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...

It is the time of year for trade rumors, talk and speculation. Orioles closer Zach Britton's name has come up a few times in the last few days in that regard. He hears that talk and can easily see speculation via social media, but tries not to let it distract him or keep him from returning to top form since he came back off the DL for the second time. He's been an Oriole a long time and doesn't seek to go anywhere else. "I've been here since I was 18," Britton said this afternoon. "I'm...

Join the Orioles for their second "Birdland Social" Social Media Night at Camden Yards on Wednesday, July 19th! Presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the party starts at the center field Roof Deck at 5 p.m. prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Texas Rangers. The Orioles will welcome 250 of their most committed social media fans, who will have the opportunity to join a question-and-answer session with the Orioles' Trey Mancini (@TreyMancini) and MASNSports.com's very own Roch...

Adam Jones remains the Orioles' leadoff hitter and Seth Smith continues to bat seventh as the Orioles begin a four-game series against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Nothing unusual about the lineup. Jonathan Schoop still is batting third and has returned to second base, and Trey Mancini remains in left field. Left-handers are batting .366/.482/.538 against Chris Tillman this season. According to MLB Statcast, Manny Machado ranks ninth in the majors in average exit velocity at 93.3 mph. For the...

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 46-49 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.337/.457/.714 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.291 with 39 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (14 HR, 56 RBIs), RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (2.35 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 18: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jesse Chavez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2 July 19: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 10:07 p.m.,...

After opening the second half of the season going 7-for-11 (.636) with a double, three homers, three walks and four runs scored, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Rendon hit safely in all three games following the All-Star break and moreover, he reached base safely in 10 of his 14 plate appearances from Friday through Sunday. On July 15 at Cincinnati, Rendon went 3-for-3...

CINCINNATI - Well, that didn't take long. Three batters into the game, the Nationals had a 3-0 lead over the Reds courtesy of a Bryce Harper home run. Brian Goodwin doubled, Stephen Drew singled and Harper crushed his 23rd homer of the season over the wall in right field. The blast extended Harper's hitting streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 20 games. Reds right-hander Scott Feldman's next pitch, to Ryan Zimmerman, was deposited into the seats in left for a solo homer. It was...

Last month, Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez sat down with MASN's Dan Kolko to discuss his upcoming Uncork for a Cause charity event on July 27, and what it means to be in a position to give back to his hometown. Uncork for a Cause is an opportunity for professional athletes and celebrities to continue to be community leaders and to support charities that are close to their hearts. Originally established by TAG sports, the event is a one-of-a-kind experience with a fantastic selection of food...

For any Nationals fan, or frankly any baseball fan, the answer to this "Jeopardy!" question on Thursday, July 13 was fairly easy: Bryce Harper makes Jeopardy (via @KcannonDFS and @charlcies) pic.twitter.com/6QXRl2Ek0r -- Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) July 13, 2017 Although, as Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post pointed out, Bryce Harper hasn't been called "Bam Bam" in nearly four years. So this could have gone over most fans' heads. This is the second time the five-time All-Star has...

CINCINNATI - Dusty Baker knows who his starting pitcher will be for tomorrow's series opener in Anaheim. He's just not ready to make an announcement yet. "It's the same as yesterday: I can't tell you yet," Baker said before Monday's series finale against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. "There's an update. Same as yesterday." However, general manager Mike Rizzo, in an interview this morning on MLB Network Radio on XM, said that right-hander Edwin Jackson would get the call for...