The Orioles have locked up their shortstop for the next three years. The Baltimore Sun reported that the club has agreed with J.J. Hardy on a new contract for three years which will pay him between $22 to $22.5 million during the length of this deal which runs through 2014. The club had a decision to make with Hardy: sign a player that played very well since his return from the disabled list and has been very solid and consistent in the field, or trade a player that could potentially bring...

Congratulations, Nationals fans. After tallying the donations made during the 2011 Harris Teeter Food Drive held at Nationals Park last weekend, the results are in, and they're impressive. The event, which helps the Capital Area Food Bank nourish thousands of children and families, resulted in an astounding 6,942 pounds of food. It was the most successful food drive at Nationals Park to date. Your donations will help these ailing children receive the proper meals and nutrition they...

I wouldn't be surprised if the Orioles placed Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list this weekend. It's the corresponding roster move that remains a mystery. They need help everywhere. Maybe it's

Congratulations to Single-A Frederick closer Manny Machado's hip injury: The night was not all positive for Frederick however as after making a leaping throw in shallow left on a fantastic backhand play deep in the hole at short, Keys SS Manny Machado left the game with Athletic Trainer Pat Wesley to his side. Machado went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's prior to the injury. OK, back to Camden Yards. Here's Jake Arrieta: "It's tough, especially when we get a run in the bottom of an inning and I...

The Orioles have lost nine games in a row to fall 18 below .500. They'll probably have to put Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list to avoid being handcuffed by a short bench, which came into play tonight. They're expected to put tomorrow night's starter, Alfredo Simon, on the restricted list Sunday when he flies to the Dominican Republic. They still need a starter for Monday, which could come from the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk. And Single-A Frederick shortstop Manny Machado left...

At least this one was close and nobody is facing a suspension or fine. Jim Johnson gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and the Orioles lost to the Indians, 6-5, at Camden Yards. They've won six games since running their record to 30-31. Its gone from bad to worse to...whatever you want to call it. Johnson was the pitcher of record the last time that the Orioles won a game - July 3 in Atlanta - but he's allowed runs in four of his last five appearances. It took only two batters...

Nationals prospect reliever Patrick Lehman was rolling early on this season and quickly got his promotion to Double-A Harrisburg. So, as is the case all the time in minor league baseball, when a player advances, an opportunity is made available to allow another top prospect a shot to shine in the organization. With a vacancy in the closer role, the Potomac Nationals have turned to right-hander Hector Nelo, and he has delivered. In his last 10 games prior to Friday's outing, Nelo went 1-0...

It wasn't necessarily supposed to work out this way, but Matt Wieters homered in the second inning as the Orioles' replacement cleanup hitter, and Nolan Reimold did the same as the replacement designated hitter. Orioles 2, Indians 1. Then, in the blink of an eye, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the top of the third. Indians 3, Orioles 2. Manager Buck Showalter indicated earlier today that he might have to use different players in the cleanup and designated hitter...

It's a bit of a stretch I know, but will some Jake Arrieta stats work in his favor tonight as he and the Orioles look to break an eight-game losing streak versus Cleveland? Arrieta and the Birds lead 2-1 after the second inning after Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold hit solo homers in the last of the second. Wieters' homer to right-center leading off the inning was his ninth and traveled 390 feet, and came on a 3-1 pitch. Reimold took a 1-1 pitch out to left 402 feet off Josh Tomlin. For...

There were two outs and none on when Nick Markakis stepped into the batter's box in the last of the third. He then singled to right off Cleveland's Josh Tomlin to pick up his 1,000th career hit. Markakis gets to 1,000 at age 27 and in his sixth season in the majors. They posted an impressive stat last night during the MASN O's Xtra post-game show. Markakis got to 1,000 hits in fewer career games than Orioles legends and baseball Hall of Famers Cal Ripken and Brooks Robinson. Next stop,...