Manager Matt Williams covered an array of topics after Thursday's 8-2 win over the Mets at Citi Field, including Jordan Zimmermann's status, Tanner Roark's quality spot start and the Nats' sweep. Perhaps the main topic is whether Zimmermann can start the Nationals' home opener Friday after being scratched Thursday because of flu-like symptoms. The first indication that Zimmermann might be on track to prevent the Nats from employing a bullpen game tomorrow is the fact that the team used...

There will be a very special first pitch ceremony tonight at Camden Yards. It will be thrown by Erika Brannock, a 29-year-old teacher at a Towson preschool. It was almost a year ago when Erika lost part of her left leg in the Boston Marathon bombing. She was near the finish line to watch her mom, Carol Downing, finish the race. Erika's comeback from her injuries in Boston has been very inspirational. She certainly has a strong attachment now to both cities and it's only natural that if she...

Tanner Roark didn't know he'd be on the mound Thursday until right around three hours before first pitch. Jordan Zimmermann walked in sick and the Nats turned to tomorrow's scheduled starter in a pinch. Didn't turn out to be much of an obstacle once he got past allowing a two-run Mets rally in the first inning. The Nationals right-hander held New York scoreless over his last five frames, opening his season with a quality start - two earned runs in six innings to earn the decision in an 8-2...

The Orioles are not exactly tearing it up on offense so far, batting just .194 (12-for-62) as a team and with just four runs scored. The O's have just two extra-base hits in two games and both were homers and both by Nelson Cruz. The rest of the team has no extra-base hits in 56 total at-bats. Cruz, who signed a one-year deal for $8 million dollars on Feb. 24, is enjoying his first few weeks as an Oriole. "It's going good. I feel really blessed," he said this afternoon in the Orioles...

With rain in the forecast for Friday afternoon's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park, the Orioles have scratched Kevin Gausman from tonight's start with Triple-A Norfolk and may send him to Detroit. A team official confirmed that knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa will start the Tides opener at Harbor Park. Major League Baseball allows teams to bring up one player for 24 hours as part of an expanded roster for doubleheaders scheduled the day after a postponement. The Orioles and Tigers would...

Tanner Roark's day is done after a solid recovery from his rough first frame. When the Nationals right-hander allowed two runs in the first inning, prospects for a good day seemed dim. But he bounced back to put together a quality start, finishing with two earned runs on six hits in six innings. Roark struck out five and walked three on the way to opening his season with a quality start. Roark held the Mets scoreless over his final five frames, buying the Nats time to come back, which they...

A light rain is falling and the tarp is on the field at Camden Yards. Jonathan Schoop will be playing second base for the Orioles tonight if we don't have a postponement. Ryan Flaherty remains at third. Nelson Cruz is back in left field. He's homered in both games. Update: The tarp is off the field and the Orioles are taking batting practice. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz LF Matt Wieters C Delmon Young DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan...

Perhaps it was the lack of mental preparation that came with last-second notice that he'd be starting today, but Tanner Roark's first inning was one he'd rather forget. The Nationals right-hander allowed two runs on three hits, a walk and a sac fly in the first inning to put the team in an early 2-0 hole. Daniel Murphy started the rally with a one-out single before David Wright singled on a lazy pop fly that center fielder Denard Span lost in the sun. Curtis Granderson followed with an...

The Orioles announced today that the Tigers claimed left-hander Mike Belfiore off waivers. Belfiore was designated for assignment on Sunday as the Orioles cleared space for reliever Evan Meek and outfielder Delmon Young on their 40-man roster. They also placed reliever Edgmer Escalona on the 60-day disabled list. Belfiore, acquired from the Diamondbacks on May 12, 2012 as the player to be named in the Josh Bell trade, allowed one run and five hits in two innings with the Orioles last season...

After an overwhelming fan response the past two seasons, the Orioles have announced the return of the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead promotion for 2014. Fans will once again be able to select the player they want to be immortalized in a bobblehead giveaway, scheduled to be distributed during Fan Appreciation Weekend on Sunday, September 21 to the first 25,000 fans age 15 and over. Fans can vote for any of four players - all right-handed pitchers -- who have never been featured as an Orioles...