They danced with the devil all night, failing to capitalize against the National League's worst team despite countless opportunities. They were sloppy in the field. They got only five innings out of their starter, then watched their bullpen blow a late lead. Even when they retook the lead late, they still couldn't hold onto it. Until their best player - perhaps even a legitimate NL MVP candidate - saved the day just in time to avoid total disaster. After watching Daniel Hudson blow a save in...

The list of Orioles who are going to join the expanded September roster is bound to include some pitchers who have spent the summer on the shuttle. Extra arms are coveted over the final month. We can speculate about guys like David Hess, Evan Phillips, Branden Kline, Chandler Shepherd, Tom Eshelman, Tanner Scott and Tayler Scott. We'll wonder about Keegan Akin. We'll assume that it's not happening for Dean Kremer, who's assigned to the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Luis...

The Nationals used methodical hitting to take the lead early on against the last-place Marlins. After Harold Ramirez smacked a solo shot off of Aníbal Sánchez in the first to give the Marlins the lead, the Nats retaliated with three singles in a row in the bottom of the first. Trea Turner, Gerardo Parra and Anthony Rendon singled off Marlins starter Elieser Herandez to tie the game at 1-1. RBI groundouts by Asdrúbal Cabrera and Turner made it 3-1 Nats. Victor Robles' double to lead...

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles and all teams in Major League Baseball can expand their rosters to as many as 40 players on Sunday. Manager Brandon Hyde is not ready to provide any names yet, but the Orioles should have new players for the series finale at Kansas City. "We should have a couple of players here Sunday. And when the Triple-A season is over, we'll add some more in Tampa," Hyde said this afternoon. The Virginian-Pilot reports that Triple-A manager Gary Kendall will join the Orioles on...

The Nationals made more changes to their ever-changing bullpen today, and there's still one more big change to come in a few days that could finally solidify that group for the season's final month. The Nats activated Roenis Elías off the injured list and Hunter Strickland off the paternity leave list this afternoon, bringing all three relievers acquired on July 31 together again after a long wait. Needing to clear roster spots, they designated struggling Matt Grace for assignment and...

The Nationals rotation is now set for the Marlins and Mets series. Tonight through Sunday, the Nationals pitchers will be Aníbal Sánchez, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. Manager Davey Martinez confirmed the Nationals will start Joe Ross on Labor Day afternoon in the first game against the Mets. So that leaves Max Scherzer set for Tuesday night and Sánchez on Wednesday afternoon. "So come Monday, Joe Ross will start," Martinez said. "So we will give the other guys an extra day,...

September is almost here and that means perfect weather and a list of storylines that lead to the postseason. The Astros and Yankees are going to win division titles in the American League, while the Twins try to hold off Cleveland in the AL Central. In the National League, the Dodgers are on cruise control in the NL West, while the Nationals in the NL East continue their push from a 19-31 start. The NL Central? The Brewers don't have the pitching, so that leaves the Cardinals and Cubs in a...

Hanser Alberto is leading off tonight for the Orioles, bringing a .407 average against left-handers to Kansas City that leads the majors. The 72 hits off left-handed pitching this season are tied with Rafael Palmeiro in 1996 for second-most in Orioles history. Palmeiro holds the club record with 73 hits in 1998. The last player to exceed 80 hits off southpaws was the Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (84) in 2004. Alberto hasn't struck out in his last 44 plate appearances since Aug. 14, the longest...

Slowly but surely, the Nationals are getting their bullpen back. That is, the bullpen they acquired on July 31 but only had together for one game. Roenis Elías, who made just the one appearance before straining his hamstring, has been activated off the injured list and is available to pitch in tonight's series opener against the Marlins. And Hunter Strickland, who has been around for most of the last month, has returned from paternity leave. Needing to clear two roster spots, the Nationals...

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. * Reinstated left-handed pitcher Roenis Elías from the 10-day Injured List * Reinstated right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland from the Paternity List * Designated left-handed pitcher Matt Grace for assignment * Optioned catcher Spencer Kieboom to Double-A Harrisburg Elías, 31, returns to the active roster after being placed...