While the Orioles decide whether to place pitcher Kevin Gausman on the minor league disabled list with an intercostal strain, they decided early this morning to recall reliever Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk. Brach replaces Evan Meek, who was optioned following the Orioles' 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Pirates in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Camden Yards. The doubleheader sweep taxed the bullpen, with Ryan Webb, Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter pitching in both ends. Brach,...

Nationals outfielder Scott Hairston (oblique strain) had a positive rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse. Hairston played left field, going 1-for-3, with an RBI double and a walk. He also grounded into a double play. His double scored Josh Johnson from second to tie the game in the third inning. The Chiefs went on to win the game, 4-3. The rehab assignment is expected to last four games, which would take him through the weekend with Syracuse, He could then return to D.C. with the Nats...

What's it like to be a baseball mascot? Biographile provided a peek into the unseen world of the men behind the mascots on Thursday in its interview with AJ Mass, a former Mr. Met and author of "Yes, It's Hot In Here; Adventures in the Weird, Wooly World of Sports Mascots." The end result is what the article's author, Patrick Sauer, terms "Nine Mascot Life Lessons, one for each inning of life." I've learned some mascot lessons firsthand thanks to my own admittedly curious ambition and...

The Orioles will open a three-game series tonight in Minnesota, where they only have to worry about frostbite and a smoldering bullpen. They didn't have enough pitching to make it to Target Field without another roster move. Not a chance. And Evan Meek was the most vulnerable reliever, which is why he's headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Early this morning, I tossed out some possible names to join the Orioles - Preston Guilmet, Suk-min Yoon and Tim Berry. Kevin Gausman was the obvious choice until...

PHILADELPHIA - A little over a month into the 2014 regular season, there isn't a single National League East team with a sub-.500 record. Wait, what? The Marlins, who lost 100 games last season, are now 14-14 on the season after finishing off a three-game sweep of the Braves. Wait, what? The Mets, who were seven games under .500 last year and are without ace Matt Harvey, are 15-12 on the young season and actually have a positive run differential. Wait, what? The Phillies, who decided to...

Following Thursday night's game, the Orioles announced that they have optioned right-hander Evan Meek to Triple-A Norfolk. Meek, 30, appeared in 12 games for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA (11.2IP, 9ER). A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow.

The Orioles are expected to bring up a reliever for the trip to Minnesota after tonight's doubleheader sweep. The bullpen needs a fresh arm. It won't belong to Kevin Gausman. Gausman was scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk - yes, we're past midnight - but an X-ray today revealed a strained intercostal muscle that could force him on the minor league disabled list. Gausman, who's 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts, would have been the likely choice without the injury. Manager...

So was Matt Wieters thinking about hitting a game-winning homer when he led off the 10th inning of Game 2 tonight? "You know, you don't try to hit one out. It's tough to do when you do that. Just trying to hit something hard, especially in an extra-inning game," he said. Wieters did hit a walk-off homer, connecting off Stolmy Pimentel to give the Orioles a 6-5 win and a sweep of the doubleheader. It was a long day, but one that leaves them with a 14-12 record. Your browser does not...

It ended with one swing in the last of the 10th inning. Matt Wieters smoked a homer down the right field line leading off the inning and the Orioles had a 6-5 extra-inning walk-off win against Pittsburgh. Wieters connected on a 1-0 pitch for his fifth homer of the year to give the Orioles a sweep of the doubleheader. Now at 14-12, the O's moved to within a half-game of first-place New York in the American League East. Down 4-0, the Orioles tied the game in the last of the sixth. Adam...

Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 13-13 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Chase Utley (.355/.408/.570, 3 HR, 11 doubles, 14 RBIs); 1B Ryan Howard (.255/.333/.469, 5 HR, 14 RBIs); RHP A.J. Burnett (1-1, 2.15 ERA); LHP Cliff Lee (3-2, 3.29 ERA, 40 K) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 8-11, 56 runs scored, 94 runs allowed Pitching probables May 2: Cliff Lee vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 3: A.J. Burnett vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 4: Cole Hamels vs. Gio Gonzalez, 3...