The Nationals came out of the All-Star break by beating the Dodgers to climb a season-high 10 games over .500 on July 17 with a three-game hold on first place in the National League East. Since then, the Nats have gone 9-17 to drop 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in the race for the division. With 48 games remaining, including six against the Mets, it's not time for panic. But with the continuing struggles of the offense, it's not far off. After failing to score against Dodgers aces Zack...

Before Denard Span suffered a setback last week, he'd progressed to full workouts, live batting practice and taking fly balls and line drives in the outfield in Nationals Park as he worked his way back from a back issue that landed him on the disabled list. Washington's 31-year-old center fielder and leadoff man worked his way back from two surgeries this winter/spring - after he put together a line of .302/.355/.416, with 39 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 31 stolen bases and a +4.0...

After suffering back-to-back shutouts in Los Angeles, the Nationals managed to muster only one run as their losing streak reached three with the Giants' 3-1 win. With the Mets completing a sweep of the Rockies earlier Thursday, Washington slid 4 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East. The night began with heavy promise when Yunel Escobar sent Ryan Vogelsong's first pitch of the game over the left-center field wall. The solo shot was Escobar's third leadoff homer of the year...

It's dangerous to apply football wisdom to baseball. Nevertheless, with the Baltimore Ravens having played their first preseason game on Thursday night in this, ahem, football town, now is as good a time as any to do so. Finish ordering that Bryn Renner jersey at NFL.com, and let's talk some baseball. NFL Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcells famously said, "You are what your record says you are." That quote came to mind repeatedly this week as I watched the Orioles struggle through a 4-5 West...

The Nationals broke a 19-inning scoreless streak right out of the gates. Yunel Escobar drove Ryan Vogelsong's first pitch of the game just over the wall in left-center for his third leadoff homer of the year. It was Escobar's eighth longball of the season and the Nats' seventh to start a game this season. After Vogelsong walked Bryce Harper, Giants shortstop Brandon Belt robbed Ryan Zimmerman on a blistered grounder to force Harper at second. Vogelsong then issued back-to-back free passes to...

Has everyone submitted their guesses for the corresponding roster moves today to make room for outfielder Henry Urrutia and catcher Steve Clevenger? Don't assume that Matt Wieters is going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Executive vice president Dan Duquette mentioned on Wednesday how the Orioles needed "two healthy catchers," and Clevenger could be the second one while Wieters is given a few more days to heal. Wieters could have caught in an emergency Wednesday afternoon, but...

The Nationals' 10-game, 11-day West Coast trip continues tonight in San Francisco as Washington opens a four-game set with the Giants. The Nats outscored the Giants 14-5 in a three-game sweep in D.C. July 3-5. Stephen Strasburg started the second game of that series and held San Francisco scoreless over 3 2/3 innings before departing with a strained left oblique. The injury forced Strasburg to the disabled list the following day, and he remained there until last Saturday when he returned to...

The Nationals begin a four-game set in San Francisco needing a win to remain 3 1/2 games back of the Mets, who finished off a sweep of the Rockies earlier today. Stephen Strasburg aims to end the Nats' two-game losing streak. The right-hander returned from the disabled list to spin seven dazzling innings last Saturday night, limiting the Rockies to one run on just three hits while striking out 12 without issuing a walk. Strasburg strained his left oblique during a start against the Giants on...

Behind a pitching staff with the best ERA in the International League, a top-flight defense and an offense featuring two of the Orioles' top prospects, the Triple-A Norfolk Tides are having a very strong 2015 season. The last time the Tides made the playoffs was 2005. The last time Norfolk won the IL championship was in 1985. One or both could change soon. On the verge of making the postseason for the first time since becoming an Orioles affiliate in 2007, Norfolk is 68-50 and leading its...

The Orioles are in the process of tweaking their roster before Friday night's series opener against the Athletics. According to sources, catcher Steve Clevenger and outfielder Henry Urrutia are headed to Baltimore. The Orioles wanted to add two position players after being no-hit yesterday by Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma. The moves won't become official until Friday. And no word on the corresponding moves. Feel free to speculate as the Orioles add two left-handed hitters. Clevenger could be...