Jim Johnson's consecutive saves streak ended at 35 games Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. Johnson's streak was one better than Randy Myers' previous Orioles record of 34 and one worse than Mariano Rivera's personal best of 36. Eric Gagne is in a world all his own with his major league record of 84 consecutive saves for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While it's interesting to see how Johnson's run stacks up to those of other great relievers, the more remarkable context is...

Walter Johnson was born in Humboldt, Kan., in November 1887. In 1905, the future Washington Senator and his family lived in southern California, where, as Los Angeles Times writer Chris Dufresne noted in a 2008 article, the Fullerton Union High Indians pitcher first made a name for himself. "Johnson attended Fullerton Union High long enough to have, in 1905, struck out 27 batters in a 15-inning game against Santa Ana High," Dufresne wrote. Two years later, after he'd moved to Idaho and been...

The Nationals' offense came alive in the first game of their series in San Diego. Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper crushed home runs, while Steve Lombardozzi and Ryan Zimmerman offered clutch hits in a 6-2 victory over the Padres. It was just the third time in the past seven games that the Nationals had scored at least six runs, all wins. LaRoche now has a 13-game hit streak, the longest of his career. He has home runs in back-to-back games. To see Harper return after Monday's scary collision...

Returning to his comfort zone, right-hander Stephen Strasburg was consistent in his first start in his hometown of San Diego. He notched the win with another first - the first time he finished eight innings in a major league start - as the Nationals snapped a modest two-game skid with a 6-2 win over the Padres. Strasburg (2-5) allowed just two runs over those eight innings, only one of which was earned. "I think the last time I did it was 2009 in college," Strasburg told MASN's Julie...

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg got behind a couple of hitters early on, but looks to be focused and is gradually locating his fastball very well in the series opener against the Padres. Padres right-hander Edinson Volquez walked three of the first five batters he faced, but the Nationals could not score in first three innings. The Nationals' best chance early was in the second inning when Volquez was wild again, walking Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche to begin the frame. But...

During my phone conversation yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin, I asked him about left-hander Zach Britton and the physical issues that have contributed to his struggles with the Tides. Britton's first start on April 7 ended after two innings because of a blister on the side of his left thumbnail. It first developed while he threw at Twin Lakes Park on the day that the Orioles broke camp. Jake Arrieta and Kevin Gausman also developed blisters on their pitching...

Two of their starting pitchers are on the disabled list, although Miguel Gonzalez could be returning soon. Jason Hammel, who pitches tonight, has allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings over his last two starts. Freddy Garcia has struggled in back-to-back starts. The rotation ERA is 6.37 over the last six games. OK, the O's starting pitching is not exactly peaking right now. And here is the concern. Tonight, the Orioles start a 10-game stretch against AL East opponents with three against Tampa...

In the Men's Journal's latest weekly online newsletter, the magazine listed major league baseball's best stadium food. Nationals Park's Ben's Chili Bowl stands were cited as not to be missed while at a game in D.C. The quick capsule on Ben's chili mentions the eight-pound Strasburger, but prefers the gut-bombing chili dog as the specialty to grab. Make sure to bring along some antacid to any Nationals game for the seventh-inning stretch...

Catcher Wilson Ramos has a left hamstring strain, so he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, according to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a team press release today. Ramos had just returned from the disabled list April 29 after missing most of April with the same hamstring injury. Jhonatan Solano has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Solano went 1-for-6 in his first stint with the Nationals this season and hit .167 (8-for-48) with two...

The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day Disabled List with a left hamstring strain. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solano, who is 1-for-6 in three games with Washington in '13, batted .167 (8-for-48) with two doubles, two walks and three runs scored in 12 contests this season with Syracuse. The...