Vladimir Guerrero has returned to the lineup and will bat fourth. J.J. Hardy returns to the leadoff spot. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Chris Tillman RHP

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann was pitching efficiently and looked like he was headed towards another one of his outstanding starts. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster (10-8) allowed only a Ryan Zimmerman home run in the first, so that did not give Jordan much wiggle room in the late stages of the game. Sound familiar? Zimmermann hasn't had much run support all season long. It happened again Thursday at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals, 4-3. With the score...

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman reached 19 games in his current hitting streak with a monster solo shot out of Wrigley Field in the first inning off of the Cubs' Ryan Dempster. It is the second longest hit streak of Zimmerman's career, the homer coming on a slider from Dempster, who has allowed 16 homers this season. The Nationals are looking to win their first road series under Davey Johnson and lead the season series with Chicago, 4-2. Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann has...

Left-hander Brian Matusz appeared to take another big step forward in his eventual return to the Orioles' rotation. I say "appeared" because I don't have a scouting report from today's start against Lehigh Valley. But Matusz has blanked the Iron Pigs - yes, I just wrote that - on five hits over seven innings, with one walk, eight strikeouts and two hit batters. Matusz has thrown 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. He's induced seven ground balls and three fly balls. Matusz is locked in a duel...

The dog days of summer are upon us. Pennant races are heating up. Contenders are separating themselves from the pretenders, and unfortunately that means another finish in the bottom half of the division for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are 56-60 and 20.5 games out of first place; anyone who thinks this team has a miracle run to the playoffs in them is downright crazy. This reality raises a simple question that may be hard for some to answer - why do you continue to watch the...

Of all the ways a team can win a ballgame, a walk-off homer has to rank right up there. Nolan Reimold's two-run homer to win the game in the 10th against Chicago last night was certainly exciting. The longball is fun and the Orioles are hitting their fair share. Consider these numbers: * The Orioles have now hit 134 homers on the year and that is one more than last year's team hit all season. They are on a pace to hit 190 homers, which would be the most by an Orioles team since the 1997...

Single-A Potomac Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis had a fairly good game against Salem Aug. 2. He went seven innings and allowed three hits with two solo homers in taking the loss, 3-0. But toward the end of the game, Solis felt pain in his elbow and got it immediately checked out by the team's medical personnel. The diagnosis was left elbow inflammation and tendinitis. The MRI came back negative. Solis has still been solid in his six high Single-A starts, going 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 33...

Nolan Reimold hadn't homered since July 26 before tonight's big swing off White Sox reliever Jason Frasor. Reimold was hitless in four at-bats tonight before stepping to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning. He ended up with a pretty sweet 1-for-5. "I was just trying to be relaxed," he said. "I was 0-for-4 at that point. Just relax and not be tense. I got a pitch to hit, my first pitch, so I didn't take it. I jumped on it and was happy to come through." After getting pied in the...

Nolan Reimold ended tonight's game with one out in the 10th inning by launching a ball 430 feet into the visiting bullpen. "Good for Nolan," manager Buck Showalter said after the Orioles' 6-4 win. "Put a good swing on it. You could tell he had little approach there, what he was looking for, and he didn't miss it. "I think he just missed a ball earlier, too. Nolan's a strong guy with a lot of skills. Not very often do the waters part and there's just an open-end ticket. He's got...

The first 10,000 fans 15 and older who attend tonight's game will receive a Jake Arrieta T-shirt. Yes, I know, a Brian Matusz bobblehead and a Jake Arrieta T-shirt. I can't wait for Jake Fox Photo Night. Before you ask, the Arrieta bobblehead doesn't come with a little bone spur or a sling or a tiny Dr. Yocum. I've heard 'em all. Well, feel free to add your own, but I've probably heard it. Arrieta underwent a CT scan and MRI on his right elbow yesterday - taking the advice of agent...