David McCullough has a shelf on my bookcase with all he has written. Yes, I like his work. Thomas Jefferson is quoted in "John Adams" as saying John Adams was "the colossus of independence." No small matter from the mind of Jefferson. This book is in part a love story about Adams and his wife Abigail - a very big part. She was far ahead of her time in terms of securing her own independence of thought and self-assurance. Because of that, John Adams always sought her thoughts on matters that...

The Orioles had to get the lead twice tonight, but they did so with clutch hits in the sixth and eighth innings to beat Cleveland 4-3 in front of 31,112 at Camden Yards in the opener of the series and a seven-game homestand. The Orioles are 39-34 and go five games over the .500 mark for the first time in 2015. After 2014 Cy Young Winner Corey Kluber allowed three runs over seven innings, Marc Rzepczynski came on to start the eighth in a 3-3 tie and was greeted by three hits on three pitches as...

PHILADELPHIA - Back spasms forced Denard Span out of tonight's game, with Michael A. Taylor taking over center field and the leadoff spot in the order. Taylor smacked the first pitch from Phillies starter Aaron Harang over center fielder Odubel Herrera's head for a double. Two batters later, Harang ran an 89 mph fastball in hard on Yunel Escobar's left hand, sending him to the ground. Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz immediately came out of the dugout to...

PHILADELPHIA - Just as the Nationals seemingly were separating themselves from the competition in the National League East, the injury bug has struck again. Second baseman Anthony Rendon was the first bad news, the Nationals placing the 25-year-old infielder on the 15-day disabled list earlier today with a left quadriceps strain. Then came news that right fielder Bryce Harper will miss his second straight game with tightness in his right hamstring. And center fielder Denard Span was the latest...

Tonight the Orioles open a seven-game homestand, hosting Cleveland this weekend and then Texas for four games starting Monday at Camden Yards. The last time the Orioles were home, they completed a 7-1 (.875) homestand. It was their best mark during a homestand of at least eight games since also going 7-1 during an eight-game homestand July 4-11, 1977. The O's are 22-13 at home for the season. The Orioles are 38-34 and have won four of their last five, 13 of 17 and 15 of 20 games. The O's...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander Wei-Yin Chen from High-A Frederick and optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk. Chen, 29, was optioned to High-A Frederick on June 16 and made one start with the Keys on June 20 vs. Wilmington, allowing one hit and striking out two over 3.0 scoreless innings. In 13 starts with the Orioles this season, Chen is 3-4 with a 2.89 ERA (81.0IP, 26ER) and has gone 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA (19.1IP, 4ER) over his last three...

The Orioles have decided to go with a short bullpen to create a roster spot for Wei-Yin Chen, optioning left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk before tonight's series opener against the Indians. McFarland appeared in one game after being recalled on Wednesday, allowing two runs in two innings yesterday in Boston. He threw 28 pitches. McFarland, 26, has gone 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three stints with the Orioles this season, allowing four earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. He's walked eight,...

Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop was at Camden Yards and took the field this afternoon, but he will play in another game tonight at Double-A Bowie and has not yet been activated by the Orioles. Schoop ran sprints and ran the bases well before batting practice as Orioles vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson looked on, along with manager Buck Showalter, head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel. Schoop may not be activated before Monday...

The Orioles won't announce the corresponding roster move for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen until they complete batting practice. We're in a holding pattern. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has been working the phones today. He stood behind the batting cage this afternoon while the Orioles hit. Manager Buck Showalter isn't lamenting the roster crunch. "Hard roster moves mean you have good people," he said. "Sometimes, you reach a point where you can't keep them all and that's why the...

Center fielder Adam Jones won't be placed on the disabled list today unless the Orioles have a sudden change in plans. He isn't expected to be the corresponding roster move for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. The move remains a mystery. Jones threw today for the first time since the Orioles were in Toronto, and they will place him on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday if he shows up with a sore shoulder. Jonathan Schoop worked out at Camden Yards and will play second base tonight at Double-A...