ST. LOUIS - Ryan Zimmerman nearly willed the Nationals to victory last night. The 11-year veteran blasted a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning before the Nats bullpen collapsed in the 8-5 loss. Zimmerman has driven in runs in seven of his last eight games, batting .333 (10-for-30) with four homers, two doubles and 15 RBIs over the stretch. Since returning from the disabled list on July 28, Zimmerman is leading the Nats with eight homers, 10 doubles, 29 RBIs and a .587 slugging...

ST. LOUIS - Stephen Strasburg threw, albeit casually, for the first time since leaving Sunday's game with upper back tightness. "He played catch," manager Matt Williams said. "We'll see how he comes out of that. He didn't feel anything abnormal today, and so we'll do a little more of that tomorrow and look to get him to a bullpen (session)." Tanner Roark made his second minor league start last night since the Nats optioned him on Aug. 25. However, the right-hander's outing at Double-A...

There's a touch of irony tonight that baseball's Iron Man is playing hurt. Cal Ripken Jr. said he flipped over the handlebars of his bicycle today and landed on his right shoulder. It's barking now and he warned reporters that he might have to throw the ceremonial first pitch from halfway between the mound and home plate. He wasn't kidding. Ripken stood in that spot and threw to close friend and former teammate Brady Anderson, now the Orioles' vice president of baseball operations. Ripken...

Before throwing out the first pitch tonight to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 2,131, Cal Ripken Jr. met with reporters. Here are some of the highlights from that press conference: "In some ways it feels like it was yesterday. Although when I see my kids - Rachel is 26 and Ryan is 22 and they were two and six then - in some ways it seems like a snap of the fingers that it was yesterday," Ripken said. "But yeah, it is hard to believe it's 20 years. "The lap (around the stadium) made it...

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy returned to his locker before batting practice today covered in sweat. He joked about sitting outside and watching catcher drills in the heat, but he actually took ground balls to make sure he didn't experience any discomfort in his groin. "I feel fine," he said. "Just took a bunch of ground balls and really wasn't holding back at all and I feel fine." Hardy said he will "sprint and run" over the next few days, the more serious tests before the Orioles...

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals have reinstated second baseman Dan Uggla, selected the contract of catcher Pedro Severino from Double-A Harrisburg and recalled left-hander Sammy Solis from Triple-A Syracuse. To make room for Severino on the 40-man roster, right-hander David Carpenter was put on the 60-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Uggla returns to the Nats after missing 22 games with back spasms. He played in seven rehab assignment games with Harrisburg, hitting .217 (5-for-23)...

Tonight, the Orioles will celebrate the 20th anniversary of when Cal Ripken Jr. played his 2,131st consecutive game, passing New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig at Camden Yards. The Orioles will be on the road Sunday for the actual anniversary date of Sept. 6, 1995. Before tonight's game against Tampa Bay, Ripken will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. From approximately 5:30-6:30 p.m., the Orioles will show the video "2131: Cal's Moment in Time," originally released in 1995, on the main...

The Orioles still are waiting for the results of Miguel Gonzalez's MRIs on his right shoulder and elbow. A team physician still needs to read them. Manager Buck Showalter is hoping that Gonzalez favored the shoulder and caused inflammation in the elbow. Gonzalez underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery in the elbow in 2009. Despite the expanded roster this month, the Orioles could choose to place Gonzalez on the disabled list and recall a player earlier than the 10-day period for staying in...

ST. LOUIS - As right-hander Joe Ross prepares to make his 12th start of his rookie season in tonight's game against the Cardinals, the question remains how much longer the Nationals intend to use the 22-year-old. "It's an interesting scenario because, one, he hasn't been hurt," manager Matt Williams explained. "It's not like he's had an injury and we're cautious in that regard." Combined with his 76 innings thrown in the minors this season, Ross has totaled 142 2/3 innings in 2015....

The Arizona Fall League announced their 2015 rosters Tuesday and the Nationals' entrant, the Salt River Rafters, includes seven Nationals prospects. The Rafters will be managed by high Single-A Potomac manager Tripp Keister. He guided the P-Nats to the 2014 Mills Cup by winning the Carolina League title. Nationals pitchers include Double-A Harrisburg right-handers Dakota Bacus and Abel De Los Santos, plus left-hander Nick Lee. Also on the roster is right-hander John Simms from Potomac. The...