Orioles win at Detroit 5-2 on Tuesday night (June 18, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The O’s improved to 41-31 overall.

2.    The O’s won for the 18th time in 28 games.

The Positives:
1.    The O’s went 9-for-35 overall and 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position and totaled four walks.
     a.    Center fielder Adam Jones blasted a three-run homer (15).

     b.    Shortstop J.J. Hardy had a two-run homer (14) and two singles.

     c.    Right fielder Nick Markakis had three walks and a run.

     d.    Second baseman Ryan Flaherty had two singles.

     e.    20-year-old third baseman Manny Machado had a double, a single and a run and made two very nice defensive plays in the third and fourth innings.  He did get picked off and caught stealing second base in the top of the sixth inning and did commit a throwing error (5).

2.    Relievers Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
     a.    Johnson improved to 26-for-30 on saves this season.

The Negatives:
1.    Reliever Darren O’Day allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.

2.    First baseman Chris Davis went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    The O’s recalled pitcher Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk.  He allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, recording one strikeout versus five hits and three walks on 89 pitches.  He improved to 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA over two starts this season.

2.    Starter Jason Hammel is recovering a stomach virus.  

3.    The O’s placed starter Miguel Gonzalez on the paternity leave list.

4.    The O’s selected the contract of infielder Travis Ishikawa from Triple-A Norfolk.  He served as the DH and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

5.    The O’s designated infielder Yamaico (yuh-MY-koh) Navarro for assignment.

6.    Outfielder Nolan Reimold is on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

7.    Second baseman Brian Roberts is on the 60-day disabled list.  He underwent right hamstring surgery on May 9 and was expected to be out about six more weeks.

8.    Infielder Wilson Betemit (BEH-teh-meet) is on the 60-day disabled list with a right PCL tear.

9.    Starter Wei-Yin Chen (WAY-YIHN CHEHN) is on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.

10.    Reliever Steve Johnson is on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

11.    Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada (soo-YOH-shee WAH-duh) is at Triple-A Norfolk.  He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012, and has never pitched in an MLB game for the O's.

12.    Pitcher Jake Arrieta is at Triple-A Norfolk.

Nationals lose at Philadelphia 5-4 on Monday night (June 17, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The Nats fell to 34-35 overall.

2.    The Nats fell to 27-33 since their 7-2 start.

The Negatives:
1.    Starter Dan Haren allowed four runs in six innings, giving up seven hits and three walks versus three strikeouts on 115 pitches.  He now has a 5.72 ERA over 14 starts this season.

2.    Reliever Fernando Abad (fer-NAHN-doh uh-BAHD) faced five batters in the bottom of the ninth inning: single, fly out, single, strikeout, walk-off single.

3.    Phillies starter and ex-Nat John Lannan allowed two runs in five innings.
     a.    Rookie center fielder Jeff Kobernus (KOH-ber-niss) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

The Positives:
1.    The Nats went 9-for-35 overall and 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
     a.    First baseman Chad Tracy had a game-tying solo homer (3) in the top of the ninth inning.

     b.    Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had a double, a single, a hit-by-pitch and a run.

     c.    Left fielder Steve Lombardozzi had an RBI double, a single and a stolen base.

     d.    Catcher Kurt Suzuki had a double, a single and a run.  He did go 0-for-2 on runners trying to steal.

     e.    Right fielder Jayson Werth had an RBI single and an outfield assist.

      f.    Shortstop Ian Desmond had an RBI single.

2.    Rookie reliever Ian Krol tossed a perfect seventh inning.

3.    Reliever Tyler Clippard tossed a scoreless eighth inning, recording two strikeouts but also giving up two singles and a hit-by-pitch.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    Center fielder Denard Span did not play due to a sore right foot, which he fouled a ball off of during the 2-0 loss at Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

2.    Right fielder Bryce Harper is on the 15-day disabled list with left knee bursitis.  He did not play for a 19th consecutive game due to his troublesome left knee, which he aggravated on a nice sliding catch on a sinking liner with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth inning of a 2-1 10-inning win at San Francisco on May 22.  A visit to Dr. James Andrews on June 10 confirmed the diagnosis of bursitis.

3.    Catcher Wilson Ramos, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a re-strained left hamstring, suffered a setback on June 10, though the setback is not as severe as first thought.  He has played in just 14 games this season.

4.    Second baseman Danny Espinosa is on the 15-day disabled list with a right wrist fracture.  He’s also dealing with a torn left rotator cuff.  Espinosa is expected to go to the minors once he’s off the D.L.

