The Frederick Keys took a 1-0 lead to the eighth inning this afternoon at Potomac. Six outs from advancing to the Carolina League championship series, the Keys could not maintain the shutout. Potomac came up with six runs in the last of the eighth to post a 6-1 victory that evens the best-of-five series at two wins and sends the clubs back to Frederick Monday night at 7 p.m in the fifth and deciding game. The winner of that game will play Kinston in the championship series. Right-hander...

The Nationals' catcher Jesus Flores has had a good homestand and has been able to hit the ball well to the outfield, especially the left field corner in his past few games. Flores has gone 5-for-8 with two doubles and an RBI during the Nationals' homestand against the Mets, Dodgers and Astros. Flores said his confidence is growing as he gets more playing time and gets farther away from the shoulder and labrum issues that sidelined him for close to two seasons. "I feel like I am having a...

Even with how yesterday's game ended, the Orioles' bullpen has posted an ERA of 0.83 over the last five games, allowing just two runs over the last 21 2/3 innings. Here is the rundown: Tuesday at NYY: 1.1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K Wednesday at NYY: 6IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 6K Thursday vs. NYY: 6IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 8K Friday at Tor: 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 0K Saturday at Tor: 6.1IP, 2H, 2R-ER, 2BB, 5K TOTALS: 21.2IP, 6H, 2R-ER, 7BB, 22K. Until Kevin Gregg allowed two hits with two outs in the ninth on Saturday,...

With Adam Jones scratched again, I get to file a second lineup today. Too bad I don't get paid per-lineup entry. For the Orioles: Matt Angle CF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Game update: Nick Markakis' two-out, two-run single off Blue Jays reliever Carlos Villanueva in the fourth inning gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Only one run off Tommy Hunter is earned. Mark...

Here is the Nationals' lineup for the series finale with the Astros.   Desmond - SS Ankiel - CF Zimmerman - 3B Morse - LF Werth - RF Espinosa - 2B Marrero - 1B Ramos - C Strasburg - P  

Adam Jones was scratched from yesterday's lineup with a swollen ankle, but he's starting in center field today. Matt Angle is starting in left field ahead of Nolan Reimold, who remains on the bench. For the Orioles: Matt Angle LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis 3B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the Blue Jays: Mike McCoy SS Eric Thames LF Jose Bautista RF Adam Lind DH Brett Lawrie 3B Kelly Johnson...

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...