The Reds got out quickly against the Nationals and Max Scherzer. Brandon Phillips led off with a single in the top of the first and went to second thanks to a fielding misplay by Nationals second baseman Dan Uggla. Joey Votto followed with a run-scoring double, and the Reds led 1-0. They added to the margin later on a Jay Bruce RBI triple off of the right center field scoreboard wall. Michael A. Taylor made a diving attempt at the catch but to no avail. The inning could have been worse if not...

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. participated in a conference call earlier today to promote TBS's baseball coverage. Ripken will be in the network's booth for the July 19 game between the Dodgers and Nationals in D.C. Ripken, a 19-time All-Star, said he isn't surprised that the Orioles will have four representatives in next week's game with the selections of outfielder Adam Jones, third baseman Manny Machado and relievers Zach Britton and Darren O'Day. He's also impressed that the club has...

Nationals starters Denard Span and Yunel Escobar are not in Tuesday's lineup against the Reds. Span (back spasms) and Escobar (left hamstring tightness) left Monday's game early with injuries. Manager Matt Williams had limited updates on both players as they underwent treatments today. Span went for an MRI this morning for his ailing back. "No change really in that Yunel's hamstring's still tight, so they are working on him," Williams confirmed. "And then Denard went for an MRI this...

The Nationals will be moving to a new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, likely in time for the 2017 Grapefruit League season. Yesterday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott held a bill signing ceremony that will pave the way for the Nationals and Houston Astros to share a 160-acre facility at the corner of Haverhill Road and 45th Street. Barring any complications, the new complex will be ready in January 2017. The Nationals and Astros previously agreed to a 30-year lease on the proposed...

So let's put my broadcaster partner to work this week and let Jim Palmer talk about his favorite book, "House" by Tracy Kidder. Before listening to Jim, consider this: The book is about building a house. It's about the architecture, the design, the people, the conflicts and the results. Jim found symbolism is this book related to building a wining baseball team. If you keep that in mind as you listen to Jim, I think you will find the analogy fascinating. When the book was published in 1985,...

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is behind the plate on back-to-back nights for the first time since undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Wieters has been resting or serving as the designated hitter on the nights after catching since he returned from the disabled list. Ryan Flaherty gets the start at second base tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Twins at Target Field. Jonathan Schoop is on the bench after going 2-for-9 with a home run and two RBIs in...

Nationals ace Max Scherzer will look to get his team on the board against the Reds in tonight's second game of the series. Cincinnati has won all four meetings between the clubs this season. Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto will oppose. Cueto is 7-3 with a 4.06 ERA against the Nationals, but is only 2-2 in D.C. Both Denard Span (back spasms) and Yunel Escobar (left hamstring tightness) are out of today's lineup. For the Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips 1B Joey Votto 3B Todd Frazier RF Jay Bruce C...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is continuing his attempts to trade outfielder Delmon Young, who was designated for assignment on July 1. The Orioles had 10 days to trade or release Young, who was batting .270/.289/.339 with six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games in his second season with the team. He was 2-for-19 in his last eight games. "We're still working with a couple of teams and hopefully it will come together," Duquette said. "We have a couple more...

The Washington Nationals may only be sending two players to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati next Tuesday, but they have arguably been baseball's best two players throughout this season's first half. Bryce Harper didn't just win a popularity contest with his National League record 13,864,950 fan votes, he more than earned his way to the Midsummer Classic. His .344 batting average is third best in the majors, 25 homers are second most and his 60 RBIs are the third highest total. Harper's .471...

He had played in only five games since June 17. Fifteen minutes before he was needed, he was waiting in the dugout. Then, in the third inning, an injury to a starter thrust Matt den Dekker into the game. Suddenly, after two outs in the bottom of the frame, he hit a crisp single to right field and couple of batters later, he is standing on third base. His team is down 1-0, and he has a chance to make a difference. den Dekker watched for any mistake by Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani. The...