The Orioles have returned to Progressive Field, where they took three of four games last season, but are 23-51 overall. I liked it better as The Jake. Xavier Avery hit his first major league home run in Cleveland on June 29, 2012. A year later, he's been traded to the Mariners for Michael Morse. Alexi Casilla is starting at second base today. He's 10-for-29 with a double, triple, two home runs and 11 RBIs against Justin Masterson. Brian Roberts is leading off as the designated...

For much of the last two-plus weeks, Taylor Jordan's actual baseball responsibilities have been pretty limited. Since being shut down for the season, partially due to a back strain that landed him on the disabled list and mostly due to Jordan reaching his team-imposed innings limit, the rookie right-hander has played catch every day, and, well, that's about it. There isn't a heck of a lot pitchers can do when they're on the DL, and there's even less pitchers can do when they're on the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter shot down a reporter's theory yesterday that the offensive outburst in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium may have relaxed his hitters. "We've got (Justin) Masterson tomorrow," Showalter replied. "You think we'll be relaxed and confident? That's why people are playing meaningful games this time of the year, because they've got good pitchers you're going to see every day." Masterson certainly belongs on that list. He's 14-9 with a 3.49 ERA, and he's...

Left-hander Zach Britton is expected to join the Orioles in Cleveland today and be added to the roster. Britton was scheduled to pitch today's regular season finale for Triple-A Norfolk, but Mike Wright has been promoted from Double-A Bowie to make the start as Britton joins the Orioles. Britton went 2-3 with an ERA of 4.76 in six starts this season for the Orioles. His last outing for Baltimore was on July 9 when he gave up five runs in five innings against Texas. He is 6-5 with a 4.27 ERA...

The Washington Nationals salvaged the last of the three-game weekend set with the New York Mets on EPSN's Sunday Night Baseball, overcoming an early deficit with a three-run eighth inning to win 6-5, spurred by Bryce Harper's sacrifice bunt with men on first and second and no outs, trailing by two runs. The percentages say it was a bad play. Statheads throughout Natstown winced. The Nationals only had six outs left and Harper gave one away on purpose. The next batter, rookie Anthony...

It's crazy how quickly things can shift this time of year. Twenty-four hours ago, the Nationals were waking up 7 1/2 games back of the Reds in the wild card chase and looking at a possible sweep at the hands of the lowly depleted Mets. They'd just been smoked 11-3 a night before, marking their second straight defeat, dropping them back to one game over .500. The mood in the clubhouse was somber. Players talked about how their time was running out to make a late push. Last night, a late,...

Center fielder Bryce Harper, known for power and big hits at crucial times, came up with a stellar bunt with two men on during the Nationals' decisive three-run rally in the eighth inning Sunday night versus the Mets. Down 5-2, the Nationals rallied to score four runs in a 6-5 comeback victory. So was Harper bunting for a base hit? Bunting to get the two runners over? Did he decide to bunt on his own? "No, he was doing it on his own," said manager Davey Johnson. "I didn't think it was...

There might not have been a play more crucial to the outcome of today's 6-5 Nationals win than Bryce Harper's sac bunt in the bottom of the eighth that pushed the tying runs into scoring position with one out. There might not have been a more controversial play, either. Those that are anti-bunt would certainly have issue with Harper - arguably the Nats' best hitter not named Jayson Werth - giving away an out late in the game. Those that are pro-bunt would certainly say that with Harper...

The Orioles rode another roller coaster of emotions yesterday. No height requirement. And keeping your hands inside at all times was purely optional. Manager Buck Showalter was saddened to learn that catcher Taylor Teagarden had been designated for assignment. Definitely not his call. Then, his team fell behind 3-0 and starter Wei-Yin Chen made another early exit. Nobody called for that scenario. The Orioles erupted for seven runs in the top of the seventh inning, beat the Yankees and...

The Orioles won just one of three games over the weekend and they gained a game on the Tampa Bay Rays, who got swept by Oakland. Remember when it seemed like Tampa Bay would never lose again? The Rays are 1-7 in their last eight games. Remember when the Orioles took the series from Oakland? The A's are 6-1 since leaving Baltimore. Things can change fast folks. If you think the Orioles are not playoff contenders, guess again. They are three games behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card as...