I think it's safe to say that we've all heard of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's poem, "Casey at the Bat." Published on June 3, 1888, the poem is considered a classic piece of American literature as much as it is a part of baseball lore. One might ask why I'm referencing a poem that, while propping up baseball as America's pastime, is also about a hero failing in his endeavor. Well, going into the 2013 season, the outlook wasn't brilliant for the Baltimore nine. Most national pundits expected...

Today's day off for the Nationals comes at a pretty good time. Not only does it allow Adam LaRoche, who sat out the last two games, a chance to rest his sore back a bit more prior to tomorrow's series opener with the White Sox, but it also gives the Nats a chance to enjoy some down time and put their three-game series in Cincinnati behind them. Even though they took one of the three games against the Reds in the weekend set, this was a series the Nationals will be hoping to forget. The...

Players have done it before. They hit a grounder that looks to be a sure out and they don't run hard to first base. That never looks good, but it does happen almost every day in the majors. Not the best example for the kids. But we haven't seen it happen often with Adam Jones. It did yesterday, when he hit a ball toward the mound in the eighth, put his head down in frustration and didn't run hard through the bag. When asked about it after the game, Jones said: "You know me, I always...

BOSTON - The Orioles will experience their third opening day of the 2013 season this afternoon when they arrive at Fenway Park to begin a three-game series against the Red Sox. Boston's record streak of 793 regular-season sellouts dating back to May 15, 2003 is expected to end this month, and quite possibly in this series. Today's game is sold out, but Wednesday could be a different story. The streak's legitimacy has been questioned many times in the past, including by the locals. Time to...

The Orioles won't make an official roster move before Monday, but they've already decided on a player if it's necessary. Infielder Yamaico Navarro, who spent one day with the Orioles during the just-concluded homestand, is meeting them in Boston and will be placed on the taxi squad, which allows teams to have a minor leaguer on standby for 24 hours. The taxi squad was introduced as part of baseball's latest collective bargaining agreement. The Orioles used it last year with outfielder...

Nolan Reimold doesn't feel he will have to miss any games after leaving today's game because of tightness in his right hamstring suffered when he grounded into a double play in the sixth. "I just had a little cramp, spasm whatever you want to call it that kept getting tighter and tighter," Reimold said. "Sprinted out to first to try and beat out that double play. Think (Wayne) Kirby could tell it was bothering me. Probably a smart idea to come in and evaluate it." Could it turn into a...

A day that started slowly really picked up steam as it progressed into the late afternoon. Nolan Reimold exited the game with tightness in his right hamstring, and he could go on the disabled list because the Orioles already are playing with a short bench. We learned that Luis Ayala was taken to a local hospital after becoming ill. And manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Miguel Gonzalez will start in New York this weekend, but not because he's aiming for specific match-ups or concerned...

Adam Jones was involved in some key plays in the Orioles' 4-3 loss to the Twins today and after the game, with a crowd of reporters at his locker, he called himself out for a few things. First was for not running hard on a grounder back toward the mound in the last of the eighth. "You know me, I always give an effort," he said. "I was kind of frustrated that, I guess, the last one, a checked swing I hit it back to the pitcher. I put my head down when I saw it going back to him. I hear...

Orioles reliever Luis Ayala began to feel ill during today's game and is currently being checked out at a local hospital. He won't accompany the Orioles to Boston tonight, but he could meet up with them later. Manager Buck Showalter said Ayala left the bullpen around the sixth or seventh inning. Showalter said the club has a pretty good read on the problem, but he didn't go into specifics. Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette are discussing the various options if outfielder...

Some miscommunication in the Orioles outfield was among the factors leading to a 4-3 loss this afternoon to Minnesota. Also, don't look now, but the Orioles have started the year 0-3 in one-run games after going 29-9 last year. They didn't lose their third one-run game last season until May 13, in the 35th game. The Orioles are 3-3 as they head to Boston and New York for a six-game road trip. With the bases loaded and two outs in the Twins' third, Justin Morneau lifted a fly ball toward...