The Red Sox broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning last night when rookie Manny Machado couldn't field Dustin Pedroia's slow bouncer with runners on second and third and two outs. Machado charged the ball, but didn't come up with it. Not an easy play, but one that had to be made. "They got lucky," said reliever Luis Ayala, who took the loss. "Ground ball. Tough play, but it was a key for the game. "We got lucky, too. We got a nice play with Machado, too. It's part of the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters after tonight's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox that Steve Johnson was still "somewhat of an option" to start Saturday in Detroit. However, I doubt that it's going to happen after Johnson threw 28 pitches tonight. We'll see. "There's still that potential he can pitch there," Showalter said. "He hadn't pitched in seven days. We didn't want to pitch anyone else. We were down to our last guy. I was trying to stay away from Steve if I could. We're...

Manager Buck Showalter can count the number of times that Adam Jones has been hit by a pitch this season. He probably can name each body part that's been bruised. Now it's Showalter's face that's turning purple. Showalter didn't hide his displeasure with the Red Sox as he walked toward first base to check on Jones, who was drilled in the backside by a Clay Buchholz fastball in the third inning. He glared at them to such a degree, I'm pretty sure he melted the railing in front of their...

Tonight's Red Sox starter, Clay Buchholz, has three career shutouts, and all three have come against the Orioles. What are the odds? Not only that, but some fans will remember that Buchholz pitched a no-hitter against the Orioles in just his second major league game on September 1, 2007. In his career, the right-hander is 6-3 with a 3.67 ERA vs. the Orioles. But, over his last eight starts against them, he is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA. Buchholz has already faced the Orioles three times this year,...

The Washington Nationals, hot off an 8-2 road trip, return to the Nation's Capital this week to face the New York Mets [Aug. 17-19] and the Atlanta Braves [Aug. 20-22], two longtime rivals who are eager to gain ground on the NL East frontrunner. "In a pennant race, every single game has added importance and we want to gain every advantage we can," said Nationals Manager Davey Johnson. "Let me tell you, the roar of supportive fans gives our players a huge boost." Next week's series...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled INF Joe Mahoney from Triple-A Norfolk and placed INF Wilson Betemit on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 12, with a right wrist injury. This will be Mahoney's second stint with the Orioles. He went 0-for-3 in his major league debut on July 7 at Los Angeles, his only game played with Baltimore. Mahoney has batted .263/.317/.390 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 117 games for the Tides. Betemit is batting .264/.327/.429 with...

With a win tonight, the Orioles would move 12 games above .500 for the first time since June 17. They also would gain another game on the New York Yankees, closing to within five in the American League East. Over the last 12 games, the Orioles' bullpen has posted a 0.45 ERA by allowing two earned runs in 39 2/3 innings. During that span, the relievers have permitted 25 hits, walked eight, struck out 32 and held opponents to a .175 average. Four of the top 22 qualifiers in ERA among American...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is usually more than willing to give you a thoughtful answer to just about any question a reporter might ask during his pregame media session every day. But I found a question that didn't thrill him today. It was when I blurted out, "Hey Buck, what is the key to the Orioles success in the close games?" "I'm not going to jinx that," he said. But after winning 5-3 over Boston last night, the Orioles now lead the AL in winning percentage in both one- and...

As a thank you to all fans taking advantage of MASN's digital and social platforms, MASN's Social Media Weekend returns to Nationals Park from Friday through Sunday. Fans will have the opportunity to win exclusive MASN prizes, such as autographed gear, seat upgrades, MASN Nationals T-shirts and gift cards to this weekend's sponsor, Hair Cuttery, including free haircuts for a year. The only way you can win these prizes is by following us on Facebook and on Twitter, and by signing up for...

Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson is now listed as the O's starter for Saturday night's game at Detroit. If he is not needed in relief tonight, the Baltimore native will make that start and be back on the mound for, at that point, what would be the first time in 10 days. The last several days have been a whirlwind for the 24-year-old right-hander. He made his first Orioles start here on August 8 and got the win against Seattle, giving up two runs and five hits over six innings. The next day he...