The Nationals faced off against a hot pitcher in German Márquez and lost to Colorado 4-2. There was a big chance for the Nats to get back in the game in the sixth with their newest hitter Howie Kendrick in the middle of the rally, but it fell a little bit short. Kendrick's pinch-hit double and a two-run single by Wilmer Difo were the highlights for the Nats, but the night belonged to Márquez and the Rockies bullpen. Márquez struck out a career-high 10 and did not allow a hit or a base...

ARLINGTON, Texas - It has become very apparent in two days during this series at Globe Life Park that Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre has a room full of admirers in the visiting clubhouse. Beltre enters tonight's game two hits shy of becoming the 31st player in the Major League history to reach 3,000 hits. He had two hits last night and is at 2998 to start this game. Beltre has gone 9-for-14 with a homers, two doubles, 5 RBIs and 2 walks during this Rangers homestand to raise his season...

Right-hander Tanner Roark battled through a single and a walk in the first inning by striking out Mark Reynolds. But in the second inning, Carlos González was walked and Trevor Story worked a long count into a two-run shot over the right-center field wall that gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead. Roark bounced back to strike out looking the next three hitters he faced and got out of the frame. The Nationals have had early struggles against Rockies starter German Márquez. He has not allowed a hit...

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg took a solid step forward in his recovery from a right elbow nerve impingement with a smooth bullpen session on Saturday, according to general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo. Right-hander Erick Fedde will be called up Sunday to make his major league debut as Strasburg takes at least one start off. "He threw a bullpen today and came through it very well," Rizzo said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow and feel it from...

ARLINGTON, Texas - Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson's entry into the clubhouse with his new team will have to wait a couple of days. On his way to the airport to fly to Texas, Hellickson and his girlfriend were in a car accident that briefly sent her to the hospital. "I think Jeremy is OK, but his girlfriend had to go to the emergency room," manager Buck Showalter said before tonight's game. "I know Roger (McDowell) has talked to him a couple of times. If everything stays...if she gets cleared,...

The Nationals activated infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick and placed infielder Stephen Drew on the 10-day disabled list with a left abdominal strain, retroactive to July 26. The team also announced they designated corner infielder Matt Skole for assignment clearing a 40-man roster spot for Kendrick. General manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo said he had always respected the play of Kendrick and had hoped to someday add him to the club. "It came together quickly," Rizzo...

ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis feels the club's acquisition of pitcher Jeremy Hellickson is a good move for the team. But what if the Orioles also began to look toward the future and dealt one of its key relievers? What if a team 6 ½ games out of the wild card race started to look more toward the future than the present? "For me, it is hard to look that far down the road," Davis said. "Six and half is, I mean, it can change quickly. I don't remember what the exact...

Caleb Joseph is behind the plate tonight as Kevin Gausman takes the mound at Globe Life Park and the Orioles try to stop a three-game skid. Seth Smith is in right field again, with Trey Mancini in left. The Orioles aren't listing their starters beyond left-hander Wade Miley on Sunday afternoon. No word yet on Jeremy Hellickson's debut following last night's trade with the Phillies. Also, no roster move has been announced. The Orioles have an extra pitcher and are short a bench player with...

ARLINGTON, Texas - This Orioles road trip began well. Right-hander Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings on Monday in a 5-0 shutout of Tampa Bay, but the Orioles have lost three straight since then by a combined score of 18-7. They lost the series opener at Texas 8-2 last night and are 48-54 heading into tonight's second game of the series. A loss would drop them to a season-high tying seven games under .500, a mark they hit when they were 42-49. Right-hander Chris Tillman gave up nine...

The Nationals are looking to get their three-game set with the Rockies underway tonight after a Friday night rainout. The pitching probables remain the same with right-hander Tanner Roark (8-6, 4.83 ERA) facing off against right-hander German Márquez (8-4, 4.20). Manager Dusty Baker said Friday that Roark is starting to get back to the way he was pitching when he pitched well last season. "I think Tanner is in baseball shape mentally and spiritually and physically," Baker said. "Because...