Much has been written concerning Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper's hitting, with the 14 homers and 46 RBIs in Single-A Hagerstown and a mild start in Double-A Harrisburg at the plate. Recently, Harper has started to get something going in the batter's box with three doubles in the last two games, including a pair of extra base hits in the same inning against Orioles' lefty Zach Britton Monday night in Bowie, Md. But he is also starting to show off his defensive capabilities as well....

Vladimir Guerrero is batting cleanup tonight in Toronto. Still waiting for the Orioles to reveal the corresponding roster move. They have to make sure Guerrero gets through batting practice without any setbacks. Also, left-hander Michael Gonzalez will start serving his suspension tonight, but he can't be replaced on the roster, so the Orioles must eliminate a player while adding Guerrero. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C...

Brian Matusz sounds upbeat about the time he is spending with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He seems confident that his velocity will come back and remains convinced that he is a big part of the Orioles' future. Those were some of the impressions I got from an interview Matusz gave on 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore last night. Matusz was a guest on the "Baltimore Baseball Tonight" pregame show with Bob Haynie, Jen Royle and Joe Orsulak. "It's been a tough year," Matusz said. "Going into this...

In his last major league start, Zach Britton gave up eight runs in the first inning on July 8 at Boston. Last night, pitching for Double-A Bowie at home against Harrisburg, he took a shutout into the fifth inning and then gave up eight runs to that club. There was an error that hurt his cause, but Britton gave up eight runs (four earned) and eight hits in 4 2/3 with no walks and nine strikeouts. He allowed two homers in that fifth inning before leaving the game. Orioles director of player...

Another day brings another roster move for the Orioles. I've lost count. Vladimir Guerrero will be activated from the disabled list, and the Orioles are expected to remove a pitcher from their 25-man roster. They've got nine relievers in their bullpen. I don't like to speculate, but Mark Worrell is a candidate to be designated for assignment. That's my guess. Luke Scott will undergo surgery this morning to repair a torn labrum. Dr. James Andrews is handling the procedure from his...

BOWIE, Md. - Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper delivered a pair of doubles to bookend the biggest inning of the season for the Senators, an eight-run outburst in the fifth inning, as Double-A Harrisburg cruised past the Bowie Baysox 13-2 before 6,375 Monday night in Bowie. Harper, playing his closest professional game to date to his future home at Nationals Park, smacked two doubles off of Orioles' hurler Zach Britton in the worst loss of the season for Bowie. The Baysox's previous...

BOWIE, Md. -- With two doubles off of a pitcher who made 18 starts with the Baltimore Orioles, and three doubles in a seven at-bat span, the Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper continues to hit the ball hard, and now is getting some of the positive results he saw during the first two months at Single-A Hagerstown. Harrisburg Senators hitting coach Troy Gingrich said they have worked with Harper on his approach, but he was still making good contact, even during the rough patch around the...

BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper crushed two doubles off of Bowie's Zach Britton, and bases-clearing extra base hits from Stephen King and Bill Rhinehart, lifted the Harrisburg Senators to an 8-1 advantage midway through Monday's game at Prince George's Stadium. With Britton seemingly cruising and up 1-0, Harper led off the fifth inning with a double off the left center field wall. Three batters later, King delivered a three-run triple and the Senators led 3-1. Later...

If left-hander Zach Britton is leaving Double-A Bowie, it won't be on a high note. Britton faced the minimum number of Harrisburg batters through four innings - catcher Derek Norris singled in the fourth, but he was thrown out trying to steal second - before the Senators scored eight runs in the fifth and knocked him out of the game. Four of the runs were unearned after shortstop Pedro Florimon's two-out error. Bill Rhinehart followed with a three-run homer, and Tyler Moore hit a solo shot....

BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper spoke with reporters before the opening game of the Harrisburg Senators' series against Bowie on Monday and talked about fighting through his recent struggles at the plate. Recently, Harper fought through a 1-for-25 streak to collect five hits in his last 18 at-bats. He said before the game that he can definitely see the difference in talent between low Single-A and Double-A pitchers. "A lot better pitching," Harper said. "Guys...