"You've got to show up tomorrow ready to eat somebody's face." Three straight losses and a frustrating start to the season led Jayson Werth to speak with this intensity, and everyone took notice. Immediately after the words left Werth's mouth, the term "eat face" had taken on a life of its own within the Nationals. Well, apparently I'll be #EatingFace today.— Ian Desmond (@IanDesmond20) June 19, 2013 Eat face! #zombieMode— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) June 19,...

If you've followed the Nationals with any type of regularity this season, you've probably read quotes from Davey Johnson where he discusses how tough he thinks it is for young players to occupy bench roles on a major league team. Johnson knows that Tyler Moore and Steve Lombardozzi haven't produced much from an offensive perspective at the big league level this season. Moore's level of play was low enough that the Nats optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse last weekend in order to get him on...

In the early days of his career with the Nationals, shortstop Ian Desmond racked up more errors than web gems. Presently, he's solidifying himself as a leader in the Nats clubhouse. It's a role that seems to suit him now that he's growing into himself as a player and maturing as an adult. With the heart of the Washington batting order not doing its job on a consistent basis and the Nats struggling to find a stream of positive momentum, Desmond is leading this team. Fresh off an 11th-inning...

Very few know Manny Machado the player and Manny the person better than Orioles third base/infield coach Bobby Dickerson. He worked closely with Machado in the minors and he was one of the instructors that helped him convert from shortstop to third base in those early pregame sessions at Bowie last year. I asked Dickerson what has made Machado so consistently good on defense at third. Dickerson provided some solid insight, but also some surprising insight as well. He thinks Machado can get...

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals played 11 innings tonight, and they did so with a short bench. Outfielder Roger Bernadina was scratched from the Nats' lineup before the game due to a left eye infection, and infielder Chad Tracy spent the game getting treatment on a tight back that held him out of batting practice before the game. Neither injury is thought to be too serious at this point, but they made things a bit tougher on manager Davey Johnson during tonight's 6-2, 11-inning Nats...

PHILADELPHIA - Had the Nationals not rallied from a run down in the top of the ninth inning, had Jayson Werth not tied the game against Jonathan Papelbon with two outs, the bus ride from Philly back to D.C. would've been a quiet and long one. With a loss tonight, the Nats would have fallen three games below .500 for the first time this season. They would've dropped eight games behind the Braves. They would've finished their road trip 3-6, including losses in each of their last four...

The Orioles are off today, so they can savor being 11 games above .500 for the first time this season. More likely, they haven't given it a single thought. That's especially true of third baseman Manny Machado, who only gives double thoughts. (See what I did there?) This team doesn't obsess over records and streaks. It hasn't swept a series longer than two games, but it keeps winning them. Sixteen if you're counting at home, which leads the majors. I sensed some panic here when the...

BOWIE, Md. - Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Taylor Jordan allowed his first earned run in four games, but remained solid on the hill with eight strong innings, defeating Bowie 3-1 at Prince George's Stadium. Jordan recorded his sixth consecutive Double-A victory to no losses, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks and three strikeouts. He tossed 96 pitches, 64 for strikes. Manager Matt Lecroy said it was another solid outing for the young right-hander. "He pitched out of two...

Kevin Gauman's first start at the Triple-A level didn't produce the desired results. Gausman allowed seven runs and 10 hits in six innings for the Norfolk Tides in Game 1 of a doubleheader, with one walk, four strikeouts and one wild pitch. He served up a three-run homer to Indianapolis left fielder Andrew Lambo in the sixth inning. Jon Rauch replaced Gausman in the seventh and gave up a solo homer in an 8-1 loss. Rauch apparently has decided not to opt out of his contract. Gausman was 2-4...

PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Kendrick has faced 16 Nationals hitters tonight. One of those 16 has reached base. The other 15 have all gone quietly. The Nats trail the Phillies 2-0 as we go to the sixth inning of tonight's series finale at Citizens Bank Park. They've put one runner on base so far and have made things pretty easy on Kendrick, who has needed just 56 pitches. Davey Johnson wants his hitters to be aggressive. They have been. They just continue to have problems getting guys on base and...