When the Orioles acquired outfielder David Lough in December, it appeared that they added a speedy outfielder with an excellent glove and one that maybe was ready to help a good team at the big league level. In 2013, Lough batted .286 in 96 games for Kansas City. He finished eighth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and led all rookies in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). O's fans didn't see Lough play that well for them early in this season. But as the 2014 season is winding...

The Nationals concluded their four-game-in-two-day stretch tonight by getting pounded by the Marlins 15-7, but that means nothing. Matt Williams' ball club had already clinched home-field advantage through the National League side of the playoffs earlier today by way of their 4-0 win over Miami, so the nightcap was meaningless from a standings perspective. The Nats got in their work, got a couple regulars some at-bats to stay fresh, and emerged healthy after a really rough last 48...

When Chris Tillman gave up four runs and took the loss for the Orioles in tonight's 4-2 defeat at Toronto, a few streaks came to an end. * Tillman's run of 20 straight starts allowing three earned runs or fewer is over. He went 8-3 with a 2.21 ERA during the streak, which began June 10. * Tillman's run at a season without a road loss ended. He was 8-0 with a 4.19 ERA this year in 15 road starts. With a win or no-decision tonight, Tillman would have recorded the most road starts without a...

Right-hander Taylor Hill managed to battle his way out of a tough jam in the first inning of his initial major league start. The Marlins got a walk and two base hits in the first. Casey McGehee's RBI single got the Marlins on the board first, 1-0. Hill then induced a huge 4-6-3 double play from Garrett Jones to derail the rally. Hill's Triple-A Syracuse teammate, outfielder Michael A. Taylor, came up big for his buddy to begin the bottom of the first, slamming a double to deep center. Kevin...

Chris Davis made his debut today in the fall instructional league, reaching on an infield hit and drawing a walk in three plate appearances in a game against the Rays at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Davis flew down to Sarasota on Tuesday. He hasn't been made available to the media. Davis, who played third base today, hasn't been in the Orioles lineup since Sept. 10 in Boston. Two days later, Major League Baseball announced that Davis was suspended 25 games for a second positive test for...

With Doug Fister's complete-game shutout against the Marlins in Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. Fister threw 104 pitches, 77 for strikes, allowed just three hits, walked none and struck out nine. It was the seventh complete game of Fister's career and his 16th win of the season, which is a career-high. Here is what manager Matt Williams had to say about the Game 1 performance of the Nats. On Fister's...

Nationals starter Doug Fister notched his 16th win with a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over the Marlins Friday afternoon. He allowed only three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. But afterward, it was all about the ballclub. "It's a great team win," Fister said. "Something we can enjoy for a little while and get ready for tonight. Guys are rolling, putting good at-bats together. What was there? Eight or nine walks. I mean, guys are seeing the ball well. That's what you want...

The Orioles are inviting at-risk children to attend Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series through a program called the OriolesREACH Knothole Gang. Nearly 1,400 children will be experiencing the excitement of Postseason baseball from Sections 96 and 98 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, courtesy of the Orioles. Groups participating include: * Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore * City Springs Elementary School/Baltimore Curriculum Project * Dundalk Youth Services Center *...

Nick Markakis has been lowered to third in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series-opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Alejandro De Aza is batting leadoff. Markakis has batted first in 147 games this season, second in two, third in three and fifth in one. Adam Jones, Nelson Cruz, J.J. Hardy and Steve Pearce are on the bench. Pearce homered last night in his first start since being scratched last Friday with a sore wrist. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF David Lough CF Nick...

As the Orioles begin the final series of the regular season tonight at Toronto, Chris Tillman (13-5, 3.26 ERA) will face Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison (10-13, 4.51 ERA). Tillman can complete the season without a road loss. He is currently 8-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 15 road starts. With a win or no-decision tonight, Tillman will record the most road starts without a loss in a single season since at least 1914. He is currently tied with Greg Maddux, who went 13-0 in 15 road starts in 1995....