O's game blog: Bud Norris returns for start at Nats Park (game rained out)

The Orioles begin tonight leading the American League East by three games with a 49-40 record. Tonight presents a chance to go a season-best 10 games over the .500 mark. The Orioles were last 10 games over .500 at 80-70 on Sept. 17, 2013. Looks like the Orioles are, at least temporarily, done with their win one, lose one mode. They have won seven of the last eight games and 12 of 17. They are 23-13 since May 31. Tonight at Washington, Bud Norris (7-5, 3.62 ERA) returns from the disabled list and makes his first start since June 21. Over his last three starts, he is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.92. In four June starts, he went 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA. In three career starts against Washington, Norris is 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA. Right-hander Doug Fister (7-2, 2.93 ERA) makes his 12th start for the Nationals. In five home starts, he is 5-0 with a 2.31 ERA. Fister allows a batting average against of .285 versus lefty batters and .223 against right-handed hitters. In six career starts against the Orioles, he is 3-2 with a 5.30 ERA. Speaking of hitting, the Orioles are doing a lot of that recently. In the past three games, they've scored 22 runs on 47 hits. Over the last nine games, they've scored 57 runs on 103 hits, including a .303 average and 17 homers. After last night's win, the Orioles are 8-3 in extra innings this year after winning each of the last two games in extra frames. The Birds were 8-7 in extra innings in 2013 after going 16-2 in 2012. Since the start of the 2012 season, the O's are 32-12 in extra-inning contents. The O's went 4-2 against the Nats in 2012, 3-1 last year and are 1-0 this year. They are 19-10 versus Washington since 2009 and 27-20 all-time, including a 12-12 record in games in Washington. Even with a loss Monday, the Nationals have won seven of their last nine and are 13-7 in the last 20 games. The Nats are 23-13 since May 30. No game tonight: Tonight's game was rained out and will be made up on Monday Aug. 4 which was a mutual off day for both teams. The scheduled starters for tonight, Norris and Fister, are scheduled to pitch Wednesday night at Camden Yards.