It's not a make-or-break series, not in late June, but if the Nationals wanted to remind the Phillies in tonight's weekend opener on South Capitol Street that they're still top dogs in the division, they didn't do a particularly convincing job. With another laborious and ineffective start from Tanner Roark and another lackluster performance from their lineup, the Nats were roughed up by rivals from up Interstate-95, falling 12-2 and falling into third place in the National League East. The...

The Phillies got to Tanner Roark in the first inning thanks to a leadoff walk to César Hernández and a single by Odúbel Herrera. After a wild pitch advanced the runners, Carlos Santana unleashed a two-run single. Roark then settled in and struck out four batters in a row. In the second, Juan Soto greeted right-hander Zach Eflin with a double down the third base line. Michael A. Taylor added a run-scoring double almost to the same place, past third baseman Jesmel Valentín to score...

ATLANTA - Nick Markakis wouldn't stay true to himself if he suddenly began to campaign for his inclusion on the All-Star team or felt comfortable with the Braves public relations staff doing it for him. Messages on the scoreboard urging fans to vote for Markakis made him cringe each time he looked up and saw them. He just wants to play and let the process unfold. He'd rather pound baseballs over the plate than his own chest. Markakis leads all National League outfielders in the latest...

Part of the Nationals recent adjustments on offense has been focused on trying to figure out other ways to score besides the long ball. The home run numbers are down in June. The Nationals 10 homers this month is dead last in the National League. 19-year-old Juan Soto is responsible for four of those 10 homers. Conversely, the Nats have stolen 16 bases in the month of June, tied with Milwaukee for the most in the senior circuit. Their 59 overall stolen bases are tops in the National League,...

Two weeks removed from his last start, Stephen Strasburg is throwing again, his right shoulder inflammation having cleared up enough to allow the Nationals right-hander to get back to baseball activities. Strasburg has thrown off flat ground in the outfield twice this week, most recently this afternoon. It was only a light game of catch, and there are several steps left for him to take before he could return from the disabled list, but it's nonetheless an encouraging sign that his injury does...

ATLANTA - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles lineup due to neck stiffness and isn't certain if he'll be available later tonight. He's been receiving treatment on it. Asked whether he felt any improvement this morning, Mancini replied, "If so, ever so slightly." "It's just a really annoying occurrence to have happen, but I guess the bed or the pillow (in D.C.), I don't know what it was, but I woke up yesterday and couldn't turn my head left or move it up. So, we're working hard in...

The Orioles' two-city road trip moves on to Atlanta tonight as they open a three-game series with the Braves at SunTrust Park. The trip started with the Orioles (21-52) losing two of three at Washington. Last night's 4-2 loss was the Orioles 11th loss in 13 games and they have dropped 18 of 22 and 20 of 26 games over longer stretches. While they are in last place in the American League East, the Braves (43-30) are the surprising leaders in the National League East by three games over...

ATLANTA - Chris Davis' streak of missed games ends at eight tonight as he returns to the lineup and first base for the Orioles' series opener against the Braves. Davis hasn't played since June 11 against the Red Sox, when he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts to lower his average to .150. He's 3-for-27 with 14 strikeouts this month. Manager Buck Showalter is batting Davis seventh against Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb. Craig Gentry is leading off and playing left field while Trey Mancini...

So, as you know, it's been raining all day here in town. But as I type this, the rain has mostly halted, and they're currently working on the infield with the tarp off. And the forecast suggests that perhaps they can actually start tonight's game on time, though it probably won't stay dry all evening. In other words ... your guess is as good as mine. The Nationals are facing the Phillies for only the second time this season, having won 2-of-3 here in May and having not yet even made an...

Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 43-30 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.332/.420/.539 with 15 HR, 49 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.323, 44 RBIs), 2B Ozzie Albies (16 HR, 42 RBIs), LHP Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70 ERA), RHP Julio Teheran (5-4, 3.97 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaíno (1.82 ERA, 15 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (0-3 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 22: RHP Alex Cobb (2-9) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (8-2), 7:35 p.m., MASN2 June 23 RHP Dylan Bundy (5-7)...