There were a lot of special moments for the Nats during the regular season that ended with today's 8-2 win over the Indians, but one of biggest to tug at the heart strings was the return of reliever Aaron Barrett. The right-hander came back to the big leagues after multiple setbacks, surgeries and rehabs in early September to pitch for the Nationals for the first time since 2015. Barrett tossed one shutout inning in relief Sept. 7 at Atlanta. Afterward, he cried uncontrollably in the dugout...

BOSTON - As the visiting dugout emptied this afternoon at Fenway Park, the 162nd game completed and players in a rush to eat, shower and catch their flights, there was no evidence of the grim atmosphere that carried so many of them out the door last year. The Orioles felt good about the effort and energy in 2019. They'd like to cut back on the losses, of course, but seem confident that it's only a matter of time. They understand the process and the patience that it requires. There's more...

A Nationals regular season that began with endless promise, bottomed out in late May but then kicked into high gear for a long time came to an end this afternoon with an 8-2 victory over the Indians and a most impressive 93-69 record few could've predicted four months ago. Next up: One game Tuesday night against the Brewers to decide whether they'll get a chance to make amends for past October failures. The Nationals will host Milwaukee in the National League wild card game, an 8 p.m....

In the final game of the regular season, the Nats got on the board in the first inning against Mike Clevinger and the Indians. Trea Turner singled and stole second base. After two outs, Juan Soto doubled to right field to score Turner. In the top of the third, the Indians answered back with a solo homer from Francisco Lindor over the right field wall off Nats starter Joe Ross. It was his 32nd homer of the season. He also led off the game with a double. In the bottom of the third, Kurt Suzuki...

BOSTON - Austin Hays grounded out in his first at-bat this afternoon, on the last day that he's going to play baseball in 2019. Hays no longer is headed to the Arizona Fall League and can return home, as the rest of his teammates are doing after the last out is recorded. He's hopping on the team charter, taking with him a tremendous sense of accomplishment. "It's nice to be able to close this season on a good note and just try to carry this momentum into spring training next year," he said...

With nothing at stake in today's regular season finale, Davey Martinez should be able to enjoy a rare, stress-free afternoon at the ballpark. The Nationals manager insists that will not be the case. "No, they're all stressful," he said with a laugh. "I love what I do. I enjoy what I do, but ... you know, I wear whatever these guys do. I want 'em all to do good. So it doesn't matter who's playing. As long as you're wearing the Nationals uniform, I want 'em all to do good." Martinez...

BOSTON - The Orioles have changed their plans regarding outfielder Austin Hays, choosing to shut him down after today's game instead of sending him to the Arizona Fall League. Hays had been part of the Surprise Saguaros' roster until the Orioles learned that they could recall him this month prior to the assignment - a new rule implemented by Major League Baseball. The decision is based on Hays' at-bats, a total that's reached 415 with the 64 that he's accumulated with the Orioles. He's in...

BOSTON - Jonathan Villar stays in the Orioles lineup this afternoon and is going to play in all 162 games. Villar is the first Orioles player to do it since Jonathan Schoop in 2016. Mark Trumbo is playing his final game with the Orioles, serving today as the designated hitter. Austin Hays is in center field and Austin Wynns is catching again. Stevie Wilkerson is in right field. Renato Núñez is playing first base. Chandler Shepherd, the former 13th-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014, makes...

It's Game 162, which has meant many different things over the years. Sometimes it's a celebration of a great regular season and final prep for the Division Series. Sometimes it's a meaningful game to determine a postseason berth or home-field advantage. Sometimes it's the end of a long road that won't continue. For the Nationals, this Game 162 is simply a bridge between a week's worth of big games and Tuesday's wild card showdown. The only thing at stake is a chance to finish 93-69,...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed his ace, Max Scherzer, will get the start in Tuesday's National League wild card game at Nats Park. The first pitch will be a little after 8 p.m. against the Brewers or the Cardinals. It will mark Scherzer's 14th postseason start. Colorado beat Milwaukee 3-2 in 10 innings and the Cubs toppled the Cardinals 8-6 yesterday. St. Louis leads the Brewers by one game for the NL Central title. If the Cardinals lose today and the Brewers win, they will have a...