With Doug Fister's complete-game shutout against the Marlins in Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. Fister threw 104 pitches, 77 for strikes, allowed just three hits, walked none and struck out nine. It was the seventh complete game of Fister's career and his 16th win of the season, which is a career-high. Here is what manager Matt Williams had to say about the Game 1 performance of the Nats. On Fister's...

Nationals starter Doug Fister notched his 16th win with a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over the Marlins Friday afternoon. He allowed only three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. But afterward, it was all about the ballclub. "It's a great team win," Fister said. "Something we can enjoy for a little while and get ready for tonight. Guys are rolling, putting good at-bats together. What was there? Eight or nine walks. I mean, guys are seeing the ball well. That's what you want...

The Orioles are inviting at-risk children to attend Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series through a program called the OriolesREACH Knothole Gang. Nearly 1,400 children will be experiencing the excitement of Postseason baseball from Sections 96 and 98 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, courtesy of the Orioles. Groups participating include: * Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore * City Springs Elementary School/Baltimore Curriculum Project * Dundalk Youth Services Center *...

Nick Markakis has been lowered to third in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series-opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Alejandro De Aza is batting leadoff. Markakis has batted first in 147 games this season, second in two, third in three and fifth in one. Adam Jones, Nelson Cruz, J.J. Hardy and Steve Pearce are on the bench. Pearce homered last night in his first start since being scratched last Friday with a sore wrist. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF David Lough CF Nick...

As the Orioles begin the final series of the regular season tonight at Toronto, Chris Tillman (13-5, 3.26 ERA) will face Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison (10-13, 4.51 ERA). Tillman can complete the season without a road loss. He is currently 8-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 15 road starts. With a win or no-decision tonight, Tillman will record the most road starts without a loss in a single season since at least 1914. He is currently tied with Greg Maddux, who went 13-0 in 15 road starts in 1995....

The Orioles will show up at Rogers Centre in Toronto later today with plenty of items on their agenda. * Try to win every game while keeping alive their faint hopes of gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and build momentum heading into the Division Series. * Decide on a starter for Sunday afternoon's finale. Ubaldo Jimenez and Miguel Gonzalez are the primary candidates. * Decide whether a starter pitches a simulated game or heads down to Sarasota and faces batters to stay...

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...