We've already had some drama here at Nationals Park tonight, and the game isn't even an inning old. The Marlins got to Gio Gonzalez for a run in the top of the first when Donovan Solano, who doubled leading off the game, came around on an Ed Lucas RBI single. But things heated up in the bottom of the first, when the Nats took the lead and saw their bench coach get ejected just minutes later. Bryce Harper smoked a three-run homer to center off Henderson Alvarez, giving the Nats a 3-1...

Prior to Saturday's game against the Marlins, the Nationals are going to hold a special ceremony honoring manager Davey Johnson, whose final homestand as Nats manager is winding down. There's going to be a video montage on the JumboTron and general manager Mike Rizzo will present Johnson with an award. It sounds like it'll be a nice tribute, but Johnson, who isn't too fond of being the center of attention in such situations, isn't looking forward to it. "I'm thinking about checking...

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has narrowed the field of Saturday starter candidates to right-handers Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris. Showalter said he most likely will make the announcement before tonight's game. "I need to have one other conversation," Showalter said. "Miggy threw some in the bullpen today and felt good, so that's encouraging. He's an option. I'll have one more conversation during or after BP." Showalter said there's another factor that could influence...

The Orioles will try to do something tonight that no team has done this year: Sweep a three-game series from the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In fact, Boston has only been swept twice this year and that counts a one-game series. They got swept May 3-5 at Texas and their loss July 29 at home against Tampa Bay officially counts as a series sweep. Boston entered this series with a home record of 50-25 and was 8-1 in its previous nine home games before losing back-to-back nights to the...

BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez threw a light bullpen session today and said he felt good. No issues related to the right groin strain that forced him out of Sunday's game in Toronto. Gonzalez said he's ready to start for the Orioles on Saturday if given the ball. That decision is pending. Manager Buck Showalter may announce his starter later this afternoon. Bud Norris also is a consideration. Reliever Darren O'Day, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 7, is available tonight out of the...

Shortstop Zach Walters put up career-high numbers this season, earning a September call up to the Nationals. Walters crushed 29 home runs and 77 RBIs in 134 games for Triple-A Syracuse. He hit .253 with 32 doubles, five triples and 69 runs scored. In five games with the Nationals, Walter has gone 2-for-2 (1.000) with a run scored and one walk. This week, manager Davey Johnson was asked about sitting shortstop Ian Desmond because of a spasm near his hamstring. Johnson said Desmond is fine and...

After Stephen Strasburg was scratched from tonight's start due to some lingering right forearm tightness, Gio Gonzalez will start on full rest in the first of four games against the Marlins. The Nationals plan to follow Gonzalez with Jordan Zimmermann tomorrow night, Strasburg on Saturday and Dan Haren on Sunday in the season finale between these two teams. Gonzalez is 2-0 in two starts against the Marlins this season and has yet to allow a run in 13 innings against Miami. The Nats will...

BOSTON - Matt Wieters caught all 12 innings of last night's game against the Red Sox and he's back in the Orioles lineup tonight for the series finale at Fenway Park. Since 2010, Wieters leads all major league catchers with 174 extra-base hits, followed by Yadier Molina with 173. The next-closest catcher is A.J. Pierzynski with 155. The Orioles are trying to build their first four-game winning streak since they won five straight from July 14-22. The All-Star break arrived after the first...

When Kevin Gausman fanned five Boston batters in a dominating two-inning outing last night, it was the latest chapter in what has been a busy and interesting season for the Orioles' 22-year-old pitching prospect. The club's top draft pick last season began 2013 in Double-A Bowie's rotation. He was called up to pitch as a starter for the Orioles in late May, then sent back to the minors at Triple-A Norfolk and returned to Baltimore to pitch out of the bullpen. Three teams and two different...

BOSTON - Chris Tillman will seek his 17th win tonight and the Orioles will attempt to sweep the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Tillman is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox. He's 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park, with five earned runs allowed over 23 1/3 innings. Tillman's career ERA against the Red Sox is more than two runs per game better than his ERA against any other American League East club. He's posted a 4.18 ERA in nine starts vs. the Blue Jays,...