SAN FRANCISCO – Don’t look now, but the Nationals have won 10 of their last 17. They’re 15-20 overall. They’re one game behind the Phillies, 1 1/2 games behind the Marlins, two games behind the Mets. Sure, it’s still early May, and there’s a whole lot that can still go wrong (or right), but this is unquestionably a better position than almost anyon

As the Orioles continue a stretch of games against some of MLB’s best teams tonight, hosting Tampa Bay in game two of a three-game series, they look for continued strong starting pitching. O’s starting pitchers have an ERA of 5.31 for the year, ranking 11th in the American League. And their eight quality starts also ranks 11th in the AL, well behin

Left-hander Drew Rom was sitting on the balcony of his hotel room last night in Jacksonville at around 10:45 p.m., gazing at the river and relaxing, when Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton called with news that he’d need to pack his bags and board a flight to Baltimore in the morning. The Orioles decided to option Keegan Akin and recall Rom, who

Manager Brandon Hyde said Gunnar Henderson will see a lot of time at third base after Ramón Urías went on the injured list today with a strained left hamstring. Henderson is at third tonight and batting seventh as the Orioles try to even their series with Tampa Bay. Urías sustained the injury last night in the ninth inning while running to first ba

The Orioles shook up their roster this afternoon, and the moves weren’t tied only to Ramón Urías’ left hamstring strain. Urías was placed on the 10-day injured list as expected, but the club also optioned reliever Keegan Akin and designated catcher Luis Torrens for assignment before he could appear in a game. Left-hander Drew Rom, infielder/outfiel

SAN FRANCISCO – Hits are coming in bunches for Luis García right now. The Nationals will happily take them from their young second baseman. With a 2-for-5 showing Monday night during the Nats’ 5-1 win over the Giants, García continued a torrid week at the plate. He’s now 10-for-18 on this West Coast road trip, having produced multiple hits in each

We are going to need to see much more over the next few weeks of this grueling stretch for the Orioles in their May schedule. Much more to know how they truly stack up against good teams. We do know that since scoring nine runs on Friday night – and seven came in one inning – they have scored just six runs in the last three games and the Orioles ha

Yennier Cano received two days off after working two innings Thursday afternoon in Kansas City. He wasn’t available last night after retiring all six batters he faced Sunday in Atlanta. The temptation to use him anyway must be strong, simply because he’s become one of the top relievers in baseball. Just how good? The examples are numerous and widel

SAN FRANCISCO – Jake Irvin took the mound at Oracle Park tonight, already the proud recipient of a five-run lead thanks to a sudden barrage of hits from his teammates in the top of the first, and went to work. With a purpose. Irvin worked fast. He threw strikes. He changed speeds. He bounced off the mound every time he recorded a strikeout or induc

SAN FRANCISCO – Victor Robles officially went on the 10-day injured list with back spasms today, leaving the Nationals without their starting center fielder and leaving the club with only three true outfielders for now. Robles hurt himself sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt Saturday night in Arizona. He sat out Sunday’s game, and bec