Andrew McCutchen entered today hitting .439 in 23 career games against the Nationals. Rod Barajas came into tonight's game batting just .188 on the season, but was the one who smacked the walk-off two-run home run off Henry Rodriguez last week. Both guys continued terrorizing the Nats tonight. McCutchen smacked a solo homer off Jordan Zimmermann in the first inning to put the Pirates up 1-0. The blast gave him a ridiculous nine homers and 20 RBIs in 23 games against Washington. Those are...

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Low Single-A outfielder

You already know that Michael Morse is progressing in his rehab and is closing in on a return to action. We can file Mark DeRosa into that same category. DeRosa, who went on the disabled list April 29 with a left oblique injury, took dry swings, played catch and did some running today, all at about 50-60 percent. He still isn't ready to come off the DL despite being eligible to do so on Monday, but feels like he's taking positive steps. "I'm starting to do baseball activities, which is...

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns third baseman

I guess we could say this about Jim Johnson and J.J. Hardy: They are who we thought they were. Somewhat overlooked in the Orioles' amazing run to first place by the sometimes surprising contributions of others, we can no longer look past the All-Star caliber seasons the O's are getting from that duo. Johnson has taken the drama out of the ninth inning. That is a good time for there to be no drama. He now has saved 14 games in 14 chances with an ERA of 0.48. Yes, that is pretty...

The Nationals had been targeting June 8 for Michael Morse's return to the lineup. That will be the start of road interleague games for the team, which would allow Morse to slide in as the Nats' designated hitter and give his strained lat - which had been bothering him when he threw - more time to recover before he needed to return to the outfield. But manager Davey Johnson indicated today that Morse could be ready to return earlier than originally expected, possibly as soon as June 1, when...

The Orioles won a game today in Kansas City, lost a minor league player and retained another one. The Yankees claimed infielder Matt Antonelli off waivers this afternoon, but pitcher Brad Bergesen has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Bergesen was designated for assignment on May 12 to make room for infielder/outfielder Bill Hall on the 40-man roster. He was 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in eight games, including six starts, at Norfolk, with 45 hits allowed, 13 walks and 17...

For the second day in a row, the Orioles fell behind in the game at Kansas City. But, for the second day in a row, the Orioles won. The Birds beat the Royals 5-3 today as they rallied from a 3-0 deficit to sweep the brief two-game series. The Orioles, who began the day tied for first with Tampa Bay at 24-14, have now won three in a row, five of seven and 11 of their past 16 games. The Orioles are now 17-7 over the last 24 games. At 25-14, the Orioles are 11 games over the .500 mark for the...

Jordan Zimmermann is on the mound tonight for the Nationals, who are looking to sweep the brief two-game series from Pittsburgh. Zimmermann is seeking his second victory in a row after dropping his previous two starts. For the Nationals: Ian Desmond SS Roger Bernadina LF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Bryce Harper RF Danny Espinosa 2B Rick Ankiel CF Jesus Flores C Jordan Zimmermann RHP For the Pirates: Jose Tabata LF Neil Walker 2B Andrew McCutchen CF Pedro Alvarez 3B Garrett Jones...

The Yankees have claimed infielder Matt Antonelli off waivers from the Orioles, who designated him for assignment last week to make room for outfielder Xavier Avery on the 40-man roster. The writing was on the wall for Antonelli when the Orioles bypassed him twice at Triple-A Norfolk for non-roster players Steve Tolleson and Bill Hall. Antonelli, signed as a minor league free agent Nov. 21, batted .204/.351/.280 with four doubles, one homer and seven RBIs in 29 games with the Tides. Antonelli...