Ryan Flaherty is starting in right field today and Pedro Alvarez remains at third base for the series finale against the Mariners. Jonathan Schoop is batting sixth. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. The Mariners are seeking their first series win in Baltimore since August 2013. Former Oriole Steve Clevenger is catching today for Seattle. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Pedro Alvarez 3B Caleb Joseph C Ryan Flaherty...

As has happened on several occasions, I was told last night that Bryce Harper is a jerk. It turns out that this guy's nephew once road in an elevator in Crystal City. I've never met a person who I'd judge on their elevator behavior of eyes forward, hands at side, saying as little as possible and trying desperately to hold in the District Taco they just ate. This isn't the first time a stranger or acquaintance has informed me that Harper is a jerk. They see the Nationals hat and it's close...

NEW YORK - The last time he reached base five times in a game, Jayson Werth was serving as the Nationals' leadoff man. It was Sept. 2012, and manager Davey Johnson's unconventional move to put Werth atop his lineup was paying significant dividends. Werth actually reached base five times on two separate occasions in the span of two weeks that fall, becoming an unlikely but excellent table-setter for a Nationals lineup that was in peak form on its way to 98 wins and its first-ever division...

NEW YORK - Gio Gonzalez has been a constant for the Nationals through the first quarter of the season, a welcome development from a pitcher who in the past befuddled with his inconsistency. Consistency at the plate has not been a hallmark for the Nats so far in 2016, and that has been a source of frustration. But when the lineup clicks on the same night Gonzalez takes the mound, the result is particularly encouraging. Like a 7-1 thumping of the Mets in a game of at least moderate...

One of my favorite moves of the offseason was the Orioles' addition of Hyun Soo Kim. It just seemed like the perfect Dan Duquette acquisition. Over the years, the O's executive vice president of baseball operations has shown a unique ability to find major league talent in some unconventional places. Remember Nate McLouth in 2012, who was designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier in the season? How about Steve Pearce in 2014? He was released by the O's on April 27 and re-signed two...

The Orioles wrap up their homestand today and board their charter for Anaheim for the start of a three-city road trip that also includes stops in Houston and Cleveland. The 12:35 p.m. starting time is greatly appreciated in the Orioles clubhouse. Something finally makes sense with their schedule. Tyler Wilson isn't on a set schedule. His last start also came in a day game on May 11 in Minnesota. He was available in the bullpen Sunday, didn't pitch and got word that he'd make today's...

The Orioles go for another series win today as they host Seattle to wrap up a seven-game homestand and three-game series. The Mariners won 10-0 Tuesday night, with the Orioles winning 5-2 last night. The Orioles are 8-3-1 in their 12 series on the year and today's game will decide this series. The Orioles are 17-7 at home and 4-2 on this homestand. They head west after this game for a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels. Last season on May 20, right-hander Tyler Wilson made his major...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter needed tonight's starter to pitch deep into the game. Chris Tillman was the right guy at the right time. Showalter also needed Zach Britton to get the last five outs. Again, the right guy. Tillman registered his sixth consecutive quality start by holding the Mariners to two runs over 6 1/2 innings, and the baton passed from Brad Brach to Britton never touched the ground in a 5-2 victory at rainy Camden Yards. The Mariners loaded the bases with one out in the...

Neither pitcher was a high draft pick. Both are 23 and having very solid seasons for the Orioles' Single-A Frederick affiliate. Right now, they hold two of the top three spots among Carolina League ERA leaders. Left-hander John Means was drafted by the Orioles in Round 11 in 2014 out of West Virginia University. In that same draft, the Orioles took right-hander Matthew Grimes in Round 18 out of Georgia Tech. So far, they have combined to make 16 starts for Frederick and have allowed two earned...

NEW YORK - There was no offensive outburst from a lineup that has sorely needed of one of those. But there were a whole lot of quality plate appearances, plenty of patience when necessary and a couple of clutch hits at opportune moments. Combine that with another strong pitching performance by Gio Gonzalez, and the Nationals did just enough things right tonight to beat the Mets, 7-1, and hold their tenuous position atop the NL East as the season reaches the quarter mark. Daniel Murphy and...