Adam Jones hit his daily homer today in the last of the fourth. Okay, he hasn't hit one every day, it just seems that way lately. He hit a 1-2 pitch out to left center to give the O's their first run of the game. His blast traveled 382 feet. Jones has now hit three homers over his last four games, four in seven games and five over the last 10 contests. Jones homers, 2010 season: April & May: 5 HR in 207 at bats June: 7 in 87 at bats Of his 12 homers on the year, four have been hit at...

Adam Jones hit home run No. 12 in the fourth inning to reduce Washington's lead to 5-1. Left fielder Josh Willingham stumbled as he approached the fence and couldn't jump for the ball. Jones has hit safely in seven straight games (five multi-hit games) and 16 of his last 19. He was batting .347 in his last 18. Jones has six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games. Brad Bergesen is gone after four innings and 72 pitches. He's charged with five runs and six hits, with two walks and no...

When Brad Bergesen walked the number nine hitter leading off the top of the third, that was not a good start to the inning. An out later, he hit a batter. Bergesen had to throw 29 pitches as the Nats scored four runs on four hits off him in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Two more Washington runs and the O's will have them right where they want them. Bergesen is clearly not sharp, nor does he have his usual sink it doesn't look like. He has thrown 65 pitches in the first three...

The Orioles wasted consecutive singles by Corey Patterson and Miguel Tejada in the first inning. Livan Hernandez escaped the jam by retiring Nick Markakis on a fly ball, striking out Luke Scott and inducing a ground ball from Adam Jones. How appropriate that Hernandez is starting today, since he also pitched against the 1970 Orioles. The last three members of the '70 Orioles who were introduced to fans today: 3. Brooks 2. Frank 1. Earl Would you move Brooks behind Frank or keep it this...

Having grown up in Anne Arundel County, a kid whose mood was dictated by the Orioles' score, I can't quite describe what it's like, this many years later, to turn my head and see Brooks Robinson, Paul Blair and Davey Johnson walking toward me. Or to have Brooks shake my hand as if we're old friends. Earl Weaver also walked past. So did Frank Robinson, Boog Powell and Jim Palmer in the next wave, all of them headed inside the auxiliary clubhouse for today's 40th anniversary celebration...

When reminded today about the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1970 World Series winning Orioles, manager Juan Samuel thought for a second. "Let's see, in the 70's I was in the Dominican and probably with no TV," he laughed. He realizes that today provides a link to a glorious past of Orioles baseball and hopes that is not lost on some of the players in his own clubhouse. "It's nice to see those guys come back. For our players to see those guys and I hope they get a chance to...

Interim manager Juan Samuel doesn't know how many starts Brad Bergesen will receive in the right-hander's latest return to the club, but he doesn't want today's outing to be viewed as an audition. "We sent him down to get some things straightened out," Samuel said, "and hopefully he'll do a good job for us today." We know what Bergesen needs to be successful - an effective sinker. When the ball's up, so is his ERA. "Whether he needs to get his fingers on top of the ball a little...

After his back began to tighten up late in the game here on Thursday, O's home run leader Ty Wigginton sat out of last night's game and is not in the starting lineup today either. Wigginton says the injury remains minor and we could see him at some point in today's game. "It's improving. I should be available to pinch hit if they need me. "Absolutely (I feel progress from yesterday). It was never to the point where I was overly worried about it." Interim manager Juan Samuel...

The Orioles made today's roster move official by placing outfielder Lou Montanez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 21, with a strained left oblique. Montanez batted .140 in 26 games, but interim manager Juan Samuel said the outfielder is talented enough to play in the majors - primarily because he doesn't lack in confidence. "He knows he's good," Samuel said, smiling. "He'll tell you he's good." It's a lot harder to prove it when you go long stretches without...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Scott Moore 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP For the Nationals: Morgan CF Guzman DH Zimmerman 3B Dunn 1B Willingham LF Rodriguez C Bernandino RF Kennedy 2B Desmond SS Hernandez RHP