Wei-Yin Chen threw 35 pitches over the first three innings tonight and allowed only one baserunner, on Alex Rodriguez's leadoff single in the top of the second. The momentum, shall we say, shifted in the fourth inning. Chen hit Nick Swisher, who vowed to celebrate excessively after the pain subsided, and walked Robinson Cano on four pitches. Rodriguez struck out on a 91 mph fastball, but Chen served up a three-run homer to Russell Martin and a two-run shot to former Oriole Steve...

Pitching for the final time at Nats Park this season, Stephen Strasburg didn't exactly go out on a high note. The Nationals' ace has seen his night end after just three innings of work. He was hit hard early, allowing five runs on six hits, walking three batters and surrendering four extra-base hits, two of which were homers. His location was off, with a number of fastballs coming in thigh-high and right over the middle for Marlins hitters to hammer. Strasburg had trouble locating his...

In case you haven't noticed, the Orioles are scoring some runs lately. They have scored 38 the last five games and 77 in the last 13, averaging 5.9 per game in that time as they began play tonight. They have scored 27 runs on 36 hits in the last four games vs. the Yankees. The homers are up, too. The Orioles have hit 17 over the last eight games and they haven't all been hit by Mark Reynolds, although he's been the clear ringleader. The latest homer count: * Chris Davis has six over his...

Nationals prospects Anthony Rendon, Brian Goodwin and Alex Meyer all were promoted this season, and with good reason. All three have top-of-the-line talent and have excelled at each level they have played this season. MLB.com recognized the trio in its latest Top 100 list. Prospect expert Jonathan Mayo had Rendon at No. 37, Meyer at No. 57 and Goodwin No. 75. Mayo said of Rendon: "When healthy, he is a plus defender at third. At the plate, (Rendon) has the kind of advanced approach that...

Finally, an outsider's opinion on Stephen Strasburg's shutdown which makes sense to me. Asked before today's game about the Nationals' decision to shut down their ace, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen went all Ozzie Guillen on reporters.

Even as he plays in this big series at Camden Yards, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado certainly has not forgotten the Double-A Bowie teammates he left behind a few weeks ago. Machado was a big part of the team's success this year and he's excited to see that their winning continued even after he left for the majors. He said he talked to a few of his former Baysox teammates on Thursday, the day after they won Game 1 of their playoff series with Akron. "I talked to (Jonathan) Schoop...

The Nationals' Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year were honored and picked up their awards during a pregame ceremony at Nationals Park before Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins. Third baseman Matt Skole, a 2011 fifth-round selection out of Georgia Tech, was the Nationals' Minor League Player of the Year. His power numbers were jaw-dropping - he had 27 homers and 92 RBIs for low Single-A Hagerstown. He was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Year and was named...

As you have probably read, the Orioles' players were saying plenty of great things about the amazing crowd at Camden Yards last night. The sellout of 46,298 was roaring throughout the game. Matt Wieters was asked again today about the atmosphere in the ballpark last night. "It was the best I've played in front of here and I think it will be similar the rest of the series. But we have to focus on tonight's game. It we keep winning, they'll keep coming out," Wieters said. "It gives you...

The Chicago Cubs have claimed reliever Jason Berken off waivers. The Orioles designated Berken for assignment to make room for left-hander Zach Phillips on the 40-man roster. Berken appeared in one game for the Orioles this year, allowing seven runs (two earned) in one inning in a May 7 game against the Rangers. He was 5-6 with a 3.50 ERA in 26 starts with Norfolk. Before this season, Berken was 10-17 with a 5.34 ERA in 105 major league games, all with the Orioles, who selected him in the...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Jake Arrieta from Triple-A Norfolk. Arrieta is 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA (101.1IP, 69ER) in 18 starts for the Orioles this season. He pitched to a 1.82 ERA (24.2IP, 5ER) in his final four starts with the Tides, striking out 31 batters.