Manager: John Farrell (3rd season) Record: 31-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Dustin Pedroia (.307 with 9 HR, 30 RBIs), SS Xander Bogaerts (.292 with 30 RBIs), LF Hanley Ramirez (.273/.322/.478 with 15 HR, 37 RBIs), LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-1, 3.13 ERA), RHP Koji Uehara (14 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-7 Pitching probables: June 23: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Joe Kelly, 7:10 p.m., MASN June 24: RHP Bud Norris vs. RHP Clay Buchholz, 7:30 p.m., MASN June 25: RHP Miguel Gonzalez vs....

After Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay, the sixth straight non-winning series for the Nationals, manager Matt Williams said that he was looking for players to "step up." Over the weekend, in three sold-out games at Nationals Park, the Nats stepped up with three wins against the red-hot Pirates, who had arrived with a season-high eight-game hit streak. In every game over the weekend, the Nationals had at least three regular starters not in the lineup. Left fielder Jayson Werth (wrist fractures)...

Bryce Harper's health has been well-chronicled and the 22-year-old has lived under a microscope for most of his four-year career. Fluke injuries have interfered with lofty expectations, causing Harper to miss more than 100 games over the last two seasons. But aside from missing games after two plunkings this season, Harper has largely been on the field, arguably performing as arguably the game's best player. So understandably, the worst was expected when Harper crumbled to ground Thursday...

First baseman Trey Mancini got off to a slow start at Single-A Frederick this year. When April came to a close, he was batting just .244. But Mancini's bat took off in May and he has stayed hot this month, as well. He was playing so well that the Orioles moved him up to Double-A Bowie on June 5 and he has continued to hit well in his first few weeks in the Eastern League. After posting an OPS of .868 in 52 games with Frederick, Mancini has an OPS of 1.112 in his first 15 games for Bowie. He...

The Nationals limped into this weekend just a game above .500, with their star slugger wounded and a rookie on the mound facing the red-hot Pirates, winners of their past eight. Not only did the Nats bring a screeching halt to Pittsburgh's scorching streak, they did it in record fashion, sweeping the Pirates after this afternoon's 9-2 thumping. And just like that, the Nationals find themselves back atop the National League East. Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton confidently brought a...

The Orioles have reached another open date on their schedule, giving them a free day in Boston to load up on chowder and expensive haircuts. (I haven't forgotten mine. Next time, take the offer of a glass of champagne while you wait as a clue that the cost is going to reach triple figures - without tip.) The Orioles are 36-33 and three games out of first place. Last season, they were 35-34 and five games out of first place after a 5-4 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. * The Orioles will...

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was looking for a bounce back performance after a struggle last Monday in Tampa Bay. He got exactly that in the Nationals' 9-2 win over the Pirates and a series sweep. Gonzalez went a season-low 3 1/3 innings in the June 15 6-1 loss at Tampa Bay. He gave up eight hits, five runs, had three walks and only one strikeout. But Sunday, Gonzalez came out aggressive, and manager Matt Williams said it was because he mixed up his pitch selections early in counts to confuse the...

When the Orioles shattered their previous home run record by hitting eight home runs on June 16, O's fans rejoiced while Maryland Lottery Contestant of the Game Kevin Hollis cheered louder and louder for each and every home run. Hollis, 28, is an Eastern Shore resident and was chosen as the Contestant of the Game after entering non-winning Baseball Bucks scratch-offs into his My Lottery Rewards account. Just for being selected, he won $500. And then the real fun started! For each homer, the...

The Orioles lost a big lead but got the game to produce a big win. Leading 7-0 after the top of the second, the O's saw Toronto score the game's next nine runs to lead 9-7. But the Orioles stormed back to score the game's final six runs and post an important and impressive 13-9 win. With the game tied 9-9 in the ninth, the O's faced lefty Brett Cecil. Chris Davis and pinch-hitter Nolan Reimold drew one-out walks, and then J.J. Hardy's single to center field provided a 10-9 lead. Ryan...

Inspired by Max Scherzer's stunning no-hit performance yesterday, the Nationals offense exploded by tying a club record with nine runs scored in the first inning. Pirates starter Charlie Morton came into today's start riding a five-game winning streak and boasting a sterling 1.62 ERA. He was able to get Denard Span to line out to begin the game, but then the wheels fell off. Yunel Escobar started the onsluaght with a base knock to left bringing Bryce Harper to the plate. The Nats slugger...