With only a few exceptions in recent years, the Orioles' involvement in the All-Star Game has pretty much been reduced to the obligatory one representative. Someone has to be chosen, no matter how poorly the team is performing. It's baseball law. Matt Wieters last summer. Ty Wigginton in 2010. Adam Jones in 2009. George Sherrill in 2008. Brian Roberts in 2007. Miguel Tejada in 2006. Yes, I'm referring back to 2005 again while noting that Roberts, Tejada, Melvin Mora and B.J. Ryan...

In his opening remarks to the media after today's 4-1 loss to the Yankees, manager Davey Johnson cut right to the chase. He's starting to get worried about the prolonged slump Ryan Zimmerman has been in all season. "Only thing that really concerns me - we've got to get Zim going," Johnson said. "Need to get Zim in a happy place." Johnson's remarks come after yet another hitless game for Zimmerman, his 17th contest without a base knock in 50 games played this season. The Nationals...

I left Ocean Pines at 1:30 p.m. with the idea of catching the end of today's game on MASN2 after I arrived home. I barely made it across the Bay Bridge when Jim Johnson recorded his 20th save to preserve the Orioles' 2-0 victory over the Braves. The starting pitchers were getting quick outs and the traffic was moving at a snail's pace. Did anyone guess back in March that Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen would each win seven of their first nine decisions? What about the back-to-back shutouts,...

The much-anticipated battle of first-place teams at Nats Park this weekend turned out to be a complete dud for the Nationals. The Yankees punctuated a dominating weekend in the nation's capital with a 4-1 win today, finishing off a three-game sweep. This marks the third time the Nats have been swept this season, and the first of those sweeps which has come at home. Ivan Nova went 7 2/3 innings for the pinstripes today, holding the Nats to one run on seven hits, while Curtis Granderson,...

Wei-Yin Chen pitched a gem and the Orioles made the most of a pair of doubles to beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 today at Turner Field, taking the series two games to one. Coupled with Jason Hammel's one-hitter last night, the Orioles posted back-to-back shutouts over a Braves team that is third in the National League in runs scored. O's pitching shut out the Braves over the last 20 innings of the series. It's the first time the O's have posted consecutive shutouts since Aug. 28-29, 2010...

In this series, the Nationals have thrice gotten six strong innings from their starter. Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs over six-plus frames on Friday, Jordan Zimmermann also allowed three runs in six innings yesterday, and today, Edwin Jackson gave up just two runs in six. All three times, the starter has left the game in line for the loss. Today, Jackson gives way to Tom Gorzelanny in the seventh with the Nats trailing 2-1. Washington has managed six hits off Yankees starter Ivan Nova,...

It's not a one-hitter but Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is having a good outing today at Atlanta, blanking the Braves through six innings. He has a 2-0 lead with the O's looking to get the series victory. He gave up four singles over the first three innings, but got double-play balls to help him out in each of those innings. That included a nice play by Chen to field a bunt with two on and none out in the third to start a unique 1-6-4 double play with J.J. Hardy covering third and Robert...

Right-hander Drew Storen is still on track to return by the All-Star break. Storen has been recovering from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip. He said he would actually like to get back into a few games while the team is at home, right before the break in mid-July, maybe against the Giants or Rockies from July 3-8. Storen said he is still in the building process to get back to being game-ready. He said the adrenaline level for a bullpen session is different from a game in spring training...

Live blogging again today: Same drill as last night. I'll post notes, stats and commentary here during today's game and invite you to do the same. Keep the comments and questions coming starting now and going for nine innings. Check back often and hit refresh for the latest from me and the readers. Chen out after seven: Chen is out and Darren O'Day comes in to pitch in the eighth. Chen pitched seven scoreless innings on six hits and 101 pitches to lower his ERA ot 3.36. Making those hits...

Coming off a lengthy game yesterday and with Brad Lidge's ERA at 9.64, the Nationals have decided to make a move. The 35-year-old Lidge has been designated for assignment, while reliever Ryan Mattheus has been reinstated from the 15-day DL. "The 14-inning game last night forced us to make a bullpen roster move," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "Brad wasn't performing very well. He was very disappointed, and Mattheus is ready to come off the rehab assignment. We thought this was the...