Here in this Nats Buzz space, I often have the opportunity to write about the many ways that Nationals players and front office staff give back to the community around Nationals Park and in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. Well, on July 30th, you can get involved right alongside those players and front office staff in an effort to "green-up" the area around the ballpark. The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is teaming up with the Earth Conservation Corps to host a NatsTown...

With all the craziness last night, I almost forgot that the Orioles were shut out again in a 5-0 loss to the Twins. Three players were ejected, and a male fan circled the bases, hopped into the stands, bumped into a police officer, raced back onto the field, and delayed the game long enough for Ty Wigginton's check to clear that will cover his fine from MLB. Oh yeah, and the Orioles lost, 5-0. Five pitchers have thrown complete games against the Orioles this season, with Carl Pavano being...

For some fans, even in a 5-0 loss to Minnesota last night, maybe there was something to be pleased about. They saw passion, emotion and a little anger from Juan Samuel and Ty Wigginton. They both got ejected but also got some of their loudest ovations of the year. You could almost sense the crowd saying "Right on, it's about time you guys showed you are as ticked off as we are." Pitching coach Rick Kranitz, who was also ejected, pretty much admitted what seemed obvious. The arguments...

After a volatile night with three O's ejected from tonight's 5-0 loss to Minnesota, pitching coach Rick Kranitz and Ty Wigginton talked about their ejections. (Roch has posted comments from Juan Samuel, who was also tossed). Kranitz was ejected after Wigginton's ejection for arguing a safe call at first base. Kranitz was tossed by home plate ump Bill Hohn. "I didn't say anything," Kranitz said. "I sarcastically clapped in the way that the umpire, I guess Bill Hohn took offense to. ...

Tonight, I served as the pool reporter for the reporters covering the game and asked some post-game questions to crew chief Gary Darling about the ejections of Ty Wigginton and pitching coach Rick Kranitz from tonight's game. Darling admitted that he got the call at first base wrong on the tag play and safe call in the top of the seventh that led to Wigginton's argument and ejection. "We looked at it, he missed him the first time and on a close play, he got him the second time it looked...

Interim manager Juan Samuel says he wasn't angry tonight. I guess I was fooled by the screaming and the way he played long-toss with his cap. "I just didn't think Kranny deserved to be thrown out," he said, referring to how he rushed the field after pitching coach Rick Kranitz was ejected. "He did not do anything basically to deserve being thrown out. I don't know if they know that they blew the call and fuses were very short. "Kranny didn't say anything. That's what I was trying to...

I have a new favorite player and his name is Ty Wigginton. I'm also pretty fond of a certain interim manager. Wigginton just unleashed every ounce of anger and frustration that his body could muster at first base umpire Gary Darling, earning an ejection and my undying admiration. Darling blew a call, ruling that J.J. Hardy got back safely after breaking for second and dashing back to first. Cesar Izturis took the throw from catcher Craig Tatum and fired to first, where Wigginton appeared...

If fans were looking for someone to show fire and passion on this team, they just saw it. Ty Wigginton was ejected by first base umpire Gary Darling for arguing a play in the top of the seventh. J.J. Hardy broke for second on a steal then turned around and retreated to first. When Wigginton took the throw and applied the tag on Hardy he was expecting an out call that didn't come. He immediately charged toward Darling, but did not make contact with him as Darling put up his hand to throw...

Too bad he gave up three runs in the first inning tonight. Since then, Kevin Millwood has had a strong outing that should be somewhat encouraging for fans and O's brass alike. Millwood has allowed just one run and three hits from innings two through six. He gave up a bomb to Michael Cuddyer for a solo homer in the fourth. It went 434 feet and was one of those blasts that Jamie Walker used to refer to as a "rocket ship." But Millwood has been pretty solid since giving up that...

Left-hander Michael Gonzalez is warming in the bullpen, and we could see him pitch for the first time since the home opener. Be gentle. Kevin Millwood made it through the sixth after throwing 34 pitches in the first and surrendering that three-run double to Delmon Young. He also served up a 434-foot homer to Michael Cuddyer. I'm told they served a kosher meal on that flight. Millwood's pitch count stands at 93. The Orioles' hit count stands at three - a weak single by Craig Tatum in...