If you were surprised to see the Nationals blow a three-run lead in the late innings last night with Jordan Zimmermann on the mound and Tyler Clippard coming in behind him, well, you weren't the only one. "It's surprising in the sense that those games, traditionally, we're going to win," Clippard said. "We got a lead early and felt good about things. Jordan was throwing the ball well. But again, (the Orioles) have a good lineup. This is an offensive park and they took advantage of some...

At this point in my life, as a sports fan, I'm not often surprised by much. So far this season, Chris Davis has me wondering if what I am seeing from him is for real, based on his track record. I was not sure if he could replicate what he did last season, especially toward the end, coming into 2013. However, he is exceeding that - and a whole lot more. His nickname among fans and the media is "Crush", based on his power at the plate, size and physique. Since opening day, he has been doing...

Chris Davis came to bat in the seventh inning last night and the Orioles had just taken a 7-6 lead on Washington. With Nick Markakis on second base and first base open, Davis didn't know if he'd even get a chance to swing the bat. He did, and he took a mighty swing and miss at the first pitch he saw from the Nationals' Tyler Clippard. Two pitches later, on an 0-2 count, he hit his second homer of the game and 19th on the year. "I wasn't sure if they would pitch to me or not," Davis...

I have to admit, I began to wonder yesterday whether the Orioles were considering a position change for reliever Pedro Strop. He was fielding balls at shortstop while the club videotaped him. And around here, guys change arm slots and pitches and positions as regularly as they change socks. Strop started out as a shortstop, so it wasn't that far of a reach. "He's not making a change to shortstop," said manager Buck Showalter, pointing out that Strop was simply taking part in a throwing...

BALTIMORE - Facing the Orioles, pitching in Camden Yards, things can get ugly in a hurry. Case in point: The seventh inning of tonight's ballgame. A 6-3 Nationals' lead became a 9-6 deficit seemingly in the blink of an eye. Jordan Zimmermann looked to be in good shape when the bottom of the seventh inning began, having thrown just 75 pitches to that point. You give the ball to Zimmermann with a three-run lead in that situation 100 times, and he probably gets the job done 95 of them. Not...

Chris Davis had the starring role tonight and a crush of reporters around his locker. Crush, get it? But other Orioles had a few things to say after the comeback win. Steve Johnson about the feeling on the bench in the last of the seventh: "It was awesome. We got on a roll. Even over the last few days, we've hit the ball hard and we always have the thought we can come back. We piled it on." Chris Tillman on his outing: "Not very good. Fell behind a lot. Call it poor execution and poor...

BALTIMORE - On most nights, three homers in one game by a single player would be something to talk about, especially if you have never accomplished such a feat in your career. But Wednesday, the Orioles scored seven unanswered runs, capped off by a two-run homer from Chris Davis in a 9-6 comeback win over the Nationals. Earlier, it was Ryan Zimmerman who had staked the Nationals to a 6-2 lead through five frames, highlighted by three well-hit home runs to left, center and right field of...

BALTIMORE - With Ryan Zimmerman having smacked three home runs and Jordan Zimmermann, the Nationals' ace through the first two months of the season, on the mound, this ballgame looked well in control after five innings. The Nats held a 6-2 lead after five and had gotten into the Orioles' bullpen, while Zimmermann - he of the 1.71 ERA entering tonight - still had plenty of gas left in the tank. Things then took a major turn for the worse. Zimmermann failed to retire a batter in the seventh...

After his latest big night at the plate, Chris Davis talked about being locked in so well at bat right now. "It's fun," Davis said. "You are always working on things. Just the consistent approach every day has helped me out. The routine. I heard for such a long time that routine is such a big part of this game and I've really found one that I like. I've continued to do that every day. "When you have a team like this with a bunch of guys that rally around each other, it makes it easier...

The Orioles set a season high with four home runs tonight and also tied their season high by allowing four home runs, the second night in a row that they've surrendered that many to the Nationals. If that's going to happen, you may as well win the game and focus on the first part. "It was a good win," said manager Buck Showalter following a 9-6 victory at Camden Yards. "I may take a little slower jaunt down Pratt." Sounds like a plan. Roll down the windows, crank up the tunes and soak...