CINCINNATI - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had been chatting with his A's counterpart, Billy Beane, over the past couple of weeks. Their conversations began centered around a single relief pitcher to help stabilize the Nats' bumbling bullpen. But when both righty Ryan Madson and lefty Sean Doolittle became available, Rizzo couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a pair of pitchers who have worked high-leverage innings, closed games, and are capable of getting both right- and...

The Orioles were a team looking for a fresh start and the clean slate that the beginning of the second half presented. A chance to try and get back to .500 and back into serious playoff contention. Then they rallied from 8-0 down to tie the Cubs late on Friday night. But a ninth inning loss there just led to a pair of weekend blowout losses. The Orioles lost 8-0 today to the Cubs at Oriole Park and got swept three straight. So much for a fresh start and so much for a turnaround by the starting...

A team desperate for a good starting pitching performance went another day without one. Right-hander Ubaldo Jiménez lasted just 3 2/3 innings this afternoon as the Chicago Cubs batters teed off again on an Orioles starting pitcher. The Cubs scored four in the second and two in the fourth on their way to an 8-0 win over the Orioles behind lefty José Quintana at Camden Yards. They scored 27 runs in the three-game series sweep and hit 10 homers. Jiménez allowed 11 hits, one off his...

The All-Star break didn't fix the Orioles' starting rotation. It's still broken. Rest must not have been the answer. Ubaldo Jiménez lasted only 3 2/3 innings this afternoon and the Orioles lost to the Cubs 8-0 before an announced crowd of 31,105 at Camden Yards. The Orioles were swept in the opening series of the second half and fell to 42-49, putting them seven games below .500 for the first time this season. They were shut out today for the fifth time and the Cubs outscored them...

Manager: Jeff Banister (3rd season) Record: 45-46 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Elvis Andrus (.295/.339/.462 with 11 HR, 50 RBIs), 3B/DH Adrian Beltre (.275/.374/.522 with 8 HR, 30 RBIs), 3B Joey Gallo (21 HR, 41 RBIs), LHP Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.05 ERA), LHP Alex Claudio (2.59 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (4-3 in 2016) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Andrew Cashner vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 18: RHP Tyson Ross vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m.,...

CINCINNATI - The Nationals have moved to shore up their sagging bullpen by acquiring two relievers - righty Ryan Madson and lefty Sean Doolittle - from the A's in a deal announced Sunday afternoon. In return, the A's will receive one major league piece, right-handed reliever Blake Treinen, and two prospects, Single-A Hagerstown third baseman Sheldon Neuse and rookie-level Gulf Coast League left-hander Jesus Luzardo. General manager Mike Rizzo moved quickly ahead of the July 31 nonwaiver...

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Madson and left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle in exchange for right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen, Minor League left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo and Minor League infielder Sheldon Neuse. In addition, right-handed pitcher Joe Ross was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Madson, 36, owns a 2.06 ERA (9 ER/39.1 IP) and ranks in the top...

Jonathan Schoop is making his second start and third appearance at shortstop today, with Johnny Giavotella playing second base in the series finale. As I wrote this morning, Giavotella is 4-for-8 lifetime against Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana. "I want to get Johnny in there," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "He's only second base, so to get him in there and to not sit Jon, unless you DH him, which moves another guy, (Mark) Trumbo in right field and moves another player around that you...

Infielder Ryan Flaherty hasn't been given an exact date for beginning his injury rehab assignment, but he's hopeful that he can start playing later this week. And just briefly before the Orioles activate him from the disabled list. The Orioles cleared Flaherty to begin throwing again and he's been taking ground balls and swinging in the cage. "I've been throwing now for about a week and a half," he said. "Just trying to build my arm strength up before I get going in rehab...

When the Chicago Cubs began their weekend series at Oriole Park they were 43-45 with eight losses in their last 12 games. They were 13-18 since June 6. But the Cubs have bashed eight homers the last two nights in 9-8 and 10-3 wins in the first two games of this series. The Cubs have 26 hits in the two games and have gone 8-for-14 with runners in scoring position. The two losses have the Orioles at 42-48 with 72 games remaining. The Orioles would have to go 47-25 to match last year's win total...