Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon went deep and Danny Espinosa delivered a three-run double as the Nationals opened up their offense in a 9-5 win over the Brewers. It was the Nationals' first back-to-back series win since they took three straight series from the Pirates, Braves and Phillies from June 19-June 28. The Nats also claimed only their second series win in D.C. since the All-Star break. Jordan Zimmermann fell behind quickly after Scooter Gennett led off the game with a single. Jonathan...

Swept away, four in a row by the Minnesota Twins. The Twins, who had lost 22 of their previous 35 games when they arrived in Baltimore, used two infield errors to push across the winning run in the top of the 12th today. Minnesota beat the Orioles 4-3 to complete its first four-game sweep in Baltimore since Aug. 23-26, 2007. Errors by Manny Machado, who was playing shortstop, and Jimmy Paredes, who was in at third, put the Twins ahead in the 12th. Paredes entered the game as a pinch-runner for...

It says a lot about the top pitchers in the league that even when they don't have their best stuff, they still figure out a way to win. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann did Sunday. Battling through a rough first inning and a couple of other tough situations to last 5 2/3 innings and down the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5. Zimmermann threw a season-high 116 pitches and surrendered eight hits, four runs and two homers. But he also only walked one batter and struck out seven. Zimmermann (10-8) knew not all...

As Orioles fans prepare to celebrate 20 years since Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak, there's word that he could be nearing a return to Major League Baseball. It shocked me, too, when I realized it's been 20 years since No. 8 took that faithful lap around Camden Yards to thank the fans. What might shock me even more is if he ends up in a uniform other than one that reads "Orioles" across the front. Last week in an interview on ESPN 980 in Washington, D.C., the...

I wrote this morning that the Orioles expected to resolve David Lough's situation later today. Well, consider it resolved. Lough has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, according to the Orioles. Lough can't refuse the assignment because he doesn't have a previous outright. He's going to play for the Tides and perhaps join the Orioles' expanded roster in September. The Orioles designated Lough for assignment on Aug. 14 to make room for catcher Steve Clevenger, who was...

The Brewers didn't take long to jump on Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann. Scooter Gennett started the game with a single and then Jonathan Lucroy unloaded on a hanging slider, smacking it over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer. Ryan Braun followed with a shot off the wall in right, but Bryce Harper came up throwing, nailing Braun on a laser at second base. The Nationals answered in the bottom of the first when Jayson Werth ripped a double to left. Anthony Rendon advanced Werth to...

Ryan Flaherty is making his second start this month as the Orioles try to avoid being swept by the Twins in a four-game series. They're also trying to keep J.J. Hardy healthy. Hardy said he feels better today after experiencing discomfort in his groin during Friday night's game. He played nine innings yesterday and is resting and receiving treatment today. Hardy expects to play Monday night in Kansas City. "Just trying to see if we can get some help clearing it up and I think he could use...

The Nationals seek their second consecutive series win today as they battle the Milwaukee Brewers. Wisconsin-native right-hander Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the seventh time against Milwaukee. He is 4-1 with 3.71 ERA in six starts against the Brewers. He also has a 3.06 ERA in 88 home starts in his career. The Brewers counter with veteran right-hander Matt Garza (6-13, 4.98 ERA). He has never defeated the Nationals, 0-3 with a 6.27 ERA. He pitched against the Nationals June 11,...

The Orioles will keep Steve Pearce on his injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie today rather than activate him from the disabled list. Pearce is batting third and playing left field today at Prince George's Stadium. He started at first base last night and went 0-for-2 with an RBI. He also was hit by a pitch. Pearce was 2-for-7 with two games with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles. Manager Buck Showalter said Pearce won't fly with the Orioles to Kansas City later today because he...

The Orioles host the Twins today, needing a win to avoid their first four-game sweep at home to Minnesota since Aug. 23-26, 2007. The Orioles are 0-6 against Minnesota in 2015. The Twins have outscored the Orioles 39-15, outhit them .303 to .229 and pitched better in the season series with an ERA of 2.45 to 6.54. The Birds have lost seven consecutive games to the Twins dating to Sept. 1, 2014. This is the Orioles' longest losing streak against Minnesota since dropping nine in a row from Sept....