PHILADELPHIA - If you're reading this, that means that things are back up and running again. So that's a good thing. Apologies for the technical issues yesterday. Apparently the storms knocked out our server for a while, but those issues are behind us. Let's talk some baseball. The Nationals got the job done in Houston, sweeping their brief two-game set with Bo Porter's Astros, who are now 9-19 on the season. Yeesh. The Nats landed in Philadelphia around 3:30 a.m. and now will get their...

I had a feeling Anthony Rendon would feel comfortable back in his native Texas. And he did. Rendon contributed four hits for the second time in his last five games as the Nationals shut out the Astros 7-0. He also had two doubles and his forth home run of the season. Rendon has also displayed his glovework at third, making more than a few great plays on shots to the hot corner. Then there is Danny Espinosa. He went 3-for-8 in the series and also smacked a home run Wednesday. He is a well-known...

The Orioles no longer are attempting to play one game. Weather permitting, they're going for two. It's a daring maneuver, to say the least. The Orioles will play a straight doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Much preferred over the crooked ones. "I Like Our Guys" T-shirts for everyone! Make mine a smedium. Sleeves optional, of course. The Orioles will activate third baseman Manny Machado from the disabled list before Game 1 and make a corresponding move. He's been in the clubhouse and...

No truth to the rumor that the last time we saw the Orioles play, Brooks Robinson was at third and Boog Powell at first. It's been a while and finally, hopefully today the team gets back on the field. They'll host Pittsburgh at 4:05 p.m. in a single-admission doubleheader. The O's will have to make a roster move to activate Manny Machado and one of the infielders is likely to get optioned to the minors. Will it be Jemile Weeks? He just got here over the weekend and has done a nice job in...

As April winds to a close, Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett has to be pretty pleased with his first month in the majors. There is still one game to go, but he has been able to post solid numbers. He allowed a run on two hits against the Angels on April 23 and two walks with the bases loaded against the Padres April 27. Overall, Barrett is 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in nine games over 7 2/3 innings. He has given up four hits, one run and five walks in that span, and has struck out 11 batters. He...

The Orioles are now 0-for-2 in attempts to play the Pirates at Camden Yards. Tonight's game also has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Thursday at 4:05 p.m. Fans with tickets for tonight's game will need to exchange them to attend the doubleheader. Tickets for the yesterday's postponed game are valid for both games on Thursday. Fans should bring their original tickets to the ballpark gates for admission. All ballpark gates will...

HOUSTON - Steven Souza Jr. will get his first major league start tonight when the Nationals wrap up a quick, two-game series with the Houston Astros. He will play right field and bat eighth. First baseman Adam LaRoche is sitting with a tight quad. Combined with tomorrow's scheduled off-day, LaRoche hopes to be ready for Friday's game at Philadelphia. With LaRoche out, shortstop Ian Desmond moves into the cleanup spot. Jayson Werth is listed as tonight's designated hitter, since the Nats are...

Teams will play a single-admission doubleheader Thursday, May 1 at 4:05 p.m. Tonight's game between the Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader tomorrow, May 1 at 4:05 p.m.Fans with tickets for tonight's game will need to exchange their tickets to attend the doubleheader. Tickets for the previously postponed April 29 game are valid for both games on Thursday, and fans should bring their original tickets to...

When Danny Espinosa was sent down to the minor leagues during the 2013 season, it was clear he had to demonstrate true worth and production value or run the risk of not playing in the big show down the line. His replacement at second base, Anthony Rendon, settled into the new role nicely with few growing pains and looked quite comfortable on the right side of the diamond as opposed to third base. It's 2014 now, and Espinosa is back at second. The only way to get Esipnosa back at second was if...

After a slow and frustrating start to last offseason, the Orioles made a number of key signings in a flurry just prior to the start of spring training games in late February. The signings, which included the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Suk Min-Yoon and Nelson Cruz, had Birdland excited and looking forward to a third straight winning season - and possibly more. Of these three signings, it was the addition of Cruz that was most popular among fans, as the powerful right-handed hitter would complement...