Zach Britton is shutting out the Tigers tonight on five hits over five innings. He's slithered out of a few jams. He's bearing down on a quality start. The Orioles can't get him a lead, which is the only downside to Britton's night. The Orioles don't have a game when Britton's turn comes up again on Thursday. They can go back to a four-man rotation or just push back everyone and stick with the current alignment. The other option is sending down Britton and reinserting Steve Johnson...

Remember that entry a couple hours ago where I wrote about how effective the Nationals' offense has been since the All-Star break? Call me Mr. Jinx. The Nationals have been shut out through five innings tonight, as Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese has cut through the Washington order with relative ease. The Nats threatened in the first when Danny Espinosa and Ryan Zimmerman delivered back-to-back one-out singles, but they were both stranded in scoring position when Adam LaRoche grounded out...

In his return to the majors and the Orioles rotation, Zach Britton would like it to be more than a one-night appearance. Over the first three innings tonight, he has pitched out of a few jams and kept the Tigers off the board in a game that is 0-0 heading to the fourth. Britton has allowed four hits through three frames with two walks and two strikeouts. But he got a big double-play ball to end the first and another DP ball in the second. Detroit got an Austin Jackson leadoff double in the...

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon spent just nine games with high Single-A Potomac before being called up to Double-A Harrisburg. He has played only four games for the Senators, but with September call-ups just around the corner, manager Davey Johnson was asked about the possibility of Rendon getting some at-bats at the major league level before the season ends. "He hasn't had many at-bats," Johnson said. "I don't know how many games they have left down in Harrisburg. But I know that he...

Orioles 2012 first-round pick Kevin Gausman gave up no runs and just one hit in his first six innings for short-season Single-A Aberdeen this year. But tonight, in his debut for Single-A Frederick, he gave up a homer to the first batter he faced. Then the same guy got to him an inning later for an inside-the-park, three-run homer. Winston-Salem's switch-hitting center fielder, Keenyn Walker, led off the game and hit one over the wall in right-center at Frederick's Harry Grove Stadium. Then...

Bryce Harper is getting a day off today, but he's not the only Nationals starter who will be out of the lineup during this series with the Mets. Davey Johnson has already decided that he's planning on resting Ian Desmond tomorrow. He'll go with his "pre-Desmond infield" of Danny Espinosa at short and Steve Lombardozzi at second, but he's yet to inform Desmond about this decision. "Don't tell him I said that," Johnson said with a smile. "I've already got one guy wanting to choke me...

If you're the kind of person who likes rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers, take note: The guest list is growing for the Sept. 5 event honoring Hall of Fame Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray. Hall of Fame O's manager Earl Weaver and former University of Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams have been added to the list of luminaries who will participate in the inductions of Ripken and Murray into the Sports Legends Museum Hall of Legends. Williams is already a Hall of Legends...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Joe Mahoney to the Tides. Britton will make tonight's start against the Detroit Tigers. Britton is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA (23.1IP, 21ER) in five starts for the Orioles this season. Mahoney is 0-for-4 in two games for the Orioles. He entered last night's game in the 5th inning at first base and was 0-for-1.

The Orioles have optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton on the 25-man roster. Steve Johnson remains on the roster and is available to pitch in relief. He's the designated long man. Manager Buck Showalter will work with a three-man bench tonight: Omar Quintanilla, Lew Ford and Taylor Teagarden. Robert Andino is getting the start at second base. Mark Reynolds remains at first base, one night have blasting the umpires. Should be...

As Davey Johnson mentioned last night, Bryce Harper will get today off, with Tyler Moore sliding in to play left field and hit seventh. Harper smacked his 11th home run of the season last night, but Johnson is giving his rookie outfielder a day to rest while also giving his other rookie outfielder - Moore - a chance to stay fresh with some at-bats against a lefty. Jesus Flores will be behind the plate catching Nationals starter Edwin Jackson, who is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against...