NEW YORK - The Orioles will play under the lights tonight for the first time in six games. Hopefully, they won't be distracted by the moon. It's been a while since they've seen it unless the curtains were open in their hotel rooms. Fans keep asking why the Orioles would recall infielder Jemile Weeks from Triple-A Norfolk to replace outfielder David Lough, who's apparently going on the disabled list. Well, Weeks has played the outfield and he also provides insurance in case shortstop J.J....

A veteran not known for his speed getting that extra base. A young player returning to his collegiate position making a big defensive play. Both combine for big hits. All are a part of the Nationals' 5-0 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night. First baseman Adam LaRoche was able to slide safely into second base in the sixth inning, thanks to Marlins second baseman Jeff Baker's inability to hold onto to the throw from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The error by Baker was big in the inning,...

This sure counts as one of those total-team-effort type of wins tonight. The Nationals got stellar starting pitching from Gio Gonzalez, who went six scoreless innings; got great defensive plays from Anthony Rendon, Ian Desmond and others; saw five of their position players chip in with at least one hit; and watched the bullpen lock down a 5-0 win over the Marlins. These are the type of wins that really make managers smile. Matt Williams loved what he got from Gonzalez today, who elevated his...

Of the many positive things that happened for the Orioles offense yesterday, the best development may have been Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop both having big days. Flaherty had three hits after starting the year 1-for-21 and that has to take some of the pressure off him. Schoop had two hits and is now 3-for-8 with two doubles the past two games after starting the season 2-for-18. He may be starting to settle in. We know that players in the middle of the order like Chris Davis and Adam...

The Orioles are now eight games into the 2014 season and have a record of 3-5. However, the team is on a high after a great win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Prior to that, there seemed to be a lack of spark and many rallies were being killed by poor baserunning and poor pitch selection. Thankfully, it's only the early days of a new season and it could have been worse. There's also the encouraging thought of Manny Machado's future return, which will likely be later this month. Of the 25...

The Orioles opened the first week of the season with series against two American League offensive powerhouses: the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. While the club only came away with two wins during the first week, the offense seemed to come alive on Tuesday against the Yankees. Here are some stories you may have missed about the Orioles from other media outlets. * In the wake of Mike Trout's six-year contract extension with the Angels, former Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, now...

The Nationals plated a run in the bottom of the first. Jayson Werth hit a two-out double against Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez. Adam LaRoche brought Werth in with a run-scoring single, but was tagged out in a rundown between first and second to end the inning. It's 1-0 after one inning. Lefty Gio Gonzalez is starting for the Nationals. He's dominated the Fish on South Capitol Street, going 3-0 with an 0.95 ERA in three home starts against Miami last year. Update: Gonzalez was able to...

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos spoke Tuesday for the first time about undergoing surgery to remove the fractured hamate bone in his left hand. He recounted when he first felt soreness during the last week of spring training and then when he felt the severe pain during an at-bat against the Mets on opening day. "It was the last week of spring. I was feeling something in my wrist, but never think about the hamate bone," Ramos said. "I was feeling just a little bit sore. Every morning, I was...

The Nationals made it through the first week with a 4-2 record. The Nats swept the Mets in New York, but then dropped their first series to the Braves at Nats Park. The team was bit by the injury bug several times in the first week, losing catcher Wilson Ramos and outfielder Scott Hairston while third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's status is in limbo for the time being. Here are some stories you may have missed about the Nationals from other media outlets during the first week of the season. *...

The Nationals have set their rotation for the next five games, starting with tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Marlins. After left-hander Gio Gonzalez faces the Fish tonight, the Nationals will use right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg for the final two games of the home series. Righties Tanner Roark and Taylor Jordan will start the first two games of the three-game weekend series at Atlanta. Manager Matt Williams said Monday's off-day allowed the Nats to...