BOWIE, Md. - In what was his best outing yet at the Double-A level, Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy gave up just one run over six innings tonight as Bowie beat Akron 4-2 in Game 1 of a best-of-five Eastern League playoff series. The Baysox played some tight defense behind him and backed the right-hander with homers from Rhyne Hughes, Ty Kelly and Ronnie Welty. Bundy said he felt some playoff intensity out there tonight. "Definitely, we want to win this thing. Quicker you win it,...

A day after hitting six home runs in a game against the Cubs, tying a Nationals team record, the Nats have hit six home runs in a game against the Cubs. It's déjà vu all over again. The Nats have put eight runs up through seven innings and now have 12 homers in their last 15 frames. Are the Nationals this good or are the Cubs this bad? Can it be both? The Nats have hit back-to-back homers twice tonight. Roger Bernadina and Bryce Harper did it in the third and Ian Desmond and...

Going back to last night, the Nationals hit nine home runs in a 12-inning span against the Cubs. They hit six jacks last night, two of which came off the bat of Adam LaRoche. They added three more through the first three innings tonight, and have a 5-0 lead on the hapless Cubs. All three homers so far tonight came in the third inning. Roger Bernadina led off the frame with a solo shot to center, his fourth on the season. One pitch later, Bryce Harper banged one off the back wall of the Cubs...

The Orioles announced their rotation for the Yankees series that begins Thursday night, and Chris Tillman isn't in it. Tillman could have pitched Friday night on regular rest or Saturday night as part of a six-man rotation, but he's being pushed back after being diagnosed yesterday with an inflamed nerve in his right elbow. Jason Hammel will be activated from the disabled list and take the ball on Thursday, his first start since July 13. He will oppose David Phelps, who walked six batters...

Up until about two weeks ago, Sean Burnett was putting up career numbers, despite the fact that he had battled tightness in his throwing elbow for a handful of weeks. After an appearance on August 10, Burnett's ERA sat at 1.81, he had a 0.96 WHIP and had become a dominant force in the eighth inning. Over his next eight games, however, Burnett looked like a different pitcher. He posted a 7.50 ERA over six innings, allowing 16 hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two hit-batters in that span....

Tonight's playoff live blog: Welcome to tonight's live blog from Bowie where the Baysox host Akron in Game 1 of a best-of-five playoff series. I will post notes and updates during tonight's game which will begin at 7:05 p.m. with Dylan Bundy making the start. Feel free to post any comments or questions you have in this blog. Akron takes the early lead: With one out in the top of the second, the Aeroes Matt Lawson hit a solo homer to left off Bundy for a 1-0 lead. Now the Baysox are batting...

It is the rarest of moments in the baseball lore for the D.C. and Maryland surrounding areas to have the Orioles and the Nationals both in first place at the same time. It is happening right now. Manager Davey Johnson, who used to be a player and manager for the Orioles, has noticed how well the team to the north has done this season and is excited for both clubs. "I think it is great," Johnson said. "I grew up in this area. I grew up an Oriole fan, seeing them playing like I always think...

BOWIE, Md - The Double-A Bowie Baysox' pursuit of their first-ever Eastern League championship begins tonight when the Baysox host Akron at Prince George's Stadium in Game 1 of a best-of-five series. The winner of this series will meet the Trenton-Reading winner in the championship series that starts next Tuesday. The Baysox' first season was 1993 and this is the team's 20th, but they have never won the Eastern League title. In fact, Bowie has never even won a playoff series, losing in the...

BOWIE, Md - Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman is with the Baysox in Bowie, but not to pitch in the Eastern League playoffs. He's just going to get a workout in today before he rejoins the Orioles tomorrow when the team returns to Baltimore. Tillman left Sunday's start in New York after just three innings saying his elbow felt "dead." An MRI on that right elbow revealed some inflammation in a nerve, but no structural damage. Tillman said he felt pretty sure the MRI would not turn up...

As Davey Johnson said, Jayson Werth is getting the night off, shifting the Nationals' outfield alignment. Roger Bernadina starts in center and leads off against the Cubs, making just his seventh start since Aug. 1. Bryce Harper starts in right field. Gio Gonzalez is on the hill, seeking his 18th win one start after a complete-game shutout. For the Nationals: CF Roger Bernadina RF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P...