The Nationals sent their regulars out to face the Braves tonight, hoping they'd still play with the same edge they displayed over the weekend while locking up another division title. They wound up getting one of their worst clunkers of the season. With Gio Gonzalez laboring and that lineup of regulars flailing away against Julio Teheran, the Nationals were trounced 8-0 in the first of 19 games left on the schedule before the postseason. Technically speaking, the Nats don't need to put forth...

TORONTO - The Orioles got some solid pitching and a clutch late-inning home run tonight. They had Zach Britton on the mound with a lead in the ninth, but they still could not win. Trailing 2-1, Toronto scored twice off Britton in the bottom of the ninth to produce a 3-2 walk-off win as the Orioles' losing streak reached six games and they fall to 71-74. It was the latest damaging loss for their flickering playoff hopes. Britton struck out Kendrys Morales to get out a big jam in the eighth in...

The Braves came out quickly against left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Matt Kemp delivered a run-scoring single to put the Braves up 1-0 in the first inning. Then, in the third inning, Ender Inciarte walked. Ozzie Albies singled. Michael A. Taylor bobbled the ball in center field and threw high and late to third base. Inciarte moved to third and Albies to second. Taylor was tagged with a fielding error. Freddie Freeman then crushed a three-run shot to deep center field. His 26th homer of the year...

The mind can't erase what happened last night, but it can skip ahead again. Upon first glance of the 2018 schedule, I have to wonder why the Orioles are forced to play in Seattle between trips to Kansas City and Tampa. Not that I expect logic from Major League Baseball, but this is beyond ridiculous even by its standards. A Thursday opener is a bit unusual, but it's the product of the new collective bargaining agreement that provides more off-days. And before anyone asks, the open date that...

TORONTO - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said today that the team will still be able to hold their fall instructional league at their Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. It is been delayed by the impact from Hurricane Irma on Florida's Gulf Coast. Originally players were expected to begin arriving for that tomorrow. Now players and staff will head to Florida on Sunday and the first workout is set for Monday. All things considered, the Orioles' facility in Sarasota came through the...

And on the day after, Dusty Baker played his regulars. Though their latest division title has already been secured, the Nationals don't appear to taking their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. Baker's lineup for tonight's series opener against the Braves - all the currently active regulars are starting except for Jayson Werth, who is dealing with a sore left shoulder - is evidence of that, as are the manager's answers when asked how he plans to handle the final three weeks of the regular...

Nationals manager Dusty Baker updated the recovery of right fielder Bryce Harper, who has been out with a hyperextended left knee and a strained calf since Aug. 13. He has missed 29 games. Harper has played catch once in Miami and once here last weekend prior to a game against the Phillies. He appeared to be throwing well and with no limitations from 90 feet. He even had to catch a high throw and come down on both legs without any issues. "What's next is hopefully have him start hitting and...

TORONTO - The Orioles and catcher Welington Castillo got good news today. After taking a foul ball in the groin and leaving last night's game at Rogers Centre, Castillo does not have any damage and he feels he could pinch-hit tonight. He is not ready to return to catch, but that could happen soon as well. Castillo took a foul ball off the bat of Miguel Montero in the first inning last night. He finished that inning but was replaced by Caleb Joseph in the bottom of the second. Beyond the...

Joey Rickard gets the start in right field tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Blue Jays and attempt to halt their losing streak at five games. Manager Buck Showalter apparently sought a defensive upgrade and turned to Rickard. Caleb Joseph is catching tonight. Welington Castillo was taken to the hospital last night after being hit in the groin area by a foul ball. The club described the injury as a "contusion." No roster move has been announced, though Showalter hinted...

TORONTO - The Orioles will turn to right-hander Dylan Bundy (13-9, 4.12 ERA) to try and snap a five-game losing streak tonight. They play the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of a three-game series. After going 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in five August starts, Bundy took the loss last Monday versus New York. Over four innings he gave up two homers, four walks and five runs on 98 pitches. It tied for his shortest start of the year. During that five-start run in August, Bundy pitched 36 innings and...