BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters today that he expects outfielder Nolan Reimold to go on an injury rehab assignment in the minors before being activated from the disabled list. Reimold is eligible to return May 16 after being shut down with a herniated disk in his cervical spine. He still has some tingling in his fingers, though his condition is improving. Showalter believes that Reimold will need the at-bats, since he hasn't played since April 30 in New York, when his...

You know what's pretty remarkable? Even after the five-game losing streak the Nationals went through recently, they still are tied for the best record in the National League and are just a half-game back of the Rays, who have the best mark in baseball. That's how solid this team has been this season. The Nats now lead the Phillies by 5 1/2 games in the NL East, and have an opportunity to deliver an early-season blow in front of a nationally televised audience tonight when they go for the...

BOSTON - Ryan Flaherty has a lot of friends and family here who made the trip from Maine. They'll get to watch him play left field and bat first against Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz. For the Orioles: Ryan Flaherty LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Pitching matchups for the Rangers series that starts tomorrow night at Camden Yards: Monday: Brian Matusz (1-3, 4.67 ERA) vs....

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,...