BOSTON - In three innings tonight, Kevin Gausman's pitch count soared by disturbing proportions. To heights that led manager Buck Showalter to call upon his bullpen in relatively quick fashion. Gausman turned in his shortest outing of the season, with Odrisamer Despaigne replacing him to begin the fourth and making his Orioles debut. Gausman allowed a season-high six runs and seven hits, with two walks, three strikeouts, a home run and a wild pitch. If not for No. 9 hitter Christian Vazquez,...

Manager: Andy Green (1st season) Record: 27-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Wil Myers (.281 with 14 HR, 39 RBIs), RF Matt Kemp (15 HR, 43 RBIs), CF Melvin Upton Jr. (9 HR, 30 RBIS, 13 SB), LHP Christian Freidrich (3-1, 2.12 ERA), LHP Drew Pomeranz (57, 2.88 ERA), RHP Fernando Rodney (13 saves, 0.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-5 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 16: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Erik Johnson, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 June 17: RHP Joe Ross vs. LHP Christian...

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sounded an encouraging tone today while providing updates on shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Caleb Joseph. It wasn't the same with reliever Darren O'Day, however, but let's start with the two position players. Hardy is scheduled to play three games at Double-A Bowie while testing his left foot and could come off the disabled list by "Friday at the earliest," Showalter said, "but it's going to be J.J's call." "Dave Anderson is there, Brian...

Now leading the American League East by one game over Boston and three games over Toronto, the Orioles play the Red Sox in the second game of their three-game series tonight at Fenway Park. The Orioles are 51-32 (.614) against Boston since the 2012 season and they are 26-16 (.619) at Fenway Park in that stretch. They are 5-3 this year in the season series after last night's 3-2 win. The Orioles lead the majors in home runs after hitting two more last night: 101 - Orioles 95 - Seattle 93 -...

BOSTON - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is back in Double-A Bowie's lineup tonight as the shortstop and No. 2 hitter. Hardy went 2-for-3 and played six innings in the field last night. He's also expected to start on Thursday, though the Orioles are leaving it up to him. Whether Hardy comes off the disabled list on Friday while the Orioles are home also rests primarily in his hands. If he's up to it, the Orioles likely will return him to their lineup. Caleb Joseph continues to work out at Bowie...

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't address the topic in vague terms when he called pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez into his office yesterday at Fenway Park and explained why the veteran right-hander was coming out of the rotation. "It was pretty clear that I wasn't doing my job and obviously they have to find a way or someone that can get the job done," Jimenez said earlier today. "I'm going to go to the bullpen and hopefully I can get back on track and try to help the team however I...

The Cubs raced out quickly against Stephen Strasburg. Ben Zobrist slammed a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Strasburg then allowed a double to Jason Heyward on a drive that Ben Revere dove for but could not catch. Kris Bryant was called out on strikes. With Anthony Rizzo at the plate, Wilson Ramos caught Heyward attempting to steal third. Strasburg then struck out Rizzo. The Nationals counterpunched in the bottom of the first. Ben Revere led...

We've got a quick episode for you today, as the Nationals finish their three-game series with the Cubs. Byron and I recorded the fourth episode of District 34 leading up to Stephen Strasburg's first pitch at Nats Park. During this brief episode, we wrap up this Cubs-Nats series ahead of the rubber match and look at Strasburg's start. He is the only undefeated starting pitcher left in Major League Baseball as he looks to improve his 10-0 record against the Cubs' Jason Hammel, who has never...

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is seeking his 11th win of the season today against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The win would also give the Nationals a series victory over the first-place Cubs. An 11th win would match Strasburg's win total from last season (11-7). Manager Dusty Baker didn't know Strasburg before this season, but has noticed a calmness with the way Strasburg goes about his business with each game. Baker believes one difference is that Strasburg is stronger physically this...

BOSTON - The Orioles are starting Joey Rickard in right field tonight against Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field and Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. Pedro Alvarez is 11-for-31 with four home runs this month, but he's on the bench tonight. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Manny Machado SS Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Matt Wieters C Jonathan Schoop 2B Joey Rickard RF Ryan Flaherty 3B Kevin Gausman RHP For the Red Sox Mookie Betts RF Dustin...