Well, I had a good time, but didn't bring the Keys any luck tonight. The final was Winston-Salem 3, Frederick 0. Three Dash pitchers held the Keys to eight hits. This was the third time this year the Keys had a four-game win streak, but could not make it five in a row. They are still looking for their first five-game win streak since August of 2006. The Keys had scored 28 runs during the win streak. Xavier Avery, L.J. Hoes and Joe Mahoney each went 2 for 4. Avery is 8 for 18 over his...

Rick Zagone is out of the game here in Frederick as Winston-Salem leads the Keys 3-0 after seven innings. Sean Gleason is on to start the eighth. Zagone tonight: 7IP, 9H, 3R-ER, 0B, 6K......82 pitches, 57 for strikes. It seems the Keys, who are second in the league in runs, have not scored much for him this year and he could fall to 0-3 tonight. Winston-Salem starter Justin Edwards pitched six scoreless innings and Dash SS Brandon Short had a single in the 4th to extend his hitting streak...

In a briskly played first three innings tonight at Harry Grove Stadium, Frederick and Winston-Salem are 0-0. Keys lefty Rick Zagone has pitched shutout ball on just one hit through the first three frames. After giving up a hit to the second hitter of the opening frame, he got a double-play ball. Zagone, who began the night 0-2, 3.65, has retired the last seven batters and has thrown just 30 pitches through three. He is pitching vs. a Winston Salem team that leads the league with a batting...

Well, for one night I get to cover a first-place team. I have had a chance to talk with several Keys players today in addition to a long conversation with Keys manager Orlando Gomez and roving hitting coach Denny Walling who is here today. Over the next few days I'll throw some quotes your way. But it sure seems like this Frederick team is playing to some rave reviews here. They are winning and seem to have a solid chemistry and work ethic. I had yet another long interview with Billy...

College of Southern Nevada baseball coach Tim Chambers told me that he has "absolutely not" been offered a job with the Nats. Tim said he called the Nats Assistant General Manager Roy Clark last night and they joked about how the media frenzy with him and the interest in his player, Bryce Harper, most likely fueled this type of speculation. "I was a 'bird-dog' while Roy was with the Atlanta Braves. As a matter of fact, when Clark left the Braves, the team sent me a letter that I was no...

The Orioles have optioned left-hander Alberto Castillo to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow. That would be Koji Uehara. Castillo was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in six games. He got off to a fine start and looked like he might stick around for a while, but that Norfolk shuttle always seems to be calling. Uehara is expected to come off the disabled list and join the team in Minnesota. He turned in four scoreless appearances on his injury rehab assignment at Double-A...

We know Ty Wigginton won't be going down to Triple-A Norfolk. Wigginton belted his ninth home run of the season in the top of the eighth inning, a two-run shot off Yankees reliever Sergio Mitre that landed in the second deck in left field and cut the deficit to 6-3. Too little, too late? That's my guess, but we'll find out. Instant update: It's now 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth. I'll continue to trust my instincts. Interesting comments today from president of baseball operations...

Orioles starter David Hernandez has surrendered bases-empty home runs to Nick Johnson and Nick Swisher in the first two innings. Maybe that's a good sign for Nick Markakis. The Yankees tacked on another run in the third, but Lou Montanez cut down Johnson at the plate. I hate having the feeling that this game is already over, but with Andy Pettitte on the mound, I'm not exactly brimming with confidence. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz was tossed from the game for arguing balls and strikes from...

Sorry to be late with this information, but I sent along an entry earlier today that didn't post. Now that I'm back at my laptop, I can take care of it. Adam Jones was a late scratch with a right hip strain. He also dealt with a sore shoulder last night, but that's not the issue today. Jones was removed as a precaution, with Lou Montanez replacing him in center field and Julio Lugo batting leadoff. He's expected to start tomorrow night in Minnesota.

Nats starter Luis Atilano learned his best pitch the sinker from the Nats organization. He will prominently display that pitch again tonight as he takes on the Atlanta Braves in his 3rd overall start and 2nd at home. I asked Luis what he felt about his 2-0 start: "I feel happy about it. I am keeping my focus from day to day. I am trying to get quick outs during my starts." "I am working pitch by pitch. I am not trying to do too much. A lot of times I am behind in the count. But that...