MINNEAPOLIS - The Nationals signed Asdrúbal Cabrera to a league minimum deal on Aug. 6 because they needed some short-term help on the right side of the infield. Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick were both hurt, so the presence of a veteran switch-hitter who could come off the bench and make a start or two at second base and first base was needed. One month later, Cabrera has turned into a vital part of the Nationals' daily lineup, one of the hottest hitters in the league and suddenly their...

BOWIE, Md. - The box score says that Double-A Bowie lefty Alex Wells was the losing pitcher in Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series last night. Trenton beat Bowie 2-1 at Prince George's Stadium to take move to within a win of the Eastern League title. But Wells' performance on the field said something very different. He was in command and control and dealing from the outset. Only a rare steal of home put him and his team behind and put that "L" next to his name in the box score....

MINNEAPOLIS - A night getaway game combined with a rain delay might have left the Nationals tired and dreading an overnight flight home in advance of tomorrow's series opener with the Braves. But if nothing else, it gave the Nats a rare opportunity to know exactly what was needed of them on this night, because every other contender for a berth in the National League wild card game had already finished playing. And because the Cubs, Brewers, Mets and Phillies all won, the Nationals knew they...

The Orioles are in Detroit to play four games against the Tigers and manager Brandon Hyde will decide how to cover center field. Hyde wants to keep evaluating Austin Hays. He'd like to do the same with Mason Williams. Only one of them can play center. Though teams are doing some crazy things with shifts. The Orioles view Hays, who had his first career three-hit game Wednesday night, as a potential opening day starter in center. That's how they'd draw it up. Williams can provide depth and...

Actor Barry Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch before tonight's game at Camden Yards. He didn't walk or hit anyone, which made him more effective and much safer than Dodgers starter Rich Hill. Then again, television's Greg Brady hadn't gone this long without throwing off a mound. His arm is fine. Williams is making the major league rounds, with Baltimore his latest stop. Maybe he's the reason for all of the traffic angst earlier today. A Very Brady Gridlock. Hill, meanwhile,...

BOWIE, Md. - With the Prince George's Stadium crowd cheering loudly for a strikeout in the top of the seventh to get Double-A Bowie out of big jam, Trenton instead got a run - and the batter didn't have to do a thing. Trenton got the lead in a manner not often seen in baseball anymore. A steal of home. It led Baysox lefty Alex Wells to a very tough luck loss as the Thunder beat Bowie 2-1 tonight to take a 2-1 lead in games in the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series. Bowie will...

MINNEAPOLIS - Anthony Rendon is in the running for some major end-of-season awards for his on-field performance. Now he's also in the running for a major award for his off-the-field performance. Rendon was named today as the Nationals' nominee for the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award, which annually honors one major leaguer who "best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field." It's...

The seams on a baseball will be traded in later tonight for the laces on a pigskin. The Orioles will be wearing football jerseys from their favorite teams as they board tonight's charter flight to Detroit, a team bonding activity that brings out the kid in everyone. Richie Martin walked into the clubhouse donning a Barry Sanders' No. 20 Lions jersey. Richard Bleier brought his Rocky Bleier No. 20 Steelers jersey. Dwight Smith Jr. hung a Julio Jones No. 11 Falcons jersey in his locker. John...

MINNEAPOLIS - Yan Gomes starts his sixth consecutive game behind the plate tonight. That's not something the Nationals ever planned to do this season, not with Kurt Suzuki sharing time as part of a potent one-two catching punch. But with Suzuki now nursing a right elbow injury, the Nats have had little choice but to keep putting Gomes out there and hope for the best. It's been a hit-or-miss proposition. Literally. Gomes clubbed two homers during Sunday's win in Atlanta, but has otherwise...

BOWIE, Md. - It seems the longer the Eastern League playoffs go, the better outfielder Yusniel Diaz is swinging the bat for the Double-A Bowie Baysox. Diaz and his Baysox teammates will host Trenton tonight at Prince George's Stadium. It's Game 3 of the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series, which is tied at a win each after Bowie beat Trenton last night. Diaz was limited to 76 regular-season games this season by injuries. He dealt with a hamstring issue in April and a quad injury...