The list of Nationals players currently riding hot streaks - and it's a lengthy list - can be expanded to include Wilson Ramos. Ramos smoked a solo homer to left leading off the bottom of the second inning tonight, giving the Nats a 2-1 lead over the Phillies and giving Ramos four homers in his last six games. The Nationals catcher got a 1-0 cutter from Kyle Kendrick and didn't miss it, crushing the pitch into the Phillies bullpen. Ramos now has 14 homers on the season in just 240...

While Chris Davis may be hitting homers at a lesser rate in the second half of the season and will very unlikely finish with 60 home runs, he has still had a monster year. There are some numbers to put that in perspective. For instance, Davis is pretty much lapping the field when it comes to extra-base hits. With 49 homers and 40 doubles, Davis leads the majors with 89 extra-base hits. Mike Trout is second, but 19 behind Davis with 70, and Miguel Cabrera is third with 69. Davis has 15 more...

Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said Stephen Strasburg wasn't trying a new pitch in Thursday's bullpen session in New York. There was the possibility, raised by manager Davey Johnson today, that the reason Strasburg came down with the irritation in his throwing arm was because he had tried a new pitch in the throwing session. Strasburg was scratched from Friday's scheduled start with right forearm tightness. "I was standing there," McCatty said. "All pitchers play with grips all...

Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from tonight's scheduled start against the Phillies due to right forearm tightness, but the Nationals don't think the injury is anything serious. Strasburg is expected to make his next start this Thursday, Sept. 19. Reporters were surprised when we made our way into the Nationals clubhouse this afternoon only to see that Ross Ohlendorf was listed as tonight's scheduled starter. Manager Davey Johnson said that Strasburg, who had Tommy John surgery on...

The Orioles are looking for their first road series win against an American League East opponent since April 8-11, when they took two of three at Fenway Park. Since the start of the 2012 season, the Orioles are 11-4 at home against the Blue Jays. They're 9-14 in their last 23 games in Toronto. The Orioles are averaging 5.7 runs per game in their seven games at Rogers Centre this season, more than a full run (4.5) higher than their average in their other 64 road games. The Orioles are batting...

Danny Valencia's hot bat stays in the Orioles' lineup tonight against Blue Jays right-hander Todd Redmond, and Baltimore native Steve Clevenger will make his first appearance with the team he rooted for growing up. Clevenger is behind the plate for Jason Hammel's first start since Aug. 28. Valencia is batting .212 against right-handers and .380 vs. left-handers, but he's 23-for-42 (.548) since Aug. 4 and had a game-tying three-run homer last night against the Yankees. Edwin Encarnacion,...

If you're headed to Nationals Park and you're excited about seeing Stephen Strasburg start for the Nationals in the opener of a three-game series against the Phillies, you're going to be disappointed. The Nationals have scratched Strasburg from tonight's start. No reason was given, but he's not on the lineup posted in the clubhouse. Instead, right-hander Ross Ohlendorf is listed as tonight's starting pitcher. We'll update with news about Strasburg when it becomes available. In the...

The Orioles have selected the contract of infielder Dan Johnson, who joined the team in Toronto. To make room for Johnson on the 40-man roster, outfielder Henry Urrutia has been placed on baseball's restricted list. Urrutia, a Cuban defector, isn't allowed to travel into Canada. He's down in Sarasota and could rejoin the Orioles in Boston, where they begin a three-game series on Tuesday. The club hasn't made a decision on Urrutia's status beyond today. Johnson, 34, batted a combined...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Dan Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, outfielder Henry Urrutia has been placed on the Restricted List. Johnson, 34, batted a combined .250/.378/.439 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI in 138 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees system (133 games) and Norfolk (five games) this season. He is a lifetime .237/.338/.412 hitter in 413 major league games over seven...

Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite gameday employees as part of the team's 2013 rewards and recognition program The Washington Nationals today announced the launch of the TEAM Service All Stars campaign to recognize and reward gameday staff who provide world class customer service to guests at Nationals Park. From Friday, September 13 to Wednesday, September 18, fans of all ages are encouraged to go to nationals.com/teamservice to vote for the team member(s) they believe go above...