Tyler Clippard has done an exceptional job stepping into the closer's role this season, saving 32 games in 35 chances and providing some stability in the ninth inning after numerous early-season injuries to late-inning relievers. Drew Storen saved 43 games last season, appears to be completely recovered from elbow surgery and is on a roll right now. Manager Davey Johnson has faith in both Clippard and Storen when it comes to shutting down games. And that's why he says he'll use both guys...

The Red Sox are stealing bases? Who knew. Since Aug. 5, Boston's 44 steals leads the American League and yes, that is surprising. Since the All-Star break, Boston leads the major leagues in stolen base percentage at 85.6. The Red Sox have stolen 55 of 65 attempts in that time. Boston has at least one steal in 19 of its last 21 games. It looks like Pedro Ciriaco has been a big boost there, as he is 15-for-15 in steal attempts since his call-up July 7. He's batting leadoff tonight even...

Team chemistry in baseball can be an undervalued commodity. Take the Los Angeles Dodgers. They can pretty much put an All-Star lineup on the field every night. Players like Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez. You look down that Dodgers lineup and gasp. It is filled with on-base guys, home run hitters, powerful pitchers and battle-tested postseason players. But the one thing this talented crew does not possess? It has not worked together from spring training,...

BOSTON - Troy Patton finally made it back to the Orioles after suffering a sprained ankle that he originally thought would keep him out for only 15 days. Patton went on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 13, his career-high 18-game scoreless streak put on hold. "The swelling didn't go away for a long time," he said. "I've sprained it before and been back within 10 days of the injury, but this was just a bad, bad sprain and it took a long time to even get close to going on the field....

Should Edwin Jackson pick up the win tonight, the Nationals would have five starters with double-digit win totals. Not too shabby. It'll be Jackson against Brewers right-hander Shaun Marcum tonight at Nats Park. Marcum is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA this season. For the Nats: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jesus Flores P Edwin Jackson For the Brewers: RF Norichika Aoki 2B Rickie Weeks LF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis...

BOSTON - Jim Thome was activated from the disabled list, but he's not in tonight's lineup. Lew Ford is serving as the designated hitter against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester. Endy Chavez is in right field again. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Lew Ford DH Manny Machado 3B Endy Chavez RF Robert Andino 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Red Sox: Pedro Ciriaco 3B Scott Podsednik CF Dustin Pedroia 2B Cody Ross RF Ryan Lavarnway...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated designated hitter and left-hander Troy Patton from the 15-day disabled list. Thome was placed on the DL on July 31 (retroactive to July 28) with a herniated disc in his neck. He has batted .261/.354/.391 in 18 games for the Orioles after being acquired from Philadelphia on June 30. Thome was batting .316/.409/.526 in his last 10 games before going on the DL. Patton was placed on the DL on August 14 (retroactive to August 13) with a right...

BOSTON - The Orioles made the anticipated roster moves today by reinstating designated hitter Jim Thome and left-hander Troy Patton from the 15-day disabled list. No corresponding moves are necessary with the expanded rosters. Thome was placed on the DL retroactive to July 28 with a herniated disc in his neck. He was batting .261/.354/.391 with two homers and six RBIs in 18 games for the Orioles after being acquired from the Phillies on June 30. He hit .316/.409/.526 in his last 10 games...

We've asked this a few times before, but will this be the night that the Orioles finally pin a loss on Jon Lester? He is 14-0 with an ERA of 2.49 in 20 career starts against them. That is the longest win streak ever against the O's franchise to begin a career. It also marks the longest current win streak by any active pitcher versus any team. But while the Orioles have been unable to pin a loss on Lester, they have beaten the Red Sox the last three times Lester has started against them....

BOSTON - No matter the circumstances tonight, whether the bases are empty or filled, the Red Sox's catcher might want to hold up four fingers as Mark Reynolds strolls to the plate. He might want to do it while Reynolds is on deck, just to practice. In nine games against the Red Sox this season, Reynolds is batting .433/.550/.1.067 with four doubles, five homers, 14 RBIs and eight walks. In six games at Fenway Park, Reynolds is batting .421/.571/.895 with three doubles, two homers, seven RBIs...