There were a multitude of notable achievements in Ron Hansen's career - a Rookie of the Year Award, two All-Star nods,15 seasons in the majors, the rarest of rare defensive feats - but perhaps his biggest accomplishment was proving that shortstops didn't have to be small or wiry guys who could only flash the leather. Think Cal Ripken Jr. redefined the position? Think again. A generation before Ripken was playing game after game after game, the 6-foot-3, 200-lb. Hansen was one of the first...

The Nationals' September call-ups of left-hander Tommy Milone and right-hander Brad Peacock signal a big step in the organization from a talent perspective. Since the Nationals arrived in D.C., never has the team been able to bring up a pair of starters at this point of the season who show they are ready to pitch right now at the major league level. Couple that with the resurgence of Ross Detwiler, the re-emergence of Chien-Ming Wang and steady pitching of veteran John Lannan, and general...

With a guaranteed September record of at least .500 (they're 14-12 going into today's game, despite being outscored by 13 runs in the month), the Orioles have managed to avoid losing 100 games. That that almost counts as a victory says a lot about how the 2011 season has gone for the Birds. Sure there have been some bright spot - J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters, Zach Britton - but overall it's been a disappointing year (especially after how expectations for many were raised with the strong finish...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and, now, the Nationals' 2011 season comes to a close. Moments of loss, like the end of Jim Riggleman's time as manager in Washington, made way for Davey Johnson to take the helm and lead the team to their most successful season in recent memory. The triumph of a 31-homer season for Michael Morse begs the question, "Is this a fluke, or is that guy as good as his 2011 numbers?" Drew Storen matured in both age and pitching prowess to earn...

While Tim Bascom and Jonathan Schoop picked up the top Orioles' minor league awards this week, it was great to see Single-A Frederick manager Orlando Gomez win the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award. Gomez has spent seven years in the O's organization and 47 years in pro baseball. Like Ripken, he is just a solid and unassuming baseball guy. He seemed to relate well to the kids on the Frederick team that recently won the Carolina League championship, beating Kinston, three games to one,...

Moments after the game ended, and the Orioles had fallen short by 8-7 to Boston, starting pitcher Zach Britton blamed himself for the loss and was disappointed he gave up two homers. "It just came down to the execution of those two pitches," Britton said. "I don't think I threw the ball well, but if I execute those pitches it's a different game. "The energy was really good and the way we battled back just shows we weren't down and out and that last inning was awesome too. I feel like...

Nick Markakis milked Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon for 11 pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Jones worked him for 10 before bouncing out to end the game. Papelbon needed 28 pitches to record the save in the Red Sox's 8-7 win. The Orioles didn't go quietly. Not after falling behind 8-4 in the eighth inning, and not after trailing 8-6 in the ninth. "I don't think it surprises anybody who knows those two guys," manager Buck Showalter said. "I know you all get tired of...

After they scored just three runs with 12 left on base last night, tonight the Boston Red Sox used a four-homer barrage to beat the Orioles 8-7 in front of 22,123 at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay won its game with the Yankees, so now Boston and the Rays go to the final day tied for the wild card playoff berth with identical 90-71 records. The Orioles came up with two hits and a run in the ninth, on a Matt Wieters' swinging bunt, RBI ground out to close within 8-7. But Jonathan Papelbon got Adam...

The Orioles scored once against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Adam Jones bounced to third base with the count full to strand the potential tying run at second in an 8-7 loss before an announced 22,123 at Camden Yards. Jones saw 10 pitches in the at-bat. J.J. Hardy led off with a single and took second on a bouncer to first base by Nick Markakis that concluded an 11-pitch at-bat. Markakis was swinging at everything because he didn't trust umpire Wally...

Former Oriole Erik Bedard didn't make it out of the fourth inning tonight. Rookie Zach Britton didn't make it out of the fifth. Nothing here that screams "quality," but they do classify as starts. Bedard allowed three runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. Britton was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, with two walks, two strikeouts, one wild pitch and two home runs. He threw 84 pitches, 45 for...