NEW YORK - Shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Ryan Flaherty played nine innings tonight at Double-A Bowie, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter is eager to write their names into the lineup at Yankee Stadium. Hardy went 1-for-4 and Flaherty went 2-for-5. Hardy is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday, with Flaherty joining him the following day. "We have to talk to J.J. and Ryan in another form, so we've got an idea of what we're going to do," Showalter said after...

If you've made it this far through the Internet. I'm certain that you're tired of reading about Bryce Harper's big day, but it isn't every day that a 22-year-old four-year major league veteran hits three home runs in one game. I'm also not going to write about that. I'm going to write about something far less interesting. History is exciting and when it happens for your team it can be fun to read about or write about, but you know the saying a picture is worth a thousand words? Well a...

NEW YORK - Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only four innings tonight against the Mets, ending the rotation's streak of quality starts at seven in a row. Starters had worked at least six innings in eight consecutive games before Jimenez's early exit. Jimenez allowed three runs and six hits in four innings, with two walks, one strikeout and a home run. He threw 85 pitches, 49 for strikes. Jimenez moved to the on-deck circle with one out in the fifth, but he was called back after Mets starter Jacob deGrom...

NEW YORK - The Orioles were interested in catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, released by the Marlins this week, but I'm told that he's not signing with the club. It's believed that Saltalamacchia's clearest path to a starting job is with the Diamondbacks. Caleb Joseph is making the bulk of the starts for the Orioles while Matt Wieters remains on the disabled list. Ryan Lavarnway has started five of the first 25 games. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is hoping to get Steve Pearce back into the...

BOWIE, Md. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy contines to hit the ball hard as he gets closer to a return to the team. He singled in the last of the first inning at Double-A Bowie tonight. He could possibly rejoin the Orioles as soon as tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium, and Ryan Flaherty could join him. Hardy playing short and Flaherty playing second base make up the Bowie double-play combo for a third night in a row tonight at Prince George's Stadium. Batting second for the Baysox, Flaherty flied...

The Orioles have a .500 record (12-12) for the eighth time already this year. But that will end at least for one day after tonight's game, the second of their brief two-game series at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Bartolo Colon gave up just one run over 7 2/3 innings last night, pitching the Mets to a 3-2 win. It was just the second loss in the last seven games for the Orioles, who fell to 2-7 in series-opening games. After getting swept by the Mets in 2010 and again in 2012, the...

The Orioles have a .500 record (12-12) for the eighth time already this year. But that will end at least for one day after tonight's game, the second of their brief two-game series at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Bartolo Colon gave up just one run over 7 2/3 innings last night, pitching the Mets to a 3-2 win. It was just the second loss in the last seven games for the Orioles, who fell to 2-7 in series-opening games. After getting swept by the Mets in 2010 and again in 2012, the...

Twelve days ago, Marlins starter Tom Koehler held Bryce Harper hitless, striking out the 22-year-old once. Today, Koehler became a part of history as Harper unleashed a three-homer assault propelling the Nats to a 7-5 victory in the series finale. "That's how I should be, plain and simple," said a confident Harper after the game. "That's how I should be. That's how I expect myself to play." It's the first time Harper has hit three home runs in a major league game and he becomes the...

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said it's possible that shortstop J.J. Hardy and infielder Ryan Flaherty could join the team Thursday at Yankee Stadium. Flaherty isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until Friday, but he could travel with Hardy following tonight's game at Double-A Bowie. Hardy can be activated at any time after beginning the season on the DL with a left shoulder strain. The Orioles will need to clear roster space for both players, and Showalter didn't...

Coming into Wednesday afternoon's game, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer had allowed two or fewer earned runs in all three of his losses this season. So, of course, on the day he gave up five runs, Bryce Harper delivered three home runs as the offense erupted to earn him a 7-5 win. The Nationals have now won three series in a row. Since starting the season 7-13, they have won seven of their last nine games. Scherzer had allowed five total earned runs in his first five starts, going 1-3. On...