Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio started off Orioles leadoff hitter Nate McLouth with a 91 mph four-seam fastball tonight. Then he came back with a 90 mph four-seamer. Then he threw the exact same pitch again at the same speed. McLouth timed it just right. McLouth delivered his second leadoff home run of the season and the 12th of his career to give the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead over the Rockies. McLouth's other leadoff shot came on April 30 in Seattle. His last homer this season came...

ATLANTA - The news of Charlie Manuel's firing by the Phillies this afternoon made its way through the Nationals' clubhouse prior to tonight's game against the Braves, and one guy had a lot more to offer on the topic than anyone else. Jayson Werth played under Manuel in Philadelphia for four seasons from 2007-2010, and it's evident from talking with Werth how much he cares about his former manager. Werth didn't want to discuss the circumstances of Manuel's firing in too much detail, but...

Two Orioles pitchers this afternoon expressed support for pitching coach Rick Adair, who is taking a personal leave of absence, and confidence in Bill Castro, who has moved from bullpen coach to take over as pitching coach. Scott McGregor joins the staff as bullpen coach. "I think we are on the same page here and we know what we need to do. Just go about our business the same way we have been," Chris Tillman said. "Billy has been around here for two years, he knows what we do. He is out...

Bill Castro has previous experience as a pitching coach with the Brewers, and he's returning to that role with the Orioles starting today after the club announced that Rick Adair had taken a personal leave of absence. This isn't the way Castro wanted to return to the dugout. "Well, I was surprised," he said. "I felt uncomfortable in the beginning with the situation. I don't want anything bad to happen to anybody. "Rick will be fine, and we'll take care of things around here. Going...

Adam Jones was asked today about the Orioles' three losses in Arizona. They suffered three consecutive walk-off losses and now have to bounce back from that tonight as they begin a homestand against Colorado. "A loss is a loss. Any loss (stinks)," Jones said. "The way they happened is not the best way to lose a game. We gave ourselves a chance to win. "We are behind every person on the team. We pick up everybody. They are team losses. There is not one person in here doubting the next....

Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about 25 minutes talking to reporters today before turning over the microphone to Bill Castro and Scott McGregor. Here's a sampling of Showalter's remarks. On Kevin Gausman having a sore right forearm: "They may skip him in the rotation just to keep him out of harm's way. He feels good. He's not happy about not pitching, but just had a little soreness. Probably be the last time he ever tells about it. That's usually how it goes. They don't seem...

Struggling closer Jim Johnson answered several questions today by his locker. It was not his favorite thing to do, I'm sure, but he was accountable for his performance as always. He ended his session with reporters answering a question about manager Buck Showalter's confidence in him. "It's fine. I mean, we talk and what else is there to say? I've talked about this for the last three days," he said. "My confidence is fine, Buck's confidence is fine. We're good and we're going to win...

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said his arm felt good today before he headed outdoors to play catch. If the session goes well, he'll do it again on Sunday or Monday. Hammel told manager Buck Showalter that he was ready to start Sunday. Showalter assumed that Hammel was joking. Bud Norris remains the scheduled starter for Saturday despite experiencing some lower-back tightness in his last outing. The Orioles gave him the option of starting Sunday, but he declined. Scott Feldman will start...

ATLANTA - As expected, Wilson Ramos is back in the lineup today as the Nationals open a three-game series against the Braves. Ramos had missed the Nats' last two games after suffering a left hamstring injury in Tuesday's win over the Giants. This marked the third time this season that Ramos has injured his left hamstring, but this issue was lower down in the hamstring than the previous two strains and was not considered nearly as serious. Taylor Jordan (1-3, 4.14 ERA) takes the ball tonight...

The Orioles today announced a partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) that features the club serving as event chair for the 30th Annual Baltimore Heart Ball, scheduled for February 1, 2014. The Orioles are the first professional sports team to lead such an effort since the AHA's founding in 1924. The Orioles and the AHA have set what would be a record-setting $810,000 fundraising goal for the Baltimore Heart Ball. Proceeds from the event benefit breakthroughs in cardiovascular...