We haven't seen it happen for a while, but today the Orioles lost and contributed to their own demise. Leading 3-1 with two outs and a man on first in the bottom of the seventh, the Orioles went on to allow three runs in the inning to lose 4-3 today at Yankee Stadium. From that point on, Orioles pitchers allowed a walk, an RBI single, a walk, a bases-loaded walk and then there was an error on J.J. Hardy with two outs and the bases loaded that put New York ahead 4-3. Pedro Strop struggled...

NEW YORK - The Orioles are 8-54 when they trail after the seventh inning. That's the task facing them today after a 3-1 lead went up in smoke. The Orioles walked three batters in the bottom of the seventh, with Pedro Strop losing Derek Jeter to force in the tying run with two outs. Shortstop J.J. Hardy committed an error on Nick Swisher's bouncer with the count full, allowing Eduardo Nunez to score and give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. Hardy committed his sixth error on a ball that appeared to...

Xavier Nady had six RBIs in 40 games with the Nationals this season. He already has three RBIs in his first game since getting called up by the Giants. The veteran outfielder, who signed a minor league deal with the Giants after getting his outright release by the Nationals, has made an early impact with his new team. Who knows, the guy might end up getting playoff shares from two separate teams in the same season. The Nationals clubhouse got a little more crowded today, as John Lannan,...

Rosters have expanded and the Nationals have added four players to their active roster. Left-hander John Lannan, catcher Sandy Leon and outfielder Eury Perez have been officially recalled, while outfielder Mark DeRosa has been activated off the 15-day DL. The Nats also announced that catcher Jhonatan Solano has been reinstated from the DL and optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. More to come. Here's the Nationals lineup for this afternoon: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan...

NEW YORK - Troy Patton threw on flat ground from 60 feet on Thursday, and the Orioles will check on his right ankle today before confirming the next phase of his rehab schedule. "First time he's gotten the ball in his hand and able to put pressure (on the ankle). First time he's thrown and landed on the ankle," said manager Buck Showalter. "That was a good first step. I haven't gotten the report today. We should get something a little after noon today, with him and (Stu)...

This afternoon's live blog: It's almost time for Game 2 of the weekend series in New York. A win would pull the Orioles to within one game of first place and within one victory of a three-game sweep. I will keep this blog "live" during this afternoon's game and will add stats, notes, facts and commentary here all during today's game. I hope the readers keep a steady stream of comments and questions coming here as well. Check back often and hit refresh to get the latest and see the latest...

NEW YORK - Matt Wieters is catching a day game after a night game this afternoon. Omar Quintanilla gets another start at second base. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Manny Machado 3B Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Yankees: Derek Jeter DH Nick Swisher 1B Robinson Cano 2B Andruw Jones RF Curtis Granderson CF Russell Martin C Jayson Nix 3B Eduardo Nunez SS Ichiro Suzuki...

When reporters entered the Nationals' clubhouse after last night's 10-0 shellacking of the Cardinals, the Braves-Phillies game was showing on every TV in sight. As we huddled around Ryan Zimmerman, asking the third baseman about a third straight Nats win, Phillies outfielder John Mayberry crushed a fly ball to deep left in the 10th inning of a tie game. Shouts came out from different parts of the clubhouse. "Get him! Get him!" one player yelled, as the ball traveled towards the left field...

In a big game to start a big series the Orioles came up with a big performance. None bigger than Miguel Gonzalez, who despite not pitching since Aug. 20, fired seven shutout innings at the Yankees in the Orioles' 6-1 win. Gonzalez went 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA in five August starts and the Baltimore is 7-3 in his 10 starts this year. He had a WHIP of 1.09 and batting average against of .220 during the month. Since losing their first four games against New York this year, the Orioles are 6-2...

Over the last two nights, the Nationals have outscored the defending World Series champion Cardinals 18-1. A dormant offense has come alive. The top-notch starting pitching has returned, as have the smiles. Tonight, it was Gio Gonzalez wearing the smile for the Nats. To be truthful, Gonzalez always wears the smile, but tonight it was well-earned. The lefty threw the first shutout of his career, allowing just five hits and three walks over his nine sterling innings, striking out...