5.    Reliever Ryan Mattheus is on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right hand.  The injury was suffered punching a locker in frustration on May 19, when he allowed five runs in the seventh inning on a double, three singles, two walks and a balk in a 13-4 loss at San Diego.

6.    Pitcher Christian Garcia is on the 60-Day disabled list with a right-forearm tendon injury.

Orioles lose at Detroit 5-1 on Monday night (June 17, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The O’s fell to 40-31 overall.

The Negatives:
1.    The O’s went just 7-for-34 overall and just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, struck out 13 times and totaled just two walks.
     a.    Tigers starter Max Scherzer allowed one run in six innings, recording 10 strikeouts and improving to 10-0.

     b.    DH Chris Dickerson went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

     c.    20-year-old third baseman Manny Machado went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

The Positives:
1.    First baseman Chris Davis had a solo homer (24) and a single.  He did strike out twice.

2.    Reliever Troy Patton tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

3.    Reliever Pedro Strop tossed a scoreless eighth inning, recording two strikeouts.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    The O’s optioned Jake Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk after the game.  He struggled in this spot start: five runs in 4 2/3 innings on 10 hits, a walk and a wild pitch versus three strikeouts on 82 pitches.  He fell to 1-2 with a 7.23 ERA over five starts this season.    

2.    Starter Jason Hammel is recovering a stomach virus.  He did not make his scheduled start in this game and is not expected to start Tuesday’s Game 2 at the Tigers at 7:08 p.m. on ESPN 980.  The O’s are expected to bring-up Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk.

3.    Outfielder Nolan Reimold is on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

4.    Second baseman Brian Roberts is on the 60-day disabled list.  He underwent right hamstring surgery on May 9 and was expected to be out about six more weeks.

5.    Infielder Wilson Betemit (BEH-teh-meet) is on the 60-day disabled list with a right PCL tear.

6.    Starter Wei-Yin Chen (WAY-YIHN CHEHN) is on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.

7.    Reliever Steve Johnson is on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

8.    Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada (soo-YOH-shee WAH-duh) is at Triple-A Norfolk.  He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012, and has never pitched in an MLB game for the O's.

Nationals lose at Cleveland 2-0 on Sunday afternoon (June 16, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The Nats fell to 34-34 overall.

2.    The Nats fell to 27-32 since their 7-2 start.

The Negatives:
1.    The Nats went just 7-for-32 overall and just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and totaled just one walk.
     a.    DH Ryan Zimmerman, first baseman Adam LaRoche, shortstop Ian Desmond, third baseman Chad Tracy, catcher Jhonatan (JAH-nuh-tihn) Solano and left fielder Roger Bernadina went a combined 0-for-19 with six strikeouts and a hit-by-pitch.

2.    Reliever Craig Stammen allowed a run in two innings.

The Positives:
1.    Rookie second baseman/third baseman Anthony Rendon had a double and two singles.

2.    Right fielder Jayson Werth had a double, a single and a walk.

3.    Reliever Fernando Abad (fer-NAHN-doh uh-BAHD) tossed a scoreless sixth inning.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    The Nats reinstated starter Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list, which he had been on with a right lat strain since June 6.  Strasburg allowed one run in five innings, recording four strikeouts versus a hit and four walks on 82 pitches.  He fell to 3-6 with a 2.50 ERA over 13 starts.

2.    The Nats optioned reliever Xavier Cedeno to Triple-A Syracuse.

3.    Right fielder Bryce Harper is on the 15-day disabled list with left knee bursitis.  He did not play for an 18th consecutive game due to his troublesome left knee, which he aggravated on a nice sliding catch on a sinking liner with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth inning of a 2-1 10-inning win at San Francisco on May 22.  A visit to Dr. James Andrews on June 10 confirmed the diagnosis of bursitis.

4.    Catcher Wilson Ramos, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a re-strained left hamstring, suffered a setback on June 10, though the setback is not as severe as first thought.  He has played in just 14 games this season.

5.    Second baseman Danny Espinosa is on the 15-day disabled list with a right wrist fracture.  He’s also dealing with a torn left rotator cuff.  Espinosa is expected to go to the minors once he’s off the D.L.

6.    Reliever Ryan Mattheus is on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right hand.  The injury was suffered punching a locker in frustration on May 19, when he allowed five runs in the seventh inning on a double, three singles, two walks and a balk in a 13-4 loss at San Diego.

7.    Pitcher Christian Garcia is on the 60-Day disabled list with a right-forearm tendon injury.

Orioles beat Boston 6-3 on Sunday afternoon (June 16, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The O’s improved to 40-30 overall.

