All is right with the Nationals for the moment. With the help of Joe Ross, now down at Triple-A Syracuse, the much-ballyhooed best rotation in baseball has put together a streak of 41 1/3 scoreless innings. Stephen Strasburg and Doug Fister returned from their respective DL stints with strong outings. With solid pitching and a resurgent offense that was able to manufacture runs, the Nats finished their eight-game homestand with six straight wins, three each over the Pittsburgh Pirates and...

June has provided me with renewed appreciation for the Orioles' success since 2012. It's not simply that the team seems to have turned things around after a slow start to this season, although the early struggles certainly served as a reminder not to take things for granted. Rather, my appreciation stems from the O's wins - seven of them in nine tries - against the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. Beating two teams that have a combined 58-90 record isn't typically cause for...

Following yesterday's 6-0 shutout win in which Doug Fister extended a franchise-best record of scoreless innings by Washington Nationals starters to 41 1/3 innings, outfielder Clint Robinson was asked what he expects when Max Scherzer takes the hill in Philadelphia tonight. "I don't know," Robinson said with a look of amazement as reporters laughed. "What do you guys think? I'd expect the same thing he did last time." That's the level that Scherzer is pitching at these days after...

The Orioles have reached a point now where each roster move seems to bring about a very difficult decision. They are getting contributions from just about everyone on their current 25-man active roster and removing any player now would mean subtracting a player that has helped the team during its current 15-5 run. Decisions, decisions. The roster crush has arrived. Not only will upcoming roster decisions be very difficult ones, but players who might help the Orioles and are playing well in the...

Manager: Terry Francona (3rd season) Record: 33-38 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Jason Kipnis (.354/.431/.521 with 31 RBIs), LF Michael Brantley (.293/.370/.435 with 37 RBIs), RF Brandon Moss (11 HR, 35 RBIs), RHP Corey Kluber (117 strikeouts, 3.65 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (14 saves, 47 strikeouts) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 26: RHP Corey Kluber vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 27: RHP Cody Anderson vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:15 p.m., FOX June 28: RHP...

The Nationals' starting rotation seems to be settling into a groove, which has to be a scary thought for the rest of the National League. Doug Fister was the latest to spin a gem, as the Nationals shut out the Braves 7-0 and earn a sweep of the three-game series. Fister blanked Atlanta for seven innings, helping the Nationals set a new franchise record of 41 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings for the starting pitchers. The streak began in the second inning of rookie Joe Ross' start on Friday,...

The Nationals did not waste any time getting to Braves rookie right-hander Matt Wisler in Thursday's getaway matchup. They scored six runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 7-0 win and a series sweep. The biggest hit was from shortstop Ian Desmond, who crushed a two-run shot to cap the scoring in the third. The Nationals pounded out seven hits in the first three frames. Wisler lasted four innings and allowed nine hits and six runs, but only four of the runs were earned. Every starter...

The Orioles made a minor league trade this afternoon, acquiring right-handed reliever Richard Rodriguez from the Astros for a player to be named later or cash. Rodriguez, 25, was 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 appearances at Triple-A Fresno. He allowed 32 hits in 42 innings, with 10 walks (two intentional) and 36 strikeouts. Opponents batted .204 against him. Rodriguez is 15-5 with a 3.60 ERA in six minor league seasons, with 49 walks and 204 strikeouts in 202 1/3 innings. He's made only 12 starts...

The roster moves continue for the Orioles. If you've got them memorized without taking notes, move up to the front row of the classroom. Better yet, take over for the professor. Wei-Yin Chen will be recalled from Single-A Frederick to make tonight's start against the Indians at Camden Yards. It's time to kick off another homestand after a three-city road trip. The bullpen is down to seven relievers after the Orioles optioned Mychal Givens yesterday, so a position player is expected to come...

After nine seasons with the Orioles, outfielder Nick Markakis is running into all kinds of firsts with the Atlanta Braves, none more challenging than facing two of the baseball's best lefties - Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner - for the first time on the same road trip. Markakis, a left-handed batter, had a single and double against Kershaw, the Dodgers' three-time National League Cy Young Award winner. A few days later, Markakis went 0-for-3 with two fly balls and a grounder against...