BOSTON - The Orioles' magic number is down to 11 and their lead in the American League East is up to 10. Try wrapping your arms around this one: The Orioles haven't led by that many games since Sept. 22, 1979. None of the current Orioles were born. "We hear it, we hear what's going on, but it doesn't feel like that," said first baseman Steve Pearce, who contributed two hits and an aggressive slide into second base in the Orioles' 4-0 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "We still know...

It was an important decision in a nail-biting moment of the game. With the Nationals leading 1-0 over the Braves and two out in the seventh, right-hander Doug Fister had walked two batters. The dangerous Andrelton Simmons was ready to dig in. Manager Matt Williams jumped out of the dugout and made his way to the mound. Fister at first did not see Williams coming toward him, but he knew he wanted to have a shot and getting Simmons. "I always hope for that chance," Fister said. "My back was...

The division lead is up to eight. The magic number is down to 12. Things continue to look up for the Nationals. Doug Fister went seven scoreless innings, the Nationals managed just enough offense on Ian Desmond's RBI single and Anthony Rendon's run-scoring fielder's choice, and Drew Storen struck out the side in a dominant ninth to give the Nats a 2-1 win over the Braves. Fister turned in an absolute gem, and while he got into a bit of trouble in the seventh, Matt Williams trusted him to...

Miguel Gonzalez was real good. Again. The Orioles' defense was pretty good again too and Boston's was not. Gonzalez, with big help from Tommy Hunter, worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings tonight as the Orioles blanked Boston 4-0 at Fenway Park in the opener of a three-game series. With the win, the Orioles are 84-59 to reduce their magic number to 11 and lead the American League East by 10 games over both New York and Toronto. This is the first time the Orioles have lead the AL East by 10 games...

BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez may never give up another run as long as he lives. That's probably extreme, but his scoreless innings streak has reached 14. Gonzalez is shutting out the Red Sox on three hits over five innings tonight and he continues to hold a 1-0 lead. He's retired nine of the last 10 batters he's faced. Gonzalez has thrown 77 pitches, 22 coming in the first inning, when he allowed two hits and walked a batter. The Orioles have aided Gonzalez with two double plays. He's...

The Nationals were able to break the ice early against the rival Braves. Each of these games are so important, but manager Matt Williams repeated during pregame that it is just another game. But a sweep either way would make a huge statement with games, and the season, dwindling down to a precious few. Doug Fister allowed just a Freddie Freeman base hit in the first. With two outs in the bottom of the first and Anthony Rendon on base, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond had back-to-back singles to...

BOSTON - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is flying to Baltimore around 8:40 p.m. tonight, and he has a 1 p.m. appointment Tuesday with team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Hardy is expected to undergo an MRI, and he also could receive another cortisone injection. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Hardy will stay in Baltimore rather than fly back to Boston. Showalter is hopeful that Hardy will be in the lineup Friday against the Yankees. "When I talked to Mike, he already had looked at the...

Orioles starting pitchers have pitched to an ERA of 2.03 over the last six games. Miguel Gonzalez (8-7, 3.38 ERA) will try to keep that going tonight when the Orioles begin a three-game series at Boston's Fenway Park. In 40 innings over the past six games, O's starters have allowed 30 hits and nine earned runs with five quality starts. Gonzalez is on a roll of his own. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine starts, going 4-2 with an ERA of 2.00. Gonzalez pitched a...

Manager Matt Williams gave the latest update on third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is in the process of rehabbing a right hamstring strain. Zimmerman has continued running and agility drills. He was seen doing some baseball-related activities during batting practice Monday prior to the Nationals' series opener against the Braves, throwing the ball to his teammates while in the outfield. The turning and running for Zimmerman, including pivoting and twisting defensively along with running the...

Prior to Monday's game versus the Braves, Nationals manager Matt Williams updated Rafael Soriano's progress as he tries to work on his mechanics following a rough stretch. Soriano has not pitched since Friday. Williams did not personally witness Soriano's bullpen session today, but got the full report from pitching coach Steve McCatty. He did get to speak to Soriano after the workout. "He's working on his mechanics," Williams said. "I talked to him in there and he said he felt good....