Anthony Rendon did not waste any time getting the offense rolling for the Nationals against the Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday. Facing Jarred Cosart, Rendon launched a 2-1 offering into the left field stands and the Nationals lead 1-0. After a single from Adam LaRoche, Ian Desmond doubled to put men on second and third. LaRoche came home on a passed ball by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and the Nationals lead 2-0. Doug Fister needed less than four minutes to retire the Marlins in...

Nationals manager Matt Williams said they wanted to get center fielder Denard Span back in the lineup after missing a couple of games with a banged-up knee, diving for a fly ball Tuesday night against the Mets. "He could've played last night," Williams said. "But he's just a little but sore still, but he'll work through that. He needs to play. He's got to play the last few games here to keep his rhythm. He's good. He's fine today to go one of the games today and tomorrow and Sunday...

Denard Span is in the starting lineup for the first time since leaving Tuesday's game early with a scraped knee. Span left in the third inning after making a diving catch to end the inning against the Mets. Ryan Zimmerman will get the start in left field with Bryce Harper moving over to right. Right-hander Doug Fister seeks his career-high 16th win of the season. With a win, the Nationals can clinch home-field advantage in the National League throughout the playoffs. For the...

Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 76-82 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Marcell Ozuna (.269/.317/.455, 26 doubles, 23 HR, 85 RBIs); LF Christian Yelich (.290/.368/.412, 30 doubles, 9 HR, 54 RBIs, 93 R, 21 SB); RHP Henderson Alvarez (12-6, 2.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP); RHP Jarred Cosart (4-2, 2.29 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 3-13, 43 runs scored, 84 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 26, Game 1: Jarred Cosart vs. Doug Fister, 1 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 26, Game 2: Andrew Heaney...

When the Washington Nationals realigned their starting rotation going into back-to-back doubleheaders with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, it worked out so that Stephen Strasburg would go in the next-to-last game of the year and Jordan Zimmermann would pitch in the 162nd game of the season. Manager Matt Williams explained to reporters that the decision gave Zimmermann a little extra rest after he suffered a bruised shoulder on a liner back to the mound during his last outing. Moving him...

When you think of great postseason moments, which ones come to mind? Chances are there are a fair number of home runs in the mix. Carlton Fisk. Kirk Gibson. Kirby Puckett. Joe Carter. David Freese. Playoff home runs are tailor-made for highlight reels. They tell quick, dramatic stories that often come to define a game and even a series. As the Orioles approach the 2014 playoffs, I've spent time wondering about the postseason moments that await. My daydreaming about the good things that could...

Manager: John Gibbons, second year Record: 81-78 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Jose Bautista (.290/.409/.534, 27 doubles, 35 HR, 103 RBIs, 101 R); 1B Edwin Encarnacion (.269/.357/.555, 27 doubles, 34 HR, 98 RBIs); RHP R.A. Dickey (14-12, 3.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP); LHP J.A. Happ (10-11, 4.27 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 6-10, 62 runs scored, 69 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 26: Drew Hutchison vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 27: J.A. Happ vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 4 p.m.,...

When Cal Ripken Jr. decided to end the streak, the Yankees cheered Ripken from their dugout at Camden Yards. Last night the Orioles cheered Derek Jeter from their dugout at Yankee Stadium. Did the baseball world go full circle on us there? The Orioles had five hits last night and four were homers. It was the first game they lost all year when hitting three or more homers and they're now 26-1. Until that loss last night, the Orioles were 35-1 since July 19 when scoring four runs or more....

NEW YORK - As soon as Manny Machado underwent surgery on his right knee last month, the Orioles figured to miss his defense at third base more than his production at the plate. Platinum gloves are hard to replace. Chris Davis was an adequate substitute for Machado, but he's down in Sarasota while serving his 25-game suspension. The Orioles need to stabilize the position as they approach the Division Series. Orioles third basemen have committed five errors in the last seven games - two each...

NEW YORK - So much for that 100 percent chance of rain tonight. And Derek Jeter not getting another at-bat as the game moved into the ninth inning. Just when you think you've got it figured out... The Angels' magic number for clinching home field throughout the playoffs is down to one following the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Yankees. Jeter got his final at-bat in the bottom of the ninth and made the most of it with a single to right field off Evan Meek that scored pinch-runner Antoan...