The only thing missing from Miguel Gonzalez's start today was run support. And maybe a better plan against Blue Jays third baseman Maicer Izturis. Gonzalez allowed only three hits in 7 1/3 innings - Adam Lind's single in the first, Izturis' first-pitch home run in the fifth and Munenori Kawasaki's bouncer up the middle with one out in the eighth. The Jays led 2-1 before Taylor Teagarden launched his second home run of the season in the top of the eighth to tie the game. Gonzalez walked...

Miguel Gonzalez has four strikeouts in the first three innings today against the Toronto Blue Jays. All of them are called third strikes. Gonzalez punched out Munesori Kawasaki in the third inning. Not literally, though there must be a slight temptation. Kawasaki was batting .229 before today, but .321 vs. the Orioles. Eight of his 17 RBIs came against them. Gonzalez has allowed only one hit in three innings, but his wild pitch in the first gave the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead. He's retired seven...

So the Orioles are trying to snap Toronto's nine-game winning streak today. And they have to beat the Blue Jays in a ballpark where they are 11-37 in their last 48 games since June 8, 2008. Should be no problem, right? A hot baseball team starts to think nothing can go wrong, until something does. Even after falling behind twice by two runs last night, Toronto rallied for the walk-off win, which lit up message boards and twitter. I understand the frustration any time the O's lose and maybe...

Today marks a significant anniversary in Birdland. Thirty-four years ago, on June 22, 1979, Orioles Magic was born. That's the night that third baseman Doug DeCinces crushed a game-winning two-run homer - back in the day, we didn't call them walk-offs - in the ninth inning off the Tigers' Dave Tobik for a thrilling 6-5 victory before 35,456 at Memorial Stadium. Here is Bill O'Donnell's call of the decisive blast, with additional commentary by Chuck Thompson and Charley Eckman. Years...

The Nationals have insisted that they have confidence in Dan Haren, despite his bloated numbers this season. You wonder how much longer that confidence will last. Haren was pulled after just 3 1/3 innings today, capping his worst start of what has already been a really rough 2013 campaign. The 32-year-old allowed six runs on seven hits. He hit a batter, threw two wild pitches, allowed four extra-base hits and was all over the place from the get-go. He allowed three runs in the first inning,...

The start of the 2013 season has been a bit of a rocky one for Drew Storen. Storen, who saved 43 games for the Nationals in 2011 and then came back from elbow surgery last season to post a 2.37 ERA in 37 games, went through a stretch this season where he either allowed an earned run or an inherited runner to score in five of seven games. His ERA sat at 5.21 on May 25, and manager Davey Johnson had started avoiding using Storen against left-handed hitters recently because of a new bullpen...

Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson began his throwing progress today with a game of catch at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Johnson made 25 throws from 60 feet. He's waiting to find out what's next on his schedule. Johnson, on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, sent out the following tweet earlier this morning: "Threw today and felt good! Hopin to be back soon. Tired of being in Sarasota. Can't wait to get back" This is the latest piece of encouraging injury/rehab...

Prior to Saturday's game against the Rockies, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper told reporters he believes that he will need six or seven rehab games to get back to 100 percent as he recovers from bursitis in his left knee. He also said he felt Tuesday might be too early for his return and said Wednesday could be the better day for his initial rehab game at high Single-A Potomac. Manager Davey Johnson had a little bit different take during his pregame news conference, saying it was his...

We're back at Nats Park bright and early this morning, thanks to a 12:05 p.m. scheduled first pitch. The Nationals are having their annual Dream Gala tonight, an event that benefits the Dream Foundation. Players, coaches and staff will need to toss on their tuxes and make their way over to Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall after today's game, making for a long day, but one that will benefit a good cause. Jhonatan Solano will be behind the plate for the Nats today, this being...

Travis Ishikawa will make his second start at first base today, as the Orioles try to even their series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Chris Davis will serve as the designated hitter for the second time. He hit two home runs Wednesday in Detroit. Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH J.J. Hardy SS Travis Ishikawa 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Taylor Teagarden C Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the...