The Nationals played a complete baseball game Thursday on getaway day, dropping the Phillies 6-5 for their first win of the season. Ryan Zimmerman with two doubles, including a blooper down the right field line for the go ahead run in the 7th, Willie Harris smacked a 2-run shot and Nyjer Morgan ignited a 3-run rally to begin the game with a big triple for the offense to put up 6 runs. And there it was: the opportunity the Nats had been looking for since the first game of the series. A 6-5...

The Orioles have knocked Tampa's starter out early - but not in the usual fashion. Rays starter Jeff Niemann left tonight's game in the top of the second after getting hit high on the right shoulder by a Miguel Tejada liner. The ball was hit so hard it deflected on the fly right to the first baseman. You could see the concern on Tejada's face as the Rays trainer looked at Niemann, who thew a few warm-up pitches, then left the game. He had retired the first four hitters when he was...

From time to time, Tim Chambers, baseball coach and athletic director at College of Southern Nevada checks in to give us an update on 17-year old catcher/outfielder sensation Bryce Harper. Harper is eligible for the June amateur draft in which the Nationals again hold the number one overall selection. The Coyotes are doing very well this season at 30-6 and lead the Scenic West conference. The Coyotes welcome in Southern Idaho for a pair of doubleheaders Friday and Saturday. Bryce...

Manager Dave Trembley will write Brian Roberts' name in the lineup again tomorrow for the home opener. Roberts told Trembley that he wanted to play tonight and is ready to go. Look for him to sit during one of the weekend games. Roberts is 0-for-10 after two games. "He's had some good at-bats, seen a lot of pitches, fouled off a lot of pitches, worked the count," Trembley said. "The hits haven't fallen in for him. I'm sure he's not where he wants to be, simply because he didn't...

So you say you are not impressed by the Orioles' offense so far? Not much to speak of to date. Six runs on 17 hits and a team average of .239. They are just 3 for 21, that's .143, with runners in scoring position. I didn't drink any cool-aid today, lots of water though. But I see some good signs from this offense. For one, if he is healthy, it won't be long before Brian Roberts starts spraying hits. He is 0 for 10 which just means he's due for some hits. Sure, it's still his...

Reliever Jim Johnson threw in the bullpen today and pronounced himself ready to pitch. "Everything went fine," he said."My arm feels good. I'll be in there." Johnson had some swelling in his right elbow caused by a slight muscle strain. "It's something I haven't really had before," he said. "It's just muscular, nothing with a ligament. The meds and ice worked. Pretty much Advil and ice. So we're good." Outfielder Felix Pie will attempt to throw today and is available to...

Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Julio Lugo SS Brian Matusz LHP

Oregon native Brian Bruney was very young when his uncle Mike first started taking him to the Kingdome in Seattle to watch Mariners games. His uncle lived in Portland and together they'd make the three hour trek north to watch Mariners games during the late 80's and early 90's. "I used to kid Alex [Rodriguez] in New York that when I was kid going to Mariners games, he'd never give me an autograph," Bruney said. Though he couldn't remember the specific opponent of that first game,...

While prepping for tonight's MASN broadcast, I'll also need to check on left fielder Felix Pie and find out whether he's close to getting back in the lineup. We haven't seen one posted up here in the press box, so I'll have to wait until the clubhouse opens to the media at 3:40 p.m. If Pie isn't in left tonight, and it would be a shocker if his shoulder allowed it, Nolan Reimold or Luke Scott figure to take his place. Reimold couldn't get to two balls in the gap last night, but I...

Here are the season-opening starting rotaitons for the Orioles four full-season minor league clubs. The pitchers are listed as they will work from first through fifth. Those listed first are this evening's opening night starters. Norfolk: Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Alfredo Simon, Troy Patton and Brandon Erbe. Bowie: Zach Britton, Steve Johnson, Chorye Spoone, Ryohei Tanaka and Tim Bascom. Frederick: Rick Zagone, Ryan O'Shea, Nate Nery, Cole McCurry and Oliver Drake. Delmarva: Ryan...