez lined sharply...

It was one inning in one game, but it was pivotal tonight. In the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium, the Orioles failed to maximize a rally. Meanwhile, the Yankees took advantage of a rally of their own. It led to another O's loss, this one 7-1 to New York. The Orioles have dropped three straight games, scoring just four runs in that span. The Birds fall to 2-3 on this road trip after a 2-0 start and to 53-39 for the season. The Orioles were down 3-0 and Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi had thrown...

Dusty Baker had never seen Reynaldo Lopez in person before the 22-year-old right-hander took the mound tonight for his major league debut, only reports on one of the Nationals' top pitching prospects. And what did those reports on Lopez say? "The reports are that he can get away with more because he's throwing almost 100," Baker said this afternoon. "That's exactly what the reports are. He might not have to be ... as fine when you're throwing hard like that." Reality hasn't exactly...