More from Sunday's twice-delayed, 6-2 victory over the Braves ... * Davey Martinez managed this game like it was being played in September or October. Which, to be honest, is probably how he needs to manage just about every game the rest of the way, certainly those against the Braves and Phillies. The difference was most noticeable following the second rain delay, at which point the rookie manager had to try to piece together three innings from a bullpen that was without Sean Doolittle (on the...

Manager: Alex Cora (1st season) Record: 70-31 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: DH J.D. Martinez (29 HR, 80 RBIs), SS Xander Bogaerts (64 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.303, 59 RBIs), RF Mookie Betts (.352/.441/.670), LHP David Price (4.17 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (31 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 9-1 Pitching probables: July 23: RHP Rick Porcello (11-4) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (4-7), 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 24: LHP Drew Pomeranz (1-3) vs. RHP Yefry Ramírez (0-3), 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 25: LHP...

The Orioles are ready to kick off their first homestand of the second half and the first without Manny Machado on the roster. How much longer will it include closer Zach Britton? There's widespread interest in Britton on the trade market, of course, and while the Dodgers recently came up again as a potential partner with the Orioles, I've heard that the Astros, Red Sox and Cubs are "more active." The offers currently on the table are "all close," according to a source. Also, the Phillies...

Whether it came via a Max Scherzer gem, an offensive explosion, a grind-it-out nailbiter or even a rain-shortened affair, the Nationals knew only one thing when they took the field today: They needed to win this game against the Braves, one way or another. They got their wish, but it didn't come easily to a team that sure could've used a relaxing day at the park. Instead, a combination of clutch hits, a gutsy performance from a less-than-perfect Scherzer, some outstanding defense, two rain...

TORONTO - The Orioles' nightmarish 2018 season continued today - on a day where it looked like they might be headed for a win. The Orioles were 23-4 this year when leading after seven innings. But a three-run advantage in the eighth inning got away, as relievers Brad Brach and Tanner Scott gave up two-run homers in the inning. Toronto stormed back to beat the Orioles 5-4 and sweep this three-game series. They lost twice in the series by one run and have gone 0-7 this season at Rogers Centre....

TORONTO - Seemingly headed to a win to avoid being swept in three straight by Toronto, the Orioles bullpen allowed a pair of two-run homers in the eighth today and a potential win turned into yet another loss. A 4-1 lead was lost and so was another game. Center fielder Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer off Brad Brach in the eighth. That pulled Toronto within 4-3. Later in the inning Yangervis Solarte blasted a 97 mph Tanner Scott fastball out to left. He hit a 3-1 pitch for his own two-run...

The Nationals knew they couldn't stick with a six-man bullpen for long. They just needed to figure out how to clear a roster spot to address that need. They found a way today, trading outfielder Brian Goodwin to the Royals for minor league pitcher Jacob Condra-Bogan, then recalling left-hander Sammy Solís from Triple-A Syracuse to give themselves a full relief corps again. Goodwin, a member of the Nationals since they used a first-round pick on him in 2011 and a key member of last season's...

The Nationals are going to be without their All-Star closer a while longer than they initially expected. Sean Doolittle, who hoped the injury to his left foot that sidelined him for the first week before the All-Star break and then prevented him from pitching in the Midsummer Classic at Nationals Park, learned this weekend he'll be out several more weeks after a follow-up MRI revealed a "stress reaction" in the bridge of the foot. The injury, which is not as severe as a stress fracture, is...

TORONTO - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is not starting today. But it has nothing to do with either an injury or a trade. When the Orioles played at Rogers Centre in June, Jones started all four games on the turf playing surface. But manager Buck Showalter didn't want him starting all three games in this series. "Just turf," he said. "He took a ball off his foot (on Friday). I figured he'd be as sore if not (more) sore today. We were contemplating (a day off) yesterday. Same with Chris...

Manager: Craig Counsell (4th year) Record: 56-45 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: LF Christian Yelich (.303 with 12 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Jesús Aguilar (.293 with 25 HR, 71 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.293/.391/.421 with 18 SB), RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-3, 3.68 ERA), LHP Josh Hader (1.44 ERA, 93 Ks), RHP Corey Knebel (12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-3 in 2017) Pitching probables: July 23: LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-6) vs. RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-3), 8:10 p.m., MASN2 July 24: RHP Jeremy...