In addition to a current losing streak of four games and inconsistent play, the Orioles have another problem that is contributing a lot to some of their losses: They can't seem to get out of the gate well. The Orioles have been outscored by their opponents 252-212 on the year. That is a run differential of minus-40. Most of that has come over the first two innings of games, where the Orioles have been outscored by 34 runs. In the first inning this year, the O's have been outscored 26-9 and...

For years, the Washington Nationals have dreamed of building a youth baseball academy in the District of Columbia. They battled through multiple layers of government, pledged $3.5 million dollars to the project, studied Harlem RBI and other programs, and finally broke ground today on the new facility. The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy will conduct after-school and summer programs that integrate baseball, academics and the value of teamwork for youths 8 to 18 living in...

The Orioles have collected just three extra-base hits - two doubles and a home run - over 36 innings in the four games of this current road trip. In those four games, the Orioles have drawn 16 walks, but only two of those runners have scored. Mark Reynolds' home run yesterday was the first for the Orioles in 38 2/3 innings since the second inning of a May 26 game. Four of the Orioles' regulars have combined for nine doubles and no homers in their last 245 at-bats. Matt Wieters has three...

With the advent of blogs such as my own and those that belong to the other fine writers taking up this space, there is more being written about, well, everything. In our case, it's the Baltimore Orioles. From the traditional media to those of us who have our own platforms online to the masses on Twitter who take to the Internet daily, it's mind-boggling just how much is being said about the Orioles on a daily basis. Because the Orioles are a losing team, and have been for so long, this...

Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan has taken four high school players and two collegians with his six first-round picks since he was named to that post in November of 2004. Right now, he is in the final days of his preparation for another draft and the Orioles have the fourth pick in Round 1 next Monday night. There are several draft projections and predictions that have the Orioles taking Oklahoma right-handed high school pitcher Dylan Bundy with that pick. There is also a segment of fans...

The Washington Nationals are struggling. Like, really struggling. After Monday's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, they have lost their last three games - all by one run. They have lost eight of their last nine, 10 of 12 and 13 of 17. The Nats are losing close games (5-12 in one-run games in 2011) and blowouts (1-6 when the game is decided by five or more runs). After 53 games, nearly a third of the season, they are 22-31, a .415 winning percentage. Over a 162-game schedule, that works...

While wondering if former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's next contract will include a vesting option ... And while wondering if anyone got that joke ... If I'm Jake Fox, I'm wondering where I fit on this team. Fox didn't pinch-hit yesterday despite having a few opportunities. I explained in one entry why he isn't an automatic choice with a left-hander on the mound, considering that he's 3-for-28 against them this season and is a career .206 hitter against them. But playing...

Nationals prospect left-hander Sammy Solis pulled off a solid debut for 2011 with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at Kannapolis Intimidators on Monday. Solis went four and 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, three walks and four hits. He allowed only one hit until the fifth inning, giving up three runs and getting a no decision. Solis said the start went well but he ran out of gas in that fifth inning. He threw 87 pitches and was sitting between 92 and 95 miles per hour on his fastball, so that...

The Orioles are now one loss away from following a five-game win streak with five consecutive losses. They are now 0-4 on their current road trip after this afternoon's 4-3 loss at Seattle, as they fall to 24-28. The Mariners have won 10 of 12 games to improve to 27-26. Jake Arrieta had the shortest start of his career as he allowed four runs and four hits in just 2 1/3 innings and 68 pitches. He falls to 6-3 with an ERA of 4.97. Arrieta issued two bases-loaded walks in the Seattle third, a...

Alfredo Simon kept today's game at Safeco Field from spinning out of control. If the Orioles brought their bats, he might be in line to get the win. Simon struck out the first two batters he faced to leave the bases loaded in the third inning and keep Jake Arrieta's line from growing uglier. He gave manager Buck Showalter 3 1/2 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, walking one and striking out four. Just what the doctor ordered. And the manager. Simon threw 55 pitches over two...