PITTSBURGH - Ian Desmond continued his hot streak with a one-out single to right in the second. Jose Lobaton followed with a base knock to center, advancing Desmond all the way to third. Pirates starter A.J. Burnett then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Desmond to race home safely for the game's first run. Desmond is 9-for-17 with three homers and five RBIs since Monday. The Pirates have one hit off Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez, though the left-hander has been helped by some stellar defense...

PITTSBURGH - This hasn't been the season Anthony Rendon expected after his breakout year in 2014. Rendon's sophomore campaign in the big leagues saw the Nationals' 2011 first round pick lead the National League in runs scored and finish tied for fifth in hits while smacking 21 homers and driving in 83 runs. The now 25-year-old's 6.5 WAR was tied for second-highest in the league, and he finished fifth in the NL MVP voting. But, a sprained left MCL suffered on a dazzling diving stop in...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters could more easily ignore the non-waiver trade deadline in past years, his importance to the Orioles or his elbow surgery cementing his status in the organization. A pending free agent on a team that's lost 15 of its last 20 games, Wieters is now more susceptible to having his name linked to various rumors, including talks with the Braves. All he can do is slip back into ignore mode. "It's definitelly different, but as a player you can't think...

As the Orioles look to get their offense going tonight, they'll try to do so against the pitcher than leads the American League in ERA since April 29. Tampa Bay right-hander Erasmo Ramirez (8-3, 3.54 ERA) gets the starts for the Rays. He's made 21 appearances, 14 as a starter. Since he joined the Rays rotation for good on May 14, his eight wins are tied for the major league lead with Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole, Houston's Dallas Keuchel and Detroit's Anibal Sanchez. Since June 20, the Rays...

Manager: Dan Jennings (1st year) Record: 41-58 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.276, 37 RBIs), LF Christian Yelich (.265, 5 HR, 22 RBIs), 1B Justin Boar (.263 with 10 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA), RHP Tom Koehler (8-6, 3.16 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: July 28: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 29: RHP Doug Fister vs. RHP Tom Koehler, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 30: RHP Max...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles rotation will stay in turn for the three-game series against the Braves next week at Camdem Yards. Kevin Gausman will start Monday night, followed by Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman. Matt Wieters came up with the idea of taking ground balls at first base this weekend at Tropicana Field. He suggested it to third base coach and infield instructor Bobby Dickerson, who passed it along to manager Buck Showalter. "It's something where I wanted to be available to...

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals lineup is beginning to round into form. Anthony Rendon returns from the disabled list after missing the last 25 games with a strained left quad. Manager Matt Williams has penciled Rendon in at second base where he has started 12 of his 18 games this season. The Nationals also welcome back Yunel Escobar after the 32-year-old rested his sore left wrist and hand the past two games. Escobar, whose .321 batting average is fifth in the National League, will play third...

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals took a major leap forward on the road to health by reinstating Anthony Rendon from the 15-day disabled list this afternoon. Rendon's season has been plagued by three different injuries, limiting him to just 18 games for the Nationals. A sprained left MCL suffered in spring training followed by a left oblique strain robbed Rendon of the first 53 games of the year. The 25-year-old returned to hit .290/.375/.362 with five doubles and five RBIs before landing back on the...

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated infielder Anthony Rendon from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-handed pitcher Abel De Los Santos to Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rendon, 24, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 25 games with a left quad strain. He appeared in six Minor League rehab games with Single-A Potomac, hitting .471 (8-for-17) with...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If the Orioles are going to make a run at another division title, or at least a wild card berth, they need to improve on their 19-31 road record. They'll try again tonight in the second game of their series against the Rays. Manny Machado is batting third again tonight for the Orioles, with David Lough leading off. Chris Davis is batting second as the designated hitter. Ryan Flaherty is starting at first base. The Orioles lead the majors with 27 outfield assists. Their...