The Orioles sure missed some scoring chances in the first three innings tonight against Justin Verlander. The game was tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the third but the O's left five runners on base over the first three innings. Nick Markakis doubled in the first but later was thrown out at home on a play where it looked like he was safe but the call was out at the plate. Chris Davis walked and stole second in the second, but was stranded there. In the third, the Orioles tied the game 1-1...

With all the injured guys the Nationals have had return to the lineup lately, Davey Johnson is getting a little greedy. "Where the heck is Willy Ramos? Let's get him up here, too," Johnson joked today. "Everybody seems to healing well. Might as well get him." Johnson won't get his top catcher back until spring training at the earliest, but he does have the seven position players in his lineup tonight all in there for the first time together this season. After a host of injuries...

For the first time in nearly a month, Ian Desmond finds his name back in the Nationals' lineup for tonight's game against the Mets. The Nats obviously would have preferred Desmond never landed on the DL with a torn left oblique, but given the 19-6 record they put up without him, Desmond joked that he wasn't missed too much. "They got better (without me)," the shortstop said. Regardless of how the Nats performed without Desmond in the lineup, they'll welcome their All-Star shortstop...

Manager Davey Johnson got a good report on rehabbing right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who started Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg. Nursing hip soreness, Wang went 4 2/3 innings, allowed three hits, two runs, both earned, two walks and struck out three. It was the fewest number of earned runs he had allowed in four rehab starts since July 23. Wang was back in the clubhouse Friday and Johnson said the right-hander "said he felt pretty good." "The report I got on him yesterday was his delivery...

The Washington Nationals today reinstated shortstop Ian Desmond from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated infielder Cesar Izturis for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Desmond, who missed the last 25 contests with a left oblique strain, is batting .286 with 24 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 53 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 51 runs in 89 games this season with the Nationals. At the time of his DL...

For the first time this season, the Nationals will have Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, Adam LaRoche, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper in the same lineup. This is more along the lines of what we were expecting back in spring. Werth will hit leadoff for Davey Johnson today, while Desmond is back in the sixth spot in the order. Ross Detwiler will get the ball today, as Johnson has elected to flip the lefty and Edwin Jackson in the rotation. Detwiler will pitch on...

Manager Buck Showalter is sticking with his usual lineup tonight against a right-handed starter, including Nate McLouth batting third and playing left field and Omar Quintanilla batting ninth and playing second base. Joe Mahoney is listed among the reserves. 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 Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Update: Let the speculation cease regarding Saturday's...

The Nationals have activated shortstop Ian Desmond from the disabled list today, a move which shouldn't surprise anyone. To make room for Desmond on the 25-man roster, the Nats have designated infielder Cesar Izturis for assignment, a move which, well, surprises me. Izturis only was with the Nationals for nine games after they claimed him off waivers from the Brewers. In that time, he was pretty productive, going 2-for-4 with a double and four runs scored in five games. With Desmond back...

Don't look now, but the Orioles' pitching has taken a turn for the better. This stat may have snuck up quietly on us, but over the 13 games since Aug. 3, the O's team ERA is 2.58. They just gave up 10 runs to Boston in a three-game series and six of those came last night. The Sox are third in the AL in runs and average 4.9 per game. The 13-game run, during which the Orioles are 9-4, has lowered their team ERA on the year from 4.25 to 4.06. That now ranks eighth in the AL. A similar...

As soon as Steve Johnson returned to the mound for the ninth inning last night, I figured he no longer was a candidate to make Saturday night's start in Detroit, unless he recorded three outs on three pitches or learned how to throw a knuckleball. Johnson was listed as Saturday's starter earlier in the day, but manager Buck Showalter couched it by saying the plans could change if the St. Paul's grad had to work in relief. Talk about a cruel tease. Johnson remained in the bullpen through...