The Nationals' only run in Friday's opening series 2-1 loss to the Indians came on a bases-loaded wild pitch in the third inning. Cleveland's Justin Masterson was able to strike out 10 batters. Indians pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts. The Nationals managed just two hits, from Ryan Zimmerman and Steve Lombardozzi. Neither of those hits came after the third inning. The Nationals had their chances, as did the Indians, to get some scoring going. "We had right guys up with runners in...

I find it absolutely shocking that the Orioles are 10 games above .500. Judging by some of the comments here after Wednesday's loss, I thought the season was over and a managerial change was on the horizon. The bullpen has been instrumental in these last two victories, both of them against the first-place team in the American League East. A bullpen that Buck Showalter refused to completely torch on Wednesday in order to avoid using Pedro Strop, who had struck out two in a scoreless inning in...

The Orioles' bullpen was stellar again tonight in a 2-0 win over the Red Sox, turning in three scoreless and hitless innings behind starter Chris Tillman. The only baserunner coming on a hit batter by closer Jim Johnson. "Chris allowed that to happen," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's not very often he has four or five walks. He made a lot of good pitches. He was frustrated. We were trying to get the seventh out of him, but didn't get off to a good start. Bullpen pitched well again...

After tonight's game - a game where he added two more doubles and the Orioles beat Boston 2-0 - I asked Manny Machado about the latest impressive stat for him. According to ESPN Stats and Info, here are the leaders for most doubles through 68 team games by a player under age 22 since 1920: 30 - Manny Machado, 2013 25 - Ted Williams, 1939 24 - Joe DiMaggio, 1936 "Talking about Ted Williams, one of the best players to play the game. To be mentioned in that category, it's a great honor,"...

Chris Tillman struggled to throw consistent strikes early in this game tonight, but that didn't stop him from shutting down the team that leads the majors in runs scored. Tillman pitched six scoreless innings as the Orioles beat Boston 2-0 in front of 39,158 at Camden Yards. With the win, the Orioles are 16-8 over the last 24 games and moved to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Boston. Tillman gave up just three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He threw 106 pitches and improved...

Chris Tillman walked a batter in the first inning. He walked one leading off the second. He walked one in the third. He walked one leading off the fourth. The Red Sox couldn't feast on a recipe for disaster. Tillman made it through the sixth without allowing a run, gave up a leadoff double to Jose Iglesias in the seventh and was done. Darren O'Day replaced him and stranded Iglesias at second base. Tillman allowed three hits in six innings, walked four and struck out three. He threw 106...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada from the 60-day disabled list and have optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Wada has not pitched for the Orioles after signing a two-year contract on December 14, 2011. Wada underwent left elbow ligament replacement surgery on May 11, 2012 and missed the entire season. In six rehabilitation starts for Norfolk this year, Wada was 1-4 with a 8.14 ERA (24.1IP, 22ER).

Gio Gonzalez is very familiar with the Indians after pitching the first four seasons of his career in the American League. In fact, the Tribe is a favorite opponent of the lefty. He really likes pitching at Progressive Field. His all-time mark of 5-0 with an 0.72 ERA against Cleveland includes a 4-0 record and 0.68 ERA on the shores of the Cuyahoga River. That's not just good, that's domination. Gonzalez is through four innings of Friday's interleague start against the Indians, and so far...

Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has agreed to accept being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk once his injury rehab assignment concludes this weekend. The final details are being ironed out. Wada has to give his consent, according to a clause in the two-year, $8.15 million contract that he signed on Dec. 14, 2011. Wada has made six starts with Norfolk, going 1-4 with an 8.14 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. The Tides are playing a doubleheader tonight, with Josh Stinson starting Game 1 and Jair Jurrens...

The Orioles have reached contract agreements with two more draft picks, coming to terms with their second-round selection, California high school catcher Chance Sisco, and their fifth-round pick, left-handed pitcher Travis Seabrooke from Crestwood Secondary School in Ontario, Canada. The signings will not become official until the players pass physicals and that is still to come for both. An 18-year-old lefty hitter, Sisco was the 61st pick in the draft. The 17-year-old Seabrooke was the...