NEW YORK - J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup for the fifth time in six games, one day after he expressed hope that he'd be able to play again tonight at Yankee Stadium. On top of that, David Lough is listed on the bench after it appeared he was headed to the disabled list with Jemile Weeks joining the Orioles. Weeks is in New York, but is not listed on tonight's lineup card. Hardy says his back is much better. He will work out on Thursday's off-day and hopes to play on Friday. Lough...

NEW YORK - The Orioles and Yankees haven't posted their lineups for tonight's game. Waiting to find out whether J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop. The Orioles collected 20 hits last night, their second-highest output in the Bronx in franchise history. They pounded out 22 hits on June 8, 1986. The Orioles plated multiple runs in four different innings for the first time since April 25, 2013 against the Athletics, according to Elias. According to Retrosheet, the last time the Orioles had all...

We are nearly a week into the minor league seasons. To this point, the Orioles' four full-season teams have a combined record of 10-13. Norfolk is 1-4, Bowie is 5-2, Frederick is 2-3 and Delmarva is 2-4. Several pitching prospects pitched either scoreless ball or did not allow an earned run in their first starts. This list includes Kevin Gausman, Tim Berry, Hunter Harvey, Matt Taylor and Tyler Wilson. Double-A Bowie is off to the best start. Heading into today's game, the Baysox were 5-1...

The Orioles have announced new promotions available exclusively within the free MLB.com At the Ballpark® application at Oriole Park during the 2014 season. MLB.com At the Ballpark® offers mobile check-in, social media, special offers, rewards and exclusive content for anyone with an Android smartphone or iPhone. Incentives for fans to "check-in" using MLB.com At the Ballpark® include offers that will reward fans at every home game and several that reward fans for checking in over...

My colleague Byron Kerr highlighted the contributions of Anthony Rendon and Adam LaRoche in last night's Nationals win. I'd like to take a look at those two Nats infielders on a slightly larger scale. Both Rendon and LaRoche have made some solid defensive plays early on, but on the offensive side of things, they've just been raking through the first week and a half of the regular season. Rendon is hitting .407 through the Nats' first seven games, with three doubles, a homer and eight...

The 2014 season won't be easy for the Washington Nationals. If anything, the biggest hurdles thus far have unmasked themselves within the first seven games of the season. After dropping two of three to their division rivals over the weekend, the Nationals proceeded to shut out the Miami Marlins 5-0 in Game 1 of the three-game series at home Tuesday night. The Nationals' current obstacles still remain at the forefront of conversation. First off, Ryan Zimmmerman's shoulder isn't going to...

NEW YORK - The Orioles will play under the lights tonight for the first time in six games. Hopefully, they won't be distracted by the moon. It's been a while since they've seen it unless the curtains were open in their hotel rooms. Fans keep asking why the Orioles would recall infielder Jemile Weeks from Triple-A Norfolk to replace outfielder David Lough, who's apparently going on the disabled list. Well, Weeks has played the outfield and he also provides insurance in case shortstop J.J....

A veteran not known for his speed getting that extra base. A young player returning to his collegiate position making a big defensive play. Both combine for big hits. All are a part of the Nationals' 5-0 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night. First baseman Adam LaRoche was able to slide safely into second base in the sixth inning, thanks to Marlins second baseman Jeff Baker's inability to hold onto to the throw from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The error by Baker was big in the inning,...

This sure counts as one of those total-team-effort type of wins tonight. The Nationals got stellar starting pitching from Gio Gonzalez, who went six scoreless innings; got great defensive plays from Anthony Rendon, Ian Desmond and others; saw five of their position players chip in with at least one hit; and watched the bullpen lock down a 5-0 win over the Marlins. These are the type of wins that really make managers smile. Matt Williams loved what he got from Gonzalez today, who elevated his...

Of the many positive things that happened for the Orioles offense yesterday, the best development may have been Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop both having big days. Flaherty had three hits after starting the year 1-for-21 and that has to take some of the pressure off him. Schoop had two hits and is now 3-for-8 with two doubles the past two games after starting the season 2-for-18. He may be starting to settle in. We know that players in the middle of the order like Chris Davis and Adam...