While the Orioles enjoy the first of two off-days this week, any break providing relief after losing 11 of the last 12 games and 15 of 18, pitcher Alex Cobb remains in Nashville, Tenn., while thrust into the early stages of a rehabilitation program following hip surgery. Cobb is staying close to orthopedic surgeon Dr. J.W. Thomas Byrd, who repaired a tear in the labrum that ended the veteran's season after only three starts and another round of discomfort and disappointment. And Cobb isn't...

SEATTLE - He didn't have a highlight game, going 0-4 with two double plays and two strikeouts on Sunday, but shortstop Richie Martin made a highlight-reel defensive play here on Saturday. He dove in the hole to glove a ball and made a strong throw from the outfield grass to gun down former Oriole Tim Beckham in the fifth inning. It was one of the best defensive plays of the year by any Oriole. By now, it's pretty clear the Rule 5 pick in December from Oakland has a plus glove and plus arm....

SEATTLE - The Orioles began today seeking their first two-game win streak in a long time and a series split to end this trip on a good note. When they scored single runs in the first and second innings, that looked possible. By the end of the third, it was very doubtful. The Mariners scored eight runs in the last of the third, batting 13 men to break a 2-2 tie on their way to a 13-3 romp over the Orioles. Baltimore falls to 22-56 and has lost 11 of 12, 15 of 18 and 27 of its last 34 games. The...

After a 4-3 extra-inning win Sunday, the Braves lead the Nationals by 8 ½ games in the National League East. So why does it seem the Nationals have the advantage as the season's second half approaches? It's because the Nationals have a more reliable rotation. The Braves have been white-hot during June, but they are doing it with an offense that averages more than seven runs a game. Teams that win by pounding other teams with runs find that difficult to sustain. On the other hand, the...

The outcome today - a 4-3, 10-inning loss - may not have been what they wanted, certainly not on the heels of Saturday night's bullpen meltdown. But in the larger picture, the Nationals can't be too down about what just took place on South Capitol Street. In their most important week of the season, the Nats went 4-2 against the two teams they're chasing in the National League East. They still have significant ground to make up, but they've got ample opportunity to do it, and they made...

SEATTLE - Orioles left-handed starter John Means remains on track to be activated off the injured list and rejoin the rotation during the series against the Indians that begins June 28 at Oriole Park. Means, who is 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA, has been on the IL since Thursday with a left shoulder strain. "He played catch today and felt good," said manager Brandon Hyde. Means will need to throw at least one bullpen session before he gets back on the mound in a game. Hyde said the concern level on...

Though he said this morning he felt "great" after departing Saturday night's game with dehydration, center field Victor Robles was held out of the Nationals lineup for their series finale against the Braves. "Not starting, but he's available," manager Davey Martinez said. "When you have a scary moment like that ... I told him be ready to come into the game. If it was a night game, it may be different. But we had a quick turnaround, so we will use him off the bench." Robles gave the...

SEATTLE - Hanser Alberto will lead off and Trey Mancini is back in the lineup for the second straight day after missing two games. The Orioles will try to end their seven-game road trip to Oakland and Seattle with a win today. The Orioles (22-55) won 8-4 yesterday as Jonathan Villar hit a three-run homer and Anthony Santander added a two-run homer. After scoring just nine runs in the first four games of their road trip, the Orioles have now scored 17 in the last two games. Pedro Severino,...

For one fleeting moment Friday night, the Nationals thought Trevor Rosenthal had turned the corner and could finally become a trusted member of their bullpen. But then came yet another high-profile meltdown on the mound Saturday night, and so by Sunday morning, the team made the move that had loomed for months but was put off until now. The Nationals released Rosenthal today, finally conceding defeat on a reclamation project that went haywire in the season's first week and never could be...

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin from Triple-A Fresno and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Triple-A Fresno on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. McGowin, 27, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of 2019. He appeared in three games in his previous stint, recording one save and a 9.90 ERA in three outings. He appeared in one game for Triple-A Fresno on June...