Chris Tillman has a lot to pitch for tonight. Besides getting the Orioles even in this series and keeping them in range of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, there are some other factors as well. If Tillman allows three earned runs or fewer tonight, he will have 20 straight such starts to tie for the second-best streak by an Oriole. Also he needs to pitch at least 5 2/3 innings to reach the 200-inning mark for the second straight season. Over this 19-start run, which started June...

Nationals manager Matt Williams says Ryan Zimmerman will start in left field, then move on to first base and third base sometime next week as he resumes meaningful games for the first time since July 22, when a right hamstring injury sent him to the disabled list for 55 games. The goal: to get Zimmerman back up to speed over the regular season's final nine games, especially at the plate, so that he will be able to contribute during the postseason. Williams chose left field as Zimmerman's...

The Orioles have scratched Steve Pearce from tonight's lineup due to soreness in his right wrist. It's a precautionary move, and Pearce could start Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox that also concludes the home portion of the regular season schedule. Pearce recently had ice wrapped on the wrist, but he continued to play. He started in right field last night with Nick Markakis sidelined by a sore right shoulder, and he was supposed to play first base tonight. The Orioles will...

Ryan Zimmerman is back from the disabled list after missing 55 games with a right hamstring strain. He's ready to do whatever he can to contribute to the Nationals over the last nine days of the regular season. What, exactly, that will be remains to be seen. "I won't be 100 percent until next year, but I'm good enough, I think, to contribute," he told reporters at Marlins Stadium on Saturday afternoon. "It's nice of them to clinch the division so early. Obviously, winning games is so...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Ubaldo Jimenez will make at least one more start before the regular season ends on Sept. 28. Showalter left open the possibility that Jimenez could start twice. Jimenez won Tuesday night's division-clinching game, allowing two runs over five innings against the Blue Jays. Showalter said he wants to give each starter an extra day of rest before the playoffs, which explains why Jimenez is needed in the rotation. He also suggested that a...

MIAMI - The Nationals have officially reinstated third baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 15-day disabled list this afternoon. Zimmerman missed 55 games with a severe right hamstring strain he suffered on July 22 at Colorado. That and a fractured right thumb have limited him to 53 games this season. Zimmerman has hit .282 with a .345 on-base percentage, a .456 slugging percentage, 24 extra-base hits (five homers) and 36 RBIs this season while spending time at third base, first base and in left...

The Washington Nationals today reinstated third baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 15-day Disabled List (hamstring). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmerman, 29, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 55 games with a right hamstring strain, suffered July 22 at Colorado. In 53 games this season, Zimmerman has hit .282 with a .345 on-base percentage and a .456 slugging percentage. While spending time at third base,...

Nick Markakis is missing from the Orioles lineup tonight for the third consecutive game after being hit Tuesday night behind the right shoulder. Steve Pearce moves back to first base, with Nelson Cruz playing right field and Delmon Young serving as the designated hitter. Chris Tillman is 4-5 with a 2.54 ERA in 17 home starts this season. He's allowed three earned runs or fewer in 19 consecutive starts, tied with Milt Pappas for the third-longest streak in franchise history. For the...

MIAMI - Not every team is this lucky. Most aren't. The Nationals have been through loads of injuries this season. They've twice lost Ryan Zimmerman for long stretches. Bryce Harper was out two months. Wilson Ramos had two stints on the DL. Doug Fister missed the first five weeks of the season. Gio Gonzalez lost a month due to a shoulder issue. Adam LaRoche missed 15 days. But now, with just nine games left in the regular season, the Nats are whole again. Zimmerman will be activated from...

Kevin Gausman gave up two homers. Darren O'Day gave up one. The Orioles made three errors and allowed two unearned runs. The Orioles lost. Yeah, it was not their best night. Should we be concerned? Only if... oh never mind. Buck Showalter gave some players the night off and they lost. Are the two related? Maybe, but I repeat my point. This team needs to rest up for the postseason. Playing guys every day to push for a goal of home-field advantage is not smart. Time to gear up to try to get...