BOSTON - The Orioles' bullpen began the night with a 1.73 ERA in 72 2/3 innings, the lowest total in the majors. Matt Lindstrom kept the pride alive by retiring the side in order in the sixth after replacing starter Wei-Yin Chen. Lindstrom needed only 11 pitches to finish off the Red Sox, but manager Buck Showalter brought in Pedro Strop for the seventh. Yes, there was a little second-guessing in the press box, mostly from me. But what do I know? Strop didn't allow a run in the seventh...

The Nationals have left runners on base a host of ways tonight, and trail 3-2 as we go to the seventh. Jayson Werth grounded into a 6-4-3 double play in the first inning, ending the inning and stranding two runners. Rick Ankiel was caught stealing in the second inning, ending the frame. In the third, Werth struck out with the bases loaded to blow that chance. The Nats then had runners at the corners in the fourth, but Stephen Strasburg struck out and Ian Desmond lined out to spoil an...

BOSTON - It's been a strange night. I never imagined that I'd be blogging about Miguel Tejada again, at least in connection to the Orioles. I'll stress again that he hasn't signed a contract, according to team officials. They're taking a look at him and could bring him back to the organization on a minor league deal. Anyway, the Red Sox took a 3-1 lead against Wei-Yin Chen in the third inning on Adrian Gonzalez's leadoff single, a Dustin Pedroia double, David Ortiz's RBI grounder and...

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators' pitching staff has been focused and locked in from the beginning of the season, according to pitching coach Paul Menhart. "It is a great group, they work hard and look to get better every day, it has shown in the way they have been pitching early on," Menhart said. The proof is in the statistics. The staff boasts a 3.11 ERA and leads the Eastern League with 219 strikeouts. They have allowed only 86 earned runs in 27 games. Their 1.25 WHIP is third best in...

The news tonight that the Orioles will bring Miguel Tejada to Sarasota, apparently to give him a tryout of sorts, was quickly met by some angst from fans. I am getting it from all sides on Twitter. I might have to take a week off and get a beer. Or several. First of all, I haven't talked with anyone from the team to find out what they are thinking with this move. If they just plan to take a look at Tejada to see if he has anything left, I don't see anything wrong with that. What does it...

BOSTON - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight that infielder Miguel Tejada will report to extended spring in Sarasota and work out for team officials. Duquette said the Orioles haven't reached a formal agreement with Tejada and no contract has been signed. For now, it's a tryout of sorts that could turn into a deal. "He's reporting to Sarasota so he can get himself in shape," Duquette said, adding that the Orioles could sign him if they like what they...

A seemingly large segment of the fan base has questioned - rather vocally, I might add - manager Davey Johnson's decision to play Chad Tracy and Xavier Nady, among others, over power-hitting rookie Tyler Moore. For what it's worth, handful of beat writers that cover the team have wondered why Moore hasn't gotten more playing time since his promotion to the big leagues Sunday, as well. Today, Johnson discussed his rationale for sitting Moore (who has just four at-bats since making his major...

Gio Gonzalez turns into a kid during batting practice. He sprints around in the outfield, aggressively shagging fly balls and jumping in front of other pitchers to make acrobatic grabs. The normally reserved Stephen Strasburg even gets in on the act, as he tries to outposition Gonzalez for balls hit in his area. But Gonzalez and Strasburg - or any of the other Nats pitchers, for that matter - won't be "power shagging" anymore. After hearing that Yankees closer Mariano Rivera tore his ACL...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed outfielder Nolan Reimold on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 1, with a herniated disc and recalled catcher Luis Exposito from Triple-A Norfolk. Reimold, 28, is batting .313/.333/.627 in 16 games this season. He had a career and team season-high 14-game hitting streak, April 7-29. Exposito, 28, was claimed on waivers from Boson on April 17. He batted .310/.356/.429 in 10 games with the Tides this season and will be making his...

BOSTON - That's the question I posed to manager Buck Showalter earlier today, since he indicated after Wednesday night's game in New York that he didn't want to mess with a good thing and move Robert Andino from the ninth spot in the order. Andino has raised his average to .342. He's also risen from ninth to first. So why Andino? "As opposed to who?" Showalter replied, grinning. Endy Chavez is batting .109. He also hits from the left side, and the Orioles are facing southpaw Jon...