Orioles manager Buck Showalter has Blake Davis back in the starting lineup tonight, at second base and batting ninth. He was asked if he was starting Davis to get him right back on the field after his error Wednesday scored two runs in the 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh. "That's not the only reason. But yeah, it was (a reason to start him)," Showalter said. "I thought the young man has done a lot to get the opportunity. Thought he had some good at bats in Pittsburgh too. He had a big at bat that...

PItcher Alfredo Simon threw today in Sarasota without any hamstring issues and is scheduled to throw one or two innings Sunday at Double-A Bowie. He's eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. Jake Arrieta will throw a light bullpen session today. Arrieta says his right elbow feels better and he remains scheduled to start Wedneday night against the Cardinals at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that second baseman Brian Roberts is having wisdom teeth removed. He...

Blake Davis will make his second major league start tonight. Vladimir Guerrero returns to the lineup. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Blake Davis 2B Chris Jakubauskas RHP

The Washington Nationals today announced that John McLaren will serve as the club's Interim Manager. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. McLaren's appointment begins effective today when Washington begins a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox. The 59-year-old has served as Nationals' bench coach for the last two seasons (2010-11), after being named to the post on Nov. 20, 2009. This is McLaren's...

It's funny how almost 41 years have passed and I still associate the Cincinnati Reds with the 1970 World Series. It's not as funny when I link the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1971 and '79 World Series. The Orioles begin their interleague homestand tonight against the Reds, who are making their first visit to Camden Yards. Edinson Volquez will try to lower his career 5.59 ERA against the Orioles. Game 1 of the '70 Series took place at Riverfront Stadium, the first time that the Fall Classic...

After witnessing the end of Jim Riggleman's tenure as manager of the Washington Nationals, it is interesting to wonder what difference a Stan Kasten-like leader would have made during the last few months. Kasten resigned as team president at the end of the 2010 season. His leadership and experience guided the Nationals, for better or for worse, through some rough waters as they wrestled control of the franchise back from Major League Baseball and rebuilt a decimated farm system. Mike Rizzo...

Checking in with some stats and facts about both teams as the Cincinnati Reds make their first visit to Baltimore tonight since the 1970 World Series. * The Orioles hit .302 as a team and scored 4.2 runs per game during their nine-game road trip. Over the last six games they have 72 hits, a .324 team average and 28 runs scored. * Nick Markakis has the longest current hitting streak in the American League at 13 games. He is batting .400 (24-for-60) during the streak with a homer and eight...

It has not been a good week for the Baltimore Orioles, as they have struggled in interleague play, losing two out of three games to the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Much like the Orioles, the Pirates and Nationals have been your traditional bottom-feeders recently; however, they have improved greatly this season. They are not seen as contenders, but they are no longer doormats, either. That same notion can be also applied to the Orioles. A lot of people at the start of the...

I really don't want to write about Jim Riggleman. First, he doesn't deserve it, considering his actions yesterday; resigning only moments after the Nationals organization hit a peak after sweeping the Seattle Mariners and moving over .500. Second, he ruined my Thursday night because as a Nationals blogger I tend to have to keep on top of these sorts of news stories and it kept me from spending time with my daughter and eating out at Wayside Chicken. I love Wayside Chicken. However, I...

I'll begin this entry by congratulating shortstop Manny Machado for hitting a home run last night in his first game with Single-A Frederick. Machado went deep in his second at-bat with the Keys, and I've heard it was a moon shot. Machado was 1-for-4 and accounted for Frederick's only run in a 2-1 loss to Winston-Salem. I think the kid needs more hype. We haven't written enough about him. The Cincinnati Reds have arrived in Baltimore, which will conjure up plenty of memories and anecdotes...