Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce Anthony Rendon as the Washington Nationals 2017 Heart and Hustle Award winner. This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is also the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. "We are proud to present this award to...

Entering his start last night with an 7.90 ERA and with just two quality starts in 11 outings for the season, right-hander Chris Tillman was desperately in need of a well-pitched game. So were the Orioles. Both got one. Tillman allowed just two hits and one run over six innings as the Orioles beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 to open a four-game series. Tillman's outing was in stark contrast to the starting pitching over the weekend versus the Cubs. The O's starters in that series gave up 27 hits...

He didn't get the win tonight, but his outing was big. Chris Tillman allowed one run over six innings in the Orioles' 3-1 win over Texas. It snapped a stretch of 10 straight games without a quality start by Orioles starting pitchers. His outing also followed a weekend where the club's starters allowed 21 runs in 11 1/3 innings against the Cubs. Did Tillman think about trying to be the pitcher to get it turned around tonight? "I didn't think about it," he said after his 95-pitch...

If anyone chose July 18 as the date that Dylan Bundy surpassed last year's innings total, go directly to the window and wait to collect your money. Shake your head in amazement if you're denied. Question your luck. Change hobbies immediately. It's not a sure thing with two innings required, but your chances are pretty solid. Take your place in line. Bundy has amassed 108 innings after totaling 109 2/3 in 2016. He isn't on a serious roll at the moment, but it's no joke that he's been the...

The Orioles tonight got a rare quality start. That led to them getting a lead for the first time since the All-Star Game and that led to a victory. Seth Smith hit a tiebreaking homer in the last of the seventh as the Orioles beat Texas 3-1 at Oriole Park to improve to 43-49. They win the opener of a four-game series. With the game tied 1-1, Smith hit a first-pitch fastball from Texas starter Andrew Casher over the center field wall. His 10th homer traveled 413 feet and provided the 2-1 lead....

This is how it looks when a starting pitcher is largely effective and the offense perks up at the exact right moment. This is how a team tumbling out of control finally regains its footing. Chris Tillman offered up a rare quality start for the Orioles tonight and Seth Smith's home run in the seventh inning broke a tie and sparked a 3-1 victory over the Rangers in the series opener at Camden Yards. No longer winless in the second half, the Orioles improved to 43-49 overall and 26-19 at...

The Orioles welcome the Texas Rangers to Oriole Park tonight as their 10-game homestand to start the second half continues. It began with three losses to the Chicago Cubs by a 27-11 score. The Cubs won 8-0 Sunday to complete the sweep. The Orioles starting pitchers combined to pitch just 11 1/3 innings in that series allowing 27 hits and 21 runs and they gave up seven home runs. The Orioles have gone 10 games without a quality start. Their 6.02 starting rotation ERA for the year is easily last...

CINCINNATI - If you've looked at Brian Goodwin in the past couple of weeks and thought he looked a lot more comfortable as the Nationals' leadoff hitter and center fielder, you're probably right. Pressed into service atop the lineup and in his natural position when Michael A. Taylor went down with a right oblique strain that has been slow to heal, the 26-year-old Goodwin has found a comfort zone. Goodwin originally picked up more playing time when left fielder Jayson Werth fouled a ball off...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed to reporters this afternoon at Camden Yards that former first-round pick Hunter Harvey will pitch Wednesday in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Harvey, 22, is beginning an injury rehab assignment one year after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. He recently threw a two-inning simulated game and convinced the Orioles that he was ready to join an affiliate. "I know they're kind of planning him out through the end of August,...

CINCINNATI - Most of the crowd for today's series finale matinee at Great American Ball Park hadn't even settled into their Reds-red seats yet. Perhaps they were still in line for Skyline Chili or Frisch's Big Boy burgers, trying to decide between sweet treats at the bulk candy store on the ballpark's main concourse or some of the meat treats at the Porktopia stand. Whatever the reason, many in the announced crowd of 17,574 didn't see what happened in the first, when the Nationals...