By just about any standard, Zach Britton's start to his rookie season has been pretty amazing. He is 5-2 with an ERA of 2.42 and that now ranks as the seventh best ERA in the American League. Only three pitchers, Trevor Cahill of Oakland, Detroit's Max Scherzer and Jered Weaver of Los Angeles have more wins with six to his five. Britton's WHIP is now at 1.02 and that is 9th best in the AL. He has now pitched 52 innings and that ties for 13th in the league. Here is how Britton ranks...

It's Friday night in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are in town to start a series against the Florida Marlins. If this was 2010, there would be fireworks to look forward to. But in 2011, there are no more fireworks at Nationals Park. In April, fans found out about the change. According to Dan Steinberg at the DC Sports Bog, there had been some complaints from neighbors about the noise and some fans said their children were scared by the noise. Nationals Chief Operating Officer Andy Feffer...

The third-place Orioles head to Tampa Bay this weekend looking to avenge last week's three-game sweep at the hands of the Rays. Thirteen years ago, the Birds flew south for their first-ever series in St. Petersburg from May 8-10, 1998. The O's took two of three at The Trop that weekend behind their veteran players. Baltimore batted around and scored five runs in the seventh inning of the series opener to break open a tight ballgame they ultimately won 8-2. Eric Davis got things started with...

Single-A right-hander

Coming off their second walk-off win in three days and a three-game series sweep, now the Orioles head into a stretch of seven games over the next seven days against the AL East. It starts tonight with three games at Tampa, followed by two at Boston and then two at home versus New York. Are the O's ready for this tough stretch, and will the momentum of the Seattle sweep help them get some wins during this next grueling stretch? The Orioles are 5-8 on the year against the AL East which...

Zach Britton did everything but get a win tonight with his amazing nine innings of scoreless baseball. It's the first time this year Britton did not get a decision, but with a single run of offensive support, he could have easily been the Orioles' first six-game winner before May was over since Kris Benson in 2006. Britton is now 5-2 with an ERA of 2.42 through his first eight major league starts. That is the 7th best ERA in the American League and he is tied for 4th in the AL with five...

The Orioles improved to 1-11 at home when scoring three runs or fewer. You knew they wouldn't be blanked all season. Tonight's game marked the first time two pitchers went nine innings or more and were both non-decisioned since July 10, 2010 - Philadelphia's Roy Halladay and Cincinnati's Travis Wood. It's the third time since 2000. "It was another great team win tonight," Zach Britton said. "My job was to keep us in the game as long as possible. You've got to tip your hat to (Jason)...

Just another night at the office. The game officially ended with one out in the 12th inning when pinch-runner Jake Fox followed Derrek Lee across the plate on J.J. Hardy's single into center field. Showalter toyed with the idea of using pitcher Jeremy Guthrie as a pinch-runner for Vladimir Guerrero at second base, which might not have brought the desired result after Mariners shortstop Luis Rodriguez made a diving stop with the bases loaded to rob Matt Wieters. "We had a running bet...

I must say, 4:45 a.m. arrived pretty early this morning. That makes sense, right? Why am I up at 4:45 a.m.? Because I have a 7:45 a.m. Southwest flight to Tampa that's not going to wait for me, unless the pilot is a big fan of the blog. (I know there's an "upright and locked position" joke in there, but we'll leave it alone.) I'm covering the three-game series at Tropicana Field. Jeremy Guthrie vs. Jeremy Hellickson tonight (all Jeremy's get in for half-price), Brad Bergesen vs....

Name the last Orioles pitcher to throw nine scoreless innings and get a no-decision. I'll trust you not to look up the answer. And no, you can't say Zach Britton. I mean before him. Kevin Gregg walked the leadoff hitter in the top of the 10th. That's never good. The Mariners didn't get a runner to second base until the 10th, but Mike Wilson bounced into a double play to bail out Gregg. Answer: Mike Morgan on April 16, 1988. Here's another one for you: Name the last major league...