ATLANTA - The Orioles shortened their bench today while inserting a fresh reliever into their bullpen. Infielder Steve Wilkerson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Donnie Hart, who has been recalled again following last night's 15-inning game. Wilkerson collected his first major league hit and RBI last night with a single in the ninth inning, and he prevented a walk-off win for the Braves in the 14th by charging Dansby Swanson's slow roller and making a strong and...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez says injured first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 12 (retroactive to May 10) with a right oblique strain, is progressing in his recovery and could be "about a week away" from beginning a minor league rehabilitation assignment, assuming he doesn't encounter a setback. "He's missed a lot of time," Martinez said before the Nationals' game against the Phillies on Saturday afternoon. "We've got to get him some...

ATLANTA - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles lineup today and Chris Davis stays in it. Mancini has been on the bench for the last three games due to neck stiffness, but he pinch-hit last night. Colby Rasmus is batting first and playing left field. Davis returned last night after sitting out the past eight games and homered, hit a sacrifice fly and walked twice in a 10-7, 15-inning win over the Braves. Left-hander Donnie Hart is in the clubhouse, but he isn't listed among the relievers. No...

With a glut of healthy outfielders, it was a forgone conclusion that Michael A. Taylor would be the odd man out. Bryce Harper needs to play to get untracked, Juan Soto continues to sizzle and Adam Eaton can be a difference-maker at the top of the Nationals lineup when healthy. But instead of being the square peg trying to fit into the proverbial round hole, Taylor has made the most of the opportunities he's had, and is making manager Davey Martinez's choices more complicated. But even though...

ATLANTA - After deciding against bringing up a fresh arm Thursday night in D.C., the Orioles don't seem to have much choice today after playing 15 innings. They were discussing it before the final out was recorded in a 10-7 win. Left-hander Donnie Hart hasn't pitched since Wednesday and he's on the 40-man roster. He also knows his way to the shuttle. He might have his license and can drive it himself. Because Hart was optioned on June 13, he would be eligible to return today. By waiting...

It was long and it was wild, and for the Orioles , Friday's marathon game that ended this morning ended up with a victory. There were smiles in the visiting dugout five hours and 21 minutes after first pitch as the Orioles outlasted first-place Atlanta 10-7 in 15 innings. Chris Davis returned to the lineup and after he walked his first time up, he homered in his second plate appearance. He connected to left field in the fifth to end a 24-game homerless streak since May 9 that had lasted 89...

ATLANTA - Chris Davis stepped on home plate tonight, turned toward the Orioles' dugout, removed his batting helmet and ran an arm across his forehead. Launch a fastball and a burden is lifted. For however long it lasts. The sigh of relief from Davis could have moved the flags in center field. He homered for the first time since May 9 to break a scoreless tie in the fifth inning and his sacrifice fly in the ninth allowed the Orioles to reclaim the lead during a six-run rally. He should have...

After losing a mid-June game in frustrating fashion and staring up at two teams in front of them in the standings for the first time, the Nationals manager insisted this was no time to panic. "I don't worry about that," the skipper said. "It's a little too early for me to start watching the scoreboard." After a different mid-June loss that left them hovering just over the .500 mark and firmly behind the division leaders, a Nationals veteran looked at the bright side. "We're in a good...

In Friday's 12-2 loss to the Phillies, there were plenty of facets in the Nationals' game that didn't go well. The starting pitching was unable to get through five innings. The offense put together only two runs, going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. And the bullpen allowed six runs on eight hits, including two homers, with four walks and six strikeouts. Left-hander Sammy Solís was able to put away the first two hitters in the eighth. But then a walk opened the door to a...

Right-hander Tanner Roark had his second straight start where he was not able to get through the fifth inning as the Phillies dropped the Nationals 12-2. Last Sunday in Toronto, Roark allowed four runs on eight hits over four innings. Tonight back in D.C., Roark (3-8) surrendered six runs, the most he has allowed in one game this season, over 4 1/3 innings, with seven hits, four walks and seven strikeouts. Roark said he studied his mechanics on video after he got back to the clubhouse and...