Former Ravens QB Steve McNair's Death A Homicide Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair's shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday, but authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20-year-old girlfriend found dead by his side. McNair, 36, was shot four times, twice in the head, by a semiautomatic pistol, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said. The woman, Sahel Kazemi, was killed by a single gunshot wound and the pistol was found under her body, Aaron said. Aaron said the two had been in a "dating relationship for past several months." Asked if the deaths could have caused by a lover's quarrel, Aaron said, "That's a very important part of the investigation as we work to ultimately classify Miss Kazemi's death." Police said they need to do more interviews with friends of Kazemi and McNair before they rule on whether her death was a suicide, Aaron said. McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was married with four children. He and Kazemi were found dead Saturday afternoon at a Nashville condominium he shared with a friend, and police said Sunday that it appears the two died in the early morning. More...
Former Ravens QB Steve McNair Found Dead Police were working Sunday to unravel the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and his friend, a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium. McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead on a sofa in the living room Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. His friend, Sahel Kazemi, was very close to him on the floor, killed by a single gunshot. A pistol was discovered near her, but police said it took a while to find the firearm. Authorities didn't immediately say who was to blame for the killings, but they weren't looking for any suspects.
Autopsies were planned for Sunday. Police spokesman Don Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught." "At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved," he said. "Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no." More...
Huff hits homer to lead Orioles past Angels 6-4
Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer, Luke Scott doubled home two runs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Angels 6-4 on Friday night, dropping Los Angeles into a first-place tie with Texas in the AL West. David Hernandez (2-2) allowed three runs and six hits over 6 2-3 innings after getting staked to a 6-0 lead. The right-hander, making his fourth big league start and second since Koji Uehara went on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, struck out two and walked two. George Sherrill got three outs for his 18th save in 21 chances. The Orioles, who came in hitting a major league-best .298 with runners in scoring position, loaded the bases with one out in the first when Adam Jones was hit by a pitch, Aybar booted a potential double-play grounder by Nick Markakis and Huff singled to right. One out later, Scott lined a 1-1 pitch high off the 18-foot wall in right for a 2-0 lead. Huff made it 5-0 in the third with his 11th homer of the season after a single by Jones and a double by Markakis.
Rex Sox 6, Orioles 5 In 11 Innings One day after being victimized by the greatest comeback in Baltimore Orioles history, the Boston Red Sox staged an improbable rally of their own. The Red Sox used a four-run ninth inning to pull even, Julio Lugo singled in the tiebreaking run in the 11th and Jonathan Papelbon became Boston's career saves leader by closing out a 6-5 victory over the Orioles on Wednesday. Papelbon got three outs in the 11th for his 20th save this season and 133rd with the Red Sox, breaking the team record held by Bob Stanley. Less than 24 hours earlier, Papelbon yielded the key hit in the eighth inning of a game in which Boston blew a 10-1 lead before losing 11-10. In this one, Red Sox pitchers retired the final 24 batters. Ty Wigginton hit a leadoff homer in the fourth off Josh Beckett to put the Orioles up 5-1, but that would be Baltimore's final baserunner. More...
Orioles Stun Red Sox In Biggest Comeback Ever John Smoltz watched in disbelief as the Boston Red Sox wound up on the wrong end of the biggest comeback in Baltimore Orioles history. Smoltz wasn't upset that he didn't earn his long-awaited 211th victory. He just couldn't believe that the Red Sox didn't win, either. "No one would have ever dreamed it would play out the way it did," Smoltz said after the Orioles rallied from a nine-run deficit to win 11-10 Tuesday night. "It's one of those games when you shake your head and can't believe what you just saw." Nick Markakis hit a two-run double off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon to complete the comeback before a mixture of delirious hometown fans and stunned Red Sox backers. Baltimore trailed 10-1 before scoring five runs in the seventh inning and five more in the eighth. The rally was even more shocking because it came against a Boston team that had defeated the Orioles eight straight times, including five this season. Up by nine runs in the seventh, the Red Sox probably figured the only lamentable aspect of the night was that Smoltz wouldn't get his first win with Boston because of a lengthy rain delay. More...
Nationals 5, Orioles 3 John Lannan took a four-hitter into the eighth inning, Adam Dunn hit a colossal home run, and the Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. Willie Harris also homered for the Nationals, and Josh Willingham had three hits and scored twice. Lannan (5-5) gave up three runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings. Washington trailed 1-0 in the fourth inning before Dunn connected off rookie David Hernandez (1-2) following a double by Ryan Zimmerman. The ball soared over the right-field scoreboard, landed on Eutaw Street -- an estimated 442 feet from the plate -- before hitting the B&O Warehouse on one bounce. It was the 50th home run to hit Eutaw Street in the 18-year history of Camden Yards, the first by a Nationals player. Dunn, who came to the plate locked in an 0-for-10 skid, has 19 homers this season and 297 for his career. More...
