PHOENIX - Stephen Strasburg pitched pretty well tonight, allowing three runs over seven innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Bronson Arroyo was better, however, throwing his 16th career complete game, allowing just one run, walking one and striking out seven. The Nationals had a few chances against Arroyo, but outside of Ian Desmond's RBI triple in the second inning, they weren't able to push anything across. The D-backs tied it up in the fourth on Miguel Montero's RBI single and...

The Orioles optioned reliever Preston Guilmet to Triple-A Norfolk tonight to make room for Kevin Gausman, who starts Wednesday afternoon against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Guilmet struck out the only batter he faced tonight after replacing closer Tommy Hunter with two outs in the ninth. He retired all five batters he faced the past two nights, fanning three of them. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to talk about catcher Caleb Joseph tonight, but he knew the topic would shift to Hunter, who gave...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-hander Preston Guilmet to Triple-A Norfolk. Guilmet, 26, made two scoreless appearances totaling 1.2 innings after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before yesterday's game.

In the quiet of the Orioles clubhouse, Tommy Hunter talked about the ninth inning, the win that got away and his third blown save. "It sucks, man. It's not fun to lose. That's my take on it. I don't like getting beat," he said. Hunter walked Torii Hunter to put two on with two outs for Miguel Cabrera and Cabrera's three-run shot gave Detroit the 3-1 lead in the ninth. A solo shot from Victor Martinez followed as the Tigers stunned the O's in the ninth. "You can't let the best hitter in...

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond slammed a home run on Monday for his first extra-base hit since May 2. Sometimes when a hitter finally puts a charge in the ball, it can start something bigger. Desmond continued his good feeling at the plate in the second inning Tuesday in Arizona. After Wilson Ramos singled off of Diamondbacks starter Bronson Arroyo, Desmond hit a RBI triple to deep right field to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was Desmond's first triple of the season. Right-hander Stephen...

Victory turned into defeat. Another rough outing for Tommy Hunter. A stirring victory denied. A gut punch loss for the Orioles. Trying to protect a 1-0 lead with two outs and two on in the ninth, Hunter gave up a three-run homer to Miguel Cabrera. Victor Martinez followed with a solo shot as Detroit stunned the Orioles 4-1 tonight at Camden Yards. The blown save ruined a very strong outing from Ubaldo Jimenez, who pitched seven scoreless innings. Darren O'Day kept Detroit off the board in the...

Right-hander Wander Suero was called up to high Single-A Potomac last week. And for good reason. All he has been is impressive. Suero went 3-0 with one save and a 1.98 ERA in six games for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. In 27 1/3 innings, Suero allowed 24 hits, six earned runs, two walks and struck out 19 batters. Suero also went 8-1 with a 1.65 ERA for the Rookie-level champion Gulf Coast Nationals last season, striking out 46 batters in 49 innings over 13 games. The 2010 non-drafted...

Just when it appeared that Caleb Joseph's finest work tonight would come behind the plate, he did something memorable from the right side of it. The rookie catcher grounded a single into center field with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning for his first major league hit. Joseph had been 0-for-8 in three starts, including a ground ball to Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos tonight that led to a force play. He ended that streak and gained a souvenir with his single off left-hander...

Nationals manager Matt Williams received X-ray results on third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and his broken thumb. Zimmerman has been on the disabled list since April 13. Unfortunately, Zimmerman will not be able to begin strength exercises yet. "X-rays were good, but it is not fully healed yet," Williams said. "So the doctor is not comfortable with him starting any strengthening stuff yet. I imagine we will go back to that in about a week and see where he is at. It's only four weeks, doesn't...

A few more swings tonight like the one delivered by center fielder Adam Jones, and the Orioles may wipe that Drew Smyly off the mound. OK, I couldn't properly execute that joke. Let me try again later. Jones lined a home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning, a rope strong enough to hold wet laundry. The ball cleared the fence in approximately two seconds and gave the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead over the Tigers. (It takes Torii Hunter a little longer to stop holding a grudge, but he...