Manager Davey Johnson has been asked many times the last few weeks if he has checked the scoreboard. Today, Johnson was asked if he thought the Reds and Pirates were checking to see how the Nationals are doing. "They are watching it," Johnson said. 'There is no doubt about it. But it always goes down to what you do today. You only worry about things you can control. I am assuming the Reds are going to beat the Astros. Unless our boy (Brad) Peacock has a great game and tries to hand...

Denard Span's hitting streak has reached 28 games, and is now the longest streak in the big leagues since Dan Uggla had a hit in 33 consecutive games in 2011. Over this stretch, Span is hitting a ridiculous .378/.414/.504. He's continued his strong defensive play and even seen his production improve on the basepaths, where he's 7-for-8 in stolen base attempts. Since the start of his hitting streak, Span's season average has improved 25 points. His on-base percentage has jumped 23 points....

BOSTON - Darren O'Day is listed among the relievers on tonight's lineup card, so he'll be in uniform for the Orioles against the Red Sox. Danny Valencia's hot streak has earned him another start as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Danny Valencia DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Red Sox Dustin Pedroia 2B Shane Victorino CF David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Jonny Gomes...

It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating the Chris Davis grand slam that capped off an opening day victory for the Orioles at Camden Yards against the Twins. How quickly almost six months can pass when you're busy charting victories and significant milestones. But the end of the 2013 regular season is near, and the six-game homestand that begins Sept. 24 against the Blue Jays will be the Orioles' final one of the season. Which means it's a perfect time to celebrate what's...

If the Nationals somehow find a way to make October's postseason, they could be the favorite to go to the World Series. They are the hottest team in the National League. The question is whether they will have enough time to complete their comeback. The best-case scenario is that the Nationals win their final 11 games and finish with 92 victories. Pittsburgh has 87 wins and the Reds 86. The Nationals winning their final 11 games isn't out of the question, but 9-2 is more realistic, especially...

The Orioles today announced that the club is accepting deposits on 2014 season ticket plans and that fans placing a deposit will receive access to 2013 Postseason tickets. Fans who place a non-refundable $250 (for 13-game plans), $500 (for 29-game plans) or $1,000 (for full season plans) per seat deposit on a 2014 Season Ticket Plan will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase 2013 Orioles Postseason tickets before the general public. The deposit must be placed by tomorrow, Thursday,...

According to the modern baseball catalog of knowledge, Baseball Reference, the official major league history of Washington baseball began in 1884 with the Washington Nationals and the Washington Statesmen playing that season. The Nationals finished with a record of 47-65 and the Statesmen were 12-51. That would turn out to be a fitting beginning to Washington baseball history. There would be two more defunct franchises and neither of them would have a winning season, and then in 1901 Ban...

The Orioles beat the Red Sox last night and it's worth noting. The win raises the 2013 record against their hated rivals to 8-6, meaning they've got a good shot at winning the season series. Given that the Sox are running away with the division, that counts for something. The win also leaves the O's just two games back of both Tampa Bay and Cleveland for a wild card berth. That, I suppose, also counts for something. Nothing's decided yet. I remain, despite this, mostly (and...

Is it too soon to start looking toward next season when the Nationals are still in the mix for a playoff spot, sitting 4 1/2 games back of the Reds with 11 to play? Maybe so. The Nats are red-hot, having now won 21 of their last 27 games, and they've, at the very least, made these final couple weeks pretty darn interesting as we see how things shake out in the standings. It wasn't too long ago that some were questioning whether the Nats would even break the .500 mark this season. Now...

BOSTON - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters produced his 11th sacrifice fly last night, tops in the majors, to score the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning. Wieters had been tied with Cincinnati's Zack Cozart. Forty-eight of Chris Davis' 51 home runs this season have come as a first baseman, tying Jim Thome (2002) for the most at the position in the American League since 1974. Third baseman Manny Machado was having a frustrating night. Two errors, a missed tag and two popups to short...