The Braves took their time coming out of the dugout to take the field on defense on opening day. First pitch was delayed by three minutes from its scheduled 4:10 p.m. ET start time. Maybe they just didn't want to face the Nationals offense right out of the gate. The Nationals opened the 2016 season with the National League MVP crushing a homer off of the Braves' Julio Teheran in the top of the first inning, putting his team up 1-0. And it could have been a much bigger inning. Anthony Rendon...

ATLANTA - The Nationals knew they wouldn't need a fifth starter until the season's second week. Few figured, though, that the guy who would end up getting bumped to that delayed start would be Gio Gonzalez. Or that the guy taking the mound for Thursday's home opener would be Tanner Roark. Gonzalez, not Joe Ross or Roark, will open the season in the bullpen and not make his first start of 2016 until next Monday against the Braves in Washington. That decision was announced by manager Dusty...

The opening day ceremonies are over and the tarp is on the field. Welcome to our first rain delay of the 2016 season, though we're still waiting for the first drop to fall. First pitch is on hold due to the "threat of inclement weather." No word on how long it's going to last. Just get comfortable. The starting pitchers, Chris Tillman and Ervin Santana, didn't warm up during the introductions - our first hint that we weren't starting on time. Former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey...

Welcome to the first game blog of the 2016 season. There will be 161 to follow. If you are new here, this is a place where readers comment throughout the game. They react to plays as they happen, discuss strategy and just keep a good conversation going during the game. Welcome in and join in. Don't wait for the game to start and drop in some comments right away if you like. As for today's lid-lifter, Chris Tillman has started on opening day the last two seasons for the Orioles. They won both...

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard walked into the clubhouse this morning having no idea whether he'd be in the opening day lineup and where he'd bat if manager Buck Showalter included him. It wasn't until later that he found out he would start in left field at bat ninth against the Twins. The realization is slowly sinking in for Rickard that he's made the club, that he's in the majors and starting on opening day. That his professional life has undergone a significant change. "It's hard to get...

As he gets ready to play in a major league game that counts for the first time in his life, new Orioles outfielder and Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard said he's gotten some advice from his teammates about opening day. "Guys have been telling me even veteran guys can get nervous on opening day," Rickard said. "They said embrace it and they have my back. I'll try to enjoy it and relax out there." At least on the outside, the youngster seems pretty calm and relaxed for someone making the jump to...

Left-hander Brian Matusz is scheduled to pitch at Double-A Bowie on Thursday and the Orioles want to activate him three days later. Kevin Gausman will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. He will make starts covering three and five innings before coming off the disabled list. Gausman remains targeted to start on April 19. Infielder Jimmy Paredes is taking dry swings with a fungo bat. That's as far as he's progressed from his left wrist injury. Manager Buck Showalter said he considered...

ATLANTA - And so it begins. And it could not begin under more perfect conditions. It is an absolutely spectacular day for baseball here at Turner Field, not a cloud in the sky, a nice northerly breeze blowing, temperatures in the low 70s. The Nationals and Braves officially get underway at 4:10 p.m., with Max Scherzer taking the mound for the first time since his no-hitter at Citi Field. Scherzer will be facing an Atlanta lineup featuring noted Nats killer Freddie Freeman and ... well, these...

Coming off a season where he filled up the stat sheet, won another Gold Glove and finished fourth in the American League MVP voting, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is ready to get the new season started. "Opening day - this is where it all begins," Machado said this morning in the Orioles clubhouse. "All the hard work we've done in the offseason and in spring training will pay off today." At 22 last year, Machado played in every game and hit .286 with 30 doubles, a triple, 35 homers,...

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is in left field for the Orioles in their opener against the Twins today, but third baseman Manny Machado will hit leadoff. As he did for much of spring training, center fielder Adam Jones is batting second, followed by first baseman Chris Davis, right fielder Mark Trumbo and catcher Matt Wieters. Designated hitter Pedro Alvarez is hitting sixth. Chris Tillman is making his third consecutive opening day start. For the OriolesManny Machado 3BAdam Jones CFChris Davis...