Aníbal Sánchez delivered a 1-2-3 first inning, striking out Ronald Acuña Jr. to begin the game. Then he retired the dangerous Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman on fly balls to center field. But the next two innings the Braves put together consecutive base hits starting with Adam Duvall's solo homer in the second. Acuña and Albies dropped in back-to-back doubles to score another run in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Johan Camargo, Mike Soroka and Acuña smacked...

The trade deadline is dust and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can get back to talking about his rotation, bullpen, lineup, injuries and anything else that doesn't involve territory occupied by the front office. (I was beginning to feel sorry for him. What is he supposed to say when he isn't the one doing the trading?) Of course, Hyde will be pressed to offer his thoughts on keeping the players on his roster. How he won't have to fill any roles. How certain players can relax. How much he'll...

Nationals closer Sean Doolittle has allowed two solo homers in his last two appearances. The homer given up to the Braves pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson on Friday night didn't hurt as much because the Nats were up by four runs and won the game 6-3. But the margin for error was much different Wednesday afternoon. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the 10th inning, Doolittle (6-3) surrendered a no-doubt solo homer over the center field wall to Braves slugger Josh Donaldson. Donaldson's...

Of the needs that encompass a rebuilding club, a ninth inning specialist is significantly low on the priority list. So is a middle infielder due to get another raise in arbitration that could push his salary above $5 million. The Orioles tried but were unable today to reach agreement on trades involving Mychal Givens or Jonathan Villar. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is following the Andrew Cashner trade to the Red Sox on July 13 with a deadline deal involving a minor...

As 4 p.m. drew ever closer, the time had come for general managers around the league to settle on best offers and get deals done before the trade deadline strikes. And sure enough, the action picked up fast and furious for the Nationals, who landed three late-inning relievers in the span of about 30 minutes this afternoon, headlined by the once-notorious Hunter Strickland. The Nats got Strickland and lefty Roenis Elias from the Mariners in separate trades, plus veteran right-hander Daniel...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said injured right-hander Jeremy Hellickson is in West Palm Beach, Fla., conducting sim games this week as he recovers a right shoulder strain. He's been on the shelf for 61 games. "He's down in spring training (facility)," Martinez said. "Today was his day (for sim game). Today I think he threw a sim game. Then he's scheduled to throw another one possibly this weekend." Martinez believes there is a possibility that Hellickson's next step would be minor...

SAN DIEGO - After a brief lull, the Orioles offense put up eight runs in yesterday's road trip-ending win. They had scored 27 runs in the first three games in Anaheim, then were held to five runs in back-to-back losses Sunday and Monday. The bats were back Tuesday under the San Diego sun. Richie Martin, Renato Núñez and Trey Mancini had two-run singles. Chris Davis hit a tiebreaking home run. The Orioles, who have scored 83 runs in the last 13 games, had 13 hits and went 5-for-10 with...

The Nationals have known for the better part of four months now they were going to need to upgrade their bullpen before the July 31 trade deadline. And for four months, they've tried every trick in the book to address their most glaring need without breaking the bank or dealing away top prospects. Today we finally find out if they're willing to do something bold and fix this problem area once and for all. The countdown to the 4 p.m. trade deadline is on, and the pressure's on general manager...

The Nationals once again could not find a way to get to Julio Teheran. And with a big lead, the right-hander took advantage, lifting the Braves to an 11-8 win at Nats Park. Teheran (6-7) finished 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts for the win. He fired 104 pitches, 72 for strikes. On July 19, Teheran carried a one-hitter into the sixth against the Nats at SunTrust Park. He gave up only one run on three hits over 5 2/3 frames, with no walks and five...

As the focus has remained squarely on their bullpen, which has been in need of upgrades since opening day, lurking underneath the surface of the Nationals' red-hot summer has been the question of rotation depth. Would Mike Rizzo need to acquire a No. 5 starter before the July 31 trade deadline? Rizzo last week insisted such a move wasn't necessary, that he liked his team's back-of-the-rotation options. Besides, the longtime general manager pointed out, starting pitchers usually are...