Following tonight's 7-2 loss at Great American Ball Park, the Washington Nationals optioned outfielder Justin Maxwell to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Maxwell, 26, has 14 walks and a .340 on-base percentage in 24 games with the Nationals this season. He is 4-for-38 (.105) with one double, one home run, three RBI and three stolen bases.

Here are some comments from the clubhouse after Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Tampa. Brad Bergesen talked about his outing, after he gave up five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings: "It was a tough outing, just one of those where I battled and tried to keep the team in it. The (seven) strikeouts were irrelevant. Compared to the hits today, it was kind of a hot and cold day. Didn't make good execution pitches when I needed to, with two strikes and that's what really hurt me today. "My...

The Orioles announced after today's game that they have optioned LHP Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk. Patton was recalled before today's game against Tampa Bay but did not pitch. He is 6-9 with a 4.91 ERA (99.0IP, 54ER) in 18 starts for the Tides this season. A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to tomorrow's game against Minnesota.

That didn't take long. The Orioles optioned Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk after today's game, making room for Kevin Millwood on the 25-man roster. Patton came here as bullpen insurance and didn't pitch. At least he got to see the inside of the Camden Yards clubhouse. Interim manager Juan Samuel pointed to two key plays in today's game that cost the Orioles. Juan Samuel talks with the media after the O's 5-4 loss to the Rays Miguel Tejada fielded Jason Barlett's ground ball with...

A day after becoming the only team in the Majors this year to win when trailing in the ninth inning and in extra innings in the same game, the O's lost the third and deciding game of their series with Tampa, 5-4, on Wednesday afternoon at the Yard. The O's fell behind 4-0 in the third, rallied to tie it at 4-4 by the fifth, only to see Tampa move back in front on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth. Losing pitcher Brad Bergesen allowed five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3. Bergesen falls to...

The Orioles put the tying run on base with one out in the eighth inning when Ty Wigginton doubled off Tampa Bay right-hander Joaquin Benoit. Then it went bad. Pinch-runner Scott Moore broke for third on Adam Jones' routine grounder to short, and he was an easy out. So much for having a runner in scoring position. Interim manager Juan Samuel decided to pinch-hit for Jake Fox, who had an RBI double today. Felix Pie struck out to end the inning. Rays 5, Orioles 4. Julio Lugo and Cesar...

It's shaping up to be a big week for Jason Berken in Birdland and beyond. First, he gets a T-shirt Tuesday at Oriole Park; now a player appearance at the new Sports Clips in White Marsh. Berken will sign autographs at the new Sports Clips location at the Avenue at White Marsh from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. The Oriole Bird and former O's Scott McGregor, Rick Dempsey, and Dave Johnson will join Berken Thursday afternoon as well. The group of O's will help to celebrate the...

Brad Bergesen allows five runs, all earned, over 5 1/3 innings today here at Camden Yards. Bergesen has now allowed 4 ER or more in 11 of his 15 Major League starts on the season. He has allowed 4 ER or more in seven of his last eight starts. Last year he allowed 4 ER or more in just five of his 19 starts all season. So it happened in 26.3 percent of his starts in 2009 and has happened in 73.3 percent of his starts this year. Of course it makes one wonder if this is just more than a...

Brad Bergesen must hope for a no-decision on a day when he gutted out 5 1/3 innings and clearly lacked his quality stuff. Bergesen is charged with five runs and nine hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts. He left with the score tied, 4-4, but Jason Berken walked Evan Longoria with the bases loaded to force in a run. Bergesen threw 104 pitches, 65 for strikes. Not the most economical start of his career. In his last five starts, Bergesen has surrendered 21 runs and 40 hits in 29...

Ty Wigginton has homered in two straight games, his two-run shot today in the fourth inning reducing Tampa Bay's lead to 4-2. Wigginton has passed Adam Jones for the team lead in home runs with 16. Are the Texas Rangers paying attention? Any other teams? He's heating up again at the right time. Jones followed with a single. He's hit safely in 31 of his last 39 games. Jake Fox doubled to score Jones. The Rays' lead is down to 4-3. Don't grow too attached to Troy Patton. Interim...