He didn't hit any homers or rip any doubles in the gap, but Manny Machado once again had a huge impact on an Orioles win last night. There were too many defensive plays to mention, but let's just the say the kid is playing third base at a level not seen in these part since a man wore No. 5 over there. I didn't think I'd ever say that. But yes, Machado is playing third base at a Broooks Robinson level. "That is what we preach about with Bobby (Dickerson) and Buck (Showalter). Defense...

A week after designating right-hander Henry Rodriguez for assignment, the Nationals have traded the flame-throwing but inconsistent 26-year-old to the Cubs for minor league right-hander Ian Dickson. Dickson's numbers are far from impressive; the 22-year-old has posted a 6.88 ERA in 11 games (35 1/3 innings) for high Single-A Kane County this season. A 35th-round pick of the Cubs back in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Lafayette College, Dickson has struck out 8.2 batters per nine...

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitcher Ian Dickson from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Henry Rodriguez. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Dickson went 2-2 with one save and posted 8.2 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (32 K/35.1 IP) in 11 games/three starts this season with Kane County of the Single-A Midwest League. The 22-year-old is 5-5 with one save and a 6.06 ERA in 26...

Since he returned from the disabled list, Miguel Gonzalez has been pitching well for the Orioles. Tonight, he gave up two runs or less for the fourth time in five starts, pitching the Orioles past the Angels 3-2 at Camden Yards. Gonzalez gave up just four hits and one run over eight innings. His ERA is 2.85 over his last five starts since his return from the DL on May 21. "Pretty comfortable, yeah, and pretty confident about it," he said simply about his last five starts overall. "I made...

Knowing that Alexi Casilla couldn't play tonight because of an injured finger, Orioles manager Buck Showalter went against conventional thinking and put two left-handed hitters back-to-back in his lineup against a left-handed starting pitcher. Ryan Flaherty batted ninth. Nick Markakis led off. And they were instrumental in a 3-2 victory over the Angels. Flaherty had two hits off Angels starter Jason Vargas, including an infield single in the bottom of the seventh that loaded the bases with...

Dan Haren got smacked around pretty good his last time out, allowing five runs on seven hits in just four innings of work in a loss to the Mets. Haren was left incredibly frustrated with himself after the game, saying he felt like he was letting his team down. Tonight, Haren's the one frustrating the Rockies. The veteran right-hander has pitched four scoreless innings thus far tonight, allowing just two runners to reach base in that span. Haren's retired 11 of the last 12 Rockies hitters...

Just get Nick Markakis to the plate with the bases loaded. When the O's right fielder came to bat with the sacks full in the last of the seventh of a 1-1 tie, he was 2-for-2 this year with the bases loaded. After his clutch two-run single to center off Scott Downs, you can make that 3-for-3. And that big hit and a strong outing from Miguel Gonzalez lifted the Orioles to a 3-2 win over the Angels. Over eight innings, Gonzalez gave up just four hits and the one run with one walk and five...

We're not sure whether Miguel Gonzalez is making his last start for the Orioles before going on paternity leave. Manager Buck Showalter isn't sure about it. Gonzalez isn't sure about it. Gonzalez is the most nervous, though Showalter ranks a close second. Showalter understands why Gonzalez will be leaving the team for a few days, but he's dreading it if the right-hander's turn falls during that span. The rotation is already missing Wei-Yin Chen. Steve Johnson is on the disabled list with...

The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on Mike Trout's homer to center field. It was his 12th of the year and came on a Miguel Gonzalez 1-1 pitch. That makes Trout 7-for-22 this year against O's pitching with four homers and seven RBIs. Of Trout's last 53 hits, 27 have gone for extra bases. Gonzalez kept the Angels off the board on just 33 pitches over the first three innings, throwing 11 pitches in the first, 10 in the second and 12 in the third. The Angels enter this game...

Bryce Harper will miss at least another week due to bursitis in his left knee, a diagnosis that was confirmed by Dr. James Andrews upon Harper's visit to the renowned orthopedic surgeon on Monday. According to MASN's Julie Alexandria, who is with the Nationals out in Colorado, Harper was given a cortisone shot in the inflamed bursa sac in his left knee yesterday, and was also given a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) shot, as well. That news was passed along to reporters by Nationals head trainer...