BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has narrowed the field of Saturday starter candidates to right-handers Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris. Showalter said he most likely will make the announcement before tonight's game. "I need to have one other conversation," Showalter said. "Miggy threw some in the bullpen today and felt good, so that's encouraging. He's an option. I'll have one more conversation during or after BP." Showalter said there's another factor that could influence...

The Orioles will try to do something tonight that no team has done this year: Sweep a three-game series from the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In fact, Boston has only been swept twice this year and that counts a one-game series. They got swept May 3-5 at Texas and their loss July 29 at home against Tampa Bay officially counts as a series sweep. Boston entered this series with a home record of 50-25 and was 8-1 in its previous nine home games before losing back-to-back nights to the...

BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez threw a light bullpen session today and said he felt good. No issues related to the right groin strain that forced him out of Sunday's game in Toronto. Gonzalez said he's ready to start for the Orioles on Saturday if given the ball. That decision is pending. Manager Buck Showalter may announce his starter later this afternoon. Bud Norris also is a consideration. Reliever Darren O'Day, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 7, is available tonight out of the...

Shortstop Zach Walters put up career-high numbers this season, earning a September call up to the Nationals. Walters crushed 29 home runs and 77 RBIs in 134 games for Triple-A Syracuse. He hit .253 with 32 doubles, five triples and 69 runs scored. In five games with the Nationals, Walter has gone 2-for-2 (1.000) with a run scored and one walk. This week, manager Davey Johnson was asked about sitting shortstop Ian Desmond because of a spasm near his hamstring. Johnson said Desmond is fine and...

After Stephen Strasburg was scratched from tonight's start due to some lingering right forearm tightness, Gio Gonzalez will start on full rest in the first of four games against the Marlins. The Nationals plan to follow Gonzalez with Jordan Zimmermann tomorrow night, Strasburg on Saturday and Dan Haren on Sunday in the season finale between these two teams. Gonzalez is 2-0 in two starts against the Marlins this season and has yet to allow a run in 13 innings against Miami. The Nats will...

BOSTON - Matt Wieters caught all 12 innings of last night's game against the Red Sox and he's back in the Orioles lineup tonight for the series finale at Fenway Park. Since 2010, Wieters leads all major league catchers with 174 extra-base hits, followed by Yadier Molina with 173. The next-closest catcher is A.J. Pierzynski with 155. The Orioles are trying to build their first four-game winning streak since they won five straight from July 14-22. The All-Star break arrived after the first...

When Kevin Gausman fanned five Boston batters in a dominating two-inning outing last night, it was the latest chapter in what has been a busy and interesting season for the Orioles' 22-year-old pitching prospect. The club's top draft pick last season began 2013 in Double-A Bowie's rotation. He was called up to pitch as a starter for the Orioles in late May, then sent back to the minors at Triple-A Norfolk and returned to Baltimore to pitch out of the bullpen. Three teams and two different...

BOSTON - Chris Tillman will seek his 17th win tonight and the Orioles will attempt to sweep the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Tillman is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox. He's 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park, with five earned runs allowed over 23 1/3 innings. Tillman's career ERA against the Red Sox is more than two runs per game better than his ERA against any other American League East club. He's posted a 4.18 ERA in nine starts vs. the Blue Jays,...

The Nationals acquired left-hander Matthew Spann from the Rays today, completing the trade that sent outfielder David DeJesus to Tampa Bay for a player to be named. Spann, 22, went 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games (four starts) for Bowling Green of the Single-A Midwest League this season. After working primarily as a starter the last two seasons, Spann was moved to the bullpen most of this year, and posted a 2.50 ERA in 15 relief appearances. The lefty had just 35 strikeouts and 21 walks in...

The Washington Nationals today acquired left-handed pitcher Matthew Spann as the player to be named to complete the August 23 trade that sent outfielder David DeJesus to the Tampa Bay Rays. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Spann joins the Nationals organization after going 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games/four starts for Bowling Green of the Single-A Midwest League this season. After pitching primarily as a starter the previous two...