The inevitable home run record was set tonight in the third inning. The watch is over. The only drama is in the final tally. Taking an early lead was the first order of business for the Orioles, but they also had to deal with their place in baseball history. The Rays' Austin Meadows lined a curveball from Asher Wojciechowski over the railing in front of the flag court in right field with two outs for the 259th homer surrendered by the Orioles this season. Move over 2016 Reds. There's a new...

PITTSBURGH - Max Scherzer started for the first time in four weeks, the second time in seven weeks, and that's the most important thing that happened from the Nationals' perspective tonight at PNC Park. "It was awesome," manager Davey Martinez said. "Just seeing him run out there and take the ball was great." So was seeing Scherzer depart the game feeling physically well. "Right now, I feel good," the right-hander said. "Hopefully I wake up tomorrow, I feel good." And yet there still...

SALISBURY, Md. - Playing his first game Wednesday night for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds, catcher Adley Rutschman produced a .500 OBP with two walks and caught a five-pitcher two-hitter with 12 strikeouts. So, yeah, not a bad debut in the South Atlantic League. Taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft by the Orioles, Rutschman began his pro career July 20, playing five games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. After 20 games with short-season Single-A Aberdeen, he moves up to...

PITTSBURGH - Though the Nationals haven't made any formal announcements yet, it appears Joe Ross is good to start Saturday afternoon in Chicago, his lower right leg having healed enough from the comebacker that struck him during Monday's game against the Pirates. Ross threw a full bullpen session late this afternoon and did not appear to be limited or hindered in any significant way. Davey Martinez, who watched the session up close in the visitors' bullpen at PNC Park, said in his earlier...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hasn't been in the lineup for the last four games and nine of 14, and manager Brandon Hyde conceded today that opportunities will be harder to find after the roster expands in September. "Yeah, I think there are people we want to see and there's at-bats that we want to give to guys," Hyde said. "I'm just going to continue to pick my spots with CD, and we've had conversations about it. "I don't think he's swung the bat this year the way he's wanted...

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Reinstated second baseman Brian Dozier from the Paternity List Reinstated right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer from the 10-day Injured List Optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Double-A Harrisburg Optioned infielder Adrián Sanchez to Double-A Harrisburg Dozier, 32, is hitting .236 with 19 doubles, 19 home runs, 45...

PITTSBURGH - OK, here's the deal: The Nationals are scheduled to start their series finale against the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. They are then scheduled to fly to Chicago, where they are scheduled to start their series opener against the Cubs at 2:20 p.m. EDT Friday. That's a tough turnaround, a really tough turnaround. And it's even tougher when there's rain in the forecast all evening. Which is exactly what's in the forecast here this evening. (It already poured for about 45 minutes a little...

Chris Davis is out of the Orioles' lineup for the fourth night in a row. Trey Mancini remains at first base as the Orioles open a four-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. DJ Stewart stays in right field, with Stevie Wilkerson in center and Anthony Santander in left. Richie Martin is the shortstop after collecting two hits last night. Hanser Alberto, leading off and playing third base, has posted a .341 (14-for-41) average with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, 11 RBIs and...

After winning their first series since late July, the Orioles start another one tonight. They host the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series at Oriole Park. The O's beat Kansas City 8-1 last night to take the final two games of that series. The Orioles had been 0-4-2 in their past six series since they won three of four games July 25-28 at Anaheim. They also now have back-to-back wins for the first time since Aug. 3-4. The Orioles hit four home runs last night. Jonathan Villar hit No. 17,...

PITTSBURGH - When Asdrúbal Cabrera became available earlier this month, the Nationals figured there was no downside to signing the veteran infielder. The Rangers, who released Cabrera on Aug. 3, were responsible for the vast majority of his $3.5 million salary. Any subsequent team that signed the 33-year-old would be responsible only for a prorated portion of the major league minimum salary. In this case, that meant Cabrera could be had for the final two months of the season for roughly...