Right-hander Lucas Giolito recorded a couple of important "firsts" on Wednesday. In the 6-1 with over the GCL Marlins, Giolito won his first professional game, in his longest outing (five innings) with a career-high strikeouts (five). He allowed five hits, one run and one walk in the win. Giolito is now 1-1 and 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and eight walks. He has 12 strikeouts and just two walks in his last three starts. This year's top pick right-hander Jake Johansen...

Tired of the doom and gloom talk? Had enough of discussions about the Nationals' "World Series or Bust" season looking a lot like "bust" with a quarter of the schedule still remaining? How about some good news, then? Ready? Dan Haren gets the ball for the Nats tonight when they open a three-game series with the Phillies. A month ago, fans probably wouldn't have seen that as good news, but lately, Haren has been on an absolute roll. The veteran right-hander has posted a 2.40 ERA and...

Fans of plate discipline and on-base percentage, this blog post is for you. Today is the anniversary of Bobby Grich's record-setting ability to get on base without hitting the ball. Grich established a team record for walks in a game with five on Aug. 9, 1975. Grich ended the day 0-for-0 and scored three times, the most of any Orioles player that day, in a 12-6 victory against the White Sox. Grich finished the 1975 season with 107 walks. Meanwhile, Ken Singleton had 118 walks to establish a...

Six weeks removed from undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, pitcher Dylan Bundy remains encouraged by his recovery and the progress he's making toward getting back on a mound. Bundy is on schedule with his rehab at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, which should enable him to begin throwing in late November - five months after his procedure. "Today is six weeks, which is kind of a big deal," Bundy said yesterday while driving to Orlando to attend a birthday...

It is a fair question to ask: What has happened to Nick Markakis' power numbers and why are they down so much in recent weeks? For the 2013 season Markakis is batting .282 with 19 doubles, eight homers and 45 RBIs. He has a .336 OBP, a .377 slugging percentage and .713 OPS. He is on a pace to compile 27 doubles, 11 homers and 64 RBIs. According to baseball-reference.com, over his career, his 162-game averages in those categories are 40 doubles, 17 homers and 83 RBIs. His career slugging...

As part of Fan Appreciation Week 2013, for the first time an Orioles fan will design a team giveaway, a t-shirt on Thursday, September 26. The shirts will be distributed to the first 10,000 fans ages 15 and over attending that night's game against the Boston Red Sox. Fans should visit www.orioles.com/fanshirt to see a complete list of rules and gain access to Orioles team logos that may be used for this purpose. Submissions will be accepted until August 31. Fans are encouraged to work on...

The Orioles' 2014 Pet Calendar featuring players and their pets is on sale beginning today at www.orioles.com/petcalendar, with proceeds to benefit the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). To help further support BARCS' efforts to find safe homes for dogs and cats in the area, Orioles players including Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Nate McLouth, Darren O'Day and Matt Wieters will appear at "Pawz for Pazo," an exclusive event at Pazo Restaurant in Harbor East on Sunday, Sept....

I mentioned last night that Jordan Zimmermann has hit a pretty rough patch since the All-Star break, posting a 6.75 ERA and a 1.929 WHIP in four starts after his first Midsummer Classic. This comes after Zimmermann was one of the most consistent starters in baseball in the first half of the season. He allowed more than three runs in an outing just three times prior to the All-Star break and made it through at least five innings in all 19 first-half starts. He also walked just 1.22 batters per...

For Nationals fans, one of the most exciting parts about last offseason was the acquisition of Denard Span. The center fielder livened up the Nats lineup, bringing speed to both the outfield and the basepaths. Well, thanks to Cox Communications, you have the chance to meet Span this Saturday, August 10! From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Span will be taking pictures with fans at the Cox Solutions Store in Fairfax, Va. Be sure to RSVP today; however, the event is open to all on a first-come,...

With Davey Johnson's tenure at manager coming to an end once the 2013 season is completed, speculation has begun as to whom his replacement will be. One name that has jumped out early is former major league player and current Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams, according to a tweet by baseball writer Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com: Matt Williams is said to be among candidates to replace Davey in washington. #nats http://t.co/ZubaYSFnGb— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 8, 2013 Williams,...