The Nationals are sending Max Scherzer to the mound on Sunday as expected for the series finale at Camden Yards. His start became official earlier today, eliminating him from pitching in Tuesday night's All-Star Game. Scherzer threw a bullpen session yesterday in preparation for the start. Cora Purcell, a 104-year-old Orioles fan from Frederick, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. She received a loud ovation, the ball and a spring training invite. Manager Buck Showalter walked out of the...

Chris Davis has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, and replaced in right field by Steve Pearce. Davis had played every game since his suspension ended after opening day. He's batting .238/.322/.475 with 15 doubles, 19 home runs and 52 RBIs in 85 games, with 108 strikeouts in 303 at-bats. Davis is 3-for-6 with a home run against Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann. Pearce is 3-for-7 with a home run. Here's the new Orioles lineup: Manny Machado 3B...

BALTIMORE - Nationals manager Matt Williams has opted to start his ace Max Scherzer in this season's first half finale on Sunday in Baltimore. The decision leaves Scherzer unavailable to pitch for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Cincinnati. "Rules stipulate that if you are a starting pitcher certainly on Sunday that you're not available for the All-Star Game to pitch," Williams said. "He's gonna go and enjoy the process and be part of it, but he'll be...

The Orioles look to continue their winning ways against the Washington Nationals when the teams continue their weekend series tonight. The Orioles' 3-2 win last night was their 21st in 51 games in the all-time series between these clubs decided by a single run. The O's are 16-5 in those games. The Orioles have won eight of their last 10 against the Nationals and are 11-4 since 2012. The Orioles are 15-5 at home versus the Nats since 2008 and lead the all-time series, 30-21. Before Friday's...

For a relief pitcher, it can take only a few outings to go from pitching lights out to struggling. Orioles right-hander Chaz Roe knows all about that. Roe got called up from Triple-A Norfolk on May 24 and immediately threw six scoreless outings to start his Orioles career. After his first 15 games, he had an ERA of 0.90 and a .162 average against. But he has been scored on now in three of his last four outings. Over five innings, he allowed eight hits and six runs and opposing batters have hit...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter announced his starters for the first four games following the All-Star break. Ubaldo Jimenez, Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez will start against the Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles are off on July 20, and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start the following night against the Yankees in The Bronx. Showalter didn't reveal his starter for July 22, but Kevin Gausman would be working on normal rest if recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He's expected to face the...

The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann from the paternity list on Saturday, and optioned left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg. Zimmermann will start at Baltimore on Saturday night. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmermann, 29, is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA this season. The two-time All-Star has been particularly strong of late, allowing just one earned run in his previous three starts, a 0.40...

BALTIMORE - Jordan Zimmermann aims to stop a three-game losing skid for the Nationals tonight. The right-hander has returned to his normal dominant self in recent weeks. Zimmermann is 2-0 with 0.40 ERA in his last three starts while striking out 17 and walking only one. Zimmermann is 1-3 with a 4.13 ERA in five career starts against Baltimore. His last came in 2013 when the Orioles tagged him for three homers including one apiece from Chris Davis and Steve Pearce. This will be Miguel...

Caleb Joseph is behind the plate tonight for the Orioles as they attempt to string together two consecutive wins and assure themselves of finishing above .500 at the All-Star break. Manager Buck Showalter said last night that Matt Wieters wouldn't catch on consecutive days until the second half. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base after Jonathan Schoop's walk-off home run last night. Chris Parmelee is playing first base and Travis Snider is in left field. The Orioles won last night...

From the time they arrived from Montreal before the 2005 season, the Nationals have been a mainstay in the Washington, D.C., sports scene. But the Nats are also very active in the community, working diligently over the past decade to touch the lives of many in the region and proving that baseball has a further reach than wins and losses, balls and strikes, batters and pitchers. Each Thursday through mid-August, MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr will explore the Nationals' community outreach...