As dominant as Max Scherzer has been this year, the Nationals hold a less than impressive 11-8 record when he starts. That disappointing tally is due mostly to the lack of offensive support Scherzer has received. Sunday's shutout loss to Zack Greinke and the Dodgers totals three times this year that the Nationals have failed to score a run when Scherzer takes the mound. Overall, the Nats have plated just seven runs combined in Scherzer's eight losses. "Max, he's going to do his job every...

Don't count Bryce Harper as one of the many impressed by Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, who blanked the Nationals for eight frames this afternoon to extend his scoreless streak to 43 2/3 innings. "For me, I don't think he was very tough," Harper said. "He's a great pitcher, he does what he does, but when you're getting six inches off the plate, it's pretty tough to face him." Harper clearly wasn't happy with the inconsistently wide strike zone home plate umpire Bill Miller was...

Nationals reliever Blake Treinen came on in the ninth inning with the Dodgers clinging to a 1-0 lead. When he left, the Dodgers led 5-0. Andre Ethier had the key base hit on a 0-2 fastball that he lined up the middle to make it 2-0 Dodgers. A.J. Ellis followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Yasiel Puig's base hit past a diving Yunel Escobar scored two more runs, and L.A. led 5-0. That turned into the final score. Treinen had not pitched since July 11, and Drew Storen had closed Saturday's...

We're entering that portion of the baseball season where things start to get crazy. The non-waiver trading deadline is less than two weeks away, and teams are really starting to decide where they stand and whether or not they have what it takes to make a move. For the Orioles, this decision comes with many tentacles. The O's are a team looking to build off three straight winning seasons, which included the first division title since 1997. The problem is that the team still has a few glaring...

The July 31 non-waiver trading deadline is approaching and speculation is flying about players moving to contenders. Soon it will be out of control. The Nationals might be looking for an outfield bat off the bench - how about Boston's Shane Victorino or Philadelphia's Jeff Francoeur? - and bullpen help to boost the bridge from rotation to closer. The Orioles could be looking for a corner outfielder. The Dodgers need starting pitching. The Mets need another bat and are shopping for a third...

The Orioles offense broke out today and it included a big inning, 14 hits, a couple of home runs and even hits with runners in scoring position. The Orioles went 4-for-5 with RISP in the top of the fourth today against 2011 American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. They scored six runs that inning to break a 1-1 tie on their way to a 9-3 victory over Detroit. Coming into this game, the Orioles were 2-for-21 in this series with RISP and 3-for-57 over their last eight games. Today...

If it makes sense to keep Manny Machado at the top of the order rather than risk cooling off his bat, it also seems right to keep Jonathan Schoop near the bottom. It ain't broke. Schoop is on a serious tear since coming off the disabled list, and the Orioles are fortunate that he didn't sustain a serious tear in his right knee. He went 2-for-4 today with a home run and three RBIs in the Orioles' 9-3 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park and is 11-for-32 (.344) with three homers and seven RBis...

Nationals ace Max Scherzer found himself in an early jam in the first inning. After blowing three straight fastballs by Joc Pederson to start the game, Scherzer was tagged for back-to-back singles to right by Howie Kendrick and Adrian Gonzalez. Two batters later, Scherzer walked Yasmani Grandal on four pitches to load the bases with two outs. But, the right-hander battled back to strike out Yasiel Puig swinging on a heater to end the threat. Scherzer's free pass to Grandal ended a 39 2/3...

In honor of Nats Star Wars Day, shouldn't the players be trading in bats for lightsabers? If that was the case, we might hear Matt Williams yelling, "I've got a bad feeling about this!" from the dugout. While the Nationals will be looking to figure out Zack Greinke this afternoon, fans will be looking on dressed as Yoda, C-3PO, Han Solo and more at Nats Park. Check out the photos and tweets below for a closer look at a galaxy far, far away ... Happy #NatsStarWarsDay! May the force be with...

Denard Span started some light physical exercises after receiving cortisone injections in his back last Monday. "Just running, jogging on a treadmill and playing catch," Span said. "The back feels pretty good. We're getting there." With rehab assignments under way or getting started for Jayson Werth (fractured left wrist), Anthony Rendon (left quad strain) and Ryan Zimmerman (left foot plantar fasciitis), Span's plans to return to game action for the Nationals haven't been revealed yet,...