PITTSBURGH - The Orioles are breaking out the same lineup tonight with the exception of the starting pitcher, of course. Nelson Cruz is in left field, Jonathan Schoop is back at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Chris Tillman is 0-for-6 in the majors. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Chris Tillman RHP For the Pirates Josh Harrison RF Neil Walker 2B Andrew McCutchen...

Manager Matt Williams said Wednesday during pregame that first baseman Adam LaRoche is right on target to be activated Sunday or Monday from the 15-day disabled list. LaRoche has been nursing a right quad strain. He has been on the disabled list since May 10. He is expected to play rehab games in the next day or two. "Adam is going to go play," Williams confirmed. "He has got another test today. We are not sure on what exact day he is going to start playing. Could be tomorrow, could be...

PITTSBURGH - Miguel Gonzalez registered the Orioles' 16th quality start last night. He's now tied with Chris Tillman for the team lead with four. Did anyone notice? Chris Davis hit three home runs, the offense cranked out nine runs and the rest of the night is a blur. Gonzalez allowed two runs in six-plus innings. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. "I thought I felt a little over-strong, but we got it done," said Gonzalez, who hadn't started since May 10. "I'm where I...

The Nationals are going for the series win against the Reds this afternoon in D.C., but Anthony Rendon will be on the bench for the finale, getting a day off. With Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list, Rendon has become the Nats' everyday third baseman. Kevin Frandsen will get the start at third today. Right-hander Tanner Roark will take the mound this afternoon, looking to earn his fourth win of the season. The Nats will face veteran Alfredo Simon, who's 5-2 on the season, with a 2.45...

What can a five-hit game do for a guy's numbers less than two months into the season? Well, for Denard Span, it can boost his batting average and on-base percentage in a big way and get him back closer to the type of numbers he would expect to have to this point in the season. Span entered yesterday's game batting .239 with a .287 on-base percentage, significantly below his career averages. Largely because of Span's rocky start, the Nationals had the lowest on-base percentage out of the...

More than a quarter of the 2014 season has now passed and the Orioles are sitting on top of the American League East with a record of 23-20. Despite holding the divisional lead, there has at times been an overwhelming sense of frustration among Orioles fans as in between the moments of brilliance, there have also been periods of lackluster performances. It's been these periods which have halted the Orioles just as they were threatening to open up a significant lead on their divisional rivals....

A few thoughts and observations after Chris Davis and the Orioles offense had a breakout game Tuesday night at Pittsburgh: * The headline was Davis and his second career three-homer game. Before last night's game, some here suggested Steve Pearce get the start over Davis against the lefty last night. After Davis looked bad with a strikeout in the first inning, you had to wonder if maybe they were right. But somewhere along the line, Davis got his timing back and turned back the clock to early...

PITTSBURGH - If you're manager Buck Showalter, do you stick with the same lineup tonight that churned out nine runs last night? The Orioles are facing another left-hander, Wandy Rodriguez, so it's a convenient excuse. Rodriguez has faced the Orioles once in his career, back in 2005 while he pitched for the Astros. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings in a 5-1 loss at Camden Yards. The Orioles' lineup included Eli Marrero in center field and Sal Fasano behind the plate....

If you ask Doug Fister, Denard Span was always a tough hitter to face. If you ask Span, Fister always got great movement on his pitches, which were incredibly deceptive to the hitter in the box. Unfortunately for the Reds, they had to face both of them Tuesday. The Nationals, led by Fister's seven strong innings and Span's 5-for-5 performance, cruised past Cincinnati 9-4. Fister went seven innings and allowed just six hits and two runs. He walked only one batter, and struck out five. Span...

Doug Fister didn't need much run support tonight. Denard Span helped make sure he had plenty anyway. Span went 5-for-5 tonight with two doubles, two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base, leading the offensive charge against Reds starter Johnny Cueto, who came in leading the majors in ERA among starters. Manager Matt Williams had been asked before the game whether he had given thought to moving Span out of the leadoff spot. Let's all have a laugh about that now. Fister took care of...