It's such a shame that the Orioles have turned me into one of those guys who sits there wondering how they're going to lose a game. It would be a crying shame, but I don't want you to see me cry. I thought David Hernandez's rising pitch count would pose a serious problem. I envisioned how he'd run into trouble, Will Ohman would be removed too soon and Alfredo Simon would take a two-run lead into the ninth, which he did, though I anticipated a 4-2 score instead of 5-3. I didn't think it...

That winless streak is over for David Hernandez. He picks up his win since August 11, 2009 as the Orioles beat the Nationals 5-3 Friday night to start a weekend series at Nats Park. Hernandez gave up just one hit and one run over 5 1/3 and is 1-5, 5.31. He had gone 16 starts since that last win. Alfredo Simon picked up his sixth save in the ninth. He got Ryan Zimmerman to fly out with a man on to end it. The Orioles moved out to a 4-0 lead after three innings and later weathered a Nats'...

Looking for his first win since August 11, 2009, David Hernandez pitched a very good game tonight in Washington and is now out of the game. Hernandez allowed just one run and one hit over 5 1/3 innings. He did walk five with three strikeouts, throwing 105 pitches, 59 strikes. He lowered his ERA to 5.31. Hernandez pitched no-hit ball through 4 2/3 until pitcher Miguel Batista hit a ground ball single to center. The O's lead the Nats 4-1 in the seventh. Hernandez pitched for the first time...

David Hernandez might have to throw 200 pitches tonight if he wants a no-hitter. Hernandez has made it through four innings without surrendering a hit, but his pitch count is up to 78. He's walked three batters and gone to a few three-ball counts. I'm just doing the math, which isn't my strength, and I see a potential problem here. Craig Tatum is starting tonight because Matt Wieters has a sore right knee. He's 2-for-3 with a two-run single in the third inning. Tatum was 5-for-6 in his...

Game 2 Saturday afternoon at Nats Park features the Nationals righthander Craig Stammen against the Orioles righthander Brad Bergesen (3-3, 5.45). Stammen is coming off a bad first inning against the Cardinals on Monday night where he allowed four runs, but then he settled down, not allowing another run for his final five innings of work. I asked Craig about how he recovered from that rough start to the game at St. Louis: "Yes, it was one of those innings where I got two quick outs and...

Adam Jones has come out of the game in the last of the fourth in Washington. Lou Montanez entered in left field while Corey Patterson moved into center. Jones is one for one in the game with a two-run homer and walk. MASN's Amber Theoharis reports Jones left the game due to leg cramps.

Craig Tatum, who is subbing for Matt Wieters tonight with Wieters out after fouling a ball off his right knee last night, has come up big early in the game at Nats Park. Tatum is two for two and just delivered a clutch, two-out, bases-loaded single for two RBI in the third that gave the O's a 4-0 lead. In the top of the second, Adam Jones hit a two-run homer to right center for a 2-0 O's edge. It was Jones fourth homer of the year and ended a 23-game homerless stretch dating back to April...

Here is a recap of some minor league roster moves made today on the O's farm: With Scott Moore's contract selected by the Orioles, Justin Turner was designated for assignment to make 40-man roster room for Moore. To replace that pair on Norfolk's roster, pitcher Chris George was activated off the disabled list and is starting for Norfolk tonight and Paco Figueroa was added off Aberdeen's roster. Miguel Abreu, who was batting just .198 in 33 games at Bowie, was transferred to Frederick. ...

Catcher Matt Wieters fouled a ball off his right knee last night and isn't in tonight's lineup. He also isn't available to pinch hit, according to manager Dave Trembley. That's one more issue for Trembley, who has a desk full of them right now. MASN's Amber Theoharis tells me that X-rays taken on Wieters knee came back negative and he's hoping to get back in the lineup tomorrow afternoon. He's just too sore to play tonight. The Orioles have 10 days to trade, release or request waivers...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Ty Wigginton 2B Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP For the Nationals: Willie Harris RF Cristian Guzman 2B Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam Dunn 1B Josh Willingham LF Ivan Rodriguez C Roger Bernadina CF Ian Desmond SS Scott Olsen LHP I received a text message earlier today from reliever Mike Gonzalez, saying that his arm felt good after yesterday's extended spring training game and he's...