ATLANTA - The Nationals have raced out of the blocks with a 4-1 record, scoring 35 runs in their first five games. The lineup has been outstanding and has found ways to hit in several situations. Many could point to the work of hitting coach Kevin Long and how quickly he has become acclimated to his new team. "It definitely helps," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez of the relationship Long has with this hitters. "He's another guy. We talk about building relationships. He came in and...

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Mike Wright Jr. was making his first start for the club since June 17, 2016. Taking the mound with a career ERA of 6.32 in 21 previous major league starts, the expectations were not exactly high among some in Birdland as Wright prepared to face the defending World Series champs. But when Mychal Givens replaced Wright to start the last of the sixth last night, Wright was in line to be the winning pitcher. The winner in a game where the other starter was Justin...

HOUSTON - The Orioles scored as many runs tonight as they had in the previous four games. And right-hander Mike Wright Jr. allowed one fewer run than Justin Verlander. But in the end, the Orioles could not stop the defending World Series champions from doing what they do best - piling up runs. Rule 5 pitchers Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr. were put in a very tough spot tonight: facing Houston late in the contest with the game tied. They began the night with a combined three major league...

ATLANTA - For the first time in 2018, the Nationals arrive in the rubber match of a three-game set as they take on the Braves on getaway day. Today's game follows their first loss of the season, a 13-6 setback Tuesday night against the Braves, highlighted by a pair of three-run shots from Freddie Freeman and Preston Tucker. The Nats actually hit more home runs in the game (three), including the first of the year for Ryan Zimmerman and the fourth of the season for Bryce Harper. Right-hander Max...

ATLANTA - Right-hander A.J. Cole struggled with consistency in his first start and the Braves took full advantage. Highlighted by a pair of three-run homers from Preston Tucker and Freddie Freeman, Atlanta scored nine runs in the first three innings and cruised to an emphatic 13-6 win. It was the Nationals' first loss of the season. The Braves pounded out 15 hits, including two homers and four doubles. It was the most runs the Nats had allowed since a 13-0 loss to Atlanta July 8, 2017 at Nats...

HOUSTON - Mike Wright Jr. pitched capably and left with a lead. Adam Jones homered and drove in three. The Orioles finally scored off a starting pitcher. But would it add up to a victory? Not tonight for the Orioles. With the game tied 5-5 entering the last of the seventh, Houston scored five times off Rule 5 pitchers Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr. to rally for a 10-6 win. The Orioles fall to 1-4 and have lost eight in a row at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 5-1. The Orioles got the lead...

HOUSTON - During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Houston Astros were becoming a pretty good team. They won 86 games in 2015, won the AL wild card game and advanced to the AL Division Series. They won 84 the next year but missed the playoffs. A key member of the Houston outfield those two seasons was Colby Rasmus, who is starting as the DH for the Orioles tonight. When the Orioles were introduced yesterday, Rasmus got a nice welcome back reception from the fans at Minute Maid Park. "I really...

ATLANTA - A fast start for both teams to begin play in game two. Ryan Zimmerman slammed a two-run shot off of Braves starter Julio Teheran in the first. Zimmerman deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall in the top of the first. The Nationals also enjoyed a RBI groundout courtesy of Bryce Harper. The Braves quickly answered with four runs on three hits off of Nats starter A.J. Cole. The big blast a three-run shot by Preston Tucker. After one, the Nats trailed for the first time this...

While the Orioles prepare to close out their series in Houston today and board a flight to New York, the early schedule unforgiving and unfair to a team that's exhausted itself trying to get its pitching and offense on track - give some love to Mike Wright Jr. if you can spare it - Alex Cobb is back on the mound down in Sarasota and inching closer to his debut. Cobb is scheduled to go five innings in another simulated environment after working four last week. He'll blow past the 48 pitches he...

HOUSTON - Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb it seems will have the most input as to when he makes his debut for the club. Cobb is scheduled to pitch a five-inning simulated game in Florida tomorrow. He has already had outings of three and four innings. Manager Buck Showalter will get the video from that outing and then talk with Cobb after his workday this weekend that follows tomorrow's start. At that point it's time to decide whether Cobb pitches one more time in Florida, going six innings, or...