The Nationals were able to break the ice early against the rival Braves. Each of these games are so important, but manager Matt Williams repeated during pregame that it is just another game. But a sweep either way would make a huge statement with games, and the season, dwindling down to a precious few. Doug Fister allowed just a Freddie Freeman base hit in the first. With two outs in the bottom of the first and Anthony Rendon on base, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond had back-to-back singles to...

BOSTON - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is flying to Baltimore around 8:40 p.m. tonight, and he has a 1 p.m. appointment Tuesday with team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Hardy is expected to undergo an MRI, and he also could receive another cortisone injection. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Hardy will stay in Baltimore rather than fly back to Boston. Showalter is hopeful that Hardy will be in the lineup Friday against the Yankees. "When I talked to Mike, he already had looked at the...

Orioles starting pitchers have pitched to an ERA of 2.03 over the last six games. Miguel Gonzalez (8-7, 3.38 ERA) will try to keep that going tonight when the Orioles begin a three-game series at Boston's Fenway Park. In 40 innings over the past six games, O's starters have allowed 30 hits and nine earned runs with five quality starts. Gonzalez is on a roll of his own. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine starts, going 4-2 with an ERA of 2.00. Gonzalez pitched a...

Manager Matt Williams gave the latest update on third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is in the process of rehabbing a right hamstring strain. Zimmerman has continued running and agility drills. He was seen doing some baseball-related activities during batting practice Monday prior to the Nationals' series opener against the Braves, throwing the ball to his teammates while in the outfield. The turning and running for Zimmerman, including pivoting and twisting defensively along with running the...

Prior to Monday's game versus the Braves, Nationals manager Matt Williams updated Rafael Soriano's progress as he tries to work on his mechanics following a rough stretch. Soriano has not pitched since Friday. Williams did not personally witness Soriano's bullpen session today, but got the full report from pitching coach Steve McCatty. He did get to speak to Soriano after the workout. "He's working on his mechanics," Williams said. "I talked to him in there and he said he felt good....

BOSTON - The Orioles are waiting to hear back from team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs to determine when shortstop J.J. Hardy will undergo an MRI on his back. Hardy is returning to Baltimore and most likely will miss the remainder of the road trip. "Dr. Jacobs, we have a call there and I doubt that he's going to be able to see him today, though he might," said manager Buck Showalter. "He'll see him tomorrow for sure unless something comes up. We'll leave that up to Mike what he's going...

BOSTON - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is flying to Baltimore tonight and will undergo an MRI on his back Tuesday morning. Hardy said he's still bothered by some soreness in his back, but he added that he's not experiencing spasms and the muscles aren't tightening, which leaves him encouraged that it's nothing serious. Hardy added that he'd probably play under different circumstances, but it's not worth risking a lengthy absence. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs will examine...

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was named the co-National League Player of the Week, sharing the honor with San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon on MLB Network. LaRoche, 34, opened the month of September on a powerful tear at the plate as he helped guide the Nationals to two pivotal victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. In earning his first NL Player of the Week honors, LaRoche hit...

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche, along with Giants catcher Buster Posey have been named the National League co-Players of the Week. LaRoche hit .333 (5-for-15) with a .421 on-base percentage, and a 1.133 slugging percentage in five games (four starts) last week. Four of LaRoche's five hits were home runs. He also drove in 10 runs and walked three times. LaRoche is the third Nationals player to win Player of the Week honors this season. Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmerann previously won...

BOSTON - Nelson Cruz has been named American League co-Player of the Week with Tigers' Miguel Cabrera. Cruz batted .407 (11-for-27) with a double, a triple, four homers, 12 RBIs and six runs scored in seven games to earn his third career weekly award and his second of the season. He also was named Player of the Week on June 2. Cruz led the majors in RBIs, was second in the AL in total bases (26), tied for second in homers, was third in slugging percentage (.963) and was tied for fourth in...