Stephen Strasburg gives up home runs, but typically not in bunches. He entered Tuesday night's game against the Giants having surrendered three homers in a start only two previous times in his career. So when it happened this time, when he surrendered three long balls in a span of only eight batters, to the least productive lineup in the National League, it obviously raised some eyebrows. What exactly happened? To listen to Strasburg's explanation, what happened was a simple case of...

As their game wore on against the Giants Tuesday night, Nationals hitters became increasingly frustrated with home plate umpire Tony Randazzo's strike zone. Randazzo rung up four Nats hitters with called third strikes, including back-to-back called third strikes on Brian Dozier and Anthony Rendon to end the fifth inning. This got manager Davey Martinez going and he had choice words for Randazzo from the dugout. Randazzo then ejected Martinez from the game. Martinez proceeded to jump out of the...

Stephen Strasburg was serving up home runs with alarming regularity. The Giants, owners of the least productive lineup in the National League, were piling up runs. Davey Martinez was getting fired up and getting ejected. And Trevor Rosenthal was throwing strikes and retiring batters. No, very little went according to script tonight during the Nationals' 7-3 loss to the Giants. Was this just one of those nights when nothing makes sense? Or was any of this evidence of anything still to come?...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Playing a team on the road with the best record in baseball was going to challenge the Orioles. No way around it. And so would a pitcher with blistering heat and a microscopic ERA. They'd like to preserve the first three innings, placing them under glass instead of the dome. They'd like to get back the fourth, when the home run ball shattered them again. Avisaíl García delivered a two-run shot off Dylan Bundy to give the Rays a lead they were able to maintain,...

The Nationals were not scheduled to play Monday so Tuesday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants was their annual opportunity to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson on the field by wearing No. 42 jerseys and socks on Jackie Robinson Day. Left-hander Tony Sipp said Jackie Robinson Day holds a special place in his heart and every time he goes out to play baseball. "Today is always special for me because obviously the things that Jackie Robinsons sacrificed back then while he was...

The Orioles (7-10) begin the second stop on their two-city road trip tonight when they play the Tampa Bay Rays (12-4) at Tropicana Field. The Orioles went 2-2 at Boston and open a three-game series tonight. The Rays are the only team in the American League East at .500 or better, with every other team at least three games under .500. Tampa Bay's division lead is 5 1/2 games over the Orioles and New York Yankees (6-9). The Rays have held a divisional lead this large in only two previous seasons...

Left-hander Tony Sipp continues to build strength in his shoulder even as the season heads into its fourth week. Sipp said working to strengthen his shoulder has been the focus for him since spring training. But Sipp signed late with the Nationals this offseason, so this first month with the team has felt like an extended spring training as he works the shoulder back to where he can throw every pitch and full velocity and torque. There have been some rough appearances to begin the season for...

Both the Nationals and Anthony Rendon have insisted they're willing to hold contract negotiations in-season, and they're staying true to their word. Rendon and general manager Mike Rizzo met this afternoon prior to batting practice before the Nationals' series opener against the Giants, according to multiple sources familiar with the meeting, which took place in the team's family room just outside the home clubhouse at Nationals Park. Managing principal owner Mark Lerner participated in the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alex Cobb threw approximately 50 pitches today between his simulated game and a bullpen session, and is expected to come off the injured list to start Friday night's game against the Twins at Camden Yards. Cobb went on the injured list retroactive to April 6 with a lumbar strain, but he no longer is experiencing back spasms and should be cleared to rejoin the rotation for the weekend series. "Alex feels really good, so he should be ready to go starting in the Minnesota...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are holding an injury reunion prior to tonight's series opener against the Rays. Pitchers Richard Bleier and Nate Karns and designated hitter Mark Trumbo have joined the team from the spring training facility in Sarasota to provide updates on their health and allow the athletic training staff to check their progress. Bleier received an injection that reduced the inflammation in his left shoulder and is on a throwing program that will lead to a bullpen session...