Nationals manager Dusty Baker had some intriguing thoughts on a couple of game situations that occurred in Friday's 8-4 win over the Twins. In that game, Danny Espinosa and Chris Heisey were hit by pitches. Baker was asked before Saturday's game if Espinosa showed toughness on the part by being plunked and starting the next day. "I got a different attitude about that," Baker said. "No. 1, you get paid to be tough. You get paid to play ball. No. 2, you better start trying to get out of the...

The Nationals get some runs early for their starter again. Facing Twins right-hander Phil Hughes, the Nationals scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first. Last time Hughes pitched at Nationals Park, he allowed one run over six innings for a Yankees 7-2 victory in 2012. But this time, Anthony Rendon had a one-out single followed by a line-drive double down the right field line for Bryce Harper. Ryan Zimmerman then delivered a single to center that scored two runs and the Nationals...

Michael A. Taylor is getting a day off on Saturday, with Chris Heisey leading off and playing center field for the Nationals. Taylor is hitting .174 (4-for-23) the last seven days and .161 for the season. Leading off, he is hitting .175 through 13 games. Manager Dusty Baker was asked why he put Heisey at the top of the order. "You got any better choices? He's batted leadoff for me before," Baker said. "He's my best choice today." Baker is just giving Taylor the day off and he's not...

Manager Dusty Baker had limited notes on the status of right-hander Joe Ross, who left his last start due to a blister on his right middle finger. Baker said he had not talked to pitching coach Mike Maddux yet for an update as of Saturday morning but did see Ross work out Friday. "I was surprised to see him throwing yesterday," Baker said. "It looks ugly. I don't know if he could throw a full game like that. There is skin over it, but it looks kind of like an open wound where they shaved...

The Orioles apparently are determined to make up for lost time after going 15 games without changing their opening day roster. Yovani Gallardo is expected to land on the disabled list after returning to Baltimore and undergoing an examination of his right shoulder. It would be a shock if he's simply day-to-day or pushed back one start after leaving last night's game before the bottom of the third inning. Gallardo told reporters in Kansas City that his shoulder "just didn't feel right." He...

The Nationals seek another series win on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Twins. Friday night, the Nationals scored seven runs before the fourth inning to cruise to an 8-4 victory. Today, right-hander Tanner Roark (1-2, 3.71) faces right-hander Phil Hughes (1-2, 4.42 ERA). Roark has allowed seven earned runs to Miami in two starts this season but kept Atlanta off the board throwing seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win April 13. Hughes won his last start against the Brewers April 18,...

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles lost the first game of the Toronto series and then won the next two against the defending American League East champs. They lost 4-2 to Kansas City last night and now will try to win the next two games against the defending World Series champs. The Royals had two runs after two pitches last night against right-hander Yovani Gallardo. A single and a Mike Moustakas two-run homer got their offense started and they scored four early runs in the first two innings against...

KANSAS CITY - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said tonight's starter, Yovani Gallardo, told him his shoulder didn't feel right after he had pitched the last of the second inning. Gallardo was taken out of the game at that point and will now head to Baltimore for further examination on Saturday. Gallardo allowed hits to the first three batters he faced, and gave up three runs in the first inning and another run in the second in the Orioles' 4-2 loss to Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. He threw...

With Jayson Werth's past hamstring issues a concern, the Nationals and manager Dusty Baker want to be careful with how they work the veteran left fielder this early in the season. During Wednesday's game in Miami, Werth left in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness. He sat out Thursday's afternoon game and returned to the lineup for Friday's interleague matchup against the Twins. All systems were go for Werth as he contributed a solo homer, two runs and three catches in left field...

Chris Davis knows what you're thinking. (Don't get embarrassed. It's baseball-related.) Big guy, big muscles, hits really long home runs, strikes out a lot, can't possess the athleticism to play first base at an elite level. This is why we have scouts and defensive metrics and, if blessed with it, the ability to see and comprehend. Davis is playing an outstanding first base. He's got to be averaging at least one play a night that warrants an asterisk on your scoresheet. Or whatever symbol...