PHILADELPHIA - The rally magic couldn't quite carry the Nationals tonight. The Nats trailed by two runs entering the top of the ninth, and they looked like they might be piecing together another late comeback when Wilson Ramos homered with two outs and Asdrubal Cabrera delivered a pinch-hit single to extend the rally. But Nate Schierholtz grounded out sharply to short to end the game, handing the Nats a 3-2 loss in the opener of this three-game set. Here are reactions from the clubhouse...

To put tonight's game in perspective, the Orioles scored four runs on 13 hits with two homers in the three-game weekend series at Wrigley Field. Tonight, they scored nine runs on 14 hits with five homers. The Orioles bashed Tampa Bay 9-1 and "bash" is the appropriate word as the longball returned to the offense. Twice tonight the Orioles hit back-to-back homers and the second time they hit three in a row. Tonight marks the first time in club history that the Orioles hit back-to-back homers...

Nick Markakis interrupted his slump tonight and Steve Pearce maintained his hot streak. In consecutive at-bats. Markakis was hitless in 21 at-bats before drilling a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the third inning off Rays starter Jake Odorizzi to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Yes, Markakis wears No. 21. Coincidence? Of course, but let's continue. Pearce followed with his 15th home run, and he absolutely crushed a 90 mph fastball from Odorizzi. The Orioles have gone...

Right-hander A.J. Burnett is on his game after two innings. He already has three strikeouts, including the last two of the second inning. He caught both Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper looking at a called strike three. Right-hander Tanner Roark was not as fluid as he wanted to be in the first inning. He gave up a hit to Jimmy Rollins who stole second base. He also walked Ryan Howard. But he was able strike out Marlon Byrd to end the threat. Roark then rebounded with a three-up, three-down second...

Orioles starter Chris Tillman has retired the first six Rays he's faced tonight on 23 pitches. Four ground balls and two fly balls. The first two innings have been a challenge for Tillman this season. He's permitted 19 runs in the first and 17 in the second. By winning his 10th game on Tuesday, Tillman became the first Orioles pitcher to notch 10 or more victories in consecutive seasons since Jeremy Guthrie from 2008 to 2010. Tillman is 5-1 with a 2.23 ERA and 10 quality starts over his...

It's difficult to find anything negative going on for the Nationals right now. The team is coming off of a near-perfect homestand, has won 13 of its last 14 games overall and currently holds a league-best eight-game division lead over the Braves. Oh, by the way, they hold the best record in the National League at 75-54. Forget half-full. The Nats' glass is practically overflowing. But despite the fact that it's been practically all sunshine and rainbows for the NL East leaders, nothing...

Before he flies to Los Angeles tomorrow in advance of his right knee surgery on Wednesday, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado spoke one more time about his decision to have the procedure. "It has to be surgically repaired," he said. "The only way it was going to be fixed was with surgery. Maybe we could have gotten it to the best possible position to perform, but came up short. It wasn't healing right. The knee cap still feels loose, like it's wobbling in there. The only way was to go in...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't offering many hints about his September call-ups. He hasn't provided a number or any names. However, he indicated that the club will add one or more players who aren't currently on the 40-man roster. The Orioles have one opening after designating infielder Cord Phelps for assignment, and they can transfer third baseman Manny Machado to the 60-day disabled list. "The question is, are we calling up anybody who's on the roster?" Showalter said,...

PHILADELPHIA - Asdrubal Cabrera, who experienced tightness in his side while swinging in yesterday's game, will not be in the starting lineup at second base when the Nationals open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Instead, Danny Espinosa will get the nod at second base. Washington's Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.80 ERA) faces Philadelphia's A.J. Burnett (6-14, 4.42 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The Nats are seeking their 13th win in 14 games. For the Nationals CF...

Chris Davis has been moved down to seventh in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. Davis' average has dropped to .189. Steve Pearce continues to bat second and play first base. Delmon Young is in left field while Nelson Cruz serves as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 3B Nick Hundley C Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Tillman RHP The Oriole Advocates...