Brian's Baseball Bash, the Aug. 12 fundraiser hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts to benefit the University of Maryland Children's Hospital, has been canceled. According to an announcement on the event's Web site, the fundraiser at Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall, was canceled "due to uncertainty around Brian's availability and condition after his recent injury." Roberts, who returned to the Orioles earlier this season after missing substantial time because of...

Ryan Flaherty is getting another start at second base tonight for the Orioles. Newly acquired middle infielder Omar Quintanilla will join the team today, but he won't be in the starting lineup. And he's not listed on the lineup card among the reserves. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Chris Tillman RHP

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides are 21-11 over their last 32 games and are now 51-50 on the season. The 32-game run has moved the Tides within six games of first place in their division and within 4 1/2 games of an International League wild card playoff spot. Norfolk's 51 wins are just five shy of matching the entire season total from 2011, when Norfolk finished a franchise-worst 56-87. The Tides have used 23 different starting pitchers, two shy of the league record of 25 set by the 2002 and 2004...

After yesterday's 11-inning slopfest in which the Nationals used five relievers, they needed Edwin Jackson to eat innings and give them a chance to win Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Eat innings - check. Give the Nats a chance to win - check. Jackson has worked six fantastic frames so far today, allowing just one run on four hits. The righty has struck out eight and has benefited from a fantastic slider which has left Braves hitters flailing all afternoon. Unfortunately for Jackson and...

Chris Tillman didn't make it out of the first inning in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing one earned run (seven total) and five hits in two-thirds of an inning. A Mark Reynolds error complicated Tillman's night, but the opening frame has been a challenge throughout his career. In 38 career starts, Tillman has posted an 8.12 ERA in the first inning and opponents are batting .348/.416/.585 against him. Tillman has made two starts against the Indians, allowing seven runs...

Bryce Harper has been taken out of the first game of today's doubleheader after bunting a ball off the inside of his left ankle in the bottom of the first inning. The Nationals rookie outfielder limped around in obvious pain and dropped to a knee before getting attended to by a trainer. Harper remained in the game at the time, finishing his at-bat despite the fact he was noticeably hobbling. He struck out swinging at a Ben Sheets curveball just a pitch after the foul bunt. Harper played...

Davey Johnson says he didn't sleep too well last night. He was left thinking about the game that got away. The Nationals' skipper came in to the park this morning and ran two miles on the treadmill. He says he took two minutes off his time. "I punished myself," Johnson said. "I tried to wipe out some memory banks and create some new brain cells in my head. I hope it works." Everyone will technically be available in the Nationals' bullpen today, Johnson said, but he'd like to stay...

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher John Lannan from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, outfielder Xavier Nady was returned from rehab, reinstated from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Lannan will start the second game of today's day-night doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The 27-year-old went 6-9 with...

Good thing the Nationals will play 18 innings today. Plenty of chances to get last night's stinker out of their minds. With Davey Johnson using five relievers yesterday, he'll likely have a bit of a tough time navigating his way through today's doubleheader. Surprisingly, Johnson said he could use Drew Storen again today for a third straight day, and he'll have a rested Craig Stammen, Ryan Mattheus and Henry Rodriguez. Still, he'll have to bring his managerial A-game today to try and...

It was exactly a week ago that I wrote about Jim Thome and asked fans what they thought about Thome after his first seven games with the club. He was just 5-for-25 as an Oriole at that point with 11 strikeouts and not one extra-base hit. A week later, Thome's bat is now percolating. Over the last five games he is 8-for-22 (.364) with four extra-base hits. Thome has three doubles and a homer with two RBIs in that stretch. Over 12 games, he is batting .277 with a homer and three RBIs and the...