Now this is more along the lines of what we were expecting this series. Yesterday's anticipated pitcher's duel was anything but. Today's has actually come to fruition. Jordan Zimmermann and Madison Bumgarner are locked in quite a battle through five innings at AT&T Park, and Bumgarner's Giants lead 1-0 as we go to the sixth. The Nationals have managed very little off Bumgarner; they've notched just two hits off the Giants lefty, both of which have come from the bat of Danny...

Mark Reynolds has been in an offensive funk for most of the 2012 season. Now, he's catching fire. How does he explain it? "It's just baseball," he said. "That's all I can say." That's not enough. Reporters need more. Must dissect his game like a frog in science lab. How well is he seeing the ball? "I don't know if it's that," he said. "I've been putting a lot of work in, and it's starting to show in the games. Tonight was just one of those nights. I got the pitches I was...

The Orioles have won seven of 10 games against the Red Sox this season, 11 of their last 15 and 13 of 17. Mark Reynolds is 8-for-22 with three doubles, three homers, seven RBIs and six runs scored on the homestand. Is Reynolds heating up and looking like a guy who could make a big impact down the stretch? "I hope so," manager Buck Showalter said after tonight's 7-1 win over the Red Sox. "He's had a couple good games for us. Mark has kind of settled down first base. We've had some...

BOWIE, Md. - On his first day in the Eastern League, Dylan Bundy didn't have his best command, but he was good enough to get the win as he moved to his third minor league level this year in Bowie's 5-3 win over Erie in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Bundy pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) with three walks and three strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 56 for strikes in his Double-A debut. Bundy retired the first six batters before allowing a leadoff double in the...

The Orioles traded for Omar Quintanilla this summer because they regarded him as a defensive upgrade in the middle infield. As a guy who could add speed to the lineup. As a guy who might improve the team's on-base percentage. He wasn't supposed to hit home runs. Quintanilla belted his third homer with the Orioles tonight, a solo shot leading off the bottom of the third inning that broke a scoreless tie. The ball appeared to land on Eutaw St., though we never got an announcement from the...

Jayson Werth was scratched from yesterday's lineup due to a sore right ankle. He underwent an MRI on the ankle today, but apparently everything checked out just fine. Werth is back in the Nationals lineup for tonight, hitting fourth and playing right field. While Werth will take his hacks against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, Michael Morse will not. Morse was pulled from yesterday's game in the fifth inning due to a jammed right thumb. Manager Davey Johnson told reporters last night...

The Orioles made room for left-hander J.C. Romero on their 40-man roster today by designating reliever Miguel Socolovich for assignment. Socolovich posted a 1.90 ERA in 28 games at Triple-A Norfolk and was named to the International League All-Star team. However, he registered a 6.97 ERA in six appearances and 10 1/3 innings with the Orioles during two stints with the club. The Orioles will outright Socolovich to Norfolk if he clears waivers. The Orioles also made Steve Johnson's promotion...

BOWIE, Md. - This is your destination tonight for all the news and notes of Dylan Bundy's first Double-A start. I will keep this blog live during tonight's Bowie-Erie game, updating it often as Bundy pitches, coming up at 6:05 p.m. in his first Bowie start. Bundy is 7-3 with an ERA of 1.92 this year over 19 starts between Single-A Delmarva and Single-A Frederick. He began this season with 33 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run before that ended in his first Frederick...

Manager Buck Showalter casually mentioned the Orioles' plans to convert left-hander Brian Matusz to a reliever. He was asked whether he was disappointed that Matusz and Jake Arrieta hadn't dominated at the Triple-A level. He noted that Arrieta usually is bitten by one bad inning. Then, he surprised reporters with news about Matusz's changing role. Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette have discussed the move with Norfolk manager Ron Johnson and pitching coach Mike Griffin,...

The Orioles have discussed placing left-hander Brian Matusz in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen, a move that is expected to happen in the near future and could lead to a role change in the majors. Matusz is still scheduled to make another start for the Tides, but he most likely will be pulled from the rotation. Manager Buck Showalter said the club has discussed this move for a few weeks, and the lefty is open to the idea. Anything to get back in the majors. Left-handers are batting .223/.281/.384...