On May 28, 1998, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Buck Showalter ordered an intentional walk to San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds. Bonds walked a record 2,558 times in his career, and that doesn't count the courtroom. So why is this noteworthy? Showalter instructed his reliever to walk Bonds with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded. Arizona led by two runs and Showalter wanted no part of Bonds. It was a tremendous gamble, and it paid off. The next batter,...

First baseman Tyler Townsend of the Single-A Frederick Keys has missed the last three games, but is not injured. He is away from the team on a personal matter and should return soon. He could be back tonight but if he doesn't get back to the team in time for that game at Salem, the club just may wait until they return home on Monday for him to rejoin the club. Townsend, a 2009 third-round pick out of Florida International, got off to a blazing start and was hitting .344 but then his averaged...

I had to "sleep fast," as manager Buck Showalter always says. These West Coast games are exhausting, even when you're not on the trip. The Orioles have another 10:07 p.m. start tonight in Oakland - no one rounds off these times anymore - and we'll find out later today whether a roster move is made. Double-A Bowie left-hander Pedro Viola was rushed to Oakland, and that decision was made before Alfredo Simon threw 55 pitches and took the loss last night and Michael Gonzalez followed with...

You wouldn't think a pitcher that has worked to an ERA of 1.33 over his last four starts would be in danger of losing his rotation spot, but that may be the case for Chris Tillman. The positive results with that ERA have come at a time when he keeps failing to show pitch efficiency and struggles to get deep in games. Tillman's last four starts: May 11 vs. Seattle: 6 IP, 1 ER, 112 pitches. May 16 at Boston: 5 IP, 0 runs, 88 pitches. May 22 vs. Washington: 5 IP, 1 ER, 97 pitches. May 27 at...

To say the least, it was a frustrating night in Oakland, where the Orioles have had a few. Their starter could not survive five innings, meanwhile, at bat, the Orioles hit into four double plays. The scoreless streak for the Orioles' bullpen ended at 15 2/3 innings when Oakland scored three runs off Alfredo Simon in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie. The A's beat the O's 6-2 to end the Orioles' five-game win streak. The Orioles are now 1-10 in their last 11 games at Oakland and have...

On the same night that left-hander Brian Matusz was apparently making his last injury rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, his good friend Chris Tillman couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Oakland. Tillman has allowed one earned run or fewer in four consecutive starts and five of six. However, his rising pitch counts continue to force him out of games in the middle innings and lead to a parade of relievers. He threw 102 tonight before heading to the bench for good. This is the third-shortest...

After battling through a couple of injuries that extended his spring training into late May, Nationals 2010 second-round selection left-hander Sammy Solis is ready to make his season debut today for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at the Kannapolis Intimidators. Solis pitched 5 1/3 innings last week in Viera, Fla., throwing 84 pitches. He anticipates a 90-pitch cap today. "My arm feels strong," Solis said. "Florida was great. I got my work in that I needed to get done. I am excited to be...

Once again, a Nationals starter was cruising along, and once again, the offense had provided a little support. This time, the Nationals got to the ninth inning, hanging on to a 1-0 lead behind a solo homer from Danny Espinosa and masterful pitching from John Lannan. With their closer on the hill, it looked like the Nationals would pull this one out and end their week-long skid. Then, Jason Bartlett connected on his first home run in 247 at-bats, this one on the first pitch off of Drew...

Following tonight's game, the Washington Nationals placed left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny (left elbow inflammation) on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 24. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny, 28, is 2-4 with a 4.25 ERA in nine starts this season with the Nationals.

The Nationals announced after tonight's game that left-hander Tom Gorzelanny has been placed in the 15-day disabled list due to left elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 24. The Nationals did not announce a corresponding roster move. The announcement is expected early Saturday when the player arrives. Gorzelanny was scheduled to start Sunday's afternoon finale against the Padres. Syracuse right-hander Yunesky Maya was scheduled to start for the Chiefs on Sunday and could...