The Orioles need to upgrade their pitching. They need to tighten up their defense. It's not the same set of issues I remember them having when I was a kid. They can still hit the longball, which Earl Weaver would appreciate. Their 105 home runs rank third in the majors behind the Yankees (126) and Blue Jays (122). They clubbed three last night in the first four innings against the Angels, who were begging to be beaten. A 7-3 lead disappeared before the Orioles stepped to the plate again...

As Giants first baseman Brandon Belt failed to secure a low, skipping throw and Adam LaRoche crossed first base safely in the ninth inning of last night's game, plating the game-winning run for the Nationals, a group of ballplayers about 650 miles away let out a frustrated groan. According to reporters in Atlanta, Braves players watching the end of last night's Nationals game on a clubhouse TV made a loud, exasperated noise and dropped a few expletives when it became clear the Nats had...

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said that the Orioles have been involved in some recent trade discussions, but that any talks are in the very early stages right now. "We've talked to a number of teams, probably over half the teams," Duquette said. "Some teams are still trying to decide what they are going to do. I think it's still early and so many teams are still in contention." Is he confident the Orioles will be involved in one or more trades by...

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg faces off against the Colorado Rockies Friday, looking to rebound from just three innings in the sweltering heat in Atlanta last week. His next start will likely be scheduled for Sunday, July 15 in Miami, following the All-Star game in Kansas City. If Strasburg averages six innings per outing, he will be at 99 innings after tonight and 105 frames following July 15. That would mathematically put him in for nine or 10 more starts the rest of the way,...

The Giants entered their three-game series with the Nationals holding the National League's second-best record. They were throwing a two-time Cy Young award winner and the top two starters in their rotation, both of whom entered the series with at least nine wins and a sub-2.90 ERA. San Francisco had gone 74-1 in its last 75 games in which it had held at least a three-run lead. The Giants left the nation's capital last night having dropped three straight to the Nats and no longer occupying...

The sixth annual Brian's Baseball Bash, the signature fundraiser for the University of Maryland Children's Hospital hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, will be held Sunday, Aug. 12 at Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall. Admission is $200 for adults and $150 for children under 12. The ticket price includes complimentary parking, a Dave & Buster's game card, dinner, dessert, beverages and the opportunity to interact with Orioles players in attendance. The event will feature...

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...