Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 51-77 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.333/.358/.417 with 45 SB), SS Adeiny Hechevarria (.280 with 48 RBIs), 1B Justin Bour (12 HR, 42 RBIs), RHP Tom Koehler (8-12, 3.98 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (2.80 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-4 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: LHP Adam Conley vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 29: RHP Tom Koehler vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 30: LHP Brad Hand vs. RHP Stephen...

After one struggling pitcher took the loss last night for the Orioles, another takes the mound tonight to try and end the club's five-game losing streak. Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (9-9, 4.73 ERA) makes his 24th start of the season tonight. Last night, Ubaldo Jimenez took a 3-1 lead to the sixth at Kansas City, but the Royals scored seven runs in the inning in an 8-3 win. The Orioles are 4-9 in their last 13 regular season games versus Kansas City. They have lost seven in a row to the Royals...

Stephen Strasburg gave up a leadoff single to Yonder Alonso in the second. Jedd Gyorko then smacked Strasburg's 97 mph fastball over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Strasburg retired the next three Padres in order. The right-hander has four strikeouts through two innings. The fans at Nationals Park welcomed Denard Span back from the disabled list with a standing ovation before his first at-bat. Span grounded out to shortstop. Update: Yunel Escobar singled off Padres starter James Shields...

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles will need to make another roster move Friday when catcher Steve Clevenger returns from paternity leave. They could remove an extra reliever from their eight-man bullpen, depending on what transpires over the next few days. Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles will face three left-handed starters in Arlington after the Rangers adjusted their rotation. He seems inclined to keep shortstop Paul Janish as part of a platoon with left-handed hitting Ryan Flaherty. "We'll...

Gary Thorne and Mike Bordick brought up a great point in regards to the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. They mentioned that the team was playing with a lot of confidence, and there can be no doubt about that. You can see it written all over their faces, with the manner by which they carry themselves and, heck, even how their fans react. So could the Orioles learn a lesson from that? The answer is yes - but to a point. The Birds are an uber-professional team in a sense. Think about it: When...

In order to make room for the return of Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams were left with the tough decision to option right-hander Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac. Roark, who went 15-6 with a 2.66 ERA in 31 starts last season, has worked primarily out of the bullpen this season. He's 1-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 relief appearances. However, with rookie right-hander Joe Ross nearing an innings limit, the Nationals are sending...

The Nationals and the San Diego Padres begin a three-game set tonight at Nats Park. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg needs to maintain the pace for the Nationals after a pair of series wins for the club over the last six days. Strasburg (7-6, 4.22 ERA) has now won four of his last five decisions, including an outstanding seven innings at Colorado on Wednesday in which the Nats won 4-1. Strasburg allowed two hits and one unearned run in 93 pitches. He walked none and struck out five...

KANSAS CITY - Orioles shortstop J.J Hardy will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Thursday, delaying his arrival on the road trip. Hardy was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a strained left groin. He underwent an examination today in Baltimore and was supposed to fly into Kansas City to continue his treatments. The Orioles have a locker set up for him in the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium. The plan has changed, however, and Hardy won't rejoin the team before it arrives...

Nationals center fielder Denard Span returned to the club Tuesday and was inserted in the starting lineup, leading off and playing center field against the Padres. Span has been on the disabled list with back tightness since July 7. Previously, he missed the first three weeks of the season as he recovered from right core muscle surgery. He has played only 59 games this season. "Feels good to be back," Span said. "It's been a long road. I'm just ready to get after it. Ready to do all that I...

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated center fielder Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, and optioned right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span, 31, returns to the Nationals after missing 40 games due to back tightness. The Nationals' leadoff man is coming off six rehab games - spanning stops with Single-A Hagerstown, Single-A Potomac and Double-A...