CHICAGO - It wasn't like Brad Lidge hadn't been in this situation before: Standing on the mound in the ninth inning, trying to protect a one-run lead and secure a save. He'd been there plenty of times over the course of his now 11 seasons in the big leagues. It had just been a little while. Prior to yesterday, Lidge had only been in one save situation since September 2010, and that came back on Aug. 3 of last year. But with Drew Storen on the disabled list, Nationals manager Davey Johnson...

Yes, Nick Markakis will be ready for opening day. (Sorry, just catching up on some old blog comments.) Markakis has hit a two-run homer, walked and delivered a run-scoring triple to help the Orioles to a 4-0 lead in the seventh inning. Markakis just slid hard into Twins catcher Joe Mauer while trying unsuccessfully to score on Matt Wieters' fly ball to left. He jumped to his feet and headed to the dugout. The impact didn't bother him. Another hurdle cleared. Markakis hasn't produced...

When the Orioles got six earned runs off Minnesota right-hander Carl Pavano on March 22, it was in a spring training game that didn't count. When they got to him today, it did count. In the spring outing, the Orioles had eight hits in just four innings against Pavano. Last year, in two starts against the Orioles, he was 0-2 with an ERA of 8.49, giving up 11 earned runs over 11 2/3 innings in two starts. Nick Markakis entered today 6-for-19 off the righty but without a career homer off him....

Twenty years ago today, right-hander Rick Sutcliffe threw a five-hit shutout to pitch the Orioles past Cleveland to open Camden Yards. He threw another strike today to help lift off the 2012 season. He said that 1992 opening day was among the most special in his career. "There was nothing like that one," Sutcliffe said. "There was always going to be another opening day, but there was never going to be another first opening day at Camden Yards." Sutcliffe remembered being a free agent a...

If you picked Nick Markakis to hit the first Orioles home run of 2012, let me be the first to congratulate you. Markakis swatted a Carl Pavano curveball over the fence in left field, giving the Orioles a quick 2-0 lead. J.J. Hardy walked before Markakis stepped to the plate for his first regular-season at-bat since having abdominal surgery. I'd say he's ready. Jake Arrieta walked Jamey Carroll with one out in the top of the first before fielding Joe Mauer's comebacker and starting a...

The minor leagues' main focus is to prepare prospects for their eventual ascension to the majors, but teaching players how to win and playing on championship teams is also important. New Potomac Nationals manager Brian Rupp said learning how to win is high on their list as minor league skippers groom prospects for their next step. "Winning is right up there," Rupp said. "It is really important. When you get to the big leagues that is all they talk about. We start it down here. We are...

It was 20 years ago today that Rick Sutcliffe was the first pitcher to take the mound in a regular season game here at Camden Yards. He pitched the Orioles to a win with a five-hit shutout that today. If Jake Arrieta could come up with a performance even close to that this afternoon, the Orioles could start the 20th anniversary season at the Yard in fine fashion. Arrieta went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA last season. Arrieta is: * 7-6 with an ERA of 4.78 in 20 career Camden Yards starts. * 1-1 with...

We're getting close to the start of the opening day ceremonies. Batting practice is over, and starting pitcher Jake Arrieta has snapped his last photograph. Yes, Arrieta stood on the field during BP with a camera around his neck. I'd say he's pretty relaxed. Here's manager Buck Showalter on whether he initially had concerns about Nick Markakis' availability for opening day after the right fielder underwent abdominal surgery in January: "A little bit. We had to do it a little later on...

CHICAGO - It wasn't the smoothest of opening days for Adam LaRoche. LaRoche came to the plate four times during yesterday's game against the Cubs, and the Nationals first baseman left Wrigley Field having started his season with a big, fat 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts - all swinging - and five runners left on base. "Those games suck," LaRoche said after the game. "They're really no fun when you don't come out with a win, so to get a win in there and get that one in the...

When the Orioles come up to bat for the first time today, Nolan Reimold will be batting first. He has just 24 career at-bats in the leadoff spot, but will add to the total today. "I'm excited. Get up there first and set the tone. Try to get on base and score runs is my focus," he said. He was asked if he has to change anything about his approach when batting atop the order. "No, I don't think so. I mean, the goal is always to get on base and get hits. In that aspect, nothing changes....