Did you know: * That the Orioles have won seven games in a row against the American League East by a score of 44-19 since a 2-1 loss April 30 at New York. The Orioles are also 10-1 in their last 11 games within the division. * The Orioles are 12-5 this year against the AL East and are 22-10 versus the AL East since last Sept. 7. * The Orioles bullpen, which gave up 11 earned runs in 11 innings in the Texas series, has not allowed a run, hit or baserunner in this series over 6 1/3 innings. In...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of outfielder Xavier Avery and optioned right-hander Stu Pomeranz to Triple-A Norfolk. Avery, 22, batted .273/.373/.469 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 33 games for the Tides. He hit safely in eight of his last nine games, including multi-hit games in each of his last four. Avery will wear uniform number 13. Pomeranz has made two scoreless appearances (4.0IP, 4H, BB, 3K) for the Orioles since having his contract selected on...

The Orioles created room on the 25-man roster for outfielder Xavier Avery by optioning reliever Stu Pomeranz. They made room on the 40-man by designating infielder Matt Antonelli for assignment. Pomeranz hasn't allowed a run in two appearances covering four innings since the Orioles purchased his contract May 7. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out three. The writing was on the wall for Antonelli when the Orioles bypassed him twice for non-roster players Steve Tolleson and Bill...

We're still waiting on the corresponding roster moves to create room for Xavier Avery on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Left-hander Dana Eveland remains a strong possibility, though I said the same thing yesterday before finding out that Mark Reynolds had a strained oblique. Avery is being thrown into the fire, starting in left field and batting leadoff against James "Big Game" Shields. "We'll play him some, today. We'll see what tomorrow brings," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Davey Johnson is sticking with the same lineup he's gone with the last few games, with Roger Bernadina hitting second and Bryce Harper hitting fifth. With Wilson Ramos going on the DL with a torn ACL, Jesus Flores slides into the starting lineup and will hit eighth. The Nationals will face Reds righty Bronson Arroyo, who is 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA this season. Here are the lineups for both teams: Nationals SS Ian Desmond LF Roger Bernadina 3B Ryan...

Xavier Avery will make his major league debut today as the Orioles' leadoff hitter and left fielder. He's wearing No. 13. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Jake Arrieta RHP With a win today, the Orioles would sweep the Rays in a three-game series in Baltimore for the first time since July 24-26, 2007. The Orioles are 1-6 in their last seven Mother's Day games and...

Due to a torn right ACL sustained by starting catcher Wilson Ramos, another top prospect in the Nationals' system will get a shot at the big leagues earlier than planned. But the Nationals are confident Sandy Leon is ready for this next challenge because of the talent he has shown on the field at Double-A Harrisburg. Assistant general manager Bob Boone and assistant to the general manager Pat Corrales - both former major league catchers - have worked very hard to develop Leon and they have...

The Washington Nationals today selected catcher Sandy Leon from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day Disabled List with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (right knee). Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Leon, who will wear No. 41 when he joins the Nationals for their series finale today at Cincinnati, batted .319 with 10 doubles, one home run and 12 RBI in 27 games...

The news is not good for Wilson Ramos. An MRI has revealed that Ramos has a torn ACL in his right knee, an injury which will likely sideline him for most, if not all, of this season. The Nationals have placed Ramos on the 15-day disabled list and called up catcher Sandy Leon from Double-A Harrisburg to back up Jesus Flores. Leon, who will wear No. 41, batted .319 with 10 doubles, one home run and 12 RBIs in 27 games this season with the Senators. He also has been strong behind the plate,...

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, and to the dads who serve both roles. Yes, I include you, as well. Bill Hall made his Orioles debut a special one last night with a home run in the eighth inning, which was followed by a shaving cream pie to the face that still had his eyes burning hours later. Hall may not be in the lineup today against Rays right-hander James Shields if manager Buck Showalter is playing matchups, but this day tends to bring out the best in him. OK, I'm going...