On Thursday, Redskins legend John Riggins returns to MASN to host the region's best afternoon drive sports show. Talking Redskins, Nationals, Capitals and Wizards, the John Riggins Show will air each weekday between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. throughout MASN's seven-state territory. MASN will simulcast the weekday show live from Washington D.C., where the Redskins' Hall of Famer has been on the air since April on the HD-3 channel of WTOP 103.5 FM. The beloved runningback and his outsized...

I'm not sorting through a collection of fond memories from last night. I can name two, and one of them involves talking to Cal Ripken on the phone, which has nothing to do with the game. It doesn't hurt to step back once in a while and recognize that I've talked to three Hall of Famers in a span of four days - Ripken, Brooks Robinson and Jim Palmer. And that doesn't include standing within a few feet of Earl Weaver and Frank Robinson. I usually take it all for granted because I'm jaded...

For Brian Matusz, it was another night like a lot of the others on Tuesday vs. Oakland. He pitched pretty well, but not great, he got little run support and he lost. I have heard fans term his 2010 season as "disappointing." Matusz is now 2-9, 4.90 in 16 starts this year. He is tied for the AL lead in losses. I see Matusz's performance this year as encouraging not disappointing. I admire the fact that the kid still has his sanity and hasn't wavered much amidst all the losing by his...

Here are more notes and stats to ponder from the Orioles 4-2 loss to the Oakland A's Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. Not this time: After scoring 37 runs and batting .330 over the last six games, and after scoring 17 runs in the series vs. Washington, the O's were held to two runs on five hits by Oakland. The O's went 5 for 29 at bat with four doubles. The O's had the leadoff runner on base in seven of nine innings but left nine on base and went just 2 for 9 with runners...

Maybe it is time to give Gonzalez a few more games. Alberto Gonzalez went 4-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the first place Atlanta Braves and played a solid overall game to help the Nats snap a five-game skid. Gonzalez is a quality second baseman in the field. He works hard every day in batting practice and fielding drills and that translates to the field. With Ian Desmond struggling on defense, manager Jim Riggleman went with Cristian Guzman back at his familiar shortstop...

After Brian Matusz hit Daric Barton in the top of the fifth inning on Tuesday night, the O's Julio Lugo got plunked by Vin Mazzaro leading off the last of the fifth. Lugo said he didn't object to getting hit, but it was where the ball hit him that got him a bit hot after the play. "I didn't like that, it was too close to the head. If they want to hit me, hit me below the waist. Don't throw at people's heads. Don't throw high and in. "It was a crucial run (for us), but you know...

Brian Matusz turned in his ninth quality start of the season, but the bats bailed on him again. "If you just look at him pitch, you wouldn't think he's that young," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "He's got an idea. He knows what he wants to do on the mound, so when he needs to make good pitches, he's been able to make good pitches and get out of potentially big innings for the other club. He's been able to control the damage very well, so that was very nice. He's been doing that...

Luke Scott's second double of the night, a shot that cleared right fielder Gabe Gross' head, reduced Oakland's lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Gross had just replaced Rajai Davis in right. Scott's hit came after Nick Markakis doubled and Ty Wigginton swung at the next pitch and flied out. A fan sitting in front of the press box yelled, "Way to work the count!" Koji Uehara got into his first game since May 19 and allowed a leadoff double to Coco Crisp. Conor Jackson singled...

It looks like it's one lefty replacing another at Double-A Bowie. With Zach Britton moving up to Triple-A Norfolk, lefty Rick Zagone will move up and join the Baysox from Frederick to make Wednesday night's start for Bowie. Zagone is 5-6, 3.20 on the year with Frederick in 15 starts. He has pitched 78 2/3 innings, allowing 79 hits, including seven homers. He has walked 22 with 54 strikeouts and Carolina League hitters were batting .261 vs. him. Zagone, a sixth-round draft pick in 2008...

Triple-A third baseman Josh Bell has homered twice, including a grand slam, to raise his total to 10 on the season. He's driven in six runs. Chris Tillman has held Charlotte to one run and four hits over six innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He's thrown 87 pitches, 53 for strikes. Felix Pie is 3-for-4 with a run scored in his first game at Double-A Bowie. Chorye Spoone allowed three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, with four walks and six strikeouts. Mike Flacco is 2-for-3...