The Orioles continue to be health challenged, this time losing Jason Hammel to a right knee injury in the fourth inning. Hammel retired the first two batters before walking Evan Longoria. He threw one pitch to Matt Joyce and hopped off the mound. Manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Rick Adair and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out of the dugout, and Hammel came out of the game without attempting a warmup pitch. Though it appeared that his left leg buckled, the Orioles announced...

The Orioles no longer lead the majors in errors and they don't have sole possession of second place in that dubious race. The Rockies lead the field with 112, followed by the Padres and Orioles with 100. The Rays committed their 98th tonight, tying them with the Giants and costing them a run. Right fielder Matt Joyce mishandled Matt Wieters' two-out bloop single down the line in the bottom of the first inning, allowing Adam Jones to score from first base and giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead....

Could this series between the Orioles and Tampa Bay be low-scoring? It certainly was the last time these teams played when there were three straight shutouts. Tampa Bay won the series opener 2-0 on Aug. 3 and then the O's posted 4-0 and 1-0 wins. Over three games, the Orioles outscored the Rays 5-2. The Rays' pitching staff leads the majors in ERA (3.22) and opponent average (.230) and leads the American League in strikeouts (1,170). Only one pitching staff in the last 25 years has led the...

The Orioles tried to trade Kevin Gregg over the winter and in spring training. He was available at the non-waiver deadline. They couldn't strike a deal, continued to use him sporadically and finally had to designate him for assignment today to create room on the 40-man roster. Signed to a two-year, $10 million contract with a $6 million team option for 2013, Gregg failed to hold onto the closer's job after converting 22 of 29 save opportunities last season. He never had a defined role this...

The Nationals continue to shine on the field as one of the top teams in baseball. The postseason accolades will come in due time, but as the season pushes forward into fall, it's the voice of the Nationals - Charlie Slowes - who finds himself in his own awards race. Slowes is among 41 veteran broadcasters chosen as candidates for the 2013 Ford C. Frick Award, which is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., for excellence in baseball...

It is not only players that come up from the minor leagues in September. Teams add some coaches, as well, and today Ron Johnson, the manager at Triple-A Norfolk, and Tides pitching coach Mike Griffin joined the Orioles. Manager Buck Showalter thought so much of their work this year that he had that duo join him at the podium for his pregame press conference today. Showalter has said several times how much he appreciated the job Johnson and his staff did this year as Norfolk went 74-70,...

Nick Markakis underwent surgery today in Sarasota and manager Buck Showalter spoke to him this morning. Pins were inserted into Markakis' thumb instead of a T-plate, which is a less-invasive procedure. They will be removed in three weeks if it heals as expected. However, the timetable for Markakis' potential return hasn't changed. The Orioles would have to make the playoffs and probably get into the second round. "He called me, I think, from the recovery room," Showalter said. "He was...

It must have seemed like a pretty quiet afternoon for LJ Hoes. He was watching television a little after noon when he got the phone call telling him to come to Baltimore to join the Orioles and play in the big leagues for the first time. "I was sitting at home watching a movie, 'Mr. Baseball,' so they called and said we need you here by 2:15. So now I'm here," the 22-year-old Hoes said. "They told me after the season to work out and stay in shape. Just want to help this team any way I...

The Nationals have won 10 of their last 11 games at Citi Field, including six straight. They look to continue that road dominance tonight against R.A. Dickey and the Mets. For the Nationals: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Jordan Zimmermann For the Mets: SS Ruben Tejada 2B Daniel Murphy 3B David Wright 1B Ike Davis RF Mike Baxter LF Jason Bay CF Andres Torres C Josh Thole P R.A. Dickey

The Nationals have set their roster for instructional league competition, which will originate from their Viera, Fla., training facility, and begins this weekend. The report date is Sept. 14 with the first workout set for Sept. 15. The first game on the 14-game schedule is Sept. 22 on the road against the Mets. The last game is Oct. 10 against the Astros. As we first reported, third baseman Matt Skole and right-hander Aaron Barrett will begin their offseason in Florida and then leave for...