Third baseman Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals their first lead and first run of the series with a solo homer in the third inning. Rendon went after the first pitch, a curveball, from Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha and launched it into the St. Louis bullpen, well over the wall in left-center. It was Rendon's third homer of the season and the Nationals lead 1-0. Nats left-hander Gio Gonzalez held St. Louis scoreless for the first three innings. The Cardinals got men on first and second...

BOSTON - The Red Sox held a moment of silence before the game for former Orioles public relations director Monica Pence Barlow. Her photo appeared on the video board in center field. Well done. The temperature at first pitch was 39 degrees - same as Wednesday's game at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis doubled on the first offering from John Lackey, bringing the quickest challenge of the season. Boston manager John Farrell thought the ball hit outside the left field line, but the call stood....

BOSTON - I don't know the projected game time temperature tonight at Fenway Park. However, after doing extensive research, I can confirm that it's bitter cold. There's a rumor circulating that a polar bear will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. While wearing a scarf and mittens. The temperature for Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay at Camden Yards was 39 degrees, believed to be the coldest in Baltimore since at least 1988, when first pitch temperature was recorded regularly. The...

The Nationals needed another fresh arm in the bullpen, so they sent hard-throwing right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse and called up left-hander Xavier Cedeno. Treinen, 25, allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings in last night's 8-0 loss to the Cardinals and pitched to a 1.35 ERA over three appearances during his first career stint in the majors. Before Friday's game at Nationals Park, manager Matt Williams explained the roster move and detailed the plan for Treinen. "The plan for him...

Catcher Wilson Ramos met with reporters pregame Friday to give an update on the rehab process for his hamate fracture in his left hand. Ramos had surgery and got the stitches taken out last Monday. He has begun an intensive strengthening regimen to build the left wrist and hand back to full strength. He has been on the disabled list since April 1 after feeling pain in his hand and wrist during opening day at-bats in New York. "Right now, starting working out with my hand," Ramos said. "My...

BOSTON - Manny Machado made it through his sliding drills today without a hitch, and he's scheduled to play five innings at third base on Saturday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Machado also ran the bases again and took batting practice and infield. No issues with his left knee or calf. "I talked to him today," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's upbeat and ready to go." Showalter estimates that Machado will play three to five games at extended spring training before...

You don't need to look further than the mound to find the best reason to watch tonight's game between the Nationals at Cardinals. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez goes up against Cardinals phenom Michael Wacha, who pitches against the Nats for the first time since Ryan Zimmerman broke up his no-hit bid last September. Wacha, 22, is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA through three starts this season while Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA. For the Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon LF Bryce Harper RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam...

The Orioles play at Fenway Park tonight in the opener of a four-game series. It's a ballpark where they have a winning percentage of .682 since late in the 2011 season. The Orioles have won six of their last seven series at Fenway, going 15-7 in that time. That includes a record of 12-6 there the past two seasons. Maybe the Orioles will find their longball swing at Fenway. The Birds led the majors with 212 homers last season, which was 24 more than the next closest team. Right now, they've...

The Nationals made a roster move to freshen up the bullpen prior to tonight's game against the Cardinals. Left-hander Xavier Cedeno was called up from Triple-A Syracuse. To make room for Cedeno on the roster, the Nats optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse. Cedeno was on a roll at Triple-A, having thrown 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out four. Treinen made his major league debut earlier this month. He had three appearances with the Nats,...

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In three appearances with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Cedeno has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. Cedeno has allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out four while holding opponents to a .077 batting average. Acquired from the Astros in April of...