WASHINGTON - The Orioles and Nationals starters each went seven innings tonight, a two-run home run smudging their respective lines. Chris Tillman was lifted for a pinch-hitter, Delmon Young, after Jonathan Schoop led off the top of the eighth with a single off Nats reliever Tyler Clippard. Kevin Frandsen had pinch-hit for Stephen Strasburg with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after Wilson Ramos' single. Tilllman registered his fifth quality start in his last six outings, giving up two...

There have been discussions recently about the Nationals and Houston Astros working together on a shared spring training site. According to a Houston Chronicle article, Astros owner Jim Crane confirmed there have been more than talks and a proposed site in West Palm Beach, Fla., could be set to open in as early as 2017. Approval from state and local authorities is still needed for the sight to be confirmed. The Nationals/Expos organization has played at Space Coast Stadium since 2003. The...

WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter must fill out his lineup card without a designated hitter during the interleague series at Nationals Park. "It's only for two days," he said. Then, he couldn't resist having a little fun at the expense of his starting pitcher. "Of course, we get to watch Chris Tillman offensively tonight. I know that's what a lot of people are coming here for," Showalter said, trying to suppress the grin on his face. "That's another reason why we want...

A pair of 48-win teams tangle in the Nation's Capital on Monday night as the Orioles arrive to face the Nationals. The teams opening day starters, Stephen Strasburg and Chris Tillman are off to great starts. Strasburg allowed only a Manny Machado double down the left field line in the first three innings. Machado's hot shot came in the second at-bat of the game. Strasburg has recorded one strikeout in each inning. But Strasburg is at 41 pitches after those three innings. Tillman did not...

WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Kevin Gausman will be eligible to return to the club immediately after the All-Star break. Also, Gausman will no longer be on an innings limit, with today's decision to option him taking care of it. Asked whether the Orioles had a tough decision optioning Gausman, Showalter said, "Yes and no. We know where we're going to take him innings-wise this year in a perfect world and I think he's got a chance to be part of that and we want to manage...

On June 6 the Orioles were 6 1/2 games behind first-place Toronto. Today, they enter tonight's action two games ahead of Toronto and leading the American League East. A lot changed in just one month. A lot can change over the next month. Pretty sure the Tampa Bay Rays would agree with this. The Orioles' recent surge has some similarities to their playoff run of 2012, especially the help they are getting almost nightly from so-called role players. In recent days, players like Brad Brach,...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Julio DePaula from Double-A Bowie and optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk. DePaula, 31, has not allowed a run in three appearances with the Baysox (6.1IP, 3H, 3BB, 8K) after being signed by the Orioles organization on June 27 from the independent York Revolution. He has pitched to a 3.62 ERA (916.1IP, 369ER) in 13 minor league seasons in the Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Baltimore systems....

Nationals manager Matt Williams fielded questions about second baseman Anthony Rendon and why he has garnered so much interest to be included in the Final Vote for next week's All-Star Game in Minneapolis. "Anthony continues to understand himself and what he can and can't do," Williams said. "For me, I think he's shown more power than anybody expected him to show. And that's power to his pull side. Everybody understands his swing and fact that he can hit the ball the other way. You talk...

WASHINGTON - Kevin Gausman told reporters today that he's been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, a move made again to provide the Orioles with an extra bullpen arm. The Orioles are selecting the contract of reliever Julio DePaula, who will be in uniform for tonight's series opener against the Nationals. Gausman is 3-2 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts with the Orioles this season. He allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings yesterday at Fenway Park, striking out seven and being denied the win after the...

As a high school senior growing up in California, Doug DeCinces had dreams of playing Major League Baseball. Then he had a chat with an Orioles scout. "The scout (Al Kubski) told me that I can't run and that I throw like a girl," DeCinces says. "I was shocked, said, 'OK.' I was disappointed. He was a gruff old scout. But I think he wanted to see if I had what it takes to improve. There was no coddling back then." In 1970, when the Orioles drafted and signed DeCinces, he joked with...