The Nationals treated Mets right-hander Jeremy Hefner like a guy with a 7.20 ERA, and had an lead to show for their efforts. Ian Desmond led off the second inning with his third homer of the season and Bryce Harper crushed a two-run homer into the left field stands at Citi Field in the third, staking the Nats to a 3-0 lead. But it's now 5-3 Mets in the fourth, as the Mets have battled back and taken advantage of some wildness that led to a troubling lack of composure from lefty Gio...

On a day where they fell behind 4-0, rallied to lead 5-4 and were tied at 5-5, the Orioles had the final answer today to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 in the opener of the series. Nolan Reimold's two-run double to right in the bottom of the eighth broke the 5-5 tie. Chris Davis doubled with one out for his third hit of the day and two walks - one intentional - loaded the bases for the O's left fielder. He drove in three on the day. The Orioles ended a five-game losing streak to the...

The Orioles are playing two games today, which could tax their bullpen. Jason Hammel's 32-pitch first inning won't offer much relief. Hammel allowed back-to-back singles to Mark Ellis and Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier belted a three-run homer onto the flag court in right field to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-0 lead. Ethier jumped on Hammel's first pitch, a 93 mph fastball, and almost deposited it onto Eutaw St. Former Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez walked with two outs before Skip...

There is a little unknown for Orioles batters in Game 1 today as they face Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, a 26-year-old rookie in major league baseball, but a pitcher who spent seven seasons pitching in Korea. He was a Korean Baseball Organization All-Star every season he played for the Hanwha Eagles and won the KBO strikeout title five times. He has made three starts for Los Angeles and is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA with just three walks and 20 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings. Orioles hitting coach...

Ryan Zimmerman's sore left hamstring remains an issue, and the third baseman is again out of the lineup for today's 3:05 p.m. game against the Mets at Citi Field. The game will air nationally on FOX. Zimmerman has not played since being removed from Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Miami, and Chad Tracy is again at third base in his place today. The Nationals, however, get second baseman Danny Espinosa back for today's game. Espinosa missed four games after being struck in the...

As soon as manager Buck Showalter received yesterday's weather report, he began to consider his options for a Wednesday night starter against the Toronto Blue Jays. Showalter anticipated a postponement last night and a doubleheader today, which will require the club to find a starter from outside their current five-man rotation. They're considering all the possibilities at Triple-A Norfolk, which also was rained out last night. As I wrote this morning, Josh Stinson would have been working...

Nicky Delmonico, ranked as the Orioles' fourth-best prospect by Baseball America, was put on the Single-A Frederick disabled list yesterday, meaning he will miss at least seven days. Delmonico suffered a concussion in a game Thursday while sliding into second base. In 11 Keys games, he is batting .325 with two homers, nine RBIs, a .600 slugging percentage and 1.071 OPS. Delmonico homered in back-to-back games this past Monday and Tuesday. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't make any changes to the lineup he posted last night before rain caused a postponement and today's split-admission doubleheader. Nick Markakis is still leading off against Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Steve Pearce remains the designated hitter and Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Ryan Flaherty is on the bench again against a southpaw. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy...

For the second straight start, a key early fielding miscue allowed an opponent to put up multiple runs against Stephen Strasburg. Against the Braves on April 13, no score, two outs, top of the third. Atlanta's Justin Upton reaches on a throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman. Evan Gattis crushes a two-run homer. Braves win 3-1. Then last night, first batter of the game, no outs, top of the first. Mets Jordany Valdespin grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond is booted. The fielding error allows Valdespin...

The Orioles are playing a split-admission doubleheader today against the Los Angeles Dodgers, something that did not happen in the 1966 World Series. They weren't trying to be nostalgic. Doubleheaders can challenge even the best pitching staffs, and the Orioles' starters haven't been getting deep into games. Last night's postponement provided rest for the bullpen, but manager Buck Showalter needs Jason Hammel to give him innings this afternoon. Otherwise, the burden really falls upon Game...