Bryce Harper was pulled from tonight's game after six innings, but manager Matt Williams' decision to remove Harper had nothing to do with his tight quad muscle. What was the reason? "The inability to run 90 feet," Williams said sternly after the game, a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals. "Lack of hustle. That's why he came out of the game." Harper grounded back to Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn leading off the bottom of the sixth inning. He trotted about two-thirds of the way down the first base...

The Orioles won a replay challenge today and it gained them a run, but they lost the game 4-2 in Boston as the Red Sox evened the four-game series at a win each. The Orioles' three-game winning streak ended as they fall to 8-8 on the season and 2-3 against Boston. Matt Wieters drew a leadoff walk against Koji Uehara in the ninth, but the former Oriole then struck out the next three hitters. He got the save, his fourth in four chances in 2014. The Red Sox scored twice in the last of the...

BOSTON - Nelson Cruz picked up his second RBI today and the 500th of his career. It came in unorthodox fashion. Cruz was called out on a bouncer behind third base with runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. He immediately signaled that he was safe and manager Buck Showalter strolled onto the field to give Adam Gladstone - who was hired this season to check the video for possible challenges - enough time to review the play. Gladstone doesn't have a formal title....

BOSTON - The Orioles no longer have three errors this season. And I'm no longer welcome in manager Buck Showalter's office. Kidding. He doesn't really believe in jinxes. Right? Jonathan Schoop mishandled Mike Napoli's grounder with runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the first inning, and Dustin Pedroia crossed the plate with the tying run. Schoop was most likely thinking about a double play, especially with David Ortiz lumbering to second base. The Orioles now have...

An early fielding mistake hurt the Nationals again. In the top of the second with one out, Allen Craig walked. Jhonny Peralta grounded to third base and Anthony Rendon attempted to get Craig at second and start a double play. But his throw to second baseman Danny Espinosa was offline and both runners were safe. Rendon was charged with his first error of the season. It was the league-leading 20th error committed by the Nationals this season. Tony Cruz followed with a two-run single, and the...

The Orioles look to go two games over the .500 mark for the first time this season today when they play the second game of a four-game series this afternoon at Fenway Park. A win today would give the Orioles a four-game winning streak. In going 1-4 to start the year, O's starting pitchers worked to an ERA of 7.56. In going 7-3 over their last 10 games, O's starters have pitched to an ERA of 3.12. Pretty clear cut how important starting pitching is to the win-loss record. Chris Tillman got...

BOSTON - Steve Clevenger will start behind the plate Monday morning in the series finale against the Red Sox. Matt Wieters is catching this afternoon following a night game. "We talked about it before," said manager Buck Showalter. "We came in with the off-day and it was cool, not very taxing last night. We talked to Matt before this whole thing started and he thought he'd catch the three after the off-day." If the Orioles commit an error today, Showalter is bound to glance up at the...

Nationals center fielder Denard Span returns to the lineup today against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was activated off the seven-day disabled list after suffering a concussion in a game against the Atlanta Braves on April 11. Span played two rehab games for low Single-A Hagerstown and suffered no setbacks. "It feels good," Span said. "A couple of days in Hagerstown definitely gets my appreciation for being here up a few notches and I am ready to go. "Felt good. I didn't see many strikes....

BOSTON - Manny Machado played five innings at third base this morning in his first extended spring training game. He also received four at-bats and didn't experience any issues with his left knee or calf. Machado hit into a fielder's choice, doubled, struck out and singled. The Orioles don't have an extended game scheduled for Sunday, but they could create one for Machado. Manager Buck Showalter is hopeful that Machado will report to an affiliate next week and begin an injury rehab...

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated outfielder Denard Span from the 7-Day Disabled List and optioned outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span, 30, rejoins the Nationals after going 2-for-4 with two RBI, three runs, three walks and a stolen base in two rehab contests with Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. Before...