Sean Doolittle did it again, finding a way to record a save, as the Nationals edged the Marlins 3-1 to win the first two games of the series. But again, this save, his 19th on the season, was not easy. With one out in the top of the ninth and the Nats leading 3-0, the Marlins put together back-to-back-to-back singles to ignite a rally attempt against the Nationals closer. Doolittle bore down and struck out JT Riddle for the second out. But then César Puello was hit by a pitch to allow Neil...

No matter how unimposing the opponent, it's just not that easy to keep winning every single night. Yes, the Nationals are facing an especially fortuitous portion of their schedule. But aside from one hiccup Saturday in Detroit, they are taking care of business like nobody's business. Tonight's 3-1 victory - made possible by 7 1/3 innings of brilliance from Stephen Strasburg, home runs from Brian Dozier and Matt Adams and late escape acts from both Fernando Rodney and Sean Doolittle - was the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Josh Rogers underwent a procedure on his left elbow today known as an ulnar collateral ligament "revision," the name given for a second Tommy John surgery. Rogers had the first procedure as a high school senior. Dr. Keith Meister performed today's surgery in Arlington, Texas and the Orioles said it was successful. The timetable is the same, with Rogers missing the rest of the 2019 season and perhaps most of 2020. "It went well today," said manager Brandon...

The bullpen has had a lot more positive moments the last month which has helped a great deal in the team's 18-8 June. But the Nationals have still not found the complete answer for the eighth inning. Right-hander Wander Suero could not complete the eighth Tuesday night without allowing a run. The Nats' 2-1 lead went by the wayside when César Puello doubled and Miguel Rojas connected on a deep fly ball to left field. Game tied 2-2. Saturday night in the bottom of the seventh at Comerica...

Max Scherzer is about to add the biggest event yet to his already eventful summer. With his wife, Erica, due to give birth to the couple's second daughter Thursday, Scherzer has been placed on the paternity leave list. The transaction allows the right-hander to take three days off to be with his growing family without missing a start, and it allows the Nationals to add an extra player (Adrián Sanchez) to their bench in the interim. Scherzer has been anticipating this event all year, with a...

Two days after he was named National League Player of the Week, Max Scherzer was named National League Pitcher of the Month. Apparently awards season has come early this year. Scherzer was honored for his utterly dominant June, during which he went 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 68 strikeouts with only five walks. It was a historic performance for a right-hander who has made plenty of history over the years. Scherzer became the first pitcher in MLB history to strike out at least 68 batters while...

This is a series of rematches. Last night, it was a rematch between Patrick Corbin and Zac Gallen (at least until the storm hit). Tonight, it's a rematch between Stephen Strasburg and Sandy Alcantara, the same two right-handers who squared off Thursday night at Marlins Park, with Strasburg and the Nationals emerging victorious. That win made Strasburg 10-0 against Miami since late in the 2015 season, but he didn't exactly dominate. The Marlins scored three runs off him in the third, then...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chance Sisco is batting third and catching tonight as he tries to extend his power run and the Orioles try to avoid being swept at Tropicana Field. Sisco has homered in three of his last four games. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop with Hanser Alberto at second base. Keon Broxton is in center field. Chris Davis is at first base after homering last night for the first time since May 12. Nothing eye-popping about the lineup. John Means makes his first start since being...

Following a month in which he went 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA (5 ER/45.0 IP) and 68 strikeouts and five walks in six starts, Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named National League Pitcher of the Month for June on Wednesday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Washington's surge during the month of June was led by Scherzer, who put together an historic calendar month in addition to helping the Nationals to wins in each of his starts. Some notable...

Right-hander Ryne Stanek (0-1, 2.64 ERA) will be the starting pitcher against the Orioles for the second time in three games tonight. He was the opener for the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday and will be again tonight when the clubs conclude a three-game series. The Rays have posted back-to-back 6-3 wins over the Orioles. Last night the Rays scored two runs in the sixth and seventh to turn a 2-1 lead into a 6-1 margin. Chance Sisco's two-run homer in the ninth accounted for the final score. Stanek...