With the Nationals maintaining first place in the National League East and beginning a big division match-up tonight in Atlanta, the Nats have to feel good about having an 8 1/2-game lead over the Braves. Even if the Braves sweep the Nationals this weekend, the Nats will still have a 5 1/2-game lead. The wild card race has become very exciting with St. Louis and Atlanta still leading, but Milwaukee and Philadelphia joining Pittsburgh in the battle for the final slot. Oh, did I mention Arizona...

The Orioles have ended their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons. When do they begin talks with manager Buck Showalter on a new contract? Showalter has one year remaining on a deal he signed in August 2010. At this point, neither side has broached the subject. It's a back-burner issue, just as Showalter wants to keep it. Showalter has no interest in going down that road with his team tied with the Yankees for first place in the American League East in the middle of September. He'll...

Yesterday sure made for an interesting off-day. We had Nationals third base coach Bo Porter, who lives in the Houston area, interviewing for the Astros' managerial job. Porter is highly thought of within the Nationals organization and is considered a candidate to eventually replace Davey Johnson once Johnson decides to step out of the managerial role. Porter missed out on two past managerial openings after interviewing for the position; he was up for the Pirates job in 2010 and the Marlins...

Think you've got all of your back-to-school clothes? Think again, Orioles fans. They say you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day. Fortunately, with Birdland in the midst of an historic season, you won't fret about missing out on that dapper, white outfit. From now on, it's orange all the way. The Orioles have issued a challenge to all elementary, middle and high schools in the state of Maryland to "Go Orange" and demonstrate their support for the Orioles. Schools are encouraged to...

You spoke - purchasing the discounted throwback tickets offered by the Orioles for this week's crucial series against the Rays - and the O's listened. The sight of packed left field boxes and the Eutaw Street bleachers was too good a deal to pass up, and you'll have the opportunity to do it all over again from Sept. 24-26, when the Orioles entertain the Blue Jays. Once again, fans can purchase seats in those locations at 1992 pricing, a nod to the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. While...

Due to an overwhelming response and positive fan feedback, the Orioles have extended throwback pricing for select locations during the Orioles' series against the Toronto Blue Jays, September 24-26. The promotion celebrates the team's push for the postseason in this 20th Anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and a continuing effort to encourage fans to "BUCKle Up!" and Back the Birds. For all three games of the series (including the single-admission doubleheader on September...

I think all Orioles fans that have suffered through 14 losing seasons should take a minute or two at least to savor today's win. It seemed almost as if it took 14 years, but the Orioles now officially will not have a losing record in 2012. They'll have one much better than last year, the year before that and that and so on. The sweep of Tampa was big for so many reasons, but for a key one, the O's have distanced themselves now by four games from the Rays, and it would have been just two...

Today's attendance: 25,130 The Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the Rays with a 3-2, 14-inning victory. They have sole possession of first place in the American League East, with the Yankees playing the Red Sox later tonight. The Rays fall four games back in the division. The Orioles can do no worse than .500, ending their streak of consecutive losing seasons at 14. Just don't listen for the sound of champagne corks popping in the home clubhouse. "I don't think our guys take...

The MRI on Jason Hammel's right knee didn't reveal a new injury, according to Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Hammel will accompany the team to the West Coast. He may seek a second opinion on the results, but the Orioles are confident that he's going to be fine. The next step, of course, is getting Hammel back on a mound and into the rotation. There's no timetable for his return. "We got good news, that there's no new injury that we can see on the MRI," Showalter said. "They're...

The Orioles have put at least one runner on base in the last 10 innings. We're still tied, 2-2, but it isn't for lack of opportunities. The Orioles have stranded 11 runners, the Rays eight. The teams are a combined 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Luis Ayala shut out the Rays on one hit, with three strikeouts, over 2 1/3 innings. His season high was 2 2/3 on July 17 in Minnesota. The Rays gave up their designated hitter by putting Evan Longoria at third base. Manager Joe Maddon...