How big a hit did the Nationals' playoff hopes take yesterday with their loss to the Phillies coupled with the Reds and Pirates both winning? Their odds of reaching the postseason were cut from 5.5 percent entering yesterday's action to 1.5 percent as of this morning, per BaseballProspectus.com. It's too bad that the Nats are in this position in the first place, where one day in mid-September can be such a momentum-crusher. They've played so well over the last 4-5 weeks that it's weird...

Can the Orioles get on a roll? Seems the answer in this 2013 season to that question is going to be no. Get a big win scoring late runs on Friday. Give up late runs to lose Saturday. If you've eaten in the last several minutes you may want to come back later to read some of these one-run stats. The Orioles are last in the American League with a record of 16-28 in one-run decisions after Saturday's 4-3 loss, which followed Thursday's one-run loss, which followed Wednesday's and you get the...

Saturday certainly was not what Gio Gonzalez wanted or expected after pitching a one-hitter in his last start against the Mets. In Saturday's start against the Phillies, Gonzalez allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings. He did battle through a couple of jams, but a four-run fifth inning helped put the Phillies over the edge. "Gio just had that one inning where he looked like he just lost his command," said manager Davey Johnson. "The big thing was the walk to (Chase) Utley. And...

At this point in the season, with the number of remaining games shrinking and the Nationals trying to scrap their way back into the playoff picture, Davey Johnson's bunch can't really afford to be losing ballgames. The Nats already knew coming into tonight's game against the Phillies that the Reds had won today, and a loss here at Nats Park would increase their deficit in the wild card race to 5 1/2 games with just 14 remaining. As hot as the Nats have been as of late and as hard as they...

The Orioles will try to improve their series record to 26-17-4 with a win today in Toronto, but it's more important to improve their spot in the wild card race. Taking a lead hasn't been an issue for the Orioles. Holding it in the late innings is another matter. A few more hits with runners in scoring position also would provide a boost. Might actually prevent all these one- and two-run losses. The Orioles are seeing another left-hander today, veteran Mark Buehrle, who's 11-8 with a 4.18...

After four innings of scoreless ball tonight, Gio Gonzalez had worked 13 consecutive innings without allowing a run. Then came the fifth inning. The scoreless streak is now over, and the Nationals trail 4-1. Gonzalez allowed four runs on four hits in the fifth, with John Mayberry's solo shot to left tying the game 1-1 and Carlos Ruiz's bases-clearing, two-out double to right bringing in three more runs to give the Phillies their first lead of the night. Ruiz's double came on a...

The Nationals' most improved player in the minor league system has been outfielder Billy Burns. This week, the team rewarded the organization's top base stealer with their coveted minor league Player of the Year award. Burns, 24, started the season at high Single-A Potomac and lit up the stat sheet with his quality at-bats, high batting average and ability to steal bases. Potomac manager Brian Daubach has seen how quickly Burns has grown as a player and remembers coaching him while managing...

The Orioles carried a a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning at Rogers Centre, but Chris Tillman issued a four-pitch walk to Moises Sierra and Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer. Tillman hadn't allowed any runs since the first inning. Now he trails the Blue Jays 4-3. Oh, those leadoff walks. And those two-out walks. Just the walks in general. Tillman has allowed 30 home runs in 30 starts this season. He's surrendered 71 in his career, including 50 solo shots. Rasmus homered on a...

After taking yesterday and today off from throwing due to tightness in his right forearm, Stephen Strasburg is on track to play catch tomorrow at Nationals Park. Assuming all goes well during that session, Strasburg will throw a bullpen session Monday and then be in line to start Thursday, Sept. 19 against the Marlins. Strasburg was scratched from yesterday's scheduled start against the Phillies after feeling some tightness in his forearm during a throwing session Thursday in New York....

The Yankees lost today, which would enable the Orioles to pass them in the wild card standings with a win today in Toronto. The Orioles are wearing their black jerseys instead of the usual orange on Saturday. They won last night. Superstitious? Last night, Chris Davis hit his 50th home run. Today, Manny Machado hit his 50th double. Apparently, 50 is the new ... 50. Machado, Brian Roberts and Miguel Tejada are the only Orioles with 50 or more doubles in a season. Roberts holds the record...