Orioles fans had been hoping their team's offense would break out and it did. The Orioles scored 23 runs in the last three games. But they lost two of the three games. Just when it looked like they could sweep the two-game set in Pittsburgh with Chris Tillman on the mound, and the offense starting to hit, the sweep didn't happen. This season has been one stop and start after another. Can the O's get on a roll? It has looked like they would several times and it doesn't happen. They are...

PITTSBURGH - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the team was down a reliever tonight and suggested that the disabled list could come into play. Brad Brach, Brian Matusz and Ryan Webb pitched tonight and Troy Patton warmed up in the eighth. Darren O'Day appeared to be fine in the clubhouse. Zach Britton had his right ankle wrapped after the game, but it could be routine maintenance. Tommy Hunter wasn't in the clubhouse while reporters were conducting interviews. Stay tuned. Preston...

For the Orioles tonight, eight runs on 12 hits with a homer and four doubles was not enough. Chris Tillman lasted just one inning plus four batters in the second-shortest start of his career as Pittsburgh scored eight early runs and one late to beat the Orioles 9-8 at PNC Park. Down 8-6, the O's scored twice in the seventh on RBI singles by J.J. Hardy and pinch-hitter Steve Pearce to tie the game before the Pirates scored once in the bottom half to regain the lead. Starling Marte started...

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates gambled and lost tonight in the seventh inning. Their lead also was lost. Pirates reliever Bryan Morris issued an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Steve Clevenger after falling behind in the count, loading the bases with one out for pinch-hitter Steve Pearce. The Orioles trailed 8-7. Pearce was 10-for-24 with three doubles, a home run and eight RBIs lifetime against the Pirates. Hence, the gamble. Pearce fouled off two straight 97 mph sinkers, leaving the count...

Manager: Clint Hurdle, fourth year Record: 19-26 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.317/.436/.488, 18 XBH, 21 RBIs); 2B Neil Walker (.257/.333/.446, 9 HR, 25 RBIs); RHP Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.84 ERA); RHP Charlie Morton (0-6, 3.45 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 4-3, 31 runs scored, 29 runs against Pitching probables May 22: Edinson Volquez vs. Blake Treinen, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD May 23: Charlie Morton vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD May 24: Gerrit Cole vs. Stephen...

PITTSBURGH - Brad Brach hadn't gone more than two innings in a major league appearance before tonight. He hadn't gone more than three as a professional. The Orioles needed length from him tonight after starter Chris Tillman's hasty exit, and he responded with four scoreless innings. The Pirates continue to lead the Orioles 8-6 as Brian Matusz works the bottom of the sixth. Brach allowed two hits after replacing Tillman with no outs in the second, including Ike Davis' RBI single. He...

Nationals center fielder Denard Span had himself a series. He finished the three games with nine hits against the Reds, including a 5-for-5 performance Tuesday and a leadoff solo shot Wednesday. It was his first homer of the season. The home run off of Reds starter Alfredo Simon gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, they could not muster much else offensively, leaving two men on only one time. That chance arrived in the second inning, when Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore led off with...

Manager: Terry Francona, second year Record: 22-25 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.367/.436/.510, 12 XBH, 6 RBIs); LF Michael Brantley (.302/.370/.523, 9 HR, 36 RBIs, 6 SBs); RF Daniel Murphy (.294/.360/.483, 5 HR, 30 RBIs); RHP Corey Kluber (4-3, 3.43 ERA, 74 K) Season series vs. O's (2013): 4-3, 27 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables May 22: TBD vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 23: Justin Masterson vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 24: Corey Kluber...

After the 2-1 loss to the Reds on Wednesday night, Nationals manager Matt Williams addressed the media and announced that Blake Treinen will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse for Thursday's opener at Pittsburgh. Right-hander Ryan Mattheus will be sent back to Syracuse to make room for Treinen on the 25-man roster. Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche confirmed he will play in a rehab game for high Single-A Potomac on Thursday night in Woodbridge, Va., as he recovers from a right quad...

PITTSBURGH - Chris Davis' home run streak ended tonight at three consecutive at-bats. He grounded out to end the top of the first inning and strand Nick Markakis at third base. David did produce the tying run in the top of the second with an infield hit. They don't all have to travel 400 feet. Davis was retired in the first inning on a 75 mph curveball from Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Has anyone called him "Magic Wandy," or am I the first? If so, it's because he made the...