The catching depth in the Washington Nationals organization continues to show itself in the lower level minor league teams with Adrian Nieto and David Freitas in Single-A Hagerstown. Meanwhile, up one level in Woodbridge, Va., after a slow start at the plate, High-A Potomac Nationals catcher Sandy Leon is beginning to get on a hitting roll. Leon has batted .273 in the last 10 games with a double, three homers and seven RBI. He has had those three round trippers in his last 10 outings, with...

Some disappointing news to report, fans. Brian's Bash, the annual fundraiser hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, has been canceled. According to a release issued a few minutes ago, the event has been canceled due to Roberts' injuries. Known as a staple each season, Brian's Bash is a yearly fundraiser benefiting the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and hosted by Roberts. The sixth annual Bash was scheduled for Aug. 28 at Dave and Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall. For...

Earlier this week it occurred to me that I didn't know the Nationals' record. It felt like we were a bit under .500, but before looking it up, I couldn't tell you if we were two games under .500, five games under, or worse. I also didn't know if the team was again in last place in the National League East, or instead in next-to-last or maybe even within sight of third place behind the Phillies and the Braves. It's not a good sign when I don't know where my Nationals stand because it...

Earlier today, I wrote about pitcher Ryan Berry and his comeback from right shoulder tendinitis that is continuing now with the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Berry had some shoulder issues in college and was limited to 81 2/3 innings in 2009 as a junior when he was one of the top pitchers in college baseball, going 7-2 for Rice with an ERA of 2.42. That June the Orioles selected him in round nine of the draft. "I had some tendinitis and actually my junior year missed about six...

Ryan Berry was looking forward to the 2011 season. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 17 games last year at Single-A Frederick and it was likely he would have started off this season in the pitching rotation at Double-A Bowie. But he never made it there. The Orioles' ninth-round pick out of Rice from the 2009 draft got sidetracked by shoulder tendinitis in the spring. "Last year, I threw 117 innings and I felt fine," Berry said recently at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. "I took...

I know that is true for me, so today I offer a soothing balm to remedy the sting of another loss. Lets all take a break from the gloom and doom, hop in the TARDIS and travel back to this day in that wild and wonderful year 1997. Good morning everyone on the information super highway! I fired up my brand new 300mHz Pentium II today to bring you all digitized good news. Beginning tonight the Orioles will host Oakland in a quick two-game series after taking three of four from the A's in Oakland...

His night began when he gave up four runs to the game's first five hitters and ended with his being optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. It could have gone better here this evening for Orioles' right-hander Chris Tillman, who gave up six runs and eight hits in just 2 2/3 in a 6-3 loss to Chicago. "I felt fine. It is frustrating," Tillman said quietly in the Orioles clubhouse. "I wasn't necessarily making bad pitches, but they got way too comfortable early. They were diving over the plate...

Manager Buck Showalter began his postgame session with the media by talking about Chris Tillman's poor performance in a 6-3 loss to the White Sox. It wasn't until about halfway through that he mentioned a roster move. Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and Showalter said a reliever would fill the roster spot. He didn't mention anyone by name, but it's Willie Eyre. Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 77 pitches, 47 for strikes. "It's frustrating,"...

The Orioles optioned starter Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk after tonight's 6-3 loss to the White Sox at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman talks with reporters after picking up the loss and being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.52. It was a disappointing follow-up to his last start, when he held the Blue Jays to two runs over seven innings. The corresponding move for Tillman hasn't been announced, but reliever...

Coming off a start against Toronto where he gave up just two runs over seven innings, Chris Tillman hoped to build on that tonight against Chicago. Four batters into the game he allowed more runs - three - than he had in that last start. The first five Chisox hitters reached against Tillman, on a single, homer and three doubles, as he got rocked while giving up four first-inning runs. Tillman gave up six runs (all earned) and eight hits over just 2 2/3 as Chicago beat the Orioles 6-3 in front...