BOSTON - Boston starter Aaron Cook left today's game. Then he returned to it - with a gash on his left shin that could double as a parking garage. Cook was injured while covering home plate as Chris Davis scored on a passed ball. Cook's leg came down on Davis' spikes, and he limped to the dugout with the Red Sox's head athletic trainer as reliever Clayton Mortensen jogged in from the bullpen. All of a sudden, Davis walked back to the mound as the Star Wars theme blared over the PA...

BOSTON - Orioles left-hander Zach Britton threw 47 pitches today in live batting practice at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. The reports on Britton's left shoulder continue to be positive, and he'll pitch in an extended spring training game on Thursday. Britton is scheduled to start three extended spring games, including May 15 and 21. He could begin an injury-rehab assignment in the minors on May 26. The Orioles probably want Britton to start at least two games in the minors...

You'll have to pardon the lack of updates from me this morning - I'm co-hosting "Nats Xtra" today along with my MASNsports.com colleague Byron Kerr and will be multitasking throughout the day. Tune in to the pregame show starting at 12:30 p.m. and stick around postgame, as well, and you'll see my ugly mug all over your TV screen. Should be fun. Wanted to pass along a quick note on Ryan Zimmerman, who swung at 100 percent force while hitting "flips" today and felt no discomfort in his...

With the passing of each game, it seems worthwhile to update the run of amazing pitching by the Orioles. Wei-Yin Chen gave up four runs over five innings last night and it was just the second time in the last 11 games that the Orioles did not get a quality start. Still, over those 11 games, the starters' ERA is 1.92. In winning nine of their past 11 games, the Orioles' pitching staff has allowed a total of 20 runs. Over the last six games, the Orioles' bullpen has pitched 17 2/3 shutout...

BOSTON - Endy Chavez is back in left field for the Orioles today. Mark Reynolds remains at third base, with Wilson Betemit serving as the designated hitter. Robert Andino slides back down to the ninth spot after leading off last night. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit DH Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP

The Nationals were resilient Friday night against the Phillies, clawing out an 11-inning, 4-3 win against a key divisional foe. Their reward for such a victory? How about a 1 p.m. start time for Saturday. That's just what we have here today as the Nats and Phillies will partake in a little day baseball with Gio Gonzalez getting the start for the home team. Vance Worley will pitch for the Phillies. SS Desmond 3B Lombardozzi LF Harper RF Werth 1B Tracy 2B Espinosa CF Ankiel C Ramos P ...

BOSTON - I hope everyone slept fast, as manager Buck Showalter always suggests after a quick turnaround. In case you forgot, we've got a 1:10 p.m. start today, with Jason Hammel opposing Aaron Cook, who's subbing for Josh Beckett. Hammel switched places with Tommy Hunter, who starts tomorrow. I asked Hunter yesterday how his foot was feeling, and he got a puzzled look on his face. I explained that we were told he had an ingrown toenail removed, and he replied, "That was weeks ago. I'm...

The Orioles got their weekend series in Boston off to a great start with Friday's hard-earned, 13-inning win. There were a lot of heroes but this morning I'll cite two pitchers who impressed me again on Friday. First, Wei-Yin Chen. It was far from his best outing, as he gave up four runs in five innings, and it was just the second time in the last 11 games where the Orioles did not have a quality start. But Chen showed poise once again. After Robert Andino and Mark Reynolds made two-out...

Davey Johnson likes to say that he doesn't view any one game as more important than the rest. It's a long season, and a game in May means just as much in the standings as a win in September. But the Nationals skipper also acknowledges that games against the Phillies have a little bit of a different vibe to them. The crowd is more animated, the game feels tighter and a win, like tonight's 4-3 walk-off victory, tastes maybe just a little bit sweeter. "They kind of have a bigger feeling...

BOSTON - Reliver Luis Ayala gets the award tonight for biggest understatement by an Oriole. "The team in tonight's game had really good relief pitching," he said. To say the least. "We have a good 'pen, and that's one of the reasons why," he added, after the Orioles' relievers combined for eight scoreless innings. "We have a pretty good bullpen this year. We make great outs at key times. It's good for the team that we stay consistent. "I've spent a lot of time with different...