BOSTON - Robert Andino is undergoing another concussion test today, and manager Buck Showalter is optimistic that the second baseman will be back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Andino's CT scan came back negative. "They were checking for any bleeding," Showalter said. "It got him in the ear flap and in the neck some. He had a pretty good welt there. He's not happy today about not playing, but as soon as he passes the concussion test ... I'm hoping we get good results from...

The fact is that the Orioles' minor league teams combined to play just .459 ball in 2012 when you add up all the records, going 353-416. That ranks 28th in baseball, ahead of only Milwaukee and San Diego. You certainly can't tell much about the club's farm system from that stat. It is a very debatable topic, but I have always felt that winning in the minor leagues is not that important. Of course, you play to win, you want to win and who doesn't get encouraged when an O's farm club does...

The Nationals will have their regular starters on the field behind Gio Gonzalez this afternoon as the left-hander again tries for his 20th win of the season. Gonzalez got stuck with the loss his last time out, allowing two runs over five innings against the Braves on Sunday night. His record sits at 19-8 entering today, and he still could become the first guy in the majors to hit the 20-win mark. The Nats will face Brewers righty Wily Peralta, who is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in four appearances...

BOSTON - Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base today. Robert Andino is on the bench after being hit on the batting helmet by a 94 mph fastball last night. Jim Thome returns to the lineup as the designated hitter, with Chris Davis moving to right field. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis RF Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty 2B Randy Wolf LHP For the Red Sox: Pedro Ciriaco DH Dustin Pedroia 2B Cody Ross RF Ryan...

BOSTON - If the Orioles handed out an Unsung Hero award, reliever Darren O'Day would need to start preparing his speech. O'Day might get overlooked in a bullpen that includes Jim Johnson, who set the franchise's single-season record for saves last night with his 46th, but as manager Buck Showalter said, "It depends on who's doing the looking. We certainly don't." O'Day stranded another runner last night - only six of 41 inherited have scored off him - and he retired all five batters...

How does a pitcher go from a record of 0-7 and 5.40 ERA in the minors to a mark of 7-4 and 3.52 ERA in the major leagues and win key games for a team in a pennant race? I don't know, but Miguel Gonzalez has done it. The right-hander that the Orioles signed as a minor league free agent on Feb. 28 - after spring training had already started - has become one of their most reliable starting pitchers a year after he didn't win a single game in the minors. On a team that has likely been...

After blowing his fifth save of the season and putting up another disappointing outing during a rough three-week stretch, Tyler Clippard stood at his locker for over five minutes and calmly answered question after question about his performance. You won't find many guys more stand-up than the 27-year-old Clippard. The Nationals' right-handed reliever is clearly frustrated with himself right now, partly because he blew a save in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Brewers, but also because he can't...

BOSTON - The Orioles improved to 44-32 on the road tonight, their win total the best in the American League. They've won eight of their last nine games at Fenway Park. "That's hard to do, but I've said many times, that one common denominator for teams that get a chance to play in the postseason is, you've got to compete on the road," said manager Buck Showalter. "Having guys like Jim Johnson and Darren O'Day and (Miguel) Gonzalez is what allows you to do that. It's the pitching....

Tyler Clippard's rough stretch continued tonight. Clippard, who was lights out for much of the season, blew his fifth save of the year tonight and earned his third loss in his last seven appearances after allowing three Brewers runs in the ninth inning. It stuck the Nationals with a 4-2 loss, wasting a fantastic outing by Edwin Jackson, who threw eight innings of one-run ball. "Well, that one hurt," manager Davey Johnson said. "Jackson pitched a great ballgame. I was tempted to let him...

Edwin Jackson did not join the other four Nationals starters in double-digit wins Friday night. In a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to Milwaukee, Jackson's no decision might have been literally lost in the shuffle. It should not be. Instead, it might be his biggest and most important no-decision of the season for the Nationals. Jackson went eight strong innings, allowing a solo homer to Jonathan Lucroy but virtually nothing else. He walked none, struck out six and gave up only five other...