From bad to worse (updated)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 20, 2011, 6:21pm

Comments

The Nationals have tied a franchise record with 15 runs tonight. I think the two-point conversion was just piling it on. Michael Gonzalez has surrendered two more home runs. On the plus side, he hasn't hit anybody. Manager Buck Showalter is trying to eject himself. Gonzalez has allowed runs in five straight appearances covering four innings. He's permitted 10 runs (six earned) and 10 hits, and served up three home runs. Hey, let's check the farm. Steve Johnson threw seven scoreless innings tonight for Double-A Bowie, holding Erie to three hits, walking two and striking out three while lowering his ERA to 2.06. Greg Miclat hit his first home run. Buck Britton, in his first game after moving up from Single-A Frederick, went 0-for-2 and was hit by a pitch. Dan Klein's ERA ballooned to...0.79. He allowed one earned run (two total) in two innings. That's the first time he's been scored upon in six appearances with Bowie. Instant update: Laynce Nix just hit a two-run homer off Kevin Gregg in the ninth, giving the Nationals 17 runs, the most they've scored since relocating to D.C. I'm convinced that the Nationals are running up the score so they can leapfrog Auburn in the BCS standings.