They battled, just like they always do. They also lost a close game late to the Cubs, which they also have done a few times in the last month. The Nationals' 6-4, 10-inning loss to Chicago tonight felt oh so familiar to anyone who has watched these teams play this summer. Just as they did twice during an agonizing weekend at Wrigley Field in August, the Nats put themselves in position to win. And just as they did then, they could not do the little things necessary to actually win. Up 4-3 in...

After a pair of scoreless frames, the Cubs finally got to Stephen Strasburg in the third inning with three consecutive base hits. With two outs, Javier Báez singled. Anthony Rizzo doubled with Báez scoring all the way from first base. Ben Zobrist followed with a RBI single to score Rizzo. Kris Bryant was hit by pitch but Strasburg struck out Albert Almora, Jr., to end the inning. The Nats managed base hits from Juan Soto in the second and Spencer Kieboom in the third, but have been unable...

Daniel Murphy flew from Milwaukee to Washington late Wednesday night, rode home and slept in his own bed for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. There was comfort in that routine, to be sure. Then Murphy rode today to Nationals Park and instead of entering the home clubhouse kept walking around the concourse to the visitors' side behind third base, where his No. 3 Cubs jersey was hanging in his locker and his name was listed in the No. 1 lineup slot for tonight's series opener. Yeah, these are...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is getting a rest day and his absence from the lineup is not because of the slide in last night's game against the Cardinals, a 7-6 setback. "Zim's fine, just getting a day," Martinez said during pregame. "Like I said, we talk a lot and we felt he needed a day today. So, he will be available later." The slide occurred in the seventh frame Wednesday night when the Nats rallied for four runs to get back in the...

A few observations, thoughts and random musings - they tend to have the same characteristics - while waiting for the start of a three-game series at climate-controlled Tropicana Field in the third-to-last road series of 2018: * The Orioles didn't bring back a major haul for second baseman Jonathan Schoop and pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day at the non-waiver trade deadline. It was more about salary relief, international signing bonus slots and minor league depth. But second baseman...

They just took the official 2018 team photo here at Nationals Park, with players, coaches and club executives all standing out in direct sunlight in the middle of the diamond on a brutally hot day to smile for a few seconds and capture a shot of the team in its entirety. That is, the team in its entirety as it currently exists on September 6. Several players who will have played a key role on this team this season aren't included, because they're no longer part of the team. That includes...

Exclusive ticket packages include a pregame party and limited-edition ceramic beer stein The Orioles invite all fans, ages 21 and over, to enjoy an Oktoberfest celebration when the Orioles host the first 'O'stoberfest' at Oriole Park on Friday, September 28, prior to the club's 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Houston Astros. A limited number of all-inclusive ticket packages are available, featuring an exclusive pregame party in the bullpen picnic area, a game ticket in the left field lower...

Friday will be a special game for right-hander Joe Ross, who returns from Tommy John surgery for his first start one day short of 14 months away from the game. Ross said it will be an incredible moment because there was always a slight fear in the back of his mind that he might never get back. "You have the ups and downs," Ross said of the long road of recovery and rehab. "The uncertainty of how it's going to end, if you'll be back. If I'll be back was the toughest part of it for me. But...

SEATTLE - Put away the hammer and nails if you're trying to construct an opening day roster in 2019. Build a shelf. Or, if you're really ambitious and own the lumber, a gazebo is a nice touch and comes in handy for backyard entertaining. The Orioles don't know who's playing right field with Adam Jones a pending free agent and perhaps too expensive for a team slashing payroll and rebuilding without power tools. I've written about the wisdom of keeping him until someone is ready to play the...

SEATTLE - Andrew Cashner's mission tonight was to gain control of his pitch count, work through the middle innings and keep the Orioles within striking distance. Don't let the game get away from him. Don't become the grand marshal for a parade of relievers. The Mariners were trying to make it through the fifth inning without setting the major league record for errors. Provided with two unearned runs and a lead in the fifth, Cashner surrendered back-to-back homers in the bottom half and the...