Orioles 2012 first-round pick Kevin Gausman gave up no runs and just one hit in his first six innings for short-season Single-A Aberdeen this year. But tonight, in his debut for Single-A Frederick, he gave up a homer to the first batter he faced. Then the same guy got to him an inning later for an inside-the-park, three-run homer. Winston-Salem's switch-hitting center fielder, Keenyn Walker, led off the game and hit one over the wall in right-center at Frederick's Harry Grove Stadium. Then...

Bryce Harper is getting a day off today, but he's not the only Nationals starter who will be out of the lineup during this series with the Mets. Davey Johnson has already decided that he's planning on resting Ian Desmond tomorrow. He'll go with his "pre-Desmond infield" of Danny Espinosa at short and Steve Lombardozzi at second, but he's yet to inform Desmond about this decision. "Don't tell him I said that," Johnson said with a smile. "I've already got one guy wanting to choke me...

If you're the kind of person who likes rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers, take note: The guest list is growing for the Sept. 5 event honoring Hall of Fame Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray. Hall of Fame O's manager Earl Weaver and former University of Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams have been added to the list of luminaries who will participate in the inductions of Ripken and Murray into the Sports Legends Museum Hall of Legends. Williams is already a Hall of Legends...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Joe Mahoney to the Tides. Britton will make tonight's start against the Detroit Tigers. Britton is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA (23.1IP, 21ER) in five starts for the Orioles this season. Mahoney is 0-for-4 in two games for the Orioles. He entered last night's game in the 5th inning at first base and was 0-for-1.

The Orioles have optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton on the 25-man roster. Steve Johnson remains on the roster and is available to pitch in relief. He's the designated long man. Manager Buck Showalter will work with a three-man bench tonight: Omar Quintanilla, Lew Ford and Taylor Teagarden. Robert Andino is getting the start at second base. Mark Reynolds remains at first base, one night have blasting the umpires. Should be...

As Davey Johnson mentioned last night, Bryce Harper will get today off, with Tyler Moore sliding in to play left field and hit seventh. Harper smacked his 11th home run of the season last night, but Johnson is giving his rookie outfielder a day to rest while also giving his other rookie outfielder - Moore - a chance to stay fresh with some at-bats against a lefty. Jesus Flores will be behind the plate catching Nationals starter Edwin Jackson, who is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against...

Get this: When Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse have both been in the starting lineup this season, the Nationals are 44-21 (.677). That's a 110-win pace. Not too shabby. Given the way things have been going lately, the Nats could seemingly win 110 games and still end up taking the National League East by a slim margin. While Washington has won 11 of its last 13, the Braves keep on matching them, and with their 11-inning walkoff win last night, they've now won 11 of their last 15. The...

Last summer, reliever Kevin Gregg won over a few Orioles fans by yelling at David Ortiz, standing his ground when the burly designated hitter took a few steps toward him and ripping the Red Sox for their sense of entitlement. Now it's Mark Reynolds' turn. Reynolds already had been cheered more after heating up at the plate during the last homestand. Fewer people were wondering why he was in the lineup and on the 25-man roster. Fewer people were demanding that the Orioles eat the rest of...

If the Orioles called up Dylan Bundy to pitch in a few games in September, I have no doubt that would excite the fans. It would be amazing, thrilling and very, very cool to see that happen for a 19-year-old kid. And Bundy is probably good enough or very close to that to handle it right now. But I don't think the Orioles should do it. This kid has had an amazing year. He will easily win the Orioles minor league Pitcher of the Year award and may be baseball's No. 1 prospect right now. For...

In news that won't come as a shock, the Orioles confirmed in a tweet that Zach Britton will start Saturday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. It makes sense, since Britton is in Detroit. He didn't fly there to visit Greektown. The Orioles didn't have to officially recall Britton tonight. He was placed on baseball's equivalent of a 24-hour taxi squad. A corresponding 25-man roster move is coming on Saturday. The Orioles could choose to option right-hander Steve Johnson to...