CINCINNATI - The Nationals open the second half tonight with the first of four games against the Reds at Great American Ball Park in the second 2017 meeting between the teams. The Nationals have gone 38-42 against the Reds since moving from Montreal to D.C. before the 2005 campaign, and haven't won a season series against them since 2011, when they went 4-2. Since then, they're 16-17 against the Reds. Last season, Washington won two of three games on the shores of the Ohio River and dropped...

The Nationals will open the second half of their season Friday with at least one change to their roster. Struggling reliever Sammy Solís was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, the club announced today. A corresponding move will be made before Friday's second-half opener in Cincinnati. Solís' demotion comes less than two weeks after he was activated off the disabled list following a long rehab from nerve inflammation in his elbow. The left-hander, who had been out 2 1/2 months, surrendered a...

SALISBURY, Md. - Chris Davis wished that he could have hit a home run last night to reward the fans at Perdue Stadium who greeted each of his at-bats with a rousing ovation. He settled for no longer having pain in his right oblique and being ready to come off the disabled list. Going 0-for-4 with Single-A Delmarva, including a strikeout and double play, didn't matter in the grand scheme. "I've felt really good physically for about a week and a half," he said. "Obviously, the medical staff...

This is not exactly breaking news, but if you compare the Orioles at the All-Star break in 2016 and 2017, the Orioles of last year fare a lot better - both in team stats and when looking at several individuals, as well. Despite a rotation ERA of 5.15 at the break last year, the 2016 Orioles were 51-36 as the first half ended and led the American League East by two games. The 2017 Orioles, with a rotation ERA of 5.75, are 42-46 and in fourth place, now 7 1/2 games back of division-leading...

SALISBURY, Md. - Chris Davis completed his brief injury rehab assignment tonight with four at-bats with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League. Serving as the designated hitter and batting second, Davis struck out swinging in the first inning, grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the third inning, bounced to second base leading off the sixth and bounced to first base in the eighth. Davis played first base Monday afternoon at high Single-A Frederick and went 1-for-4...

As the second half of the season arrives, we have a pretty good idea just what the 2017 Nationals are. This is perhaps the most talented team they've had during their now-six-year run of contention, with an imposing and deep lineup, dominant starters atop the rotation and an experienced and productive bench. This is also, of course, a team with one gigantic hole that could blow the entire thing up: a bullpen that desperately needs a midseason makeover. There's also reason to be concerned...

Hope everybody enjoyed the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game the last two nights. One proved to be quite an exciting event. The other proved to be kind of a boring event. But it was nonetheless something to see four Nationals starting for the National League, especially when the camera would pan to the right side of the field and the screen would be awash with curly Ws. Now that the festivities are over, though, it's time for the actual break part of the All-Star break. There are no games on...

The 88th All-Star Game was a showcase for the top notch pitching in the major leagues this season. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer started the game in impressive fashion. He held the American League to one hit with two strikeouts in the first inning. The other highlight was the live on-air interview between FOX broadcasters and Bryce Harper during the game. The American League defeated the National League 2-1 in 10 innings. Robinson Canó was named the MVP. His home run in the 10th off of...

Jonathan Schoop proved tonight that he also can double in games that don't count. Schoop entered tonight's All-Star Game at second base in the bottom of the fourth inning and batted in the top of the fifth against Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood. Schoop grounded a double down the left field line with two outs and two strikes, and he scored on a bloop single inside the right field line by Twins third baseman Miguel Sanó. Schoop fell behind 0-2 by taking a strike and swinging through a...

As the season resumes, the Milwaukee Brewers are baseball's biggest surprise team with the Minnesota Twins a close second, 2 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the American League Central. The Dodgers were the first team to win 60 games and have the best record in baseball at 61-29. The Astros were the second team with 60 wins and have the best record in the American League at 60-29. The Phillies are the worst team (22 wins). The Mets, Mariners and Giants are the three biggest disappointments, each...