With the Nationals playing better than ever at the midpoint of the 2012 season, they'll be well represented at next week's All-Star Game, where Washington could find some new memories to cherish. Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Ian Desmond give the Nats their largest and most accomplished contingent since baseball returned to the nation's capital in 2005. This group has the potential to leave the biggest mark the city has ever made on the Midsummer Classic. Plenty of All-Stars have worn...

The Orioles announced after today's game that they have optioned right-hander Jake Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk. Arrieta is 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA (101.1IP, 69ER) in 18 starts for the Orioles this season. He lasted 3.2 innings in each of his last two starts, allowing a total of 11 earned runs in those 7.1 innings pitched.

Remember when the Orioles' rotation on opening day included Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta? Not anymore. Arrieta became the latest starter to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles made the announcement following last night's game in Anaheim - which became this morning's game as it played out. I checked Twitter and my e-mails for the final time about five minutes before they sent out the press release. Around here, it's never safe to close your eyes. You might miss...

There are brutal losses. There are ugly losses. Then there are losses like Thursday's defeat for the Orioles. The Angels starter, Garrett Richards, gave up three homers and seven runs in just 4 1/3 innings and his team won. The Angels improved to 28-12 since May 21 with a 9-7 victory over the Orioles in Game 1 of a four-game series. Orioles starter Jake Arrieta's outing was both brutal and ugly. Arrieta was given early leads of 4-1 and 7-3 and faltered each time. Each time his offense got...

When Ian Desmond hit his solo home run off Matt Cain in the seventh inning, cutting the Giants' lead to 5-2, Bryce Harper turned to Adam LaRoche, who was seated next to him on the bench. "We're going to win this game," Harper said. "Just be ready for it." If Harper finds himself out of a job anytime soon, he could replace Miss Cleo. Danny Espinosa immediately followed Desmond's homer with one of his own, and by the time the seventh inning ended, Cain was out of the game and the...

Jake Arrieta got plenty of run support tonight. Manager Buck Showalter didn't think it was going to be enough. Showalter yanked Arrieta with two outs in the fourth inning, a runner on base and the Orioles leading, 7-5. Luis Ayala gave up an RBI single to Torii Hunter to complete Arrieta's line, and he surrendered two runs of his own, as the Angels took an 8-7 lead. Arrieta has gone 3 2/3 innings in his last two starts and allowed a combined 11 runs and 13 hits. And he almost sent his...

Over the first six innings of tonight's ballgame, the Nationals managed just one run and four hits. Over the final three frames, they put up five runs on eight hits. There was a clear shift in the seventh inning, when Matt Cain began to tire. With his pitch count rising and the muggy conditions possibly beginning to wear on him, Cain served up back-to-back homers to Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa in the seventh. Pinch hitter Mark DeRosa then doubled, and he came around to score on Bryce...

Right-hander Kevin Pucetas was moving swiftly through his seventh start of the season Thursday before an injury forced him to leave Double-A Harrisburg's contest against Bowie. Pucetas retired the first seven hitters he faced, striking out four, walking none and not allowing a hit or run in 2 1/3 innings. He faced seven batters and threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes. Harrisburg eventually won the game 8-6. The Senators led 1-0 when Pucetas departed. It was unfortunate that Pucetas had to...

Nationals right-hander Drew Storen was pleased with his first appearance in a minor league rehab game since his recovery from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip. Storen started for high Single-A Potomac against Frederick on Thursday. He pitched a scoreless first inning, facing three batters and not allowing a hit or run. Storen induced a groundout and flyout in the short stint at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. After the outing, Storen said there is still work to do, but said he is on...

We have a lineup change for the Orioles. Chris Davis has been scratched and Ryan Flaherty is starting in right field. Matt Wieters moves up to third. Reporters in Anaheim were told Davis has a right trapezius strain. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Miguel Gonzalez will start tomorrow night. Left-hander...