The Orioles haven't been home since July 14. They probably would have gone anywhere to escape Kansas City, where they lost three straight games to close out their road trip. They were outscored 14-6 in those defeats and batted .214. They were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, placing the focus back on their offense. Maybe it's an overreaction. They scored 23 runs in the first four games of the road trip. But unless I missed it, there's nothing in the latest collective bargaining...

At least this time there was no late-inning heartache. But a road trip that began with such promise ended with a thud for the Orioles, who lost 7-1 tonight at Kansas City. After scoring 23 runs in starting this trip 4-0, the Orioles scored just six runs the last three nights in losing the final three games of a four-game series at Kansas City. The Royals led 3-0 in the second against O's starter Miguel Gonzalez and they knocked him from the game during a three-run fifth. Gonzalez allowed...

It's one of those nights for the Orioles. One of those nights that indicates that a split of their four-game series in Kansas City isn't in the cards. Not unless there's dramatic shift. Not unless someone changes the deck. The Orioles rotation had posted seven straight quality starts and 10 in their last 11 games, but Miguel Gonzalez left tonight's game after 4 2/3 innings. He couldn't keep the ball down and the Royals wouldn't let him up. Troy Patton let an inherited runner score,...

Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez retired the first two Royals he faced in the first inning tonight and gave up a cheap double to Billy Butler. I say "cheap" because Butler slapped at the ball and sent it bouncing down the right field line. Looked pretty harmless leaving his bat. Turned out to be quite harmful. The next two batters delivered RBI singles - Salvador Perez to center field and David Lough to right - to put the Orioles in an early 2-0 hole. The Orioles also fell behind in the...

Even during two straight frustrating losses, the Orioles are continuing to get quality starts from their pitching staff. That trend, should it continue, would be very big for this club as the final two months of the season are about here. Some are not impressed with a quality start, which by definition is an outing where the pitcher goes six innings or more allowing three earned runs or less. That is a 4.50 ERA. But that is the minimum to get a quality start and most of the time, the pitcher...

Ryan Zimmerman was asked to describe the vibe in the Nationals' clubhouse following this afternoon's thrilling, up-and-down 9-7 walk-off win that snapped a six-game losing streak. "Just normal. You know," Zimmerman deadpanned, before cracking a big smile. "I mean we needed a win. It didn't really matter how we got it. Obviously that's probably the most exciting way you can get a win. This team, we stick together. "It's been a rough go this year. Nobody's more disappointed than all...

The ninth inning had a little bit of everything for the Nationals on Thursday in a thrilling 9-7 victory over the Pirates. In a game the Nationals led throughout, they watched as the Pirates went right at their closer, Rafael Soriano, and scored four runs to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Reliever Ian Krol, in a rare move, replaced the Nationals closer and survived a rocky outing himself to strikeout Garrett Jones to end a tumultuous top half of the inning. Pittsburgh handed the ball...

Boy, what a wild one that was. The Pirates made three errors in the first inning. The Nationals had a four-run inning after failing to score more than two runs in five of their last six games. Davey Johnson was ejected. The Nats blew a four-run ninth-inning lead. Bryce Harper hit his first career walk-off homer, snapping a six-game losing streak. Yeah, wild would describe it. Bench coach Randy Knorr inherited managerial duties in the fifth inning of today's rollercoaster game when Johnson...

No surprises in the Orioles lineup tonight as they attempt to gain a split of their four-game series in Kansas City. Henry Urrutia remains the designated hitter against a right-handed starter, in this case former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie. Brian Roberts continues to play second base and bat ninth. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Henry Urrutia DH Brian Roberts 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the...

The Orioles will face two right-handers in their three-game series against the Boston Red Sox that begins Friday night at Camden Yards. Does Henry Urrutia get the start at designated hitter in all three games? Stay tuned. Here are the matchups: Friday: Chris Tillman (12-3, 3.84 ERA) vs. Ryan Dempster (5-8, 4.28 ERA) Saturday: Scott Feldman (2-1, 4.73 ERA) vs. Brandon Workman (0-1, 4.40 ERA) Sunday: Jason Hammel (7-7, 5.20 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (9-6, 4.50 ERA) Tillman will attempt to become...