The Orioles had a chance to re-sign left-hander Joe Saunders over the winter and didn't do it, though one member of the organization said they were "close." They checked on his availability at the non-waiver trade deadline last week, but the Mariners held onto him. Saunders is facing the Orioles today for the second time since signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract over the winter. He went the distance on April 29, allowing two runs and four hits in a 6-2 victory over the Orioles at...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-hander Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk. Johnson, 25, is 1-1 with a 7.82 ERA (12.2IP, 11ER) in six games (one start) for the Orioles this season. He was activated from the DL before Friday night's game. A corresponding roster move will be announced before Sunday's game.

It was not a mystery to Scott Feldman why he struggled tonight in the O's 8-4 loss to Seattle. "It was pretty basic. Just falling behind on everybody, walking guys," Feldman said after he gave up five runs over 4 2/3 innings. "Just no command of the baseball. Got a few days to get that ironed out for my next one and just go from there. When you are pitching from behind and not hitting your spots, that makes pitching a lot tougher. "Fortunately, for the first four innings, I was able to...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter had calmed down considerably by the time he met with reporters following tonight's 8-4 loss to the Mariners. Showalter was ejected by plate umpire Larry Vanover in the bottom of the seventh inning for disputing a strike call on Nick Markakis. Asked later if he had been given an explanation, Showalter took the high road. "Umpires are an easy target," he said. "It's not really fair. They've got a really tough job. There's a lot of ebbs and flows to a game....

The first two batters of the game reached tonight against Scott Feldman. That trend would continue as the Mariners beat the Orioles 8-4 at Camden Yards to even the series at a win each. Feldman weaved his way through a few jams over the first four innings, limiting damage along the way, but Seattle broke through with a four-run fifth inning. Feldman gave up seven hits and five runs over 4 2/3 innings to fall to 2-3 with an ERA of 5.70 in six O's starts. He is 1-3 with an ERA of 7.66 in four...

Right-hander Taylor Jordan has tossed a combined 125 2/3 innings in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. 35 1/3 of those innings have come at the major league level, where it appears he is there to stay. With starter Ross Detwiler likely done for the season with a herniated disc and a Jordan shutdown six starts away, who will the Nationals choose to be the fifth starter in the rotation? Ross Ohlendorf appeared to be the answer as a starting candidate. But Sunday he was placed on the...

The Nationals won their second series since the All-Star break after a 3-0 win over the Brewers. Dan Haren pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, while walking two and striking out six. Since returning from the disabled list on July 7, Haren's ERA is 2.40. The Nats' offense was powered by solo homers from Wilson Ramos and Adam LaRoche. LaRoche might have to thank shortstop Ian Desmond for the home run as LaRoche borrowed Jayson Werth's bat after Desmond suggested it....

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't have to leave the dugout tonight to be ejected from the game. He apparently said enough from the railing. Showalter barked at plate umpire Larry Vanover after a high and outside pitch to leadoff hitter Nick Markakis was called a strike in the bottom of the seventh inning. Vanover turned to the dugout and tossed Showalter, who rushed onto the field to pick up the argument. It's the second ejection for Showalter this season, the other coming on June 21 in...

Maybe Jayson Werth needs to order more of his bats from his manufacturer to hand out to his teammates. Adam LaRoche would certainly request one. Werth had two hits and LaRoche cranked a solo homer as the Nationals guaranteed a series win over the Brewers with a 3-0 win on Saturday. Werth left the game in the sixth inning. Manager Davey Johnson said on MASN's "Nats Xtra" that Werth injured his groin again. Johnson does not believe it is serious. Werth will not play Sunday and Johnson is...

Scott Feldman allowed the leadoff batter to reach in four of the first five innings tonight. He issued four walks. He let 11 of the 25 batters he faced reach base. Quite the recipe for disaster. Feldman was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, his shortest outing in six starts with the Orioles and tied for his second-shortest this season. He went 4 2/3 in his first outing with the Cubs this season, and 4 1/3 in his next game. Michael Morse singled with two outs in the...