Rays catcher Jose Lobaton hit his first major league home run tonight, a three-run shot off Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom in the top of the fifth inning to increase Tampa Bay's lead to 10-1. Kevin Gregg is warming in the bullpen. If I'm Orioles manager Buck Showalter, I'm warming up my car and getting the heck out of here. According to Elias, Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez is the first major league pitcher to allow leadoff home runs in his first two home starts since the Rockies'...

You've heard of pitchers who struggle in the first inning? Miguel Gonzalez struggles with the first batter. Gonzalez served up a home run to the leadoff hitter tonight for the second time in four starts. Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings found the left field seats on the first pitch thrown by Gonzalez - one fewer pitch than it took for Detroit's Austin Jackson to give the Tigers a quick lead back on July 15 at Camden Yards. Gonzalez's troubles didn't stop there. They just got worse. He...

The last two nights the Orioles have a total of two runs on 11 hits and have gone 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. With their team average down to .239, its lowest mark since Opening Day, all the Orioles have to do tonight is beat Tampa Bay's David Price, who is first in the American League in wins and fourth in ERA. Matt Wieters has had some some success against the lefty, going 7-for-21 for a .333 average. "He's got a good arm and is a good pitcher," Wieters said. "The key for...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Before I pack up and leave the Citi Field press box, here are a few final thoughts: At the moment, the Nationals are tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball. They're 19 games above .500, tying the franchise's high-water mark, set during the 2005 season. They've won five in a row, knocked the Mets 11 1/2 games back in the division and improved their road record to 30-20. If you've noticed this team gaining some swagger in recent weeks, there's a reason...

Omar Quintanilla has started the last seven games for the Orioles. He has provided a bit of a spark for the team since his trade from the Mets. After a three-hit game that included a solo homer Sunday, Quintanilla is 7-for-13 over his past three games and 10-for-20 over his last five after going 1-for-6 to start his O's tenure. After the Mets designated him for assignment, he was traded to the Orioles for cash considerations on July 20 and is batting .423 in nine games so far wearing the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he hadn't heard the news of Vi Ripken's abduction yesterday morning and safe return early today until told by a reporter around 4 p.m. "Obviously, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ripken family," he said. "That's something that happened to my mother years ago. Someone broke into the house at night. It's tough. It's a crazy world. I know the Ripken family and I know the stock, not only from Senior, but from Vi." The story truly hit close to...

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters has just one hit in 23 at-bats over his last six games. That has dropped his average from .258 to .243, its lowest point since early June. A reporter asked Wieters if he thought his bat has been streakier this year. "I don't know," Wieters said. "I'm sure the numbers come and go. But it's something you can't worry about. When you are feeling good, try to keep that streak going. It's been a year of trying to find that good stroke and be able to keep it...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - After Stephen Strasburg's last start, in which he allowed four runs and needed 103 pitches to get through 5 1/3 innings, Davey Johnson frustratingly commented that his ace right-hander "really doesn't know who he is at times." The reactions to Strasburg's outing today were a little different. "That is the Strasburg I've known for a long time," Johnson said. "That's him. That's what he does." "I caught him before, it was really good," catcher Sandy Leon said....

The Arizona Fall League revealed its organization and staff announcements for the 2012 season, which commences Oct. 9. The Nationals will play with prospects from the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Rockies and Blue Jays for the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Former major league third baseman Matt Williams is the manager and the Nationals will be represented by Mark Grater as the pitching coach. Grater is the Nationals' rehab pitching coordinator in Viera, Fla. The...

The Orioles' lineup tonight against Tampa Bay left-hander David Price includes Taylor Teagarden behind the plate and slumping Matt Wieters batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter. Wieters is hitting .354/.418/.524 against left-handers. He's 7-for-21 lifetime against Price. Seeking more right-handers to face Price, manager Buck Showalter is inserting Steve Tolleson in left field. However, that leaves left-handed hitting Omar Quintanilla at second base. For the Orioles: Nick...