Probably the most disappointing thing about the struggles of Kevin Gregg this year - beyond just blowing games that should be Orioles wins - is how much he contributes to his own demise. If he were getting crushed on the mound or giving up homers with the game on the line that would be one thing. But two of the three runners that reached yesterday to load the bases in the ninth came on a walk and a hit batter. The tie run scored on a wild pitch. Gregg handed the Blue Jays the game. If that...

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa went 0-for-4 Saturday in Washington's 9-3 setback to the Houston Astros, striking out his last three at-bats. He has gone 0-for-his-last-11 at the plate, and has struck out 11 of his last 15 at-bats. His average has dipped to .226 but that does not bother Nationals manager Davey Johnson, who said Espinosa is working harder than anyone he has seen to figure out what is going wrong in the batter's box. "Well, he is so driven," Johnson said. "He is...

The Single-A Potomac Nationals face elimination Sunday after falling 5-1 in Game 2 of their divisional series against the Frederick Keys Saturday night in Woodbridge, Va. The P-Nats managed just three hits against the Keys with Scott Copeland getting stronger as the game went on. Copeland retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced. Destin Hood crushed a solo home run for the P-Nats' lone tally. The Keys lead the best-of-five series two games to one. Evan Bronson lasted 4 2/3 innings,...

Nationals infielder Steve Lombardozzi has been able to play shortstop and second base in his first three games in the big leagues and doesn't mind being moved around. "It has been awesome," Lombardozzi said. "I was glad I got a chance to play short. I am getting comfortable at both positions. The more positions I get to play, the better for me. I am happy to do whatever it takes." Lombardozzi says he has been playing on the right side of the infield for most of his career, but he is...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't a big fan of the expanded roster, feeling as though it drastically - and unfairly - changes games and strategies in the late innings. You play under the same rules for five months and then switch in September. However, he took full advantage of his extra bullpen options yesterday, using six relievers and playing matchups in the late innings. He kept Troy Patton in the game to face a left-handed hitter, brought in Willie Eyre to face a right-hander, and...

The Single-A Potomac Nationals shutout the Frederick Keys 8-0 to even their best-of-five series at one. Brian Peacock and Francisco Soriano smacked home runs while Eury Perez went 3-for-4 with a double and four runs scored. Left-hander Sammy Solis went 4 2/3 innings, scattering five hits, allowing no runs with one walk and seven strikeouts. Neil Holland, Joe Testa and Cameron Selik shut down the Keys from that point to preserve the win. Game Three tonight a Pfitzner Stadium features Evan...

What a way for the Orioles to end a run of 21 2/3 straight scoreless innings by their bullpen. Kevin Gregg suffered his seventh blown save of the year as Toronto scored twice in the last of the ninth to win 5-4. After Clay Rapada began the last of the ninth with a strikeout, Gregg came on and got a second strikeout. There were two outs and none on with a 4-3 lead when Gregg unraveled. Jim Hunter asks Buck Showalter about the Orioles' 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays He then gave up a walk, single...

Vladimir Guerrero's third hit of the day, a double to center field, scored Robert Andino with one out in the top of the eighth inning and gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Andino doubled off reliever Jesse Litsch to start the inning and the rally. He moved to third on Nick Markakis' grounder to the right side. Guerrero also had three hits Thursday against the Yankees. He's got 12 hits in his last 23 at-bats. The Orioles' bullpen has turned in 4 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings today. The...

The Washington Nationals today named infielder Steve Lombardozzi Minor League Player of the Year and right-hander Brad Peacock Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the 2011 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone, Director of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Minor League Operations Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement. Lombardozzi batted...

It was only a few days ago that Chris Davis went 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in New York, stranding seven runners in the process. He came within one strikeout of tying Sam Horn's single-game franchise record. Davis didn't let it get him down. He's 2-for-2 today, including a double in the top of the third inning that scored Vladimir Guerrero from first base and tied the game at 3-3. Davis is 5-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs since Wednesday's embarrassment in the Bronx. He was...