BALTIMORE, Md. - Nationals starter Jason Marquis was the beneficiary of six runs early on from the offense for his second straight start, but this time he was not around long enough to factor into the decision. It was the first no decision for Marquis since way back on April 10. Marquis managed to get through the first two frames unscathed, but the Orioles scored three runs in the third inning, benefiting from a Roger Bernadina misplay in center field that allowed two runs to score with two...

Manager Buck Showalter said it's "very possible" that the Orioles make at least one roster move to aid their bullpen. It happened before I left the press box. The Orioles optioned reliever Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk after he allowed six runs in one inning. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow, but you can expect Alfredo Simon to be removed from the restricted list and placed on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Buck Showalter meets with the media to talk about the O's 17-5...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk. Berken appeared in 15 games for the Orioles and was 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA (17.0IP, 15 ER). A corresponding roster move will be announced at a later time.

The Nationals have tied a franchise record with 15 runs tonight. I think the two-point conversion was just piling it on. Michael Gonzalez has surrendered two more home runs. On the plus side, he hasn't hit anybody. Manager Buck Showalter is trying to eject himself. Gonzalez has allowed runs in five straight appearances covering four innings. He's permitted 10 runs (six earned) and 10 hits, and served up three home runs. Hey, let's check the farm. Steve Johnson threw seven scoreless...

This game has turned from weird to unwatchable. But please, keep watching. Jason Berken was torched tonight, allowing six runs and five hits in one inning. He also walked a batter, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and served up two home runs. Berken is really struggling and he has minor league options, which isn't a good combination for any pitcher. He's been scored upon in six of his last nine appearances. In that span, he's allowed 15 runs (14 earned) and 22 hits, with eight walks, in...

Jake Arrieta turned in his second-shortest outing tonight, leaving after 3 2/3 innings and being charged with six runs. The last run scored when Jason Berken hit Jayson Werth with the bases loaded. Arrieta allowed six hits, walked three, struck out three and hit a batter. He threw 91 pitches, 56 for strikes. PItch counts have been an issue with Arrieta, but he took it to the extreme tonight. That 37-pitch second inning set quite a tone. Arrieta allowed eight runs and six hits in 3 1/3...

I don't think he did it to tick off those that revel in stats, but manager Buck Showalter is batting Adam Jones second tonight for the second time this year. Jones came up with a solid single in the first tonight off Jason Marquis and then grounded out in the third. He is now 3-for-7 on the year when batting in that spot. Is that what they mean by small sample size? Yes, that is incredibly small. But I like Jones batting second and probably mentioned that two, 20 or a hundred times this...

Second baseman Ryan Adams saw two pitches in his first major league at-bat, getting ahead 1-0 before bouncing to third base on an 88 mph fastball from Nationals starter Jason Marquis. Adams was hitting .303 with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and eight RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk, but the Orioles are paying closer attention to his defense. He committed four errors with the Tides, and the reports apparently have been encouraging. "I think it's as much for Ryan selling himself to the...

If you're an Orioles fan and you're watching tonight's game, I bet you flinched in the top of the first inning. Or maybe you experienced a brief panic attack. Jake Arrieta struck out the first two Nationals on 94 and 96 mph fastballs. Laynce Nix followed with a sharp one-hopper that caromed off Arrieta's right shin and rolled to the left side of the infield for a single. Visions of Brad Bergesen dancing in your heads? Arrieta was fine. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells moved to the...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Ryan Adams from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled outfielder Nolan Reimold from the Tides. In addition, left-handed pitcher Troy Patton has been designated for assignment off the 25-man roster. Adams batted .303/.373/.434 in 39 games for the Tides and will make his major league debut with the Orioles. He batted .526/.550/.947 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs in 17 spring training games as a non-roster...