A pair of southpaws doing battle tonight in Philadelphia. Cole Hamels was off to smooth start with two quick outs in the first. Against Anthony Rendon, a grounder to third base was fielded by Andres Blanco, who threw to first for the out. But first base umpire Gary Cederstrom ruled that first baseman Darin Ruf drifted off the bag and called Rendon safe. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg requested a video review. The video replay in New York overturned the call and Rendon was out. Nationals...

Don't be surprised if the Orioles decide to option a starting pitcher within the next few days and call up an infielder to give them a four-man bench before rosters expand. The affiliates end their season on Sept. 1, at which point the Orioles could recall the pitcher without having to wait the minimum 10 days. Send down a starter who wouldn't be available anyway and add a position player. Meanwhile, manager Buck Showalter talked about how Kevin Gausman continues to feel good after having...

For those planning to watch Wednesday night's Nationals game at Citizens Bank Park, you'll have to tune in 30 minutes later than normal. First pitch has been backed up to 7:30 p.m. because the Phillies will be honoring the Mid-Atlantic Little League champion Taney Dragons in a pregame ceremony. As for tonight, first baseman Adam LaRoche is out of the Nats lineup, but not because left-hander Cole Hamels is starting for the Phils. Manager Matt Williams told reporters in Philadelphia that...

The Orioles have been playing well at home here at Camden Yards, a trend they look to continue as they host Tampa Bay tonight in the second game of a four-game series and 11-game homestand. Since June 30, the Orioles are 16-5 at home with a 2.66 team ERA after going 19-21 in their first 40 games at the Yard. In their last 21 home games, the Birds have outscored their opponents 105-62. Last night's 9-1 win was the Orioles' 10th in their last 12 series openers, including eight in a row from...

After hitting five more homers last night, the Orioles have now hit 168 for the season, which easily leads the majors leagues. Colorado is second with 150, and Toronto and Houston are tied with 144. The big league average right now is 114. The Orioles are on a pace to hit 211 homers. They led the majors with 212 last season. They have seven seasons of 200 or more homers in club history, but have never had three in a row. They will if they reach 200 this season. The Orioles have now hit three...

The Orioles will send seven of their minor leaguers to play in the Arizona Fall League. Pitchers Parker Bridwell (Single-A Frederick), Zach Davies (Double-A Bowie), Mychal Givens (Bowie) and Asher Tolliver (Bowie), catcher Michael Ohlman (Bowie), infielder Jason Esposito (Frederick) and outfielder Dariel Alvarez (Triple-A Norfolk) will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Norfolk's Mike Griffin will serve as co-pitching coach and Aberdeen's Chris Poole will serve as co-athletic...

PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche will not start tonight against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. Kevin Frandsen will get the start at first base and bat eighth while Scott Hairston will start in left field and bat sixth for the Nationals. Hairston is batting .386 with five doubles, five homers and nine RBIs in 44 career at-bats against Hamels. Gio Gonzalez will face Hamels. Gonzalez is looking to build on his last start in which he pitched seven scoreless innings and only...

Not much to see with the Orioles' lineup tonight unless you enjoy repetition. Steve Pearce is batting second and playing first base. Chris Davis remains at third base and batting seventh, now that the Orioles are back to American League rules. Jonathan Schoop continues to start at second base. The only real drama involves the catcher. Tonight, it's Caleb Joseph. 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 Caleb...

The Blue Jays designated outfielder Nolan Reimold for assignment late last night, according to an industry source. The club hasn't announced the move. Is a reunion with the Orioles in the works? Stay tuned. Reimold batted .212/.283/.404 with four doubles, two homers and nine RBIs in 22 games. He had six walks and 22 strikeouts in 60 plate appearances. Reimold was in the midst of a 2-for-20 slump that included 11 strikeouts, and he misplayed a fly ball in right field Saturday which led to...

PHILADELPHIA - It will go down as a solo homer in a 3-2 loss, but Anthony Rendon's sixth-inning longball got the Nationals back into last night's game and added to what has quietly been a really strong first full big league season. After last night's action, Rendon now is hitting .276/.336/.461 on the year, with 17 homers, 69 RBIs and 93 runs scored. He's played in 126 of the Nats' 130 games, trailing Ian Desmond by one for the team lead in that department, and his 563 plate appearances...