We're getting close to one of the best times of the year around the MASN headquarters: Social Media Weekend. Thanks to Hair Cuttery, kicking off Friday, Aug. 9 at Nationals Park, we'll be offering fans exclusive prizes and experiences. Each season, particularly in 2013, we have seen our loyal fans tweeting at us, chatting on our Facebook threads and sending us Instagram pictures. And we want to reward you for it. From Friday to Sunday, we'll be live on location at Nats Park, giving away...

Chris Tillman must circle the dates on his Orioles schedule that include games against the Mariners. Then, he must duck inside manager Buck Showalter's office and beg to start each one of them. Tillman is 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA in four career starts against the Mariners, with only three earned runs allowed in 27 2/3 innings. He's posted a 0.69 WHIP against them. The Mariners have long regretted the Erik Bedard trade. It doesn't stop Tillman from throwing it in their faces. Tillman retired...

The Orioles have placed second baseman Brian Roberts on paternity leave. Roberts left the club this morning to be with his wife, Diana, for the birth of their first child in Baltimore. Roberts can remain on leave for a maximum of three days. To fill Roberts' roster spot, the Orioles have reinstated pitcher Steve Johnson from the 15-day disabled list. Johnson will serve as an extra reliever in Roberts' absence. Johnson, on the disabled list since June 6 with a strained left oblique, was...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed second baseman Brian Roberts on the paternity leave list and reinstated right-hander Steve Johnson from the 15-day disabled list. Roberts, 35, is batting .245/.283/.357 in 30 games for the Orioles this season. Johnson, 25, is 1-1 with an 8.49 ERA (11.2IP, 11ER) in five games (one start) for the Orioles this season. He had been on the DL since June 6 with a left oblique strain.

Orioles pitchers have recorded 13 quality starts over their last 18 games. The O's starters are 11-6 with a 3.78 ERA in that stretch. Chris Tillman, who has recorded eight quality starts over his last 10 games and 14 in 21 outings on the year, takes the mound tonight against his former team. Seattle drafted Tillman in the second round in 2006 and then sent him to Baltimore along with Adam Jones and three others for Erik Bedard on Feb. 8, 2008. In four starts for the O's against Seattle,...

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Buck Showalter being introduced as Orioles manager. He was hired as the 19th manager in franchise history on July 29, 2010 and took the helm four days later. Reminded of the date this afternoon, Showalter reacted as if he had no idea and wasn't expecting a cake or presents. He's uncomfortable with the attention. He'd rather have Angel Hernandez behind the plate for the rest of his games. OK, now I'm exaggerating. Showalter's first game was Aug....

The calender has turned to August and last season, that turned out to be good news for the Orioles. They went 18-9 in August 2012 and 20-11 in September to finish 38-20 down the stretch to make the playoffs for the first time since 1997. With 53 games left in the 2013 regular season, the Orioles are 5 1/2 games out in the AL East and they are a half-game behind Cleveland for the American League's second wild card spot right now. There are five teams within 4 1/2 games of that spot with...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts informed manager Buck Showalter at 10:30 a.m. this morning that he was headed to the hospital with his wife for the birth of their first child. Showalter hadn't spoken to him since around 2 p.m. and didn't have any updates for reporters this afternoon. Roberts isn't on paternity leave, and Showalter said "there's always the chance that everything goes real well and she's sleeping and Brian feels comfortable and he comes back here tonight." Roberts...

Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base tonight for the Orioles, as they begin a three-game series against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Brian Roberts is listed among the reserves, though I haven't seen him today. He's expected to go on paternity leave soon for the birth of his first child. Pitcher Jason Hammel underwent an MRI on his right arm today and he's still waiting to hear the results. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis...

The Nationals open another big series on the road at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. Wisconsin native right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will oppose former Nationals left-hander Tom Gorzelanny. The Nationals need to play well in this series and gain some momentum before returning home to begin a home stand against the first-place Atlanta Braves. For the Nats LF Bryce Harper 2B Anthony Rendon 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond CF Denard Span C Wilson...