We had a strikeout of the pitcher, who then reached on a wild pitch. We had a ball deflect off Ross Detwiler and go for a single. We had a 5-2-6 putout in which a runner was tagged out trying to score. We had a runner score from second on an infield single. Yeah, it was a strange bottom of the third inning. The Pirates lead 3-0 after three, and despite the fact that Pittsburgh starter Erik Bedard was pulled in the top of the second inning due to an apparent injury, the Nats still don't...

Tonight's game between the Orioles and Texas Rangers has been postponed due to rain. The teams will play a single-admission doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 4:05 p.m., with all gates opening at 3:00 p.m. The second game won't start before 7:05 p.m. Tickets for tonight's game may be exchanged for seats of equal value for tomorrow's doubleheader or any remaining non-prime home game during the 2012 season, subject to availability. Ticket exchanges must be made by June 30. The Oriole Park...

The tarp's on the field, it's pouring rain and the forecast is dismal. We won't start on time. Endy Chavez continues to receive treatment for a sore intercostal muscle, and it's quite possible that he goes on the disabled list. "Last night before the game, he said it was the best he's felt, but the last at-bat he felt it a little bit," manager Buck Showalter said. Showalter never confirms whether a player is unavailable because he wants the opposing manager to think he's operating...

The big question is: Can the Orioles slow down the Texas Rangers offense today when the teams play a doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m.? It has been a while since the Orioles have done that. They have lost seven in a row against the Rangers and have been outscored 70-18 in those games, giving up 13 runs or more four times. In that stretch, Texas has 101 hits, including 23 doubles and 16 homers, along with a team batting average of .378 against O's pitching. In the two games of this series,...

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel is optimistic that he can avoid the disabled list if his next start is pushed back a few days. Hammel won't make tomorrow's scheduled start because of a sore right knee. An MRI didn't reveal any structural damage, but there's fluid in the knee that's required treatment. "Two or three starts, each start it's gotten progressively worse - more just fluid in my knee where it's stiff," Hammel said. "I can't really drive off my back leg. It was getting worse...

Former Oriole Brandon Snyder, now with Texas after being sold to that club by the Orioles in a cash transaction in January, had a good view of Josh Hamilton's historic four-homer game here on Tuesday night. "It was awesome," Snyder said. "I got to the see the first two from the dugout and actually the last two from the bullpen. We were sitting there saying 'wouldn't it be cool if he hit three.' Then he hit four. It was unbelievable. "He's one of the best players in this game for a...

In honor of Military Appreciation Night on Wednesday, May 16, the Washington Nationals are proud to offer free tickets to service members and their families when the team goes head-to-head against the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning at 7:05 p.m. Military personnel with a valid military ID (active, retired, reservist or dependent) can receive up to two complimentary tickets to next Wednesday's game. Tickets will be available for pick up on May 16 at the Main Box Office on N Street, SE from 10:00...

Orioles relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom was asked today what the Orioles pitchers should try to do the next two nights in this series to slow this hot-hitting Texas Rangers team. "I know that people are making a big deal out of this whole hit by pitch thing and what is on purpose and what's not on purpose, but the fact of the matter is, we have to make sure that guys aren't as comfortable as they are in the batter's box," Lindstrom said. "That is just part of the game. If you are going...

Another day at Camden Yards brings another batch of news. The Orioles are purchasing infielder Steve Tolleson's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and will announce the corresponding roster move once the reliever is told that he's being optioned. Manager Buck Showalter will speak to him during batting practice. Tolleson, who will wear No. 6, is expected to arrive at Camden Yards about an hour before the first pitch. This move is being made because Endy Chavez continues to be bothered by a sore...

General manager Mike Rizzo endorsed second baseman Danny Espinosa during the weekly "Mike Rizzo Show with Holden and Danny," Wednesday on sports radio 106.7 The Fan in D.C. Espinosa has slumped to .186 this season after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series opener at Pittsburgh Tuesday night. The switch-hitting 24-year-old from Santa Ana, Calif., has hit just one home run and is 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position early this season. Rizzo said he speaks with Espinosa on a...