Drew Storen faltered some in Thursday afternoon's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He walked a batter. It was his first walk in seven appearances and 28 at-bats. Washington's 27-year-old set-up man stranded the runner he put on, but snapped a streak of consecutive batters set down at 19. What's wrong with Drew? Nothing. Nothing at all. Though he gave up the walk, Storen did go on to complete another scoreless inning of work, extending his streak of scoreless appearances to 14 for 13 1/3...

Lost a bit after another stellar performance from Joe Ross, and the subsequent big news that he was taking Doug Fister's spot in the rotation, was the spark that Ian Desmond provided early in yesterday's 8-3 win over Arizona. Desmond was given Wednesday off after going through a 4-for-31 stretch, which included a startling 14 strikeouts. In the second inning, Desmond jumped on right-hander Jeremy Hellickson's first-pitch changeup, smacking a no-doubter over the visitors' bullpen in deep...

The Orioles continue their West Coast trip tonight in Anaheim with Kevin Gausman taking the mound as their most effective healthy starter. Gausman has allowed two runs and 10 hits over his last two outings, with one walk and 11 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. His ERA is down to 3.97 ERA in 14 games, including six starts. Ubaldo Jimenez is 1-3 with a 10.61 ERA in four starts in the second half after going 7-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 17 starts before the All-Star break. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen hasn't...

Right-hander Joe Ross continued to showcase his ability to pitch at the major league level with another solid six innings Thursday in an 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Ross allowed only five hits, one run and no walks while striking out seven over 89 pitches, an amazing 62 for strikes. His only mistake was a changeup to Jarrod Saltalamacchia for a solo homer. Manager Matt Williams said the poise that the 22-year-old Ross has displayed in only his seventh major league start is rare but...

Orioles first-round draft pick, outfielder DJ Stewart, knows that expectations will be high for him as a top pick. He knows that makes him a bit of marked man for opponent pitchers to try and get him out as he is now 31 games into his pro career with short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Baseball America rated Stewart as the 30th-best player in the draft this year. He was the first outfielder taken in Round 1 by the Orioles since Nick Markakis in 2003. Selected by the Orioles with the 25th pick on...

Following another impressive performance from rookie Joe Ross in the Nationals' 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks, manager Matt Williams announced a major shakeup to the starting rotation. "Doug (Fister) is gonna go to our bullpen," Williams said. Ross will remain in the rotation with Stephen Strasburg (strained left oblique) set to return from the disabled list to start Saturday night against the Rockies at Nationals Park. The next start for Ross will come early next week in Los Angeles. Fister...

Manager: Mike Scioscia (16th season) Record: 57-50 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.303/.394/.611 with 32 HR, 68 RBIs, 6.7 WAR), RF Kole Calhoun (.277/.330/.438 with 15 HR, 59 RBIs), 1B Albert Pujols (.257/.316/.519 with 30 HR, 66 RBIs), RHP Garrett Richards (11-8, 3.46 ERA), RHP Houston Street (26 saves, 2.66 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 7: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Andrew Heaney, 10:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 8: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Garrett...

For the third straight game, the Nationals have scored first. Ian Desmond mashed right-hander Jeremy Hellickson's first offering deep over the wall in the left-center alley in the second. The solo shot was Desmond's 12th homer on the season. Nationals rookie right-hander Joe Ross has struck out three over the first two innings while yielding one hit. Update: Desmond roped a double off the wall in left to start the fourth. A line drive single to center from Wilson Ramos gave the Nats runners...

The Orioles have reinstated Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia from the 60-day disabled list and optioned reliever Mychal Givens to Double-A Bowie. Garcia's 30-day injury rehab assignment ended today, and the Orioles needed to create a spot for him in the bullpen. Givens and left-hander T.J. McFarland are the only relievers who have minor league options. McFarland is valuable as a long man backing up the right-handed starters. Givens could eventually take McFarland's spot, but for now he's back at...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Jason Garcia from the 60-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Mychal Givens to Double-A Bowie. Garcia, 22, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis on May 13 and transferred to the 60-day DL on June 20. He made nine Major League rehabilitation appearances with Double-A Bowie, going 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA (15.0IP, 7ER) and 14 strikeouts. In eight games with the Orioles this season, Garcia has...