There is no question about the struggles for much of this season, especially recently, regarding the Orioles' starting rotation. The starters have just one quality start over the last seven games, with an ERA of 7.34 in that stretch. In five of the last six games, the O's starter pitched five or fewer innings. The rotation ERA for the season is now 4.86. That has to get better, but this may surprise you. Last year on August 3, the O's rotation ERA was 4.80, and the Orioles were 55-51 and 7...

Ever since Adam LaRoche swung the bat in two former familiar homes, he has been locked in. And more recently to start the Nationals' 10-game road trip, he has hit four homers in his past three games, including in back-to-back at-bats in Friday's 6-5, 10-inning thriller at San Diego. The former Brave and Pirate got his groove back May 2 at Turner Field, continued it at PNC Park, and has not looked back well into the final weeks of May. Manager Davey Johnson spoke last week about hoping that...

Want to view the glass as half full? The Orioles scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning last night and brought the tying run to the plate. They had no business being in that game. Except that they truly believe that they're in every game, no matter the deficit or the inning. Want to view the glass as half empty? The rotation is a royal mess. Starters have gone five innings or fewer in five of the last six games. That's quite alarming. Jason Hammel has a 5.72 ERA, and Wei-Yin...

After allowing 15 earned runs over his first six starts, covering 35 2/3 innings, Jason Hammel has given up 17 earned runs in 14 2/3 frames over his last three starts. He took the loss tonight in the 12-10 defeat against Tampa Bay, giving up 10 hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings. "I am missing over the plate, arm-side fastball," he said. "And that is honestly about it. A pretty simple fix, but for right now it's seemingly difficult for me. "I've been here before. I've figured it...

The Orioles are discussing whether they need to make two roster moves following tonight's 12-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. One player must be removed from the 25-man roster to make room for starter Jair Jurrjens, and the Orioles might need another bullpen arm after Alex Burnett threw 28 pitches and Troy Patton threw 40. "We were starting to talk about it a little bit," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's hard to talk during the game. I'm aware of what went on in Norfolk, and Bowie for...

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez got behind hitters early, and San Diego was able to get two runs in the first inning. Gonzalez allowed two walks in the first and both came around and scored on a Kyle Blanks single and a two-base throwing error by right fielder Bryce Harper. San Diego led 2-0 after one inning. San Diego fireballer Burch Smith was elusive early with a difficult to catch up with mid-90s fastball. Smith struck out the side in the second inning. Gonzalez surrendered a hit and...

As they began a 17-game stretch tonight against the Rays, Yankees, Jays, Nats and Tigers, the Orioles did so with another subpar outing from a starter. And not just any starter, but their opening day starter Jason Hammel. The right-hander struggled for the third straight start as Tampa Bay held off the Orioles 12-10 in front of 38,061 at Camden Yards. Hammel's struggles are the headline on the night, but it almost was the Orioles' comeback from eight runs down in the eighth to win. Down...

Read this at your own risk. If shaky stats make you queasy, sit down first. Over the last seven games, counting tonight, Orioles starters have pitched to an ERA of 7.34, allowing 28 earned runs over 34 1/3 innings. With Jason Hammel pitching just 4 2/3 tonight, O's starters have now worked five or fewer innings five times in the past six games. Not exactly a recipe for success. Should you worry? Go ahead, but it won't make an O's starter get the next out any easier. Still there is...

Jason Hammel retired the side in order in the fourth, the only time tonight that he posted a clean inning. By the fifth, his start had completely unraveled. Hammel is charged with seven runs and 10 hits, both season highs, in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and a home run. He threw 99 pitches, 58 for strikes. Reliever Alex Burnett inherited a runner and promptly issued a walk and gave up a ground-rule double to No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar that completed Hammel's line....

Gio Gonzalez takes the mound tonight at San Diego looking to build on one of his best starts of the season. Gonzalez held the Cubs to two hits over seven scoreless innings Sunday, and was removed after just 86 pitches while holding a 1-0 lead. The Nationals went on to lose 2-1, but the left-hander seems to be on an upswing, having pitched consecutive quality starts for the first time in 2013. The Nats take aim at their second straight win to begin the Padres series with a pretty standard...