Nationals center fielder Denard Span had himself a series. He finished the three games with nine hits against the Reds, including a 5-for-5 performance Tuesday and a leadoff solo shot Wednesday. It was his first homer of the season. The home run off of Reds starter Alfredo Simon gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, they could not muster much else offensively, leaving two men on only one time. That chance arrived in the second inning, when Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore led off with...

Manager: Terry Francona, second year Record: 22-25 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.367/.436/.510, 12 XBH, 6 RBIs); LF Michael Brantley (.302/.370/.523, 9 HR, 36 RBIs, 6 SBs); RF Daniel Murphy (.294/.360/.483, 5 HR, 30 RBIs); RHP Corey Kluber (4-3, 3.43 ERA, 74 K) Season series vs. O's (2013): 4-3, 27 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables May 22: TBD vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 23: Justin Masterson vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 24: Corey Kluber...

After the 2-1 loss to the Reds on Wednesday night, Nationals manager Matt Williams addressed the media and announced that Blake Treinen will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse for Thursday's opener at Pittsburgh. Right-hander Ryan Mattheus will be sent back to Syracuse to make room for Treinen on the 25-man roster. Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche confirmed he will play in a rehab game for high Single-A Potomac on Thursday night in Woodbridge, Va., as he recovers from a right quad...

PITTSBURGH - Chris Davis' home run streak ended tonight at three consecutive at-bats. He grounded out to end the top of the first inning and strand Nick Markakis at third base. David did produce the tying run in the top of the second with an infield hit. They don't all have to travel 400 feet. Davis was retired in the first inning on a 75 mph curveball from Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Has anyone called him "Magic Wandy," or am I the first? If so, it's because he made the...

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles are braced for a different starter to face them Thursday night when the Indians visit Camden Yards. But which one? The Indians used nine pitchers today in their 11-10, 13-inning victory over the Tigers, including Josh Tomlin, who had been listed as Thursday's starter. Tomlin threw the last three innings and was credited with the win despite allowing a run in the top of the 13th. The game ended with Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque committing a balk with the bases...

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles won't be facing Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards. Tomlin is pitching in relief today in the 11th inning. The Indians bullpen is being chewed to bits. The Orioles sent left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to Baltimore today ahead of the team. He left the clubhouse a little while ago in preparation for Thursday night's start. Single-A Frederick right-hander Matt Hobgood has been reinstated from the seven-day...

"I had a good day," Nationals center fielder Denard Span said Tuesday night. "Today was my day. I saw the ball good, and got to do it again tomorrow." Wednesday arrived and he did it again. Fresh off a career-high-matching 5-for-5 performance in Tuesday's 9-4 Nationals win over the Reds, Span launched the second pitch from Reds right-hander Alfredo Simon into the Nationals bullpen in right field, and the Nationals lead 1-0. Span now has eight hits in the series. Right-hander Tanner...

After going through a stretch where they scored three runs or less in 12 of 20 games, the Orioles have scored 15 runs on 24 hits the past two games. The O's are batting .320 in those two games with two doubles and five homers. They are also 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Hey, it's a start. Chris Davis hit three homers last night against three different pitchers on just four pitches. He hit a two-run shot off Francisco Liriano on the first pitch in the fifth. He hit a solo homer...

PITTSBURGH - The Orioles are breaking out the same lineup tonight with the exception of the starting pitcher, of course. Nelson Cruz is in left field, Jonathan Schoop is back at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Chris Tillman is 0-for-6 in the majors. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Chris Tillman RHP For the Pirates Josh Harrison RF Neil Walker 2B Andrew McCutchen...

Manager Matt Williams said Wednesday during pregame that first baseman Adam LaRoche is right on target to be activated Sunday or Monday from the 15-day disabled list. LaRoche has been nursing a right quad strain. He has been on the disabled list since May 10. He is expected to play rehab games in the next day or two. "Adam is going to go play," Williams confirmed. "He has got another test today. We are not sure on what exact day he is going to start playing. Could be tomorrow, could be...