Bergesen, Orioles Overwhelm Nationals 11-1 Rookie Brad Bergesen allowed four hits in six innings to win his fourth straight decision, Melvin Mora had four RBIs, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 11-1 on Friday night. Aubrey Huff drove in three runs, and Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold each had three hits for the Orioles, who used an eight-run sixth inning to turn the game into a rout. A crowd of 45,024 -- the biggest at Camden Yards since opening day -- showed up for this interleague matchup between last-place clubs. The Orioles were coming off a three-game sweep by the Florida Marlins. Bergesen (5-2) gave up one run, struck out five and walked two. The right-hander is 4-0 in six starts since May 24 and is tied with Jeremy Guthrie for most wins on the team. More...
Ramirez Slams Marlins Past Orioles Hanley Ramirez hit a grand slam, and Cody Ross and Dan Uggla each homered as the Florida Marlins cruised past the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Thursday. It was the third grand slam of the season for Ramirez, tying him for the single-season franchise record with Ross (2009), Jeff Conine (2004) and Bobby Bonilla (1997.) Ramirez has 13 RBIs in his last four games. Leading 7-0 in the eighth, Ramirez hit an 0-1 pitch from reliever Chris Ray over the left-field scoreboard. Marlins starter Sean West (3-2) scattered four hits over six scoreless innings to notch his third win in his last four starts. After striking out the side in the first inning, Baltimore starter Rich Hill (3-2) struggled. He gave up six runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings. The Marlins pounded out 17 hits, one shy of their season-high 18 on June 14 at Toronto, and every Marlins position player got at least one hit. More...
The Baltimore Ravens signed Lardarius Webb to a three-year contract,general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday afternoon.
"Lardarius was slowed some in the OTAs with a hamstring problem, but toward the end, when he was feeling better, he showed he belonged," said head coach John Harbaugh. "He'll help us on special teams, including as a gunner, and he'll contribute to our defense."...More
Marlins 7, Orioles 6 In 12 Innings Jorge Cantu singled home Emilio Bonifacio with no outs in the 12th inning Tuesday night to give the Florida Marlins a 7-6 victory over Baltimore that snapped the Orioles' five-game winning streak. Brian Bass (4-2) began the 12th by walking Bonifacio and he advanced to second on a wild pitch with Hanley Ramirez batting. Ramirez was intentionally walked. Cantu lined a single to left and Luke Scott's throw home beat Bonifacio but the ball came out of catcher Gregg Zaun's glove on the tag. Ramirez hit his second career grand slam and Dan Uggla homered for Florida. Matt Wieters homered and added an RBI single for Baltimore. Burke Badenhop (5-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. The Orioles scored three runs in the ninth to tie the game at 6 with five consecutive singles off relievers Matt Lindstrom and Brian Sanches. More...
Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer, Luke Scott doubled home two runs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Angels 6-4 on Friday night, dropping Los Angeles into a first-place tie with Texas in the AL West. David Hernandez (2-2) allowed three runs and six hits over 6 2-3 innings after getting staked to a 6-0 lead. The right-hander, making his fourth big league start and second since Koji Uehara went on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, struck out two and walked two. George Sherrill got three outs for his 18th save in 21 chances. The Orioles, who came in hitting a major league-best .298 with runners in scoring position, loaded the bases with one out in the first when Adam Jones was hit by a pitch, Aybar booted a potential double-play grounder by Nick Markakis and Huff singled to right. One out later, Scott lined a 1-1 pitch high off the 18-foot wall in right for a 2-0 lead. Huff made it 5-0 in the third with his 11th homer of the season after a single by Jones and a double by Markakis.
John Smoltz 
Rookie Brad Bergesen allowed four hits in six innings to win his fourth straight decision, Melvin Mora had four RBIs, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 11-1 on Friday night. Aubrey Huff drove in three runs, and Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold each had three hits for the Orioles, who used an eight-run sixth inning to turn the game into a rout. A crowd of 45,024 -- the biggest at Camden Yards since opening day -- showed up for this interleague matchup between last-place clubs. The Orioles were coming off a three-game sweep by the Florida Marlins. Bergesen (5-2) gave up one run, struck out five and walked two. The right-hander is 4-0 in six starts since May 24 and is tied with Jeremy Guthrie for most wins on the team. 
The Baltimore Ravens signed Lardarius Webb to a three-year contract,general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday afternoon.
