Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been complimenting Adam Jones at every opportunity this week as the outfield approaches what's expected to be his final game in the organization. Tonight gave Jones the chance to return the favor as Showalter's status remains in question. Jones didn't sound like someone who anticipates Showalter being back next season. "I think for the franchise it's just meant accountability," Jones said following a 5-2 loss in Game 2 that completed the Astros' sweep...

The sixth doubleheader of the season for the Orioles resulted in the third sweep against them. Two more losses to toss on the pile. The Orioles have grown accustomed to peering through the defeats to find positive strands. It's one way to maintain their sanity and stay optimistic as the worst season in franchise history sputters to a stop. Rookie Yefry Ramírez made his 13th major league start and 18th appearance tonight in Game 2 and he offered quality by baseball's long-standing...

DENVER - Max Scherzer will make one more start in 2018 after all. The Dodgers' victory in San Francisco this afternoon prevented the Rockies from having a chance to clinch the National League West title tonight, making Sunday's regular season finale meaningful. And that means Scherzer will take the mound for the Nationals one last time this season. Scherzer and the Nats had decided earlier this week he would pitch if the Rockies were still playing for something, out of respect for the Dodgers...

The Orioles are trying to avoid being swept in today's doubleheader and also are seeking their first win against the Astros this season. The process is complicated, of course, by the opponent rolling out ace after ace. It seems unfair, as if the deck is stacked. Myles Straw hit his first major league home run, a solo shot to center field in the first inning to give the Astros a 1-0 lead, but rookie catcher Austin Wynns tied the game in the second with a single off left-hander Dallas Keuchel...

Adam Jones is in right field for Game 2 of today's doubleheader, as the Orioles try to gain a split. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop and Steve Wilkerson is playing second base. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and John Andreoli is in left field. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Jonathan VIllar SS Adam Jones RF Trey Mancini 1B Tim Beckham DH Renato Núñez 3B John Andreoli LF Austin Wynns C Steve Wilkerson 2B Yefry Ramírez RHP For the Astros Jose Altuve 2B Myles Straw LF Alex...

DENVER - It doesn't look like the Nationals are going to take any chances playing Ryan Zimmerman this weekend and will shut down the veteran first baseman with back tightness. Zimmerman, who tweaked his bat swinging during Wednesday's home finale in Washington, wasn't in Friday night's lineup against the Rockies and he's again not in tonight's lineup. With nothing left to play for - aside from impacting Colorado's playoff position - manager Davey Martinez doesn't sound inclined to...

Getting a baserunner against Justin Verlander today eased some of the pressure on the Orioles. An Adam Jones double with two outs in the fourth inning, an infield hit for Renato Núñez with one out in the fifth. A little something to break the strikeout monotony. Dylan Bundy was working on a three-hit shutout through the fifth and happened to be the second-best pitcher in the game. His six strikeouts were four fewer than Verlander's total. And nobody likes a showoff. Tony Kemp led off the...

Adam Jones has two standing ovations today and the Orioles didn't have a baserunner until he doubled off Astros starter Justin Verlander with two outs in the fourth inning. Verlander retired the first 11 batters with seven strikeouts before Jones lined a ball into left-center field. Dylan Bundy has blanked the Astros on three hits in five innings. The game remains scoreless. The Orioles didn't take batting practice today, but Jones found himself in the dugout talking to the media about his...

DENVER - This hasn't been Stephen Strasburg's most memorable season. He will have made only 22 starts, his lowest total since 2013 (when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery). Unless he tosses six scoreless innings (or nine innings of one-run ball) tonight, he'll finish with the highest ERA of his career. Strasburg, though, can wrap up a disappointing 2018 season on a legitimate high note. If he pitches well tonight at Coors Field - where he owns a 7.20 ERA, but the vast majority of the...

Orioles reliever Miguel Castro confirmed today that he won't get back on a mound during the final series and his season has drawn to a close. Castro wanted to make the attempt despite some swelling in his right knee, but was advised to shut it down. "Thankfully, the knee feels better," he said through interpreter Ramón Alarcón. "At the same time I don't think there's going to be any chance for me to pitch again this weekend. I tried, but the recommendation for me was to take it slow...