How does a pitcher go from a record of 0-7 and 5.40 ERA in the minors to a mark of 7-4 and 3.52 ERA in the major leagues and win key games for a team in a pennant race? I don't know, but Miguel Gonzalez has done it. The right-hander that the Orioles signed as a minor league free agent on Feb. 28 - after spring training had already started - has become one of their most reliable starting pitchers a year after he didn't win a single game in the minors. On a team that has likely been...

After blowing his fifth save of the season and putting up another disappointing outing during a rough three-week stretch, Tyler Clippard stood at his locker for over five minutes and calmly answered question after question about his performance. You won't find many guys more stand-up than the 27-year-old Clippard. The Nationals' right-handed reliever is clearly frustrated with himself right now, partly because he blew a save in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Brewers, but also because he can't...

BOSTON - The Orioles improved to 44-32 on the road tonight, their win total the best in the American League. They've won eight of their last nine games at Fenway Park. "That's hard to do, but I've said many times, that one common denominator for teams that get a chance to play in the postseason is, you've got to compete on the road," said manager Buck Showalter. "Having guys like Jim Johnson and Darren O'Day and (Miguel) Gonzalez is what allows you to do that. It's the pitching....

Tyler Clippard's rough stretch continued tonight. Clippard, who was lights out for much of the season, blew his fifth save of the year tonight and earned his third loss in his last seven appearances after allowing three Brewers runs in the ninth inning. It stuck the Nationals with a 4-2 loss, wasting a fantastic outing by Edwin Jackson, who threw eight innings of one-run ball. "Well, that one hurt," manager Davey Johnson said. "Jackson pitched a great ballgame. I was tempted to let him...

Edwin Jackson did not join the other four Nationals starters in double-digit wins Friday night. In a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to Milwaukee, Jackson's no decision might have been literally lost in the shuffle. It should not be. Instead, it might be his biggest and most important no-decision of the season for the Nationals. Jackson went eight strong innings, allowing a solo homer to Jonathan Lucroy but virtually nothing else. He walked none, struck out six and gave up only five other...

BOSTON - If you're waiting for Jim Johnson to make a fuss over breaking the Orioles' single-season saves record, you better find a comfortable seat, a few magazines and a Snickers bar. Johnson passed Randy Myers on the franchise's all-time list tonight with his 46th save. Then he passed on every opportunity to gloat or celebrate it, remaining his usual low-key self. "It means we're winning games, that we're having a good season, so that's pretty much all it means right now," he...

BOSTON - Orioles second baseman Robert Andino was sent to a local hospital tonight to undergo a CT scan. The results will be passed along to the media Saturday morning. Andino was drilled in the batting helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Red Sox reliever Mark Melancon in the top of the ninth inning. Andino wanted to stay in the game and walked to first base after taking a few steps toward the mound. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter escorted him to the...

Matt Wieters has been on an RBI surge for the Orioles recently and it continued tonight in Boston. Wieters knocked in three of the Orioles' four runs as they posted a 4-2 win over the Red Sox in Game 1 of a weekend series. Wieters came up with a two-run single in the top of the fourth after a J.J. Hardy single and Adam Jones double. Two innings later, with the game tied 2-2, Wieters came up with an RBI double for a 3-2 edge and scored on a Mark Reynolds single. In 17 games in September,...

Edwin Jackson retired just one batter he faced in the fourth inning and allowed three hits in the frame. Somehow, he still escaped with a scoreless inning of work. The Nationals put on a defensive display in the fourth, helping Jackson get through an inning in which he didn't make many great pitches. Ryan Braun doubled leading off the fourth, his second double in as many at-bats tonight. Aramis Ramirez followed with a single to center, a sharply hit ball which Bryce Harper charged quickly....

BOSTON - Is this the night that Jon Lester finally loses to the Orioles? Lester has won all 14 career decisions against them, but he's failed in his last three attempts to notch a victory. The Orioles have won all three of those games against the Red Sox's bullpen. Lester couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning tonight, giving up hits to the first three batters and falling behind, 2-1. J.J. Hardy singled and Adam Jones doubled to left-center field, and both runners scored on Matt...