Denard Span's 29-game hitting streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 performance tonight in a 3-2 win over the Marlins, but while Span was a little disappointed with the end result, he still was able to reflect on the last month with a smile on his face. When Span was done with an on-field MASN interview immediately after the game, he walked down the dugout tunnel and saw the entire Nationals team waiting for him at the front of the clubhouse. All his teammates and coaches were there...

In the Nationals' 3-2 win over the Marlins, shortstop Ian Desmond was hit by a pitch thrown by Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez in the first inning. Just four pitches after Bryce Harper had connected on a three-run homer. The home run was only the second home run Alvarez had allowed this season in 15 starts. Manager Davey Johnson talked about how the dynamics of the game changed a bit when home plate umpire Bill Welke warned both benches for pitching inside in the bottom of the first...

Before we get to all the pieces that actually factored into tonight's 3-2 Nationals win, let's get manager Davey Johnson's reaction to Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez hitting Ian Desmond just below the left shoulder on a 3-0 fastball just after Bryce Harper had crushed a three-run homer in the first inning. Immediately after Desmond was hit, many Nats players jumped up to the top step of the dugout, angered by what they felt was an intentional plunking. Home plate umpire Bill Welke...

The Orioles' final trip to Fenway Park is in the history books. Those history books already contain several big moments with ties to the current season that occurred on this day. Sept. 20, 2011: The 63-90 Orioles defeat the 88-67 Red Sox by a score of 7-5 as part of a four-game series at Fenway Park. Starter and former Oriole Erik Bedard goes 2 2/3 innings for Boston. Fellow former Oriole Matt Albers provides an inning of scoreless relief with two strikeouts. Robert Andino's eighth-inning,...

It is something that has happened just 15 times in Major League Baseball history and has been achieved by just 12 players. It is the nice round figure of 100 extra-base hits in a single season. That is a massive number, but a number within reach for Chris Davis with just 10 games to play. Davis has 41 doubles and 51 homers totaling 92 extra-base hits. He is currently tied with Brady Anderson for the O's club record. Anderson had 92 in 1996. Davis is on a pace to finish just short of 100,...

BOSTON - One big series down, another one coming up. The Orioles took two of three games from the Red Sox, last night's defeat leaving them two back in the wild card race. They flew into Tampa early this morning and begin a four-game series tonight at Tropicana Field, with Jason Hammel opposing left-hander David Price. I'm booked on a 6:20 a.m. flight out of Boston that stops in Atlanta for a scheduled 1 hour, 10 minute layover. Once I arrive in Tampa, I'll make the drive to St....

BOSTON - The Orioles weren't satisfied tonight with winning another series. Taking two of three from the Red Sox left them cold. "Who cares about getting two out of three?" said center fielder Adam Jones following a 3-1 loss. "At this point and time, winning the series means nothing. We need wins is all. Good job getting the series if this was June, but it's September. We need wins." "At this point, you need Ws. Lots of them," said second baseman Brian Roberts. "Winning two is...

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't named a starter for Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field, choosing to wait until Jason Hammel pitches on Friday. If Showalter needs a long reliever, he could end up using one of his candidates - Miguel Gonzalez or Bud Norris. "Ham hasn't exactly been throwing seven, eight (innings), 100-plus pitches, so if we have to get him early and use somebody else, I just want to leave our options open," Showalter said following tonight's 3-1 loss...

Boston right-hander John Lackey entered his start tonight with both modest stats in his recent starts this year and modest numbers on the season against the Orioles. But Lackey took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in pitching Boston past the Orioles 3-1 at Fenway Park. The Orioles come up a win short in their attempt to become the first team to sweep three in Boston this year. They are now 4-2 on this trip and will take an 81-71 record into their four-game series against Tampa Bay. The...

BOSTON - The first four hits off Orioles starter Chris Tillman went for extra bases tonight, and the game had only progressed to the bottom of the second inning. One out in the bottom of the second inning. Tillman is off his game, and the Orioles trail the Red Sox 3-0 in the top of the third. Tillman has thrown 53 pitches. He received one visit from pitching coach Bill Castro. No one is warming in the bullpen. Dustin Pedroia led off the first with a double and David Ortiz walked with one...