Anthony Rendon saw his first game action in nearly a month last night when he began a minor league rehab assignment at Single-A Potomac. The Nationals decided to start Rendon at third base so it would be easier on his strained left quad, which landed him on the 15-day disabled list on June 25. The 25-year-old went 2-for-2, smacking a double in the first inning and legging out an infield single in the third before exiting the game. "It's only been three innings in, but (for) the most part it...

The Orioles have not won a series since June 26-28 against Cleveland. Remember, that series ended with shutouts in both ends of a day-night doubleheader. Since then, the Orioles have lost series against Texas, the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota and Washington. They can end that slide if they get a victory today at Comerica Park in the third game against Detroit after splitting the first two. Chris Tillman's eight-inning gem Saturday night lifted the Orioles to a 3-0 win and back to the .500 mark...

I loaded up my morning blog entry on information related to Chris Tillman's one-hit gem last night against the Tigers at Comerica Park. As it turns out, there's more stuff to pass along. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Tillman is the only Orioles pitcher since the franchise relocated to Baltimore in 1954 to allow a hit to the opposition's leadoff batter and finish at least eight innings without surrendering another hit. He also did it on Sept. 28, 2012. Tillman and Joe Kennedy are the...

The focus in today's series finale against the Dodgers is rightfully on the pitchers. Today's impressive matchup pits National League ERA leader Zack Greinke of the Dodgers against Nationals ace Max Scherzer in a battle of right-handers. But the batters will have a say in whether either pitcher is successful, so here are today's lineups: For the Dodgers:CF Joc Pederson2B Howie Kendrick1B Adrian GonzalezLF Andre EthierC Yasmani GrandalRF Yasiel Puig3B Alberto CallaspoSS Jimmy RollinsRHP Zack...

Jonathan Schoop is starting at second base for the third consecutive day, a first since his knee injury, as the Orioles conclude their series in Detroit. Chris Parmelee is batting ninth again. Travis Snider is in left field. The Orioles are trying to win their first series in July. They've failed in their first four attempts. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Travis Snider LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Parmelee 1B Miguel...

Yesterday's improbable late-inning homer by Matt den Dekker, followed by a more expected yet scintillating performance from Clayton Kershaw, sets up a rubber match showdown this afternoon between Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, the National League's All-Star starter. "We've got one of our best going (today) against one of their best and we got a chance to take the series," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. Kershaw, the three-time NL Cy Young winner,...

As I was rummaging through my mailbag again last night to make sure I didn't miss anything, I found another question stuck to the bottom. It was pretty gross, but I managed to peel it open. How long will the Orioles continue to keep Chris Tillman in the rotation? Indefinitely. Tillman is 5-0 with three no-decisions in his last eight starts. He shut out the Tigers last night on one hit over eight innings, retiring the final 23 batters that he faced. His ERA is down to 4.96, its lowest since his...

Maybe we should not get carried away over one game. Then again, what a game it was. In desperate need of a win, Chris Tillman pitched the Orioles past the Tigers last night in a 3-0 victory. He pitched with a 1-0 lead for most of his night and retired the last 23 Tigers batters he faced in an exceptional performance. Tillman has been pitching better in recent starts and it all seemed to come together for him last night. He commanded all his pitches and his all-important fastball command was...

Detroit's Comerica Park was the scene of a dramatic pitcher's duel tonight. David Price was very good, but the Orioles' Chris Tillman was better. Tillman gave up a single to Ian Kinsler to lead off the game and then allowed no runs or hits after that, pitching the Orioles to a 3-0 win over Detroit. Tillman retired the last 23 batters he faced after issuing a one-out walk in the first. Tillman fanned eight with just the one walk over eight very strong innings, throwing 105 pitches, 70 for...

Third baseman Anthony Rendon went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored and designated hitter Jayson Werth went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk in rehab assignments with the high Single-A Potomac Nationals on Saturday night. The P-Nats fell to Myrtle Beach 7-5, thanks to a five-run Pelicans sixth inning that erased a 4-2 lNationals lead. Rendon, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a left quad strain, was making his first rehab appearance, while Werth, on the DL recovering from a fractured...