Nationals manager Davey Johnson was able to speak to the media today for the first time since he was ejected from Thursday's 9-7 win over the Pirates. Randy Knorr spoke postgame because Johnson was not available. Johnson was asked if he agreed with the decision by Knorr to pull closer Rafael Soriano in the ninth after he struggled to get outs, allowing two hits and two walks. "Yeah, I mean, (that is) sometimes what you do," Johnson said. "You go with what you are seeing. I was watching...

The Orioles' 2013 first-round pick, right-hander Hunter Harvey, made his second pro appearance today in the O's Gulf Coast League game against Tampa Bay. Harvey gave up three hits and two runs in the first inning of his outing today. He pitched a scoreless second inning. Harvey's line today: 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 1 strikeout. Harvey started and pitched a scoreless inning in his pro debut a week ago today. The Orioles want Harvey to throw two bullpen sessions...

Right-handed reliever Drew Storen has been hit by the flu bug, and is not available for the doubleheader today against the Mets, according to Nationals manager Davey Johnson. Johnson said Storen is being "sequestered in the back" of the clubhouse. Johnson said Storen's ailment appeared similar to the flu-like symptoms suffered by first baseman Adam LaRoche that forced him to miss two games early in the current homestand. Johnson joked that he didn't think Storen and LaRoche hung out, even...

On Friday, August 2, the Orioles and Oriole Advocates will hold a formal induction ceremony prior to their 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Seattle Mariners to honor 2013 Orioles Hall of Fame inductee Roberto Alomar and Herb Armstrong Award recipient Don Pries. Earlier that day, the annual Orioles Hall of Fame Luncheon will be held on the 6th floor of the Warehouse starting at noon. The luncheon is sponsored by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame. Tickets are available to fans for...

Here are the lineups for the first game of today's day/night doubleheader against the New York Mets at Nationals Park: For the Nationals: Bryce Harper LF Steve Lombardozzi 2B Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Jayson Werth RF Ian Desmond SS Denard Span CF Kurt Suzuki C Jordan Zimmermann P For the Mets: Eric Young, Jr. LF Daniel Murphy 2B David Wright 3B Marlon Byrd RF Ike Davis 1B Juan Lagares CF Anthony Recker C Omar Quintanilla SS Jenrry Mejia RHP Right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus has...

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus, who missed the last 58 games with a fractured right hand, has three holds and a 4.96 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season. The 29-year-old posted a 2.35 ERA (4 ER/15.1 IP) in his initial 13 appearances. In six appearances during his rehab...

The first-place Red Sox are coming to town this weekend, but I have the Tampa Bay Rays on my find. I've feared that the Rays are the biggest threat to win the American League East ever since David Price returned to form. Price came off the disabled list in early July and the Rays are 15-3 since his return. Overall, the Rays pitching staff has five complete games in July, which MLB.com tells us is the most in the month since the Mets had five in August 2010. As I sat at my computer Thursday...

The six-game losing streak is over. The nine-game deficit in the National League East has been cut to eight. A lot more needs to go right before the Nationals are able to legitimately threaten the Braves for the top spot in the division. A lot more. But my goodness, is the NL East ever a flawed, jumbled mess right now. The Braves have lost four of their last six games and are 8-11 since putting together a four-game winning streak a little over three weeks ago. They just lost Tim Hudson, one...

Mike Rizzo has referred to Stephen Strasburg in the past as his "silent assassin," a soft-spoken, but ultra-competitive, elite athlete. The No.1 overall pick in the 2009 draft had his moments. He snapped at a reporter once who asked why he struggled against the Marlins after a tough start against the Fish and reminded everyone that he'd historically done well against Miami. Back in 2010, he told a loud-mouthed fan who made the mistake of taunting Strasburg while the Nationals were ahead on...

The Orioles begin a big series with the first-place Boston Red Sox tonight, looking to continue a recent run of success against a team they went 2-16 against in 2009 and 17-55 against from 2006-09. This year, the Orioles have won both their series against the Red Sox, going 5-2. Last season, the Orioles went 13-5 versus Boston. Here is maybe the most stunning stat of all: The Orioles have won six straight and nine of the last 10 series between these teams. The Orioles have won 14 of the...