The Orioles news seems to run together, but I seem to remember a conference call being set up at the Winter Meetings for new coach DeMarlo Hale, formerly of the Boston Red Sox. I didn't know much about Hale, but I've learned that he's one heck of a third base coach. Hale hasn't gotten much heat on this blog. Third base coaches can be lightening rods. They're too passive or they get too many runners thrown out at the plate. Hale will never be mistaken for passive. He's pretty...

Josh Beckett had pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. Davey Johnson had essentially thrown in the towel, taking Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth out of the game. It sure looked like the Nationals were going to have to wait another day to lock up a playoff spot. Well, maybe not. Six Nats runs came around to score in the bottom of the eighth, turning a laugher for the Dodgers into a fantastic ballgame. Twelve Nats came to the plate as they smacked two homers...

In John Lannan's first three major league starts this season, he allowed a total of five earned runs, pitched to a 2.41 ERA and earned the win in all three games. I was starting to believe the Nationals would be best off just running Lannan out there every day. You can't argue with guy who wins every time he takes the mound, can you? It wasn't the same Lannan out there today. And there's no chance Lannan moves to 4-for-4 in the win category. The lefty went just 3 2/3 innings, allowing...

So how much will the Orioles have left in the tank as they try for a three-game sweep in Seattle tonight? You could almost understand it if the team lost to Felix Hernandez tonight. Not feel good about it, but understand it. The team has met just about every challenge this year and here is the latest. I'm sure they realize the Mariners played 18 innings, too, so both teams have to try and find the energy and intensity this evening. Here is a stunning stat: Over his last three starts,...

The Nationals are at the 90-win mark. One more and they've locked up a postseason spot, marking the first time since 1933 that there will be a playoff baseball team in D.C. But again, the Nats insist they don't have eyes set on clinching a Wild Card spot. Their goal is the NL East title, and their magic number to lock up the division now sits at nine. "The only thing that's going to mean anything to me is when we clinch the pennant," manager Davey Johnson said. "That's the only number...

You say you've caught pennant fever? You say you want to get together with like-minded, orange-crazy Orioles fans? You say you need to root loudly for your favorite team, even outside of Camden Yards? Well, the O's have you covered. Beginning Friday, Sept. 21 and continuing through Oct. 2, the Orioles will hold a series of "BUCKle Up!" rallies around town designed to generate maximum excitement surrounding the O's playoff push. A "BUCKle Up" street team will travel throughout...

The Orioles today announced a series of rallies to generate excitement for the team's push for the postseason. Rally sponsors include Bank of America, Coca-Cola, ESSKAY, Miller Lite, Old Bay, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Stuggy's and Von Paris Moving and Storage. A "BUCKle Up" street team will travel throughout Baltimore and surrounding areas for the rest of the month, including appearances at Silver Spring Mining Company in Cockeysville, presented by Von Paris Moving and Storage on September...

The Orioles' lineup has a different look following last night's 18-inning marathon. As expected, Matt Wieters is getting the night off after catching all 18 innings last night. Endy Chavez is batting first and the hot-hitting Nate McLouth has been lowered to third. Chavez is 6-for-10 lifetime against Felix Hernandez. Robert Andino moves up to eighth ahead of Taylor Teagarden. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B...

I've decided that I'm calling the duo of Ryan Zimmerman and Danny Espinosa "Team Cortisone". Both guys have an ailing shoulder, both guys got a cortisone shot help alleviate the pain and let them keep playing. And both guys have looked just fine in the first game of today's doubleheader. Zimmerman is 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while Espinosa is 2-for-2. Each also made a sparkling defensive play in the fifth inning. Espinosa ranged to his left and to glove a grounder off the bat...

The Orioles confirmed earlier today that Dylan Bundy was recalled from Double-A Bowie. The unknown is how long he will stay with them. It could be brief or he could make it through the remaining weeks of September. The Orioles, at the risk of sounding cliched, are taking it one game at a time. Manager Buck Showalter has grown accustomed to the pace. "We'll see what tomorrow brings," he said. "Tomorrow brings getting in (Boston) at 8 in the morning." So much for a relaxing off...