CINCINNATI - On Wednesday, in his first at-bat back in the big leagues after taking the roster spot of the injured Ryan Zimmerman, Zach Walters dropped a pinch-hit single into center, extending the ninth inning and nearly leading to a Nationals comeback from a four-run deficit. Today, Walters is in the Nats' starting lineup, getting his first career big league start at second base. This is Walters' fourth career start overall, and they've come at four different positions - shortstop, third...

The Orioles continue to get good starting pitching on their current road trip. The latest example was Wei-Yin Chen's outstanding eight innings of scoreless ball last night. He gave up just five singles in the win over Seattle. On this trip, it seems that preparation and performance have led to results. The preparation part takes place when O's manager Buck Showalter decides which pitcher will start against which team. We've seen Showalter often match up a starter against a team he's had...

It is amazing to think about how productive the bullpen has been this season for the Nationals. Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano have been very efficient in the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Soriano is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA with 23 saves this season. Storen is 2-1 with a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings. Clippard is 6-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 42 innings. What is truly amazing is the trio's recent ability to close out games. Soriano did have one hiccup, but these numbers are nothing short...

Nationals scouting director Kris Kline was genuinely excited about getting left-hander Andrew Suarez with the Nats' second-round pick, 57th overall in this past June's amateur draft. Kline talked the pitcher up when he spoke to reporters about this year's picks after the second day's selections were completed. "We got Suarez from the University of Miami, who we love," Kline said. "Big lefty. Physical kid. Up to 97 with a plus slider and a plus changeup that commands his stuff very...

CINCINNATI - The Nationals sure are catching the Reds at the right time. Cincinnati had won seven of its last nine games going into the All-Star break, sat seven games over .500 and was 1 1/2 games back of the National League Central-leading Brewers. Now, the Reds have lost six in a row coming out of the break, are just a game over .500 and sit six games back of the Brewers. Not a bad time for Matt Williams' squad to swoop into the Great American Ballpark for three games, hoping to push...

Have you experienced a random act of ballpark kindness? Better yet, have you performed one? It seems we've heard much in recent years about boorish ballpark behavior. The most publicized incidents have involved fights between opposing fans that resulted in serious injuries. It's enough to make even the most dedicated fan consider passing up on the peanuts and Cracker Jack and decide to never go back. Less publicized are the simple kindnesses shared between strangers that add to the fun of...

Please remind me again whether the Orioles need to acquire another starter for their rotation or if they should stick with the current five and figure out later how to make room for Ubaldo Jimenez. The rotation has registered a 3.12 ERA in the last 40 games, with Wei-Yin Chen tossing eight scoreless innings last night in a 4-0 victory over the Mariners. If you subscribe to the theory that you don't fix what ain't broke, I know where you stand on this subject. Critics will say the rotation...

The Orioles used a big three-run homer and a fourth straight strong starting pitching performance to win their series opener at Seattle tonight. Wei-Yin Chen pitched eight scoreless innings and Delmon Young backed him with a three-run homer as the Orioles beat the Mariners 4-0 at Safeco Field. With the win, the Orioles improved to 4-3 on this road trip and to 56-45 on the year. They maintain a three-game lead atop the American League East over New York and Toronto after those clubs posted...

The Orioles begin a four-game series in Seattle tonight. They are 3-3 so far on this west coast road trip. They hope to continue playing well this month. July has been the O's best month of the year by winning percentage: .500 in March/April at 12-12 .500 in May at 15-15 .571 in June at 16-12 .667 in July at 12-6 The O's strong record this month has been built more on pitching than offense. The team ERA is 3.42. On offense the Orioles are averaging 4.4 runs per game on a .246 team average,...

Wins are just one stat for a pitcher, but it's nice to get them. There is a pitcher in the Orioles organization that has been racking them up this year. In fact, he is second in all of minor league baseball in wins through Wednesday's games. Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Tyler Wilson began this year with Double-A Bowie and moved up to Norfolk, where he has made his last four starts. In 20 games on the year between those teams, he is 12-5 with a 3.35 ERA. Only top Red Sox pitching prospect...