We're off and running at Nationals Park, and the Nationals have a 1-0 lead after the opening inning. And when I say running, I mean running - to the tune of three stolen bases in the first inning. Denard Span got the first, although it took a video replay challenge by manager Matt Williams to make it official, and Anthony Rendon swiped a pair. Span led off by drawing a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on Rendon's single. Rendon swiped second when Jayson Werth struck out, and...

The Orioles are off today, but manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette will continue to discuss the composition of the 25-man roster. Question: How long can the Orioles go with a six-man bullpen? Answer: As long as the rotation allows it. Showalter keeps reminding reporters that the club won't stay with six relievers. He made it work yesterday - well, Kevin Gausman made it work by gutting out six scoreless innings and Tommy Hunter made it work by retiring all six...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Kevin Gausman has allowed two runs over 19 innings in three starts since being recalled by the Orioles for the second time this season. Caleb Joseph has been behind the plate for all three starts. Nice comfort zone. "It's like a friendship, working partners, and when you get to catch somebody for two, three, four years, you kind of know how they tick and know their patterns versus the game reports," Joseph said following the Orioles' 2-0 win over the Rays. "You...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter earned his 1,200th career win today, which meant nothing to him. He was more interested in his club taking two of three from the Rays at Tropicana Field. "How many losses?" Showalter asked. "You know what that means? You get an opportunity for 1,200 more if you've got good players. "It means I'm old. It means I'm old." Showalter was ready to argue plate umpire Pat Hoberg's strike zone in the first inning and get himself tossed....

Before Wednesday's game, Nationals manager Matt Williams provided the reasoning behind having Sandy Leon catch left-hander Gio Gonzalez's return from the disabled list against the Houston Astros. "Just getting (Leon) in there. He's got some experience with Gio, has caught Gio. Nothing in particular," Williams said. "Just get him in against the righty." Gonzalez got to 79 pitches in his last minor league rehab start. But he has not pitched in a major league game since May 17 against the...

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez from the 15-Day Disabled List, and optioned left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gonzalez, 28, returns to the Nationals after missing 29 games with left shoulder inflammation. He rejoins the Nationals' active roster after making two rehab starts with...

Kevin Gausman provided the Orioles with another outstanding start today, and during an afternoon where runs were hard to come by, they sure needed it. Gausman went six scoreless innings and Nelson Cruz ended his homer drought as the Orioles beat Tampa Bay 2-0 at Tropicana Field. The Orioles took two of three in the series and improved to 37-34 for the season. This was the Orioles' sixth shutout of the year and their third in the last 10 games. They are 11-5 in American League East road...

The Nationals end a two-game series against the Astros tonight, sending left-hander Gio Gonzalez to the mound in hopes of finishing off a sweep. Gonzalez was activated off the 15-day disabled list today after spending time on the shelf with left shoulder inflammation. He'll have most of the Nats' regular lineup behind him, the lone exception being his batterymate. Sandy Leon will catch Gonzalez. For the Astros CF Dexter Fowler 2B Jose Altuve RF George Springer 1B Jonathan Singleton 3B Matt...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It was bound to happen again. Nelson Cruz hadn't hit a home run since June 3 in Arlington, Texas. He wasn't going to be shut out for the remainder of the season. That sort of power outage only happens in New Orleans during the Super Bowl. Cruz launched a 91 mph fastball from Rays reliever Kirby Yates in the top of the eighth inning, the ball smacking off a light hanging from the C ring catwalk. The catwalk. Yeah, the catwalk. It's the third ball to hit the C ring...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Kevin Gausman loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning and didn't allow a run. That's the good news. The Rays forced Gausman to throw 35 pitches. That's the bad news. The Orioles used four relievers last night. They have a six-man bullpen. They need Gausman to be more economical. J.J. Hardy's eighth error of the season, on Evan Longoria's bouncer, loaded the bases. Gausman struck out James Loney and Ben Zobrist on 84 mph splitters and...