PHILADELPHIA - In a season filled with injuries that have interfered with a division crown and a possible deep run into October, the Nationals are finally showing the potential of some of their battered stars. Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth - two guys who have combined to miss 151 games this year - led the way tonight as the Nationals outlasted the Phillies 8-7 in a game that featured 16 pitchers over 11 innings. Rendon set the tone from the start, smacking the first pitch of the game from...

It doesn't take a baseball expert to notice Chris Davis' rare power at the plate. He's already surpassed the 40-homer mark for the second time in his career (42, most in the majors), he's sixth in slugging percentage (.562), and he's second in isolated power (.299). With a wRC+ of 148, Davis is still a ways away from his 168 wRC+ from 2013. But he's bounced back in a big way after a disastrous 2014, and he's put himself in position to make a ton of money this offseason. In Davis'...

Kevin Gausman has pitched well several times this year without a lot of run support. He was in a similar spot tonight, but this time he navigated his way through six innings and actually got a win. Gausman gave up just two hits and got his first victory since Aug. 1 as the Orioles beat Boston 2-0. Gausman has recorded a win in just two of his 14 starts. "Hey, I'm just happy that we won," he said. "I could care less about my statistics as long as we are winning. That is what it is all about...

Don't look now, but the Orioles have sole possession of third place in the American League East. They're not covering the lockers in plastic, but it beats a last-place tie. Kevin Gausman threw 29 pitches in the first inning before settling down and working through the sixth in a 2-0 win over the Red Sox before 19,666 at Camden Yards. The Orioles won for the fifth time in six games and are three under .500 for the first time since Aug. 29. Gausman earned his first win since Aug. 1 and Zach...

There are books in the upper echelon of make-you-think works. B.F. Skinner's controversial (to this day) book on human behavior, "Beyond Freedom and Dignity," is high on that list. Skinner was a psychologist who wrote, sought social reform and taught at Harvard from 1958 until his retirement in 1974. This 1971 book created a stir within his field, as well as reviews and critiques that go on to this day. He touched a very human nerve that took interest in the book beyond the scientific field...

In a matchup of former top Orioles pitching prospects tonight, Kevin Gausman was just a little better than Eduardo Rodriguez. The Orioles used two RBIs by Adam Jones to beat Rodriguez and Boston 2-0 at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 10-4 against Boston and clinched the season series for the fourth year in a row. That is the first time the Orioles have done that since 1964-67. The Orioles improved to 70-73 with their fifth win in six games. They are 3-1 on this homestand and 41-28 at home for the...

On the 15th of September, the Nationals are 10 games back of the New York Mets and it's safe to say their postseason chances are just a little more than zero. Before the season started, almost everyone thought Washington was a favorite to win the World Series. I predicted on my blog, MattsBats.com, that they would win 99 games and take the National League East easily. A lot of people are now wondering what went wrong for the Nationals this year. Today, I am looking at three of the biggest...

PHILADELPHIA - Center fielder Denard Span was named the Washington Nationals' 2015 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet, Major League Baseball announced today. The Roberto Clemente Award pays tribute to the Hall of Famer's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. Span is one of the 30 finalists from each Major League club for the annual award given to the player who best represents the game...

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon makes his uncelebrated return to Citizens Bank Park tonight for the first time since the Phillies shipped him to the Nationals just before the trade deadline on July 28. The controversial trade knocked right-hander Drew Storen back into a set-up role to make way for Papelbon to handle the ninth inning. The Nationals have struggled since the move, going just 20-25 and leaving Papelbon with only six opportunities to save games. Papelbon successfully...

Before Nolan Reimold knocks in another run for the Orioles, he taps his fist against his wood locker inside the home clubhouse. Reimold freely admit that he believes in jinxes and would rather void talking about the adjustments that he's made at the plate with hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh. He skimps on the details, a smile creasing his face. It's going good for Reimold. Don't mess with it by talking about it. Reimold is making his eighth start this month, again situated atop the order but...