They slogged their way through a rough stretch against less-intimidating competition, and now the Nationals were opening a 13-game stretch against three division leaders and another team that came within one game of reaching the World Series last fall. It's going to require improvement in all facets of the game for the Nats to emerge successful from this daunting stretch. And though they got some much needed improvement in one key area - the bullpen - tonight, it meant little when their...

The Nationals got after Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha with three runs in the second inning. The rally was sparked by Wacha's counterpart, left-hander Patrick Corbin, who put together was of the most impressive at-bats of the season. With one out, Matt Adams singled to right field. One batter later, Brian Dozier singled. Yan Gomes walked to load the bases. Corbin battled back from an 0-2 count to get to a full count versus Wacha. He had to foul off four pitches to stay alive for nine...

The Orioles road trip moves on to Chicago and they start a three-game series tonight in the windy city. The Orioles (10-19) went 0-3 at Minnesota, scoring just four runs. They've lost seven of nine and 14 of the last 19 games. Left-handers get the start with John Means (3-2, 1.74 ERA) facing Manny Bañuelos (1-0, 2.51 ERA). In his three starts, Means is 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA. He has averaged 6.9 strikeouts/nine innings in his starts and 15.3 per nine when pitching out of the bullpen. The White...

CHICAGO - New Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong, claimed off waivers yesterday from the Mariners, is flying to Chicago and should officially join the team Tuesday or Wednesday. With a vacancy on the 25-man roster, the Orioles recalled right-hander Yefry Ramirez from Triple-A Norfolk and he's available to pitch tonight on three days' rest if needed. "He's going to fill the long role for us," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's been throwing the ball well in Norfolk. Excited to have him. We...

Nationals reliever Trevor Rosenthal is heading to extended spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin a throwing program as he looks to recover from a viral infection that placed him on the 10-day injured list. "We just want to get him healthy, get him ready, get him back," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "We laid out a plan for him to go down there. He's going to start a throwing program and get him built up and get him back hopefully as soon as possible." Rosenthal was at...

CHICAGO - Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini expects to get back into the lineup Tuesday night against the White Sox. Mancini left Saturday's game in Minnesota in the first inning after being hit on the right index finger and he sat out yesterday's 4-1 loss. His day-to-day status extends to tonight's series opener, but it's nearing an end. "It feels better than yesterday. I think I'm good to go tomorrow," Mancini said. "I'm not 100 percent and I kind of learned not to go out there if...

Anthony Rendon has played once in the last nine days, leaving the Nationals a man short on their active roster. But if you assumed that would've convinced the team to place its star third baseman on the injured list by now, you'd be wrong. Though his bruised left elbow continues to prevent him from fully extending when he swings, Rendon believes he's only a day or two away from returning to action. So the Nationals continue to put off an IL move, not wanting to risk losing him for even more...

CHICAGO - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles' lineup tonight for the opener of a three-game series against the White Sox. Mancini is day-to-day with a bruised hand. He didn't play yesterday in Minnesota. Hanser Alberto is making his first professional start in right field. He appeared in two games in right last year with Triple-A Round Rock. Joey Rickard is batting second and Dwight Smith Jr. is hitting cleanup. Pedro Severino is behind the plate to catch left-hander John Means. Smith is...

The Nationals' first month of the season has been mediocre, but they are lucky none of the other three teams expected be National League East contenders are playing well either. The Mets and Braves can score, but each has pitching issues, the Mets in the rotation and the Braves in the bullpen. And the Nationals' bullpen struggles are documented well, although Erick Fedde and the relievers pitched well in a much-needed victory Sunday against San Diego. The Phillies rotation is coming together....

The Nationals just completed a stretch in which they went 6-9 against the Pirates, Giants, Marlins, Rockies and Padres. Now they open a 16-game stretch in which they'll face the Cardinals, Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers and Mets. Suffice it to say, they need to play better in every facet of the game if they are going to survive this. It doesn't help matters that tonight they don't have Anthony Rendon in the lineup for the seventh time in eight games with a bruised left elbow. As of this moment,...