The Nationals jumped out in the first thanks to a leadoff double by Wilmer Difo. Victor Robles sacrificed to the pitcher to get Difo to third. After Anthony Rendon walked, Daniel Murphy's single scored Difo. After two innings, the Nats led 1-0. But the Pirates rallied in the third against Nats starter Edwin Jackson. With one out, Max Moroff walked. Moroff reached second after a groundout to first by pinch-hitter Steven Brault. Brault had arrived because starting pitcher Ivan Nova got hit by a...

With four games remaining on the regular season schedule and the division decided weeks ago, manager Dusty Baker is hearing questions about the upcoming post season start to dominate his pregame news conferences. The Nationals know they will face the defending champion Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series beginning Friday, October 6 at Nats Park. Thursday against the Pirates, Baker was asked how he would set the lineup for this weekend. In game one, Bryce Harper is taking a day...

Bryce Harper is not in the Nationals lineup tonight, but Dusty Baker wants to make sure you know nothing's wrong with the star outfielder. Really wants you know. "No, nothing," the manager said. "No. Don't be alarmed. Nothing. Again, nothing." The Nationals simply don't want to push Harper too much too fast on the heels of his return from a major left knee and calf injury. After playing a total of nine innings in right field and taking seven plate appearances the previous two nights in...

Manager: Kevin Cash (2nd year) Record: 77-82 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Corey Dickerson (.278/.321/.488 with 27 HR, 62 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (.260 with 19 HR, 83 RBIs), 1B Logan Morrison (37 HR, 83 RBIs), RF Steven Souza Jr. (30 HR, 78 RBIs), RHP Chris Archer (9-12, 4.18 ERA), RHP Alex Colomé (3.15 ERA with 46 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 29: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 30: RHP Miguel Castro vs. RHP Chris Archer,...

The Orioles are down to their last three games of the season and it can't be said that they're stumbling to the finish. To stumble would require a semblance of footing. They've lost 16 of their last 20 games and are 7-18 this month. A nasty and abrupt reversal from their 17-11 August record that raised false hopes. This is more like crawling to the finish line and trying not to be trampled. The pitching staff has registered a 4.94 ERA this season that ranked 27th in the majors before last...

The Orioles apparently will close out their season this weekend with a new member in their rotation. The Rays are listing Miguel Castro and Chris Archer as Saturday's starters at Tropicana Field. Manager Buck Showalter hinted yesterday that Castro could get the ball despite earlier indications that the Orioles preferred to keep the young right-hander in the bullpen. Tampa Bay's game notes provide confirmation. Never say never with the Orioles, who also are starting Kevin Gausman on Sunday...

And we're back on South Capitol Street for the final weekend of the regular season. The Nationals wrap things up with four games against the Pirates. A few months back, this series looked like it could carry some significance for at least one of the two teams, maybe even both. Instead, they're just playing out the string, with the Bucs having struggled over the last month and fallen out of contention and the Nats having long since clinched a division title and now just prepping for the Cubs...

PHILADELPHIA - Jayson Werth insists he hadn't really thought about it, not entering this series, not even entering Wednesday night's finale. He's made 17 trips to Citizens Bank Park as a member of the Nationals over the last seven years, playing in 52 games. He has long since blocked out the emotions that used to be associated with his trips here, the booing Phillies fans who turned the outfielder into a local villain after he signed a $126 million contract with the Nationals, completely...

PHILADELPHIA - Trea Turner reached base five times. Jayson Werth hit a pair of balls as well as he has in a while. Michael A. Taylor homered. Sammy Solís continued his late-season resurgence. And Bryce Harper again looked healthy, and even picked up his first hit in six at-bats since returning from the disabled list. None of that, though, catapulted the Nationals to victory tonight in an excruciating game at Citizens Bank Park. Tanner Roark's struggles on the mound and a bunch of squandered...

PITTSBURGH - While the Orioles continue their evaluation of Austin Hays as a potential starting outfielder on opening day, they also must decide whether he should play left or right. Hays has made nine starts and 14 appearances in right with the Orioles and four starts and five appearances in center, but there's been talk of Trey Mancini switching sides with him. It certainly isn't because of Hays' arm, which is a plus tool. No matter the arrangement, an outfield consisting of Mancini, Hays...