MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker had already decided to rest Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's game against the Marlins because he knew he wouldn't have much chance to rest them during the upcoming homestand. "I had it planned in advance because the amount of games that we're going to be playing, the late get-in," Baker said. "Everything contributed to this (lineup). I always believe you take your shot all at once. A lot of times, your shock troops actually sometimes come out...

One of the joys of broadcasting sports is the great people you get to meet that are involved in the business. With this "Hitting the Books," I get to speak of two of my favorites. Bill King was a longtime sports announcer in the San Francisco Bay area, covering all sports, including the Oakland A's. Ken Korach is currently the radio voice of the A's and an announcer I often listen to after Orioles games on the East Coast when he is out west. Korach worked with King and his book, "Holy...

MIAMI - It seems to be a birthday weekend so far in South Florida. Friday was Jayson Werth's 37th birthday. He collected two hits en route to a 4-1 Nationals win over the Marlins. Today is right-hander Joe Ross' 23rd birthday. He starts for the first time in majors on his birthday as the Nationals look for their first series win against the Marlins this season. Incidentally, the next Nationals player with a birthday in season is third baseman Anthony Rendon on June 6. Ross is 3-3 with a 2.63...

The Orioles hit four more home runs last night in Anaheim, with Joey Rickard and Manny Machado going deep to start the game. The club leads the majors with 61, one more than the Rays. Machado, Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis are the first trio in Orioles history to have at least 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in the first 40 games of a season. Kevin Gausman turned in three consecutive quality starts until his last outing, when he allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings against the Tigers. Gausman...

ANAHEIM, Calif - The longball mashers were at it again last night at Angel Stadium. Two homers to start the game, three in three innings and four for the night. For the fourth time in the last 11 games and sixth time in the 2016 season, the Orioles hit four or more homers in a game. They are 6-0 when they hit at least four over the wall. The Orioles have hit 24 home runs their past 11 games. Joey Rickard and Manny Machado began the game with blasts of 402 and 427 feet, respectively, going...

ANAHEIM, Calif. - For the Orioles, a lot went right tonight in their road trip opener in Anaheim. They hit four homers, they made some strong defensive plays. Their starter had some good moments, as did their bullpen as usual. The Orioles won for the 14th time in 21 games, beating the Los Angeles Angels 9-4. They hit four homers and improved to 6-0 this year when they hit four or more. Joey Rickard and Manny Machado led off with back-to-back homers. It was the first time the Orioles did that...

If you are a keen observer between innings of games at Camden Yards, your focus shifting from the hot dog race or Smile Cam, you may have noticed utility infielder Ryan Flaherty squatting behind home plate to warm up the pitcher. That's supposed to be a catcher's task, with the backup handling it if the starter makes the last out and is putting on his gear. Flaherty has been spotted multiple times and he's taking it seriously while also having fun. Before batting practice on Wednesday,...

MIAMI - This may be the time of year when things turn the right way for slugger Ryan Zimmerman. On Friday night, he made another statement that his power swing may be coming back. Zimmerman's loud solo shot over the left-center field wall opened the scoring for the Nationals as they went on to down the Marlins 4-1. "It's one good swing," he said. "But I've been feeling good the last three or four games, I've hit some balls hard. Not getting stuff for it, but in New York I thought I had...

MIAMI - Right-hander Tanner Roark was 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in three starts against the Marlins this season. His worst start of the season came just six days ago in D.C., when he allowed seven runs on eight hits in five innings against these same Marlins. But Friday in Miami was just the opposite. Inducing weak contact and holding the Marlins to just one run, Roark turned Miami into every other opponent he has faced this season, delivering 6 2/3 strong innings in a 4-1 win at Marlins Park. It...

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orioles made themselves feel welcome early tonight in Anaheim, taking a 2-0 lead on a pair of homers two batters into the game and the start of a nine-game road trip. On the second pitch from Angels lefty Hector Santiago, the O's Joey Rickard homered to left center. He hit an 0-1 fastball for his fourth homer of the season and first-ever in the majors to leadoff a game. Manny Machado followed with a booming blast to right-center field for a 2-0 lead. He hit No. 12 on a...