Often this year we have discussed the Orioles shortcomings when batting with runners in scoring position. There were times during this season when it looked like they'd never get another clutch hit. But it's not that way anymore. The Orioles are showing signs of improvement here. Take last night, for instance. The Orioles had runners in scoring position in just two of their nine at-bats but they scored in those two frames. They went 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position and both hits...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is breaking out his right-handed lineup against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. Lew Ford replaces Chris Davis as the designated hitter. Adam Jones moves up to third in the order, with Matt Wieters batting fourth and Nate McLouth seventh. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Lew Ford DH Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis...

Since giving up six earned runs in one-third of an inning on July 27 against the Athletics, Orioles closer Jim Johnson has recorded eight saves in nine appearances and allowed only three runners into scoring position. In those nine games, Johnson has permitted only three hits, walked one and struck out six over nine innings. Opponents are batting .100 against him, going 3-for-30, and he's retired the side in order seven times. The Orioles have announced their rotation for the Blue Jays...

We've got a battle of promising 26-year-old hurlers in the series finale between the Nationals and Braves. The Nats will take their hacks at right-hander Kris Medlen, who has torn it up for the Braves since moving into the rotation July 31. He's 3-0 in his four starts this season, and hasn't allowed more than one run in any of those four outings. His last time out, Medlen pitched a five-hit, complete-game shutout against the Padres, walking none and striking out six. So yeah, he's kind...

It is almost time to begin the Tommy John clock for right-hander Lucas Giolito. Appearing on the "Holden & Danny Show" on Wednesday on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed that first-round selection Giolito will likely need Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow. "It looks like he is going to need Tommy John surgery," Rizzo said on "The Mike Rizzo Show." "He has seen our medical people. We're going to give him a second...

After last night's outing, Stephen Strasburg has now thrown 145 1/3 innings this season, nearly 22 more than he's put up in either of his two prior professional seasons. Is the hard-throwing right-hander starting to tire at all? If you watched him work last night, you can probably guess the answer. "No, it's a tribute to the program that I've been on," Strasburg said. "It's really helped me get stronger and I think I've been able to refine my mechanics as the season went on. I feel...

It's impossible to avoid the name Stephen Strasburg upon mention of the Washington Nationals these days. Everyone around the country from sportscasters to politicians to your average Joe wants to weigh in and share their two cents about why they feel the Nationals' ace shouldn't be shut down later this season due to a post-Tommy John surgery innings limit. I, for one, just have to say it - I'm sick of hearing and having to talk about Strasburg. He's not the only guy on the team. For the...

Maybe the best advice for Orioles fans at this point is just to enjoy the heck out of this improbable season while not trying to explain any of it. How could you explain some of this: * When the club's best starter, Jason Hammel, went on the disabled list on July 15, the Orioles were 46-42 and their starters' ERA was 4.74. Without him, the team is 21-14 and the starters' ERA has gone down to 4.68. * On May 1, Chris Tillman had an ERA of 5.63 and batting average against of .287 - in...

As you might imagine, Stephen Strasburg was the talk of the Nationals' clubhouse after this one. "He was totally locked in tonight," catcher Jesus Flores said. "I love it. He was hitting my spots. We were pitching a lot inside to those guys and then the breaking ball was so effective to them that they (were) pretty much swinging at everything." "He was on," shortstop Ian Desmond said. "He was just painting. Had everything working. It was fun to watch. Changuep, curveball, fastball....

If tonight's rain delay had lasted longer than an hour, Davey Johnson said he was going to pull Stephen Strasburg from the game. That was the "drop-dead" point for Strasburg, as far as the Nationals' skipper was concerned. I guess it's a good thing the delay was just 51 minutes. Strasburg stepped back on the mound after the rain delay, which hit Nats Park in the top of the third inning, and immediately got into a zone. He wasn't bad before heavy rain forced the stoppage, giving up two...