ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rookie Jonathan Schoop has hit three home runs this season. None of them have been cheap. When he gets hold of one, he really gets hold of it. Schoop's two-run shot to left field off Rays reliever Brandon Gomes in the seventh inning gave the Orioles a 4-2 lead at Tropicana Field. Steve Pearce singled with two outs and Schoop connected on an 0-2 pitch from Gomes, who couldn't get a 90 mph fastball past him. Gomes threw two cutters before going with a two-seamer. Orioles...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Adam Jones hadn't hit a home run before tonight since April 8 in New York, a span of 22 games. The Orioles center fielder was due, folks. Jones belted No. 2 leading off the top of the second inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead over the Rays. He jumped on the first pitch from Rays left-hander Cesar Ramos, an 89 mph sinker, and deposited it over the center field fence. Jones was 1-for-8 lifetime against Ramos before tonight's game. He had six hits in his last 37 at-bats...

The Washington Nationals, following today's 3-2 home win over the Dodgers, optioned first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 27 year-old Moore is 6-for-30 (.200) with a double, two home runs, three RBI and three walks in 18 games for Washington this season. In Moore's five starts (three at first base, two in left field) this year, Washington's...

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated catcher Wilson Ramos from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ramos, 26, returns to the Nationals after missing 32 games with a hamate fracture in his left hand, suffered on Opening Day, March 31 at New York (NL). In two Minor League rehab...

Manager Matt Williams said Stephen Strasburg did not have to make any changes to his strategy after four hits and two runs allowed in the first inning. "He got what he wanted in the first inning, couple of grounders that got through," Williams said. "Just found holes. I don't think there was any major adjustments after inning No. 1. He had good location the rest of the game, good breaking balls. But I don't think it was any different than inning No. 1." Williams said Strasburg is up to...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters doesn't have a term for the condition of his right elbow. He's just relieved that the word "surgery" wasn't attached to it. "You'd have to call Dr. (James) Andrews," Wieters said, smiling. "Just discomfort." That's pretty much what Andrews told Wieters and the Orioles. "He's just kind of said that everybody's elbow looks different," Wieters said. "It's more about going by feel, and all the tests we did tested fine for...

Wilson Ramos waited 38 days for a chance to get back with the Nationals. The catcher had a double, a walk and a sac fly that drove in the winning run in a 3-2 Nationals win over the Dodgers, which gave Washington a series victory. The double came on the first pitch he saw from Dodgers starter Dan Haren. I think the Nationals are glad he is back as well. "I am excited to be back with the team," Ramos told MASN's Dan Kolko. "I know I can help the team a lot. That is what I want to do. I want...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is available off the bench tonight, according to manager Buck Showalter, after having his right elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., and grabbing a flight back to Tampa. Showalter anticipates that Wieters will be in Thursday night's lineup against Rays left-hander David Price. He's expected to serve as the designated hitter. Showalter said Wieters should be catching again "in the near future." Wieters underwent an MRI on...

Let's start with this stat that could get your attention: If the Orioles win one of the next two nights, they will have three road series wins this year in the American League East. They didn't win their third AL East road series in 2013 until Sept. 13-15 at Toronto. After going 15-23 (.395) in AL East road games last season, the Orioles are 7-4 (.636) so far in 2014, winning two series and tying one. They are 3-0 this year against the Rays, after losing 11 of the final 13 games to Tampa Bay...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Caleb Joseph spent part of his afternoon accepting hugs from teammates in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field, warm greetings given to a player making his major league debut at age 27. Joseph didn't know whether he would start tonight, since he hadn't spoken to manager Buck Showalter and no lineup was posted. Turns out, he's catching and batting ninth against Rays left-hander Cesar Ramos. It's been an unforgettable 24 hours for Joseph, a late scratch from...