All the talk about Ryan Zimmerman playing left field is about to move from conjecture to reality. Nationals manager Matt Williams said this morning that Zimmerman's minor league rehabilitation assignment with high Single-A Potomac will continue this evening with the veteran scheduled to play in left field for five innings. The P-Nats host Salem at Pfitzner Stadium at 6:35 p.m. "The plan is he'll play five innings tonight on defense," Williams said."He had four at-bats last night DH-wise,...

The Nationals are using a similar lineup as last night, but with one exception. Jose Lobaton will get the start at catcher this afternoon in place of Wilson Ramos. Doug Fister seeks his third straight win. For the Rangers LF Shin-Soo Choo SS Elvin Andrus 1B Mitch Moreland 3B Adrian Beltre RF Alex Rios C Robinson Chirinos CF Leonys Martin 2B Rougned Odor RHP Nick Tepesch For the Nats CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Nate McLouth 2B Danny...

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (right thumb fracture) got his swings in a rehab game Friday night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals in Woodbridge, Va. The P-Nats defeated Salem 5-4 in 10 innings. Zimmerman had a RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning, finishing 0-for-3 with the RBI. He was the designated hitter. Zimmerman told reporters at Pfitzner Stadium that he believes he will play there through the weekend and then be activated for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, barring...

HOUSTON - If the Orioles are going to break out of their offensive slump, they may need more than a live chicken in the clubhouse. They may require a less predictable approach at the plate. Left-hander Brett Oberholtzer has held the Orioles to one run over 14 innings in his two career starts against them. The Astros have permitted only two runs in the first two games of the current series. "We did some research," Oberholtzer, projected as Houston's sixth starter, told reporters after last...

HOUSTON - If the 2011 Red Sox will be remembered for having chicken and beer in the clubhouse during games, perhaps the 2014 Orioles will be remembered for substituting a live chicken before games. And skip the suds. Center fielder Adam Jones suggested tonight that some changes may be in store Saturday morning in an attempt to turn around a team that's lost four in a row and sank below .500. He's trying to maintain his sense of humor, no matter how sad the results. "It's frustrating,"...

HOUSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't pleased with the called third strike on Chris Davis that completed tonight's 2-1 loss to the Astros. He wasn't thrilled that another quality start went to waste. He wasn't bragging about an offense that's produced five runs in the last three games. Not much to smile about during a four-game losing streak that drops your team below .500. Miguel Gonzalez took a shutout into the seventh inning, but Astros left-hander Brett Oberholtzer took the...

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg notched his fourth win of the season with a nine-strikeout six-inning performance against the Rangers on Friday night in a 9-2 victory. It did not start off well for Strasburg, however. In the second, the Rangers scored two runs with two outs. Strasburg allowed three hits in the inning and committed a fielding error, leading to two unearned runs. "It was a good win for us," Strasburg said. "I ... had the little hiccup there in the second inning, but...

So the Orioles finally get some quality starting pitching back-to-back nights in Houston and they lose both games. The runs stopped coming just as the starters began throwing better. Miguel Gonzalez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and a 1-0 lead into the seventh tonight, but Houston scored twice with two outs in that inning to beat the Orioles 2-1. Gonzalez deserved a better fate tonight. The Orioles have lost four in a row, nine of 13 games and 13 of their last 19 to fall to 26-27....

After a seven-day stretch where not much went right for the Nationals, a lot went their way tonight. The Nats pounded out 15 hits and scored nine runs. Stephen Strasburg put an early fielding error and two unearned runs behind him and delivered six strong innings. Drew Storen and Blake Treinen combined to throw three scoreless frames. Tyler Moore had his first pinch-hit of the season. Wilson Ramos showed signs that he's continuing to heat up, as did Nate McLouth. The end result was a badly...

HOUSTON - A hot starter and cold bats remain a toxic mix for the Orioles. It's their starter and their bats. Miguel Gonzalez didn't allow a hit until one out in the sixth. He carried a shutout into the seventh. Now, he stands to be the loser. Once again, the Orioles aren't on the same page. They aren't firing on all cylinders. Pick your favorite metaphor. Gonzalez gave up three doubles in the seventh, including back-to-back two-baggers from Robbie Grossman and Jonathan Villar that...