PHILADELPHIA - Anthony Rendon belted the first pitch of the game from Phillies starter Aaron Nola over the left-center field wall. It was Rendon's second leadoff homer of his career and the eighth for the Nationals this season. Update: Ryan Howard smoked a 2-1 fastball from Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann over the wall in right to tie the score in the second. It was the first hit allowed by Zimmermann. Update II: Bryce Harper answered with a two-out solo homer to right in the third. It was...

When the Orioles host Boston tonight in the opener of a three-game series, the pitching matchup features two pitchers that are former top prospects for the Orioles. Kevin Gausman (2-6, 4.43 ERA) faces Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (9-5, 4.05 ERA). Rodriguez was traded when the O's added reliever Andrew Miller in July 2014. For two years, these two were ranked among the top five O's prospects by Baseball America. At the end of the 2012 season, Gausman was the O's No. 2 prospect and...

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann heads to the mound tonight looking to collect his 13th win of the season. The Phillies are the lone National League team that Zimmermann has a losing record against, coming in at 6-7 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 career starts. Zimmermann has allowed just three runs over his last three outings, going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA while striking out 15 over 18 2/3 innings. After batting .314 with six homers and 18 RBIs in August, Ian Desmond's bat has cooled down...

Miguel Gonzalez threw off flat ground today in his first session since going on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder and inflammation in his right elbow. "Felt really good, no problems," said manager Buck Showalter. "Actually got more aggressive toward the end and didn't feel anything, so that's good news today." The next step probably involves another flat ground session. "Would do that again, I think," Showalter said. "That was the first time in a long time....

Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz has been very active in the community for several seasons. Today he was named as the Orioles' nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. Prior to Wednesday's game, the Orioles will observe Major League Baseball's annual Roberto Clemente Day and present Matusz his award during an on-field ceremony. "I'm absolutely honored to be the Orioles' representative," Matusz said this afternoon. "And to be included with the guys in the past that have...

PHILADELPHIA - Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper returns to the lineup tonight after a brutal collision knocked him out of yesterday's game. Harper ran into Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich while attempting to make a running turn at the bag on his way to third on Jayson Werth's inning-ending groundout. The violent impact left Harper on his back as Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz rushed out to tend to him. Harper left the game for precautionary...

With three weeks left in the season, the Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals have wrapped up division championships even though official the clinch is yet to come. Still, there are good storylines: - The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 5-0 to avoid a sweep Sunday, but they are still in a free-fall in the American League East, considering they had a seven-game lead on July 28. A title looks remote, and it could be that the wild card lead they have is shaky as well. Texas and Houston, leaders in the...

The Orioles are breaking out their right-handed lineup tonight against Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez. Nolan Reimold is leading off again and serving as the designated hitter. Steve Pearce is in left field and Dariel Alvarez is in right. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Manny Machado needs three more stolen bases for the seventh 20/20 season in Orioles history. He already has 28 home runs. Machado would join Paul Blair (26/20 in 1969), Don Baylor (25/32 in 1975), Reggie Jackson (27/28 in...

Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of MLB, today announced that Brian Matusz was named the Orioles 2015 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Wednesday, September 16th marks the fourteenth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Matusz is one of the 30 Club finalists for...

Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of MLB, today announced that Denard Span was named the Washington Nationals' 2015 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Wednesday, September 16th marks the fourteenth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Span is one of the 30 Club...