The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Michael A. Taylor and right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Taylor, 23, returns to the Nationals for the second time this season after hitting .304 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging percentage in 110 Minor League games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. After hitting...

The Orioles and Tampa Bay play the second game of their series and second of the O's road trip this afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Orioles were held to eight hits and shut out 3-0 by the Rays last night. The O's went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. The Orioles had gone 9-for-20 with RISP in their sweep of the Reds. The Orioles are 8-1 in games after being shut out and have won six straight after being shut out. The Orioles have been blanked on the road...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained why shortstop J.J. Hardy was out of today's lineup, why Chris Davis returned to it and why Darren O'Day hadn't pitched in the past three games. Let's stay in that order. On Hardy "Just trying to stay ahead of it. Trying to be a little proactive instead of reactive. Turf. Another thing that turf does. He could play. He's available. Just didn't like how he felt after the game last night and decided to be cautious with it...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I have a batch of quotes to pass along in my next blog entry, but let's first catch up on today's news. J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup. Manager Buck Showalter said the club is trying to "stay ahead" of the shortstop's back issue. Showalter suggested that Hardy is available today and will return to the lineup on Sunday. He didn't like how Hardy felt after last night's game and decided to be cautious. Hardy has been bothered by a spasm in his lower...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 8-1 after being shut out this season. They've won six in a row. Can they make it seven today? They'll do it with shortstop J.J. Hardy at least starting the day on the bench. He's out of today's lineup with Delmon Young at designated hitter, getting his first start since Monday, and Steve Pearce at first, playing for the first time since Aug. 29. Pearce had been out with a strained abdominal muscle. Jimmy Paredes was originally starting at third with...

Prior to the All-Star break, Rafael Soriano punched up a 0.97 ERA in 37 games. He recorded 22 saves in 24 chances, had an opponents' batting average of .153 and had a WHIP of 0.81. He was simply one of the best relievers in the majors. Since the All-Star break, Soriano has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games. He's recorded just nine saves in 14 chances, has an opponents' batting average of .325 and a WHIP of 1.76. Things have turned south for Soriano in a hurry. And now Matt Williams has to decide how to...

Nationals manager Matt Williams will make a change at closer after Rafael Soriano blew his second straight save in a 9-8 11-inning setback to the Phillies. Soriano has blown five games in 14 opportunities since the All-Star break, and has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games since the break. Soriano said he understands he has not been pitching well. He has allowed opponents to score at least one run in four of his last five outings. "Whatever situation that (Williams) could make, I will be with him because...

Rafael Soriano has struggled since the All-Star break. And after tonight's blown save, Matt Williams said he's considering a change at closer. Soriano allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning tonight, blowing his fifth save in 14 chances since the break. He has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games in that span, and this blown save tonight contributed to a 9-8 Nationals loss in 11 innings. Soriano was handed a three-run lead, but allowed a two-run homer to Carlos Ruiz and then a solo shot to Ben...

The Orioles are saying all the right things. They are not taking their big American League East lead for granted. They are not looking too far down the road. Yet in some respects, they likely are looking down the road and I think they should be. The time has come for the club to begin to look at some players on what is now a 33-man roster and it is time to begin the decision-making process for the final spots on what will be a 25-man playoff roster. The O's have some decisions to make in...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Will the Orioles have most of their relievers available for today's game against the Rays? I doubt that you'll see Ryan Webb or Evan Meek unless there's an emergency. Ubaldo Jimenez wasn't going to be rushed into a scoreless game last night, but we know that he's rested. Andrew Miller is nearing a return after tweaking his left leg Monday, but it's not known whether he could pitch today. The Orioles need him, but only if he's healthy. What's going on with...