The Nationals put up six straight runs this afternoon to make this game respectable and give themselves a shot late, but they couldn't overcome the seven-run deficit they were handed by Ross Detwiler. A 7-6 loss to the Rockies was the result, a loss that dropped the Nats back to a game under .500. Detwiler allowed seven runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings. The left-hander relies almost exclusively on his two- and four-seam fastballs, and the Rockies weren't fooled by what Detwiler brought...

There were a few things that were said last week that kind of bugged me. Chris Davis hit home runs last Sunday against Boston, and then again Monday and Wednesday (twice) at Detroit, and in Toronto on Friday. He currently leads the majors with 27 homers. But many fans, and even some people who follow the Orioles, don't want to let a certain matter rest. Whenever a big league slugger breaks out, the PED argument always seems to come up. On June 16, someone tweeted, "I would love to see Chris...

Left-hander Ross Detwiler got in trouble early against the Rockies, and they rolled to seven runs in the first four innings. That was just enough to hold up in a 7-6 Colorado victory that dropped the Nationals back below .500 at 37-38. Manager Davey Johnson said Detwiler needed to mix up his pitches better to beat the Rockies. But Sunday, Detwiler did not have confidence in one of his pitches and that cost him. "Basically, he is a sinkerball pitcher," Johnson said. "He is still very...

This one got out of hand early. The Toronto Blue Jays knocked O's starter Freddy Garcia out in the third inning this afternoon to beat the Orioles 13-5 today and complete the three-game sweep at Rogers Centre. This is just the second time on the year the Orioles were swept in a three-game series, and they fall to 42-34. The Orioles were also swept, three in a row, by Tampa Bay on May 17-19. Toronto matched a club record by winning its 11th straight game. The Blue Jays, who are 6-4 against...

For the second straight day, a Nationals starter didn't made it out of the fourth inning. Yesterday, it was Dan Haren getting pulled after 3 1/3 innings, having allowed six runs on seven hits. Today, it's Ross Detwiler handing the ball to Davey Johnson after 3 2/3 innings. Detwiler allowed seven runs on nine hits (including two homers) with one walk and three strikeouts. Haren left to a heavy chorus of boos yesterday. Detwiler left to mild applause today. Ross Ohlendorf was able to pick...

Do the Orioles keep Freddy Garcia in the rotation after today's start, or do they consider the alternatives at Triple-A Norfolk? Garcia turned in his shortest start today, lasting only 2 1/3 innings, and was charged with a season-high seven runs. He allowed seven hits, walked two, struck out one, gave up a home run and hit a batter. Manager Buck Showalter removed Garcia after 61 pitches. Over his last two starts, Garcia has allowed 12 runs and 15 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He hasn't strung...

The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the first inning today, and catcher Matt Wieters fouled out to Blue Jays catcher J.P. Acencibia. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, and Freddy Garcia hit Arencibia to force in a run. Wieters has only five hits in his last 34 at-bats, lowering his average to .232. He has three RBIs over his last 15 games since June 5. Garcia threw 32 pitches in the first, striking out Maicer Izturis to end...

Turns out the Nationals won't wait until after Dan Haren's side session before deciding what to do with the veteran right-hander. Haren will be heading to the disabled list, a team source confirmed this afternoon. The ailment has not yet been specified. Haren has gone 4-9 this season and has a major league-worst 6.15 ERA. He went just 3 1/3 innings yesterday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on seven hits, and left the field to a chorus of boos from Nats fans. The Nats have gone 0-8...

The Orioles need a win today to avoid being swept in a three-game series for the second time this year. Tampa Bay swept the Orioles on May 17-19. The O's also got swept at home by San Diego in a two-game series. Meanwhile, no, I don't think Jose Bautista should get a brush-back pitch today from any O's pitcher. It appeared that Darren O'Day said something to Bautista on Friday night, and Bautista said something back when he homered yesterday. Now they should just move on. Bautista hit a...

Jayson Werth is back in the Nationals lineup today after being scratched from yesterday's lineup due to what manager Davey Johnson called flu-like symptoms. Two other Nats regulars will not start today's series finale against the Rockies. Adam LaRoche and Denard Span - two left-handed hitters - are both sitting today against Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rossa. Johnson also had LaRoche and Span out of the lineup against Phillies left-hander John Lannan earlier this week. Johnson has...