It didn't take long for the Nationals to break through against Mets lefty Jonathon Neise. An RBI single by Jayson Werth, a Wilson Ramos sac fly and a run-scoring ground ball off the bat of Tyler Moore have staked right-hander Tanner Roark to a 3-0 lead after one inning. Right from the start, Neise struggled. He allowed a leadoff single to Denard Span, watched as third baseman David Wright booted Anthony Rendon's grounder and served up a run-scoring single to left to Werth. Both Werth and...

This feels like I'm writing a nightly update on the Orioles and their runs scored - or maybe we should call it a lack of runs scored. Over the last five games, the Orioles have scored two, one, one, five and two runs. They've scored 11 runs total in those five games and 35 runs the last 12 games. Yep, less than three per game. The 2013 Orioles averaged 4.6 runs per game and the 2014 version is at 4.02 right now. The O's have scored 157 runs on the year, ahead of only Houston (145) in the...

The outcome of tonight's game between the Orioles and Royals may be determined in the first few innings. Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight at Kauffman Stadium. In the first two innings of his eight starts in 2014, Tillman has posted a 7.31 ERA by allowing 13 earned runs in 16 innings. From the third inning on, he's posted a 2.27 ERA by allowing eight earned runs over 31 2/3 innings. Pitcher Steve Johnson underwent an MRI on his right shoulder yesterday in Baltimore that didn't reveal...

Two injured Nationals are due for doctor's visits next week to have their progress assessed. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right thumb, is due for an X-ray on Monday, roughly the five-week mark since sustaining the injury. "Once the doctor clears him, he can start all of his strengthening exercises," manager Matt Williams said Friday afternoon. Zimmerman can run and catch throws now, but can't yet put any stress on the joint, which has been...

The Nationals needed a veteran left-handed hitter off the bench, and Greg Dobbs was out of work and looking for a job. Four days after signing a minor league deal with the Nats, and after a few days of working to regain his timing in extended spring training at Viera, Fla., Dobbs is back in the majors. The Nationals selected his contract from Triple-A Syracuse earlier today and he's in uniform for the opener of a three-game series against the Mets tonight. "It's been a whirlwind," Dobbs...

The Orioles made another adjustment to their bullpen today, recalling Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk and designating Evan Meek for assignment off the 25-man roster. Meek remains in the organization and will be assigned to Norfolk on Saturday after clearing option waivers. It's a confusing procedural move. Brach, 28, is 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA, five walks and 38 strikeouts in 15 appearances for the Tides covering 19 1/3 innings. He appeared in two games for the Orioles earlier this season and...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk and designated right-hander Evan Meek for assignment off of the 25-man roster. Brach, 28, has gone 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA (19.1IP, 7ER), five walks and 38 strikeouts in 15 appearances for the Tides. He appeared in two games for the Orioles earlier this season. Meek, 31, was recalled yesterday. He has gone 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA (11.2IP, 9ER) in 12 appearances for the Orioles earlier this season.

David Lough is getting another start in left field tonight and Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base, as the Orioles and Royals play the second game of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter again after belting his team-leading 12th home run last night, a two-run shot that keyed the Orioles' 2-1 win. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz DH Steve Clevenger C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B...

With left-hander Jonathon Neise on the mound for the Mets, Scott Hairston will return to left field for tonight's opener of a three-game series at Nationals Park. Right-hander Tanner Roark starts for the Nationals in the 7:05 p.m. For the Mets LF Eric Young Jr.2B Daniel Murphy3B David WrightCF Curtis GrandersonRF Bobby Abreu1B Lucas DudaC Anthony ReckerSS Ruben TejadaLHP Jonathon Niese For the Nationals CF Denard Span3B Anthony RendonRF Jayson WerthC Wilson RamosSS Ian DesmondLF Scott...

The Nationals made a roster move to tweak their bench today, selecting the contract of infielder/outfielder Greg Dobbs from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning catcher Sandy Leon to the Chiefs. Minor league outfielder Eury Perez was recalled from Syracuse and placed on the 60-day disabled list with a left toe fracture. Dobbs will take his spot on the 40-man roster. Dobbs was signed to a minor league deal four days ago. The 35-year-old is a career .262 hitter spanning 11 seasons with the Marlins,...