SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Fox just unloaded on Andy Sonnanstine, figuring that the Rays' starter is fair game today. Fox, batting ninth today, homered to left-center field on the first pitch thrown to him. Orioles 5, Rays 0. Matt Wieters flied to left before Fox stepped to the plate. Fox is starting at first base today. He's trying to make the club as the backup catcher or second utility infielder. Just as I was going to send this entry, Nick Markakis launched his second home run in two...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I almost forgot that a game was being played today. Brian Roberts singled off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine in his first spring at-bat, and Nick Markakis followed with a home run to right field on a 1-1 pitch. One out later, Vladimir Guerrero crushed the first pitch thrown to him. The ball cleared the left-center field fence in about three seconds. Orioles 3, Rays 0. Update: Adam Jones just cleared the seats in the party deck beyond the left field fence. That's three...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee took batting practice for the third straight day as he draws closer to playing in his first exhibition game. Lee can't pinpoint when he'll debut for the Orioles, but his surgically repaired right thumb is responding well to the BP sessions and fielding drills. "Hopefully soon," he said. "Today was the third day in a row hitting off coaches and it's still feeling good. I don't see a reason to keep delaying it. I'm still going to be cautious, but I'm...

SARASOTA, Fla. - A light rain is falling at the newly refurbished Ed Smith Stadium as the Orioles take batting practice. Not a drop the entire time we've been here until today. Naturally. Manager Buck Showalter hasn't provided an exact date when first baseman Derrek Lee will make his Orioles' debut in an exhibition game. He's mostly leaving it up to Lee, who continues to take batting practice and participate in fielding drills. "I don't think anything's imminent," Showalter said....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer remains encouraged by the condition of his left hip this morning. "Everything was OK yesterday," he said. "It's one of those weird things where guys who have surgery and come back might have a day or two where they just feel concerned, worried. So far, since the other day, everything's felt fine. I threw off flat ground, and they have a half mound, and everything was fine. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping it was just a one-day cranky...

As Brandon Erbe continues to progress from his surgery last August to repair a torn labrum, he can turn to Chorye Spoone for advice. A fellow Maryland native, Spoone had shoulder surgery in September 2008 and has pretty much made a full recovery after pitching 132 innings last summer for Double-A Bowie. "I told him there will be days when you feel like something is hurt in your arm and it hurts to throw, like during your throwing program," Spoone said. "But you need to realize that the...

Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard has taken to Twitter to poll fans on his entrance song for this season. Though Clippard hasn't started tweeting yet, teammate Drew Storen is spreading the word on his Twitter account and encouraging fans to vote in the poll. Your choices: The beloved "Peaches" tune by Presidents of the U.S.A., which Clippard used last season, or The Fugees' classic, "Ready Or Not." Fans can vote here.

In the past few years, I've posted my recommendations for travelers heading to sunny Viera, Fla. More recently, MASNsports.com's Ben Goessling offered his suggestions, too (good reading because he's the spring training pro). But I want to hear from you. Many of you have been to Nationals spring training many times. Some of you have already returned from your first trip this season. Where do you like to go? What are your favorite restaurants? Are there any can't-miss attractions that we...

BRADENTON, Fla. - With the wind blowing out to left field today, and lifting up a few houses, manager Buck Showalter had to be pleased with his pitchers. They allowed four runs, the last two on Miles Durham's homer off Josh Rupe in the bottom of the ninth that produced two unearned runs. Lyle Overbay homered off left-hander Clay Rapada in the fifth inning. "Rapada had as good an inning as anybody and gave up (a home run)," manager Buck Showalter said. "You've got to look at the...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer has a lot to learn about being shut down for 48 hours. After playing catch yesterday, Duchscherer threw off flat ground, a flat mound and a half mound this morning in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter stayed back to watch before heading to Bradenton for the Orioles' 6-4 victory over the Pirates. Showalter said that Duchscherer was throwing with "some hops" on the half mound and didn't have any discomfort in his left hip. Duchscherer will take off...