NEW YORK - They waited much of the night for somebody - anybody - to deliver the big hit that would break a game that had been deadlocked far too long. In the end, who better to deliver that hit for the Nationals against the Mets than Daniel Murphy? Murphy's leadoff homer in the top of the 10th lifted the Nats to a 4-3 victory and added yet another chapter to his lengthy book of damage inflicted against his former team. Murphy's blast to center field off right-hander Jacob Rhame was his ninth...

Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson gave the Orioles a quality start. But an offense that has been in a slumber for most of September was dormant again for most of tonight. The Orioles were held to five hits through eight innings and lost to Tampa Bay 9-6 in front of 42,802 at Camden Yards. The loss guarantees that the Orioles will have a losing season for the first time since 2011. They are 74-82 with six games to go. They were also officially eliminated from the American League wild card...

The Orioles won't post another winning record in 2017. They won't finish at .500. The last flicker of hope for a berth in the wild card game has disappeared. The remaining goal is to stay out of last place and stay healthy. Jeremy Hellickson retired the first eight batters he faced before surrendering a three-run homer to Lucas Duda in the third inning, the bullpen couldn't keep the game close and the Orioles' five-run rally in the ninth only narrowed the margin in a 9-6 loss to the Rays...

NEW YORK - Bryce Harper has taken batting practice multiple times. He has run the bases. He has shagged fly balls. He has worked on throws from the outfield. He has hit in two simulated games against Nationals minor league pitchers. At this point, there's only one thing left for Harper to do: play in an actual game. And at this point, there's only one thing left for the Nationals to decide: when to let their star slugger do that. That decision hadn't been made as of late this afternoon, or...

The Orioles are honoring their minor league award winners before the game tonight at Camden Yards. The awards are being presented by Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, director of minor league operations Kent Qualls and Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop. The winners are:* Brooks Robinson Player of the Year: Austin Hays (SIngle-A Frederick/Double-A Bowie)* Jim Palmer Pitcher of the Year: Alex Wells (Single-A Delmarva)* Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development...

NEW YORK - Shawn Kelley is confident his twice-repaired elbow ligament is sound. Beyond that, the veteran reliever doesn't yet know the extent to which his arm is injured, or how long it will take to return to the mound. Kelley had an MRI this morning and received an initial diagnosis of inflammation and nerve problems in his right forearm, explaining in part why his arm went numb while pitching the bottom of the eighth Friday night for the Nationals against the Mets. The 33-year-old will...

Kevin Gausman will start the first game against the Pirates on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, the latest rotation revelation for the Orioles as they weigh all of their pitching options in the final week of the season. Manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday was "a little up in the air." "We've got on our board five options, depending on who we have to use out of the bullpen and some other things that go on there," Showalter said. Miguel Castro isn't likely to get a start next week, mostly due...

After winning 3-1 over Tampa Bay on Thursday and losing 8-3 last night, the Orioles host the Rays tonight in Game 3 of the final home series of the year. At 74-81 with seven games to play, the only thing standing between the Orioles and finishing this season with a losing record is one more loss. Anything short of a 7-0 finish will ensure that. The Orioles have lost seven of nine and 13 of 16. Since they won seven in a row to improve to three games over .500 on Aug. 30, they are...

NEW YORK - First, the most important news of the day: Bryce Harper (along with Brian Goodwin and Stephen Drew) batted in another simulated game today, facing Nationals minor leaguers Steven Fuentes and Alex Troop. By all indications (i.e., from what I could tell from my vantage point up in the press box) things went well, which means it should be decision time for the Nats with Harper, who doesn't seem to have any more hurdles to cross before playing in an actual game. Stay tuned for any...

Mark Trumbo is back in the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter. Austin Hays continues to play right field. Welington Castillo is catching. Left-handers are hitting .216 against Tampa Bay right-hander Jake Odorizzi this season and .222 in his career. He's a reverse-splits guy and the lineups against him reflect it. Adam Jones is 13-for-40 (.325) with a double and two home runs lifetime against Odorizzi. Jonathan Schoop is 8-for-24 (.333) with three doubles and a home run. Manny...