The signing of Rafael Soriano came as a surprise to most, including Nationals manager Davey Johnson. Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore explored the possibility before the two-year, $28 million deal with the veteran reliever was announced, but the baseball world at large was caught off guard by the defending NL East champions' decision to strengthen a strength and add another closer to an already strong bullpen that had helped them get within one strike of the National League Championship...

On April 5, with Chris Davis having hit four home runs in four games, MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons commented on Twitter about the Orioles' 2011 acquisition of the lefty slugger and remarked, "Now Davis is Boog." Boog, of course, is Boog Powell. And Gammons, of course, was engaging in a bit of hyperbole. Chris Davis is no Boog Powell. Nevertheless, a player like Davis, built the way he is and performing the way he has to start the season, invites historical comparisons, and Powell is...

BOWIE, Md. - It seems a little crazy to say this but, after just 28 professional innings, is Kevin Gausman ready for the major leagues? He may be - or at least he may be close. Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall is not one to rave about or overly hype players, but after seeing Gausman's strong six-inning outing last night against Akron, where he allowed just two hits and one run, Kendall sounded like a skipper that just might endorse Gausman for the majors right now if Dan Duquette and Buck...

BOSTON - The euphoria of winning another series at Fenway Park - and it's becoming the norm - quickly died down for the Orioles last night. No time to celebrate with the team boarding a flight to New York. It's on to the next city and the next set of obstacles. "We move on to another challenge in New York," said manager Buck Showalter. "A team that's playing well, and try to deal with the issues that teams face - weather, hostile environment. But our guys will be ready." The Yankees...

The big topic of discussion in the press box during tonight's 7-4 Nationals win was White Sox manager Robin Ventura's decision to intentionally walk Bryce Harper with two outs and Ryan Zimmerman on deck in the fifth inning. Harper, while he's on fire and possesses a world of talent, has played just 148 games in his big league career. Zimmerman has a proven track record, having performed at a high level over nine major league seasons. We're just nine games into the season. You don't often...

BOSTON - Adam Jones and Chris Davis were a combined 3-for-7 tonight with a double, home run, three RBIs, two walks and a run scored. In other words, their standard night. The duo is batting a combined .434 with seven homers and 29 RBIs. The rest of the team is batting .217 with four homers and 14 RBIs. "I think everyone thought we were going to go get a middle-of-the-lineup hitter," Jones said. "I'm glad what (Dan) Duquette and (Buck) Showalter did. They put it upon the in-house (guys)....

The Nationals have played two series at home this season. They've swept them both. Tonight's 7-4 win over the White Sox gave the Nats another three-game sweep at Nats Park and made a winner of Dan Haren for the first time this season. While Haren allowed 10 hits, hit a batter and threw 101 pitches over five innings, he allowed just three runs and kept his team in the game. "You know, he's still not where he wants to be, I'm sure," manager Davey Johnson said of his starter. "They've...

Dan Haren has pitched for five different teams in the majors and has won 120 games. But after a 15-0 loss at Cincinnati last Friday, Haren desperately wanted to bounce back and make a good impression in front of the fans of his newest team. And just like a veteran pitcher, he found his way out of sticky situations Thursday. Scattering 10 hits over five innings, Haren held the Chicago White Sox to three runs and notched his first victory of the season, a 7-4 Nationals' win. "I think I...

BOSTON - The Orioles have won five straight series at Fenway Park, 11 of the last 15 games and 21 of the last 30. The latest conquest became official when Jim Johnson retired Jacoby Ellsbury on a fly ball to left field to strand the potential tying run on first base. The bullpen was solid again tonight with 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Brian Matusz stranded two runners by striking out Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Stephen Drew in the sixth, one of the key moments of the game. Pedro Strop and Darren...

BOWIE, Md. - Showing a mid- to sometimes high-90s fastball and a slider that was much improved over his first start, Kevin Gausman picked up his first professional win, pitching Double-A Bowie to a 5-1 victory over Akron tonight in front of 4,673 chilled fans in the team's home opener. Gausman threw 92 pitches, 66 for strikes over six innings, allowing just two hits and one run. He didn't walk a batter for the second straight start and fanned five. He is now 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. "I felt...