The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmermann will make his 2010 debut in tonight's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. The 24-year-old has not pitched in the big leagues since July 18, 2009, prior to having season-ending "Tommy John" ligament-replacement surgery on August 19, 2009....

A victory tonight in Chicago would give the Orioles their fourth series win in seven series since Buck Showalter took over as manager on Aug. 3. The Orioles won just four of their first 34 series this year. The Orioles are 1-9 in games that decide the winner of a three-game series, including 0-4 on the road. Their only win came May 13 against Seattle. Jake Arrieta has posted a 3.29 ERA in two starts on five days rest, as opposed to a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts on four days rest. He's pitching on...

O's pitching prospect Zach Britton made his 10th start for Norfolk last night and pitched well. Now the question is when and where will his next start be and will he be an O's September callup? In an interview with Britton this afternoon, he mentioned that the day of his next start has not been set and he didn't think it would be next Monday, August 30th, his next scheduled day to pitch. That leads me to wonder if the Orioles are considering pushing that next Britton start back two days...

The Orioles' starting staff has given up 10 home runs in their last 12 games, and Kevin Millwood has been victimized this season, giving up a staff-high 26 home runs in 2010. Jim asked pitching coach Rick Kranitz about the amount of home runs that the O's staff has given up this season, and Kranitz said that pitch selection and execution are paramount to cutting down on home runs. For the full interview, watch the video below.

Following tonight's game, the Washington Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Collin Balester to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Balester, 24, is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in six relief appearances this season with Washington.

The Orioles gained a game on the Yankees last night. You can look it up. Take full advantage of them while A-Rod is gone. Brian Matusz doesn't look like a young pitcher needs to be shut down in September. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts and has posted a 2.32 ERA this month. I'm still wondering how the rotation will look over the final weeks of the season. The Orioles don't seem eager to add an extra starter, especially with two veterans who prefer...

In game one of the series in Chicago, the Orioles scored five runs on 11 hits. They lost. Last night they had four runs on just seven hits. They won. Yes, it's pretty much about the pitching and almost always about the starting pitching. Grow the arms. Produce the arms. Trade for the arms. Sign the arms. However they get them, and the O's are starting to produce some of their own, as we all know, stockpiling quality arms will be the key to future success. When the O's went 8-1...

Luke Scott has been prone to slumps since he's been with the Orioles. But this season, Scott has been more consistent at the plate. Jim asks Scott what could be behind his improved consistency and if there's been a change in his swing. Scott talks about his approach and the reason for the amount of home runs he's hit this year. Watch the video below for the entire interview.

The Nationals have lost four straight and seven of their last nine games. During most of this streak, first baseman Adam Dunn has had a cold spell at the plate. Since hitting two homers against the Dodgers August 6, Dunn has gone 7-for-58 (.121), including 0-4 Wednesday with three strikeouts. His last at bat was the most promising, however, when he cranked a deep shot that was caught in right field off of Carlos Marmol to end the game. Manager Jim Riggleman said he spoke with Dunn...

Koji Uehara hasn't been named the closer, but he worked the ninth inning again in a save situation. It was as hairy as his sideburns. Uehara got the first two outs before giving up back-to-back hits, including Carlos Quentin's triple that drove Corey Patterson into the fence and reduced the lead to 4-2. Uehara struck out A.J. Pierzynski to end the game and notch his second North American save, but he's not the closer. That's a dirty word in this town. He's just the latest guy to pitch...