The Washington Nationals have scored 4.19 runs per game, which ranks them fourth in the National League and above the NL average of 3.97 runs a game. They've done this with a below average slugging of .382 and while hitting the seventh fewest home runs in the NL. The perception still exists that the Nationals are a team perpetually waiting for the three-run homer and with hand injuries to Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth's power diminishing with age, Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche...

So does Manny Machado get more satisfaction from a big hit or a great defensive play? "I don't know, they are both up there," Machado said. "Big hit you help your team, big play you help your team. It's a win-win situation." Well, that's true. Defense doesn't go into a slump. Well, it almost never goes into a slump. I can remember a time earlier this year when both Machado and J.J. Hardy seemed a bit off their game with the glove, but it didn't last long. Recently we saw Machado...

The Nationals' home runs returned in a 7-1 rout of the Mets. Adam LaRoche hit a pair of homers while Danny Espinosa cranked a three-run shot. Starter Doug Fister did his part, too. He went 7 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run to post his 11th win of the season. LaRoche hadn't hit a home run since July 22. The two homers were his first at home since June 30. Did he feel any different at the plate Wednesday night? "Not really. Other than it's nice to see them go in the seats and...

The division lead is now the largest it's been all season, as the Nationals' 7-1 win over the Mets combined with Atlanta's loss to the Mariners has given Washington a four-game edge in the National League East. Doug Fister went 7 1/3 strong innings today, allowing just one run on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, Adam LaRoche slugged two homers, Danny Espinosa had a three-run shot himself, and the Nats cruised to the win, making Fister 11-3 on the season. Here's manager Matt...

Though the Orioles are intrigued by Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, they've decided not to pursue him now that he's a free agent. The Orioles have scouted Castillo multiple times and watched him work out, and they like his speed and the power that was on display as he took batting practice at the University of Miami. However, an official stated that Castillo's asking price is significantly "out of range." The cost of signing Castillo would have to come down drastically for the Orioles...

He had not pitched that well recently and struggled at home this year. But right-hander Drew Hutchison has pitched well against the Orioles and he did again tonight. Hutchison pitched one-hit ball over 8 2/3 innings as Toronto beat the Orioles 5-1. He retired 22 consecutive batters before issuing a two-out walk in the ninth. Casey Janssen got the last out. Hutchison walked one and fanned eight, throwing 115 pitches. He improves to 8-9 with an ERA of 4.39. He retired the first four tonight,...

Wei-Yin Chen lasted only five innings tonight in Toronto. The streak of quality starts and working into the eighth inning has ended. Chen was charged with four runs and eight hits, and the Orioles' offense has gone back into hibernation at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison has allowed one run in eight innings, a home run by Chris Davis back in the second inning. That's it. Chen needed to be perfect tonight and he fell short. The four runs were the most allowed by Chen since...

The Nationals strung together three straight hits to jump on Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese in the first inning. Anthony Rendon doubled off the wall in right-center to start the rally. Jayson Werth connected on an RBI single and the Nationals led 1-0. Adam LaRoche followed with his 14th homer of the season, a two-run shot over the right-center field wall and the Nationals advantage increased to 3-0. Nationals starter Doug Fister set the tone with a 1-2-3 top of the first. After one inning...

Manager Matt Williams saved the best for last in his pregame meeting with the media Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this morning on his weekly radio appearance with "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan, Williams was asked about 21-year-old left fielder Bryce Harper. Responding to an inference that the Nats could send Harper to Triple-A because of his recent struggles offensively, Williams replied: "So I will caution everybody in this room," Williams said. "The minute you think you can read my...

Manager Matt Williams said left-hander Matt Thornton is "ready, willing and able," and is in "midseason form," making him available to pitch tonight. "He's excited to be here," Williams said. "He's excited to be on a team that is in first place, vying for a division title. He's ready and willing to pitch whenever we want him to pitch." Now the Nationals have three left-handers in the bullpen. Thornton, Jerry Blevins and Ross Detwiler provide a luxury of choice for Williams and...