2.    The O’s won for the 17th time in 26 games.

The Positives:
1.    The O’s went 14-for-37 overall and 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
     a.    Right fielder Nick Markakis had two doubles, two singles and three runs.

     b.    First baseman Chris Davis had a two-run homer (23) and an RBI double.  He did strike out twice.

     c.    20-year-old third baseman Manny Machado had an RBI single, a double and a run.  He did commit an error (4).

     d.    Center fielder Adam Jones had an RBI double, another double and a run.  He did strike out twice.

     e.    DH Danny Valencia had two singles.

2.    Relievers Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
     a.    Johnson improved to 25-for-29 on saves this season.

3.    Starter Miguel Gonzalez allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings on five hits (including a three-run homer) and two walks versus two strikeouts on 96 pitches.  He improved to 5-2 with a 3.75 ERA over 12 starts this season.

The Negatives:
1.    The O’s totaled no walks and struck out 11 times.
     a.    Left fielder Steve Pearce went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

     b.    Second baseman Alexi Casilla went 0-for-4.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    Outfielder Nolan Reimold is on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

2.    Second baseman Brian Roberts is on the 60-day disabled list.  He underwent right hamstring surgery on May 9 and was expected to be out about six more weeks.

3.    Infielder Wilson Betemit (BEH-teh-meet) is on the 60-day disabled list with a right PCL tear.

4.    Starter Wei-Yin Chen (WAY-YIHN CHEHN) is on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.

5.    Reliever Steve Johnson is on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

6.    Pitcher Zach Britton is at Triple-A Norfolk.

7.    Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada (soo-YOH-shee WAH-duh) is at Triple-A Norfolk.  He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012, and has never pitched in an MLB game for the O's.

Nationals win at Cleveland 7-6 on Saturday night (June 15, 2013).

The Facts:
1.    The Nats improved to 34-33 overall.

The Positives:
1.    The Nats totaled five solo homers and five walks.
     a.    Rookie second baseman Anthony Rendon had a go-ahead solo homer (1) in the ninth inning.  The at-bat was extended thanks to an error by Indians first baseman Nick Swisher, who lost a popup in foul territory.  Rendon also had a double and a single and finished with two runs.

     b.    Right fielder Jayson Werth had a solo homer (6), a single and a walk.

     c.    DH Chad Tracy had a game-tying pinch solo homer (2) in the eighth inning.

     d.    Shortstop Ian Desmond had a solo homer (9), a walk and a stolen base.

     e.    Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had a solo homer (8) and a walk and finished with two runs.  He did strike out twice.

2.    Relievers Craig Stammen, Ian Krol, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano combined for four scoreless innings, recording six strikeouts versus one hit and two walks.
     a.    The rookie Krol tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings, recording three strikeouts.

     b.    Soriano improved to 18-for-21 on saves this season.

The Negatives:
1.    Starter Jordan Zimmermann allowed six runs in five innings, giving up eight hits (including back-to-back two-out solo homers in the bottom of the fourth inning) and a walk on 88 pitches.  He did record six strikeouts.  Zimmermann now has a 2.44 ERA over 14 starts this season.

2.    The Nats went just 8-for-34 overall and 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
     a.    Center fielder Denard Span went 0-for-5.

Injury/Roster/Absence Update:
1.    Starter Stephen Strasburg has been cleared to start Sunday’s Game 3 at Cleveland at 1:05 p.m.  He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right lat strain on June 6.  Strasburg left the May 31 3-2 win at Atlanta after two innings with what was labeled a strained right oblique.

2.    Right fielder Bryce Harper is on the 15-day disabled list with left knee bursitis.  He did not play for a 17th consecutive game due to his troublesome left knee, which he aggravated on a nice sliding catch on a sinking liner with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth inning of a 2-1 10-inning win at San Francisco on May 22.  A visit to Dr. James Andrews on June 10 confirmed the diagnosis of bursitis.

3.    Catcher Wilson Ramos, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a re-strained left hamstring, suffered a setback on June 10, though the setback is not as severe as first thought.  He has played in just 14 games this season.

4.    Second baseman Danny Espinosa is on the 15-day disabled list with a right wrist fracture.  He’s also dealing with a torn left rotator cuff.  Espinosa is expected to go to the minors once he’s off the D.L.

5.    Reliever Ryan Mattheus is on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right hand.  The injury was suffered punching a locker in frustration on May 19, when he allowed five runs in the seventh inning on a double, three singles, two walks and a balk in a 13-4 loss at San Diego.

6.    Pitcher Christian Garcia is on the 60-Day disabled list with a right-forearm tendon injury.