With three runs scored in Friday night's loss, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon now has 101 for the season and has retaken the major league lead in that category from Minnesota's Brian Dozier (100). Rendon is only the fourth player in team history to eclipse the 100-run mark in a season, joining Alfonso Soriano (119 in 2006), Ryan Zimmerman (110 in 2009) and Nick Johnson (100 in 2006). But the triple-digit total is just one aspect of Rendon's game. In addition to playing sparkling...

Following Friday night's blown save by closer Rafael Soriano - which eventually resulted in a 9-8,11-inning loss to the Phillies - Matt Williams said Soriano will take a couple of days off. The Nationals manager was clear about the plan for Soriano. But Williams wasn't ready to pinpoint exactly who will replace him in the ninth inning for the time being. Matt Thornton, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen will likely get the bulk of the late-inning work, with Ryan Mattheus also a possibility as the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If the Orioles carry a slim lead into the late innings or are tied today, will Darren O'Day be summoned from the bullpen at Tropicana Field? He won't be hard to find. The bullpens are situated in foul territory. Right out in the open, in prime line drive territory. O'Day says he's ready. The left hamstring is feeling better and he wants to pitch. "My hamstring was sore, my high hamstring," he said. "I think I might have broke up some scar tissue or something....

The Nationals expanded their roster further this afternoon, recalling outfielder Michael A. Taylor and reliever Ryan Mattheus from Triple-A Syracuse Taylor, 23, is back with the Nationals for the second time this season after hitting .304 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging percentage in 110 games with Double-A Harrisburg and Syracuse. After recording 17 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs, 61 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 98 games, Taylor was named the Double-A Eastern League...

The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Michael A. Taylor and right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Taylor, 23, returns to the Nationals for the second time this season after hitting .304 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging percentage in 110 Minor League games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. After hitting...

The Orioles and Tampa Bay play the second game of their series and second of the O's road trip this afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Orioles were held to eight hits and shut out 3-0 by the Rays last night. The O's went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. The Orioles had gone 9-for-20 with RISP in their sweep of the Reds. The Orioles are 8-1 in games after being shut out and have won six straight after being shut out. The Orioles have been blanked on the road...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained why shortstop J.J. Hardy was out of today's lineup, why Chris Davis returned to it and why Darren O'Day hadn't pitched in the past three games. Let's stay in that order. On Hardy "Just trying to stay ahead of it. Trying to be a little proactive instead of reactive. Turf. Another thing that turf does. He could play. He's available. Just didn't like how he felt after the game last night and decided to be cautious with it...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I have a batch of quotes to pass along in my next blog entry, but let's first catch up on today's news. J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup. Manager Buck Showalter said the club is trying to "stay ahead" of the shortstop's back issue. Showalter suggested that Hardy is available today and will return to the lineup on Sunday. He didn't like how Hardy felt after last night's game and decided to be cautious. Hardy has been bothered by a spasm in his lower...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 8-1 after being shut out this season. They've won six in a row. Can they make it seven today? They'll do it with shortstop J.J. Hardy at least starting the day on the bench. He's out of today's lineup with Delmon Young at designated hitter, getting his first start since Monday, and Steve Pearce at first, playing for the first time since Aug. 29. Pearce had been out with a strained abdominal muscle. Jimmy Paredes was originally starting at third with...

Prior to the All-Star break, Rafael Soriano punched up a 0.97 ERA in 37 games. He recorded 22 saves in 24 chances, had an opponents' batting average of .153 and had a WHIP of 0.81. He was simply one of the best relievers in the majors. Since the All-Star break, Soriano has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games. He's recorded just nine saves in 14 chances, has an opponents' batting average of .325 and a WHIP of 1.76. Things have turned south for Soriano in a hurry. And now Matt Williams has to decide how to...