Joe Ross has pitched effectively so far against the Cardinals, just as he did when he faced this same team four weeks ago. Mike Leake also has pitched effectively so far against the Nationals, unlike he did the last time he saw this lineup. Aledmys Diaz's leadoff homer in the top of the fourth gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead, the lone run to cross the plate so far in tonight's series opener at Nationals Park. Ross already owns one win over the Cardinals this season, having held them to one run in...

HOUSTON - Today's pregame session with Orioles manager Buck Showalter included several injury updates. In addition, Showalter was asked about playing time at the corner outfield positions. Hyun Soo Kim is starting for the second straight day and Nolan Reimold started last night. Any changes coming here for the Orioles? "We'll take it day to day and keep everybody involved," he said. "I had two lineups for the first game. I thought he (Kim) matched up well with these three starters. We'll...

Manager: Terry Francona (4th season) Record: 25-20 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: SS Francisco Lindor (.318/.372/.413 with 20 RBIs), 2B Jason Kipnis (6 HR, 27 RBIs), 1B Mike Napoli (30 RBIs), DH/1B Carlos Santana (8 HR, 23 RBIs), RHP Danny Salazar (4-3, 2.32 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (11 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-5 in 2015) Pitching probables: May 27: RHP Mike Wright vs. RHP Trevor Bauer, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 May 28: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Danny Salazar, 4:10 p.m. MASN...

He has seen his team get off to a rousing start, taking advantage of some weak April competition. And he has seen his team battle its way through a much tougher May, with nearly every opponent presenting a significant challenge. The end result of all that for Dusty Baker's Nationals? A 28-19 record entering tonight's series opener against the Cardinals and a 1/2-game lead over the Mets in the NL East. And a recognition that there's still plenty of room for improvement. "We've got work to...

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman has made six starts this year, allowing two earned runs or less four times. But he is still looking for his first win of the season. Gausman (0-1, 2.70 ERA) will look to be a stopper tonight. He is out to help the Orioles end the season's second three-game losing streak. The Orioles have not scored much for Gausman this year, but maybe tonight is the night that changes. The Orioles are trying to avoid the season's first four-game slide. Gausman...

Manager Dusty Baker said he wanted to give second baseman Daniel Murphy a day off and it worked out well for tonight's game. Cardinals slugger Matt Carpenter is also out because he is on paternity leave. "Murph has been more than I think anybody dreamed that he would be. He's been on base an awful lot," Baker said. "I told you that we had to watch to keep his legs strong because he's always in a squat. This is a day to get his legs worked on and get everything back strong till next day...

Hyun Soo Kim is starting consecutive games tonight for the first time this season and the Orioles are trying to avoid a sweep in Houston before heading to Cleveland for the final series of their road trip. Kim collected three hits and a walk last night to leave his average at .438 in 37 plate appearances. Joey Rickard has returned to the leadoff spot after sitting last night. Jonathan Schoop has moved down from second to seventh in the order. Paul Janish is starting at third base. Matt Wieters...

HOUSTON - As the Orioles look to get their offense going again, is it time for outfielders Nolan Reimold and Hyun Soo Kim to get more at-bats? Of the 14 players that have at-bats for the Orioles this year, Reimold has the 10th most at-bats and Kim is 13th. But in batting average among all Orioles Kim is first at .438 and Reimold is third at .303. That duo started last night. While Reimold went 0-for-4, Kim tied his season-high with a three-hit game. He also had two doubles and he entered the...

It was four weeks ago when the Nationals embarked on what looked like one of the toughest road trips they've ever faced, the first leg of a prolonged stretch of games against mostly tough competition. That trip began in St. Louis, previously a house of horrors for this team. But the Nats flipped the script, sweeping the Cardinals for the first time in their history and kicking off that tough stretch in impressive fashion. Now the Cardinals come to D.C. for a four-game weekend series in what...

It's safe to say Camden Yards has seen its fair share of showers this season. Bring on the flowers. For those fans who adhere to the age-old adage, there is a bit of good news. Thanks in large part to the National Wildlife Foundation and the Orioles, the flowers are here, and they are beautiful. Earlier today, both parties presented the new Oriole Garden, planted by members of the National Wildlife Federation's Grow Together campaign. The initiative is a collaboration of Baltimore residents...