Way back on May 28, the Nationals were 25-27, averaging 3.9 runs a game and allowing 3.9 runs a game. The Nationals were two games under .500 and playing like they were a .500 team. The narrative at that time was that they were one of the most disappointing teams in baseball and the hangover from Game 5 in the 2012 National League Division Series and a mediocre 2013 had continued into 2014. Concurrent injuries to star players was once again taking their toil, the Nationals' window was already...

Should the Orioles be concerned about Kevin Gausman? Earlier this year, their 2012 first-round draft pick gave up two runs over 13 innings in back-to-back starts against Oakland and Toronto when both were in first place. He pitched the final game before the All-Star break and gave up just one run in a rain-shortened win over the Yankees that left him with 4-2 record and 3.29 ERA. But in eight starts since the break, Gausman is 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .293 against him...

Did everyone get a Darren O'Day T-shirt last night? In case you missed out, it says "O'DAYYY O'DAY O'DAY O'DAY". If that song is now stuck in your head, my work here is done. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't know about the T-shirt giveaway and asked what was written on it. "At some point this year I might be singing that song, I hope," he said. If I'm O'Day's agent, I'd do a wicked karaoke number with it during the next contract talks. The Orioles hold a $4.25 million...

Think Nationals manager Matt Williams is stewing over the Phillies' 8-4 come-from-behind win Wednesday night that gave them a series sweep? Think again. Sounds more like the skipper has already filed the three games at Citizens Bank Park away. The Nats might not be landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for another six hours, but Williams might as already be in the Pacific Northwest. The Nats didn't look so good Wednesday night. Doug Fister struggled through 5 2/3 innings and gave up...

Kevin Gausman had just a four-inning start tonight, which is tied for the shortest of his big league career. He gave up six hits and three runs as the Orioles lost 3-1 to Tampa Bay. Gausman threw 129 2/3 innings last season, and is at 127 1/3 innings now. It is fair to wonder if he is tiring a bit during a long season. He is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in five August starts. "I definitely haven't thrown this many innings," he said. "I think that can take a toll on your body, but physically I feel...

The Orioles have optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Gulf Coast League team. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Thursday. Same paper move as the one earlier today involving left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Relievers Ryan Webb and Joe Saunders pitched today for Triple-A Norfolk. Evan Meek and Preston Guilmet did not get into the game. Gausman, who worked four innings tonight, is listed as Monday's starter against the Twins at Camden Yards. It's possible that the Orioles push him...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to the GCL Orioles. Gausman, 23, is 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA (82.0IP, 35ER) in 15 starts for the Orioles this season.

Since he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31, left-hander Drew Smyly had pitched to an ERA of 1.55 over four starts and 0.76 over his last three. The Orioles saw why tonight. Smyly gave up one run and two hits over seven innings as Tampa Bay beat the Orioles 3-1 at Camden Yards. He walked one and fanned six, throwing 87 pitches. Smyly pitched a two-hit shutout on 105 pitches against Toronto in his last start and had allowed just nine hits in 23 2/3 innings in those last three starts...

You've no doubt heard the old expression, "Nobody loves the umps." (Check out this clip from "I Love Lucy" with Bob Hope.) Well, that's not necessarily true. After a visit from the men in blue earlier today, a bunch of kids at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center think the oft-criticized arbiters are some of their favorite people. Scott Barry, Laz Diaz, Pat Holberg and Jeff Nelson - the crew assigned to tonight's Rays-Orioles game at Camden Yards - spent part of Wednesday at the hospital...

The Nationals were not slowed by Wednesday's delayed first pitch. The Phillies honored their local Little League World Series team during pregame. The first pitch was expected at 7:35 p.m., but instead came at 7:44 p.m. Denard Span didn't waste any time with a single against Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick to lead off the game. Anthony Rendon followed with a double that rattled around the left field corner. Span raced all the way around from first base to score and the Nationals lead...