FREDERICK, Md. - The Single-A Frederick Keys took advantage of a defensive mistake by Potomac and another good start from Jake Pettit to beat the Nationals 5-1 tonight in a game shortened to six innings by rain. The Keys take a one game to none lead in the best-of-five Carolina League semi-final series and host Game Two Thursday at 7 p.m. Pettit, who entered with a record of 7-0 and 1.62 ERA in 10 Keys starts, did not have his usual fastball command tonight and needed to rely more on his...

As the Orioles move forward into 2012, one thing they definitely need to take a hard look at is shedding veteran players and getting younger, yet again. After all, Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and even Matt Wieters are veteran players at this point, and with J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds under contract, the team could use some young talent. And one way to get some of that talent is to trade useful vets for promising kids. The front office has already made one move in that direction, trading...

FREDERICK, Md. - After three innings of Game 1 of the Carolina League playoffs, the Potomac Nationals lead the Single-A Frederick Keys 1-0 at Harry Grove Stadium. After a scoreless first inning, Potomac first baseman Steven Souza hit a solo homer to left in the second to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was his 12th homer of the year. Keys starter Jake Pettit, who is 7-0 with an ERA of 1.62 in 10 Keys starts, has allowed just the one run on two hits through three innings. Pettit has no walks...

FREDERICK, Md. - In baseball, good pitching and defense will carry you a long way. That has been a successful formula for the Single-A Frederick Keys this year, who host Potomac tonight in Game One of the Carolina League playoffs. While Frederick's offense ranks near the bottom of the league in a few categories, the Keys' team ERA ranks first at 3.22 and Frederick is tied for first in the league in fielding percentage and in fewest errors. Frederick finished with the best record in the...

Mark Reynolds struck out four times today, making him the envy of teammate Chris Davis, but he also delivered the Orioles' go-ahead run in a 5-4, 11-inning win over the Yankees. Reynolds singled off Yankees reliever Hector Noesi with two outs in the top of the 11th to score Matt Angle and break a 4-4 tie. Mark Reynolds talks with the O's Xtra crew after hitting the game-winning RBI single in the 11th inning Angle reached with one out on another error by Yankees shortstop Eduardo Nunez....

The Orioles are teaming with the American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Services Region on a series of blood drives this week to help build the supplies in local blood banks that were diminished by Hurricane Irene. To reward those willing to part with the gift of life, all donors will receive a complimentary ticket to the Orioles' game against the New York Yankees tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. Blood donors won't be the only folks in attendance at tomorrow's make-up contest to have...

The Single-A Potomac Nationals begin defense of their Mills Cup tonight at Harry Grove stadium in Game 1 of their divisional series against the Frederick Keys. Right-hander Paul Demny gets the call for Matt Lecroy, opposed by the Keys' Jake Pettit. Demny was 10-10 with a 4.32 ERA. Left-hander Petit was 7-0 with a 1.62 ERA. Demny comes into game one on a roll, 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last five starts, allowing just six runs in the last 27 innings. One of the hottest hitters for the...

Orioles third baseman Chris Davis misses that Eastern League pitching. Davis has struck out four times today and is 0-for-8 with six strikeouts since completing his injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie and coming off the disabled list yesterday. Davis fanned three times today against A.J. Burnett and took a called third strike from reliever David Robertson. This isn't a recent development for Davis. He's struck out 19 times in his last nine games and 39 at-bats. Meanwhile, the...

FREDERICK, Md.- Tonight's scheduled playoff game between the Single-A Frederick Keys and the Potomac Nationals remains very much on. The rain has just about stopped as of just before 4 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium and right now the tarp is not on the field. Frederick is set to begin its best-of-five Carolina League semifinal series against Potomac. The same teams met in the semifinals last year with Potomac winning that series, three games to one. If there is any change in the status of...

Nationals pitcher Brad Peacock gave up a couple of hits and a walk in his major league debut, but didn't let that bother him. He still felt very good about his first outing. After all, he was excited and nervous during his first start with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs back on July 16. He settled down following that game and reeled off five straight wins from July 22 to August 29. Peacock said during those last few weeks, Syracuse pitching coach Greg Booker helped him to calm down on the...