The newest call-ups from Triple-A Norfolk continue to make an impact with the Orioles. Steve Clevenger singled tonight with one out in the second inning and scored on Henry Urrutia's two-out double into left-center field to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead over the Twins at Camden Yards. Clevenger made the opening day roster and was gone the following night, optioned to Norfolk as Chris Davis came off the restricted list. He's 15-for-37 (.405) with two doubles, a home run, six RBIs and six runs...

Manager: Ned Yost (6th season) Record: 75-48 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Eric Hosmer (.317 with 14 HR, 74 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.307 with 24 SB), 2B Ben Zobrist (.321 with 4 HR, 13 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (.283 with 13 HR, 85 RBIs), RHP Johnny Cueto (2-2, 3.00 ERA), RHP Greg Holland (3.55 ERA, 28 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 1st meeting (4-3 in 2014) Pitching probables: Aug. 24: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Kris Medlen, 8:10 p.m., MASNAug. 25: RHP Miguel Gonzalez vs. LHP Danny...

The Nationals lost a quality scoring opportunity in the first. Jayson Werth led off with a single and Anthony Rendon followed with a walk. Bryce Harper then blistered a ball to deep center that Shane Peterson made a sensational diving catch on. Werth tagged, but Peterson's throw nailed him at third for the second out. Ryan Zimmerman struck out to end the inning. With two outs in the second, Wilson Ramos delivered a two-out base knock to left. Michael A. Taylor then smashed Taylor Jungmann's...

It hasn't been the 2015 season Anthony Rendon or the Nationals expected. After a solid rookie year, Rendon broke through in his sophomore campaign, leading the National League in runs scored (111) and tying for fifth in hits (176) while smacking 21 homers with 83 RBIs. Those impressive numbers led to a Silver Slugger Award and a fifth place finish in the NL MVP vote. So naturally, the prospects of Rendon continuing his maturation into one of the game's best players was a no-brainer. But the...

The Nationals are running out of time to get something going. Only 41 games remain, and they pretty much have to win every series the rest of the way to have a chance to catch the Mets. It is impressive to view the impact Yoenis Cespedes has had on the Mets. Last night, driving home from the Nationals game and listening to the Oakland A's broadcast, their announcers commented on how important Cespedes has been to recent playoff runs for the A's and now with what the Mets are trying to do. Of...

Manager Matt Williams announced in pregame that Jayson Werth is back in the lineup and leading off, which wasn't exactly the plan earlier Saturday afternoon. "We planned on giving him a day off, tough travel, late night, into yesterday," Williams said. "The fact that (Ryan Zimmerman) was scheduled for a day off yesterday, we planned on Jayson today. But he got here, feels good, and he's got good numbers certainly." Werth had trouble defensively Friday night in the Nationals' 10-3 loss to...

J.J. Hardy took batting practice this afternoon and the Orioles haven't announced any changes to their lineup. Stay tuned. Hardy felt discomfort in his groin toward the end of last night's game. He did some running earlier today, including figure eights, "and felt pretty good," said manager Buck Showalter. Hardy is in a 4-for-46 slump in his last 13 games. He's been bothered this season by periodic back tightness, and now he's receiving treatment for the groin discomfort. Are the issues...

Last night, the Orioles lost 4-3 to the Twins as they scored three runs or less for the 52nd time this year. If it seems like they are scoring three or less a lot this year, they really are not - at least not compared to last year's 96-win, division champion Orioles. But they are winning a lesser percentage of such games. The 2014 Orioles scored three or less 44.4 percent of the time, going 21-51 in those games for a winning percentage of .291. The 2015 Orioles have scored three or less in...

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is in tonight's lineup and the Orioles are hoping he can stay there. Hardy felt some discomfort in his groin last night. He ran earlier today and will take batting practice and field ground balls. Manager Buck Showalter was late posting the lineup because of Hardy's uncertain status. Steve Pearce is playing first base and batting third tonight at Double-A Bowie. Gerardo Parra is batting .354/.398/.579 (85-for-240) since June 11, which leads the majors in that span...

Yunel Escobar sits tonight after hyperextending his neck in the first inning of Friday's 10-3 loss to the Brewers. The Nationals third baseman collided with the railing and then a fan while pursuing a foul ball, which eventually sailed into the seats. Anthony Rendon slides over to third and leads off with Jayson Werth out of the lineup. Rendon is just 2-for-22 over his last six games and batting only .200 with one homer and two RBIs since returning from the disabled list on July...