Adam Jones came up with another hit with a runner in scoring position today as the Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against the Angels. But the Amgels scored three times with two outs off Jason Hammel to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Mike Trout reached on a one-out infield single and then stole second base. But MASN slo-mo replays showed that Matt Wieters' throw was just in time even though Trout was ruled safe. Trout would score on the first of...

PITTSBURGH - Bryce Harper's second career ejection came just 14 pitches into this afternoon's ballgame. With two outs in the top of the first, Harper tried to check his swing on a two-strike curveball from Wandy Rodriguez. Third base umpire John Hirschbeck rung Harper up, and Harper threw his hands up in the air in frustration. Hirschbeck then imitated Harper's reaction, throwing his hands up in a similar fashion. Harper stood at the plate staring at Hirschbeck while home plate umpire Bob...

PITTSBURGH - The untuck club is slowly gaining members. Rafael Soriano's trademark post-save celebration of untucking his jersey from his pants on the field is picking up traction in the Nationals clubhouse. And Jayson Werth is the latest to get in on the action. Ian Desmond followed Soriano's lead by violently untucking his jersey after a Soriano save in Atlanta. Following that game, Desmond tried to convince Werth to join the club, as well. Last night, after seeing Roger Bernadina make a...

First baseman Chris Davis is back in the lineup today for the Orioles' series-finale against the Los Angeles Angels that concludes their three-city road trip. Davis missed Saturday's game with a knee injury. Davis' knee is feeling much better and he will avoid the disabled list. The Orioles can give him an extra day off with tomorrow's open date on the schedule. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy...

The Orioles are going to leave the west coast with a winning record on this road trip. They are 6-4 heading into the last game today. Of course 7-4 would look real good and they have a chance to get there this afternoon behind Jason Hammel. It would look even better considering my entry yesterday morning pointed out the O's have not exactly been tearing it up since last Sunday's game where they blew a 5-0 lead in the sixth at Oakland. But it does seem almost nothing gets this team down and...

The high Single-A Potomac Nationals have shown early that their starting pitching is going to keep them in games. Left-hander Robbie Ray has been consistent from the beginning sporting a 1.85 ERA, and leads the team with 41 strikeouts. Taylor Jordan has pitched the most innings so far at 36 1/3, going 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA. Taylor Hill is 3-1 in five starts, with a 2.43 ERA. And then there is the return of right-hander A.J. Cole. He was traded to the Oakland A's last offseason. After struggling...

PITTSBURGH - After missing yesterday's game with a sore right ankle/foot, Denard Span has returned to the Nationals lineup for this afternoon's series finale at PNC Park. Span nearly fell to the ground when he woke up yesterday morning, the pain in his lower ankle area having intensified overnight. He got a day of rest yesterday and woke up this morning feeling much better. He'll return to the leadoff spot and play center field. Jayson Werth will miss his third straight game with left...

Orioles starter Jason Hammel is the anti-Freddy Garcia when it comes to pitching against the Angels. Garcia owns them. Hammel is standing in the return aisle. Hammel is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in four career games (three starts) against the Angels, with 13 runs, 21 hits, 10 walks and nine strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. Howie Kendrick is 4-for-7 with a double and three RBIs against Hammel. Jerome Williams is making his first start today for the Angels. He's 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three career...

PITTSBURGH - OK, so the Nationals stranded 11 runners, went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and gave up four runs on two Pirates homers off Stephen Strasburg in yesterday's win. But let's look at the positives. The Nats twice came from behind to tie yesterday's game. They put 15 runners on base, thanks to six hits, six walks and three hit batters. They got seven strong innings from Strasburg, who looked completely healthy and attacked the zone, needing just 95 pitches to get...

Maybe it will go unnoticed because of Freddy Garcia's intense flirtation with a no-hitter yesterday, the Orioles' inability to hold a two-run lead in the eighth inning and their rally in the 10th that produced a 5-4 victory. Maybe Steve Pearce's go-ahead single and Jim Johnson's save will be the lasting memories from that game. Or maybe someone out there will throw a little love in Tommy Hunter's direction. You know Hunter. He's the guy who fans wanted to run out of town after his...