The Orioles must be taking advantage of the soft spot in Jon Lester's start. They scored four runs on four hits, a hit batter and a wild pitch in the bottom of the first to take a 4-1 lead. As you know, the Orioles have tallied more than three runs against Lester only once in his 12 victories against them. In three previous starts against the Orioles this season, the left-hander has surrendered only one earned run and has owned them so convincingly, he should carry a sales receipt in his...

There have been a few transactions today on the O's farm. With the three callups from Norfolk now in Baltimore, the Tides today added Miguel Abreu, Buck Britton and Phillip Britton from Frederick. The Keys have added 18-year-old shortstop Jonathan Schoop from Bluefield, where he hit .316-2-16 in 39 games after batting .250-3-16 in 17 Gulf Coast League games. In his last four games with Bluefield, Schoop went 9 for 15 with two homers and 7 RBI. Schoop, from Curacao, played in the O's...

For a guy that was designated for assignment by the Orioles April 3rd, Robert Andino has had quite a season - still with the O's organization. Back in April, he cleared waivers and was out-righted to Triple-A. With Norfolk, the 26-year-old Andino hit .264-13-76 with 72 runs and 16 steals and he was batting .305 since the All-Star break. Now, he's gone from DFA'd and off the roster to back on the roster and the team, joining the club today as part of the September callups. "In this game...

He was considered a Rookie of the Year candidate late into last season. Nolan Reimold must have figured this year would go a lot differently for him than it has. But today, for the first time since May 11, he is back with the Orioles. "I didn't play well so I got sent down and then I kept not playing well, so I had to stay down there until I got it right. I've been swinging it well lately. I'm glad to get the callup and I'm excited to be back up here. "Of course, I thought there was...

Brandon Snyder has been pointing to this day for a long time. He's always wanted to play pro ball and dreamed of the day he'd be in the Major Leagues. Today he walked into the O's clubhouse and was on the O's roster for the first time after getting a September callup. "It's so surreal. Ever since I was five years old coming up with my grandfather watching games driving down 95. Coming in the clubhouse, I come here every off season to work out. It doesn't seem like I'm actually...

And lots of it. Manager Buck Showalter went with the front office's recommendations when it came to adding Nolan Reimold, Robert Andino and Brandon Snyder to the expanded roster. "I leaned on what everybody told me. It wasn't me," Showalter said. "That's who everybody felt like we should get a look at." Showalter is using Reimold as the designated hitter tonight. Keep in mind that Reimold is 3-for-7 with a double lifetime against Jon Lester. Reimold's season numbers at Triple-A...

The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Wilson Ramos and selected infielder Danny Espinosa from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. The club also transferred right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Ramos, 23, returns to the Nationals for a second stint, as he debuted with Washington on Aug. 19 at Atlanta when fellow catcher Wil Nieves was placed on the Temporary...

Reliever David Hernandez threw 30 pitches during today's batting practice session in Sarasota, and manager Buck Showalter said the reports were favorable. Showalter sounds encouraged, and it's possible that Hernandez, who's recovering from a badly sprained left ankle, could rejoin the Orioles within a week to 10 days. Hernandez will take two days off and report to Double-A Bowie, which is closing the regular season at Richmond. He's scheduled to throw one inning. Hernandez could pitch...

Brian Roberts and Jake Fox made an appearance at BWI Airport today, but don't worry, you didn't miss a chance to see this pair of Birds in person. The event wasn't open to the public, but Roberts and Fox participated in the Southwest Airlines "Trading Places" promotion today. The Orioles announced that B-Rob and Fox would be trying their hands at a variety of jobs carried out by Southwest employees at BWI. I don't have any further details to pass along, but if I get my hands on some,...

Three top pitching prospects from the Nationals 2010 draft crop will make their professional debuts this week. Sammy Solis, A.J. Cole and Rob Ray have impressed Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams as they embark on their first game appearances since spring time. University of San Diego left-hander Sammy Solis will start tonight for Hagerstown and get two innings. Solis, picked in the second round and standing 6 foot 5 inches and weighing 225 pounds, is a "big body lefty who has a...