BALTIMORE - It appears the Nationals dodged a bullet in regard to Ian Desmond's health. Desmond needed to leave tonight's game in the eighth inning shortly after taking a Darren O'Day fastball off the right hand, but Nats manager Matt Williams said after the game that X-rays on Desmond's hand came back negative. That's the good news. The bad is that the Nats dropped tonight's ballgame to the Orioles 4-3, and had two players dealing with various bumps and bruises suffered in the loss. In...

The Orioles built an early four-run lead and they needed every run tonight. Steve Pearce hit an early homer and the bullpen came up big late as the Orioles held off the Nationals 4-3 at Camden Yards. The Orioles won two of three this week from the Nationals to improve to 50-41 on the season and to 28-21 in the all-time series with Washington. Leading by one in the top of the eighth, Darren O'Day pitched out of a two-out, bases loaded jam. He got Wilson Ramos to fly out as the Nats left the...

I wrote earlier today that it was time for Steve Pearce to heat up again. He had one hit in his last 10 at-bats and three hits in his last 19. The time is now. Pearce homered off Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez with one out in the bottom of the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Pearce launched a 91 mph fastball into the left field seats on a 2-0 count, ending Gonzalez's streak of 22 consecutive scoreless innings. He's 3-for-7 lifetime against Gonzalez. The Orioles are 41-22...

The Orioles scored a run in the first inning for the second straight game and they did it in a very familiar way. With one out in the first, Steve Pearce slammed a 2-0 Gio Gonzalez offering over the left field wall and the Orioles led 1-0. It was a 91 mph four-seam fastball. Gonzalez was able to get the next two batters out. The run ended Gonzalez's scoreless streak at 22 1/3 innings. Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was able to get to the Nationals 1-2-3 in each of the first two innings. He...

BALTIMORE -- Nationals manager Matt Williams said starting Kevin Frandsen at second base against Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen had nothing to do with Danny Espinosa, who started at that position last night. "We want to make sure we continuing to give our guys work," Williams said. "Franny has played well. His last couple of at-bats have been good. He got a base hit and he worked a really nice at-bat the other day and hit a ball to right field. We just want to make sure we keep everyone...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Preston Guilmet from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Bud Norris to Double-A Bowie. Guilmet, 26, has posted a 5.79 ERA (9.1IP, 6ER) in nine games with the Orioles this season, striking out 11 and walking two. Norris, 29, has gone 7-6 with a 3.96 ERA (91.0IP, 40ER) in 15 starts for the Orioles this season.

The Orioles will announce a roster move later today, with reliever Preston Guilmet being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. No word on the corresponding move, but a starter could be optioned and make a start during the All-Star break. The Orioles have made this arrangement in past years. Guilmet, the 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader in Boston, will provide an extra bullpen arm. His most recent appearance at Norfolk lasted one inning on Tuesday. Guilmet is 4-1 with a 4.45 ERA in 28 appearances...

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (8-3, 4.12 ERA) faces a challenge tonight. Not only is Washington sending out a pitcher against him that has thrown 22 straight scoreless innings, but the Nationals are a much better hitting team against lefties. The Nationals are hitting .234 with a .376 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers but .281 with a .408 slugging percentage against southpaws. That team average ranks second in the majors against lefties and Washington is seventh in...

So has Manny Machado's bat heated up because his knee is finally healthy? Is it because of any specific adjustments he has made at the plate? Is there another reason? If there is a specific reason for Machado's current hot streak, manager Buck Showalter was not going to reveal it during his pregame press conference today. Machado is 8-for-10 with a double, two homers and three RBIs the past two games against Washington, raising his average from .246 to .269. Over his last four games since...

Bud Norris could work an inning or two in relief Sunday for the Orioles after starting last night's game against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Norris threw 71 pitches in four-plus innings. He won't start Sunday on short rest. The assignment still belongs to Chris Tillman. Norris was off 17 days due to his groin injury and the Orioles don't want him inactive for another extended period over the All-Star break. "That's something we'd like to stay away from," Showalter said. "He's...