VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson has said it multiple times throughout the first few weeks of Nationals spring training, and he said it again after today's win over the Astros: He likes what Brett Carroll brings to the table. Carroll, a 29-year-old utilityman who has just a .203 career average in 175 major league games, continues to impress his manager this spring. He boosted his Grapefruit League average to .417 by going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks today. Carroll also scored a run and...

VIERA, Fla. - Edwin Jackson doesn't know what allowed him to get into such a groove today. He can't quite put his finger on it. But whatever was working this afternoon, the Nationals hope they see a lot more out of it from the 28-year-old starter. Jackson only faced one batter over the minimum in his four scoreless innings of work in this afternoon's 8-0 win over the Astros, striking out three and walking none. He popped the mitt with his fastball, worked in his slider, and found a good...

The Orioles and OriolesREACH, along with media partners SNN-6 and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, will host the second annual Food Drive at Ed Smith Stadium this Sunday, March 11. Fans attending the 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them for donation to the All Faiths Food Bank. In addition to food items, the Orioles will also collect monetary donations at ballpark entry gates. Proceeds from a silent auction of Orioles memorabilia and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Troy Patton was handed the ball in the ninth inning today, and he picked up the save by retiring the side in order and striking out one in the Orioles' 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Manager Buck Showalter touched on the following topics: On Jason Hammel: "He was good. He's facing a team that obviously knows him and has seen a lot of him. He's working on getting his times to the plate faster. We've challenged our pitchers with Matt (Wieters) and...

VIERA, Fla. - When he woke up this morning, Bryce Harper felt some tightness in his left calf. He tried to work it out on a stationary bike at the Nationals complex, but when the calf didn't respond, manager Davey Johnson decided to pull Harper from today's starting lineup against the Astros. Speaking in the Nationals' clubhouse moments ago, Harper said he doesn't think the injury is anything serious, and he expects to return in a matter of days. "It's just precautionary," Harper...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel says he was more amped up for Friday's intrasquad start than today's Grapefruit League outing against the Atlanta Braves. Hammel retired the side in order in his only inning on Friday. Today, he allowed two hits and a walk in two scoreless innings. "Honestly, for the first time out, considering all things, the results were good," he said. "The fastball was a little erratic today. That was my goal, to work on fastball command. The first inning...

VIERA, Fla. - The buzz inside Space Coast Stadium just prior to first pitch was all about Bryce Harper being scratched from today's game because of left calf tightness. Edwin Jackson gave everyone something else to talk about. Jackson threw four scoreless innings against the Astros this afternoon, allowing just two hits and striking out three. The righty showed off impressive offspeed stuff today, and looked really sharp early, setting down the first six batters he faced. Ross Detwiler...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel provided quite a contrast to yesterday's starter, Wei-Yin Chen, and not only for the obvious reasons. Chen was a strike-thrower yesterday. Hammel had trouble finding the plate this afternoon. However, Hammel also gave the Orioles two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and walking a batter. Hammel walked Braves leadoff hitter Luis Durango on four pitches and fell behind, 2-0, to Martin Prado. But Matt Wieters threw out Durango trying to steal second, and...

VIERA, Fla. - When the Nationals took the field just prior to the top of the first inning, their top prospect was missing from what was set to be his starting spot in right field. Bryce Harper has been scratched from today's starting lineup. Manager Davey Johnson has moved Brett Carroll moving from center field to right and Eury Perez will take over in center field. There's no word as of yet on why Harper was a late scratch. Harper, the 19-year-old phenom who is battling for a spot on the...

VIERA, Fla. - For the second straight day, Adam LaRoche spent the late-morning hours out at Field 3 here at the Nationals spring training complex testing out his injured foot by getting in some at-bats during a minor league intrasquad game. Like yesterday, LaRoche hit third every half-inning, but unlike yesterday, he actually made some strong contact, ripping a home run to right-center field. It's worth noting that the longball came off Robbie Ray, a lefty. The issue with LaRoche is still...