Bryce Harper won't receive any rings this year nor will he be hoisting any trophies over the monuments. The Mets clinched the National League East with a convincing 10-2 win over the Reds, officially eliminating the Nationals from a postseason that almost everyone predicted they would be a major factor in. Not even a dominating 13-strikeout performance from Stephen Strasburg coupled with a walk-off RBI double from Harper in the 12th inning could help the vulnerable Nats today. The drama-filled...

BOSTON - If the Orioles had any shot at stealing the second wild card spot in the American League, they had to sweep the Red Sox before returning home for the final seven games versus the Blue Jays and Yankees. Winning a series wouldn't suffice. They needed to run the table. They've run into a buzzsaw. The Red Sox have posted back-to-back shutouts, including today's 8-0 win that included three Orioles errors leading to six unearned runs. The bullpen failed, the defense failed and the bats...

In Washington, the Orioles played winning baseball with fire and passion. In Boston, they have lost and looked flat in doing so. For the second straight game, the Orioles were shut out. They lost 8-0 today at Boston in a game where a relief pitcher made his first-ever big league start. It got so bad for the Orioles this afternoon that Manny Machado made errors in the seventh and eighth innings, allowing four runs to score, and the O's allowed a season-high six unearned runs on the day. The...

One week remains in the Nationals season and it also could mark the end of veteran shortstop Ian Desmond's time with the organization he grew up with. Desmond, the longest tenured Expos/Nationals player, becomes a free agent at the end of the 2015 season. Although it may not have to come to an end if the club provides say a qualifying offer, Desmond looked back on his career so far and appreciated the opportunity he got in playing for the Nationals. "It's all a blessing," Desmond told 106.7...

Stephen Strasburg mowed down the Phillies through the first four innings without allowing a baserunner. Darin Ruf ended Strasburg's bid for perfection with a leadoff single in the fifth. Strasburg induced a double-play groundout from Andres Blanco after Ruf's hit. Strasburg has faced the minimum batters, striking out six through five innings. The Nationals wasted a tremendous scoring opportunity in the fourth. Three straight singles from Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Clint Robinson loaded...

Bryce Harper enters today's matinee with the Phillies without a hit in his last four games, all losses for the Nationals. The 22-year-old went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts last night and is 0-for-10 over the four games, his longest hitless streak of the season. "He's a touch frustrated right now getting some pitches to hit and not hitting them," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "And that's human. But he's one swing away from getting right back at it. It's been a pretty special...

BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez will be activated from the disabled list and start Tuesday night against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. He also would be able to start the season's final game on Oct. 4 versus the Yankees. Gonzalez hasn't pitched since Aug. 30 because of a sore right shoulder and elbow. "It's great," Showalter said. "We were really hopeful at the time that he'd be able to get back for a couple of starts. Hopefully, more than that. But it's good for him and the organization to...

The Nationals need a win again today against the Phillies. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg makes his final home start of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.81 ERA. He will take on right-hander Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84). Since August 8, Strasburg is No. 1 in the National League with a 12.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio and No. 1 in strikeouts per nine innings with 12.38. His WHIP is second in the league at 0.75, as well as batting average against (.176). He has pitched quality starts in seven of his last...

BOSTON - Orioles closer Zach Britton said he expects to be available for today's game against the Red Sox. Britton hadn't gone on the field, but he seemed to be recovered from the mild strain in his left lat muscle. Britton hasn't pitched since Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Outfielder David Lough figures to be listed among the reserves again today - the Orioles haven't posted their lineup - with the Red Sox starting left-hander Craig Breslow. Lough had his contract selected from Triple-A...

The Washington Nationals today named first baseman Jose Marmolejos their Minor League Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Austin Voth their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The club also named right-handed pitcher Austen Williams the recipient of the third-annual Bob Boone Award. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development and Pro Scouting...