In two of this series first three games, the Nationals went to extra innings with the Reds and were able to scratch across the game-winning run. Not today. The Nationals battled back from an early 5-0 deficit to force extras, but the Reds scored three times off reliever Tyler Clippard in the 11th inning and held on for an 8-5 win. Joey Votto's two-run double was the big knock for Cincinnati, putting the Reds on top. Washington brought the potential tying run to the plate with no outs in the...

Despite some truly poor situational hitting, the Nationals have battled all the way back from a 5-0 deficit and have tied this game 5-5 as we head to the eighth inning. Ian Desmond's third hit of the day knotted things in the seventh, plating Rick Ankiel with two outs. Ankiel had reached on a leadoff double. Back playing in his second game after starting the season on the DL, Ankiel showed off that healthy left quad as he sprinted around third and slid into home with the tying run, just...

Kevin Gregg needed to get one out to complete the sixth inning today after replacing starter Brian Matusz. It eventually happened - after two inherited runners scored. And after three more scored that were charged to Gregg. And after Gregg had thrown 27 pitches. The inning began with the Orioles leading, 2-1. It ended with the Blue Jays ahead, 8-2. Fans that booed Gregg when he entered the game - and I'm talking about the ones at Rogers Centre - were cheering as he departed. They were...

The Orioles chance to come up with their first three-game series sweep at Toronto since April of 2005 evaporated today during the Blue Jays last of the sixth when Toronto scored seven times against Brian Matusz and Kevin Gregg. Toronto beat the Orioles 9-2 to salvage the series finale as the Orioles fall to 2-1 on this road trip and 5-4 on the season. Buck Showalter speaks with Jim Hunter following the Orioles' 9-2 loss to Toronto Toronto came up with the seven runs on six hits along with...

The way I see it, Ross Detwiler recorded five outs in the first inning. Unfortunately, a couple close calls that didn't go Detwiler's way now leave him, and the Nationals, in a four-run hole. Detwiler gave up four runs in the top of the first on Ryan Ludwick's second career grand slam, but the Nats lefty probably feels like he should've been off the mound long before Ludwick came to the plate. With two outs in the inning, Scott Rolen was called safe at first base on a close play, but a...

As they look for a three-game sweep this afternoon, the Orioles began today among the American League leaders in several team categories: * Team ERA: second at 2.84 * Opponent batting average: fourth at .236 * Saves: Tied for first with four * Batting average: fifth at .261 * Runs: Tied for fifth with 38 * Home runs: Tied for first with Texas at 13 * Slugging: First at .464 * On-base percentage: Tied for fourth at .325 Brian Matusz entered this game with a 0-2 record and career ERA of 18.56...

Has anyone noticed that Chris Davis is batting .333? Davis doubled in the second inning today, moving Wilson Betemit to third base and setting up the Orioles' first run on Ronny Paulino's ground ball. Davis had three hits yesterday, including a two-run homer. He's collected hits in five of his seven starts this season. It makes sense to keep running him out there and figuring out whether he's more than a guy who crushes Triple-A pitching. The Orioles need to find out. So does...

I can understand the decision to sit Matt Wieters today and can even understand Buck Showalter deciding to rest J.J. Hardy also at the start of today's game. But the omission of Nolan Reimold from today's starting lineup is a real head scratcher to me. Knowing Showalter there is a very good reason to do it, I just haven't heard it yet. Maybe he is putting defense first today. But it's the third game already that Reimold has not started, so it shouldn't have anything to do with him...

With a win today, the Nationals would record their first four-game home sweep since their arrival in Washington in 2005. Is it possible for that note to both surprise me and not surprise me in the slightest? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, with yesterday's win, Edwin Jackson became the first player in modern baseball history (since 1901) to record at least one win in a starting role for at least seven different teams prior to his 29th birthday. Is it possible for that note to both...

The Orioles' lineup has a different look today. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty is making his first major league start, replacing Robert Andino at second base. Andino has shifted to shortstop. Ronny Paulino is behind the plate J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds are on the bench. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF Nick Johnson DH Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Ryan Flaherty 2B Robert Andino SS Brian Matusz LHP