Nothing gets by Buck Showalter, but that doesn't mean you have to believe everything he says. You probably shouldn't believe everything anyone says. In February, when discussing Chris Davis' chances of playing right field during the season, Showalter said, "Chris might be as good a right fielder as we have here." That comment surely made numerous fans roll their eyes. Perhaps that was less of a compliment than an unintentional (or intentional) dig at the defensive skills of some of the...

For a few tense seconds, it appeared the Nationals' early lead they built against Matt Harvey was evaporating. Trailing 5-1 in the fifth, the Mets had two runners on with two outs and Eric Campbell at the plate. Gio Gonzalez offered a 92 mph fastball and Campbell drilled it to deep right-center field. "I thought it was at least off the wall, maybe top of the wall," Gonzalez said. Then Michael A. Taylor came into the picture. With the ball screaming through the air, Taylor turned on the...

The struggles this season for Ian Desmond are well-chronicled. The free-agent-to-be entered tonight's game with his average plummeting to .204 after going 0-for-13 with five strikeouts in the Nationals' previous four games. But, the seven-year veteran's night at the plate ended up factoring in the Nationals' 7-2 win in the series opener over the Mets. Desmond's infield single in the third led to a throwing error by Mets third baseman Daniel Murphy, which allowed Clint Robinson to score the...

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was once again solid and consistent in pitching the Nationals to a 7-2 victory over the Mets. Gonzalez went six innings, scattering six hits and allowing two runs for his seventh win. He has recorded only two losses since April 27. Gonzalez struck out four and walked three. But Gonzalez found himself in danger in the fifth. Leading 5-2, the Mets got singles from Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores to attempt a rally. With two men out, Eric Campbell lined a Gonzalez offering...

If the Orioles are going to chip away at the Yankees' division lead, this is the week to do it. And by "chipping," I mean taking chunks out of it. The Orioles trail the Yankees by four games as they venture into the Bronx. They won two of three games in April at Camden Yards, lost three of four in May at Yankee Stadium and won two of three again in June at Camden Yards. The Yankees are 27-17 at home this season and the Orioles are 19-27 on the road, though they won two straight in Detroit...

Manager: Joe Girardi (8th season) Record: 50-41 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Brett Gardner (.300/.378/.477 with 10 HR, 42 RBIs), DH Alex Rodriguez (.277/.378/.515 with 19 HR, 52 RBIs), C Brian McCann (.255 with 15 HR, 58 RBIs), 1B Mark Teixeira (.249 with 23 HR, 63 RBIs), RHP Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA), LHP Andrew Miller (20 saves, 1.44 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 5-5 Pitching probables: July 21: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 22: RHP Kevin Gausman...

As the Double-A Bowie Baysox pursue their first division championship since 2008 and second playoff berth in four years, their pitching staff is being led by a veteran right-hander who is putting up very strong numbers on the field while also providing an example for younger pitchers to follow. Terry Doyle picked up his latest win on Sunday, allowing two earned runs or less for the 10th time in 12 starts. He is 11-1 with an ERA of 2.08. In 95 innings he has allowed 81 hits with 11 walks, 79...

After striking out Curtis Granderson to open the game, Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez issued a walk to Ruben Tejada. Daniel Murphy then ripped a fastball down the right field line to give the Mets runners at second and third with one out. In early trouble, Gonzalez scrambled off the mound to field a slow grounder and then fired to first to beat Wilmer Flores for the out while keeping Tejada at third. John Mayberry Jr. followed with a sharp grounder down the third base line, which appeared...

As part of the 10th anniversary celebration for the Nationals, MASNsports.com wanted to determine who were the best players at each position during the team's first nine seasons in D.C. Born out of some office debate, this process culminated with the selection of a Nationals All-Decade Team by a panel of 16 media members. Let's be clear: There's no perfect way to determine the best players at each of eight field positions, starting pitcher and closer. In fact, there were a couple of...

Nationals manager Matt Williams announced rookie Joe Ross as the starter for Tuesday night's game against the Mets. The 22-year-old was called up from Double-A Harrisburg to make his major league debut on June 6 after Stephen Strasburg landed on the 15-day disabled list the first time this season. Ross dazzled in his three starts until Strasburg returned. The right-hander went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA while setting a new Nationals record by waiting 54 batters into his big league career before...