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...

Wilson Ramos is regarded as an above-average defensive catcher. He's got a strong arm, is usually sound when it comes to blocking balls in the dirt and has good overall fundamentals behind the plate. So far this season, however, Ramos' defense has left something to be desired. Ramos could have made a grab on Jayson Werth's throw to the plate in the fourth inning, but couldn't hang onto the ball, and Shane Victorino scored the game's first run on a Carlos Ruiz sac fly. Werth's throw...

Here are some notes from each of the Orioles' full-season affiliates: Triple-A Norfolk's Ryan Adams enters today's 5:05 p.m. contest with Durham riding an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's hit .344 (11-for-32) with two home runs, three doubles, two RBI and six runs scored. Eleven of Adams' 23 hits have gone for extra bases, as he is tied for second in the International League with nine doubles. A hit today would give him Norfolk's longest hitting streak of 2012, surpassing...

BOSTON - Boston starter Aaron Cook left today's game. Then he returned to it - with a gash on his left shin that could double as a parking garage. Cook was injured while covering home plate as Chris Davis scored on a passed ball. Cook's leg came down on Davis' spikes, and he limped to the dugout with the Red Sox's head athletic trainer as reliever Clayton Mortensen jogged in from the bullpen. All of a sudden, Davis walked back to the mound as the Star Wars theme blared over the PA...

BOSTON - Orioles left-hander Zach Britton threw 47 pitches today in live batting practice at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. The reports on Britton's left shoulder continue to be positive, and he'll pitch in an extended spring training game on Thursday. Britton is scheduled to start three extended spring games, including May 15 and 21. He could begin an injury-rehab assignment in the minors on May 26. The Orioles probably want Britton to start at least two games in the minors...

You'll have to pardon the lack of updates from me this morning - I'm co-hosting "Nats Xtra" today along with my MASNsports.com colleague Byron Kerr and will be multitasking throughout the day. Tune in to the pregame show starting at 12:30 p.m. and stick around postgame, as well, and you'll see my ugly mug all over your TV screen. Should be fun. Wanted to pass along a quick note on Ryan Zimmerman, who swung at 100 percent force while hitting "flips" today and felt no discomfort in his...

With the passing of each game, it seems worthwhile to update the run of amazing pitching by the Orioles. Wei-Yin Chen gave up four runs over five innings last night and it was just the second time in the last 11 games that the Orioles did not get a quality start. Still, over those 11 games, the starters' ERA is 1.92. In winning nine of their past 11 games, the Orioles' pitching staff has allowed a total of 20 runs. Over the last six games, the Orioles' bullpen has pitched 17 2/3 shutout...

BOSTON - Endy Chavez is back in left field for the Orioles today. Mark Reynolds remains at third base, with Wilson Betemit serving as the designated hitter. Robert Andino slides back down to the ninth spot after leading off last night. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit DH Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP