The Nationals are off to their best start since their arrival in D.C. in 2005. To put the start in perspective, look back at the first 27 games of each season. After 27 games in 2012, the Nationals are 18-9. And before that? * In 2011, they were 13-14. * In 2010, they were 14-13. * In 2009, they were 9-18. * In 2008, they were 10-17. * In 2007, they were 9-18. * In 2006, they were 9-18. * In 2005, they were 14-13. So in the eight seasons the Nationals have been in D.C., they have been above...

BOSTON - With a win today, the Orioles would move 10 games above .500 for the first time since June 25, 2005, when they were 42-32. Yes, it all keeps going back to 2005. How in the world did that team not win the World Series? A victory today also would give the Orioles their first three-game sweep in Boston since June 10-12, 1994. You can do the math. That's a long time ago. The Orioles have posted 10 wins in 15 games on the road this season, their fewest games to reach that milestone...

BOSTON - The Orioles are going for the sweep today at Fenway Park. They already won the series. They already won the series in New York on the first leg of this trip. But they're not satisfied. One of the best quotes to come out of the victorious clubhouse yesterday was provided by center fielder Adam Jones. What's been the biggest difference in the Orioles this season? "Heart, the accountability," Jones replied. "We play for a manager in (Buck) Showalter who is no-nonsense. If you come...

The Orioles' amazing run to a record of 18-9 and a four-game win streak this week at New York and Boston has been led by the pitching. But now there are signs that the Orioles' offense is about to get into the act. The Orioles still lead the American League in team ERA at 2.76 and the rotation ERA is 1.99 over the last 12 games, a stretch during which they are 10-2. But over the last seven games, the Orioles' offense has produced 72 hits, a team average of .288, 15 doubles, one triple,...

BOSTON - Manager Buck Showalter provides a good mix of analysis and humor in his postgame sessions with the media. The analysis, when asked about Jason Hammel: "He was good, Boy, he pounded the strike zone and stuff. He's doing the things to give himself a chance to be good and he's in a good place right now and it's on us to try to keep him there. I can't tell you what it does for a club after you go out there and score some runs to keep putting zeroes up. Just creates good karma." The...

BOSTON - Once again, Jason Hammel gave the Orioles a quality start and didn't allow more than two earned runs. It's become routine. "I felt good," he said after being charged with two runs in 6 2/3 innings in an 8-2 victory over the Red Sox. "I was able to establish the strike zone early and a big inning really takes the stress out of the situation. I was able to open up the strike zone and just attack. "Two-seamer was running a lot today, but I still had a pretty good feel for it. I...

I'm back from the "Nats Xtra" set after quite a fun day of TV work. The members of the crew all were great liars and told me I did a nice job. Dating to last season, the Nationals have now won seven in a row and 11 of their last 13 against the Phillies after today's 7-1 victory. Through the first two games in this series, they out-hit Philadelphia 29-11 and already locked up their eighth series win of the young season with a chance to earn a sweep of their division rivals tomorrow. Yeah,...

After the Orioles' latest victory, who should I give more credit to, the hitters or the starting pitcher? Jason Hammel gave the Orioles another quality start and the hitters backed him with a seven-run third inning as the Orioles routed Boston today 8-2 at Fenway Park. By taking the first two games of this series, the Orioles have a chance, with a win tomorrow, for their first three-game sweep at Fenway Park since June 10-12, 1994. The Orioles have now won six of their past seven and eight...

I hate to be the cynic, but every game I expect the Nationals' starting pitcher to falter, not due to a lack of talent or anything sinister, it just simply has to happen some time. Fortunately, Nats fans, today was not that day. As he has done all season, Gio Gonzalez was dominant, stifling a Phillies lineup that mustered just four hits and one run in seven innings against Washington's left-hander. Gonzalez's seven strikeouts and one walk, combined with three home runs by the offense,...

BOSTON - The Orioles erupted for seven runs in the top of the third inning today, their highest output in a single frame since they scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth on May 25, 2011 against the Royals. The Orioles also collected seven hits in the inning - including six with two outs - their highest total since tallying seven in the top of the second inning on July 10, 2011 at Boston. Jason Hammel doesn't need much support today. Hammel has retired 15 of 16 batters since Adrian...