PHILADELPHIA - More notes from the Nationals' stunning 4-3 late inning comeback win over the Phillies. Juan Soto has pulled off three career go-ahead homers in the ninth inning or later to win games for the Nationals. All came at Citizens Bank Park: September 11, 2018: Soto hits solo homer lifts Nats to 7-6 lead (Nats trailed 6-3). April 9, 2019: Soto hits three-run shot in 10-6 win in 10 innings (Nats trailed 6-1). July 13, 2019: Soto hits two-run homer in ninth of 4-3 win (Nats trailed...

PHILADELPHIA - Juan Soto knew what pitch was coming. And he hit it out of Citizens Bank Park. With the game on the line, the 20-year-old connected on a splitter from Phillies closer Héctor Neris and slammed a line drive well over the left-center field wall. The two-out, two-run shot came on the first pitch from Neris in the top of the ninth inning and was Soto's 16th of the season. Down 3-0, the Nationals rallied for stunning 4-3 comeback victory over the Phillies, thanks to Soto's...

The Orioles must be expanding on their relaxed facial hair policy. They can't seem to shave their injured list. Reliever Josh Lucas was activated, optioned, designated for assignment and outrighted. He probably felt safer on the IL. John Means was reinstated back on June 28, the collective sigh of relief from the organization causing the flags to flutter above the bullpen area. But the rotation has lost Dylan Bundy to right knee tendinitis, forcing another roster move in a season loaded with...

While Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wonders how he's going to piece together his rotation following today's Andrew Cashner trade, he must rely even more on left-hander John Means to anchor the staff. It's a lot of weight to place on the rookie's shoulders, but who else is going to step up? How is Means going to hold up? Means allowed six runs and surrendered three homers for the first time in his career and the Orioles settled for a split of their doubleheader with a 12-4 loss to the Rays...

Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals have placed right-hander Max Scherzer on the injured list with a mid-back strain, retroactive to July 10. That means Scherzer, who previously was scratched from a scheduled Sunday start, would be eligible to return July 20 at Atlanta. Catcher Spencer Kieboom has been recalled from Double-A Harrisburg to take Scherzer's spot on the roster. Kieboom is hitting .213 with seven doubles, one homer and 11 RBIs in 38 games for the Senators. Scherzer looked like was good to...

The Orioles have made their first significant trade as the deadline approaches. Starter Andrew Cashner is headed to the Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero. Prado and Romero are both 17 and natives of Venezuela. Prado will be assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Orioles 1 and Romero to the DSL Orioles 2. Cashner was supposed to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Rays and manager Brandon Hyde will need to come up with a...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is keeping Stevie Wilkerson in the lineup tonight for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Rays. The Orioles are trying for their first sweep since June 25, 2016 versus Tampa Bay. Wilkerson hit the decisive two-run homer off left-hander Colin Poche in a 2-1 victory in Game 1 and he's in center field for the nightcap. Wilkerson has eight home runs this season, the first seven coming off right-handers. He's 5-for-50 against left-handers this season. Keon Broxton...

The first part of the plan worked to near perfection for manager Brandon Hyde, who had to resist joining the crowd in applauding Aaron Brooks as the right-hander walked off the mound in the third inning. Getting eight outs from Brooks in his Orioles debut, in his first start since late April, was cause for celebration. Who's got the laundry cart? Also factor in the 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with no hits or walks, less than 24 hours after a 16-4 loss that included the pitching debut of Stevie...

PHILADELPHIA - Following the All-Star break, the Nationals could not have asked for a better start to the second part of their season. Stephen Strasburg was solid and Victor Robles contributed a big hit early as the Nats shut out the Phillies 4-0 in the opener of a key National League East series. It was the second time this season the Nats have shut out Philadelphia and is their seventh shutout of the season. The Nats lead the season series 8-4 and have won four straight games against their...