Let's look on the positive side of things. Anthony Rendon's solo home run in the seventh, the second homer of his big league career, has brought the Nationals to within three at 4-1 and prevented them from getting shut out for the second straight day. Their scoreless streak has been snapped at 15 innings, and they'll turn the lineup over and get their big bats to the plate at least once more before this game ends. However, the Nats do still trail, and they'll either get Kyle Lohse for...

Scott Feldman's first inning with the Orioles tonight was a bit rocky. Feldman allowed a run on three hits to produce a 1-1 tie. He also struck out two batters. Feldman retired the first two Chicago batters before surrendering a single to Alex Rios and an RBI double to Adam Dunn, who was 1-for-10 against him lifetime before tonight. Dayan Viciedo also singled, but Dunn held at third base for two reasons. Right fielder Nick Markakis has a plus-arm and Dunn has a piano on his back. Feldman...

Assuming all goes well tonight, the Nationals should have Wilson Ramos back in their starting lineup tomorrow. Ramos, who has missed the last 43 games with a strained left hamstring, will play in his fifth rehab game tonight. He'll serve as the designated hitter for high Single-A Potomac, and is slated to play a full nine innings. Barring any setbacks, manager Davey Johnson said Ramos will not only be activated off the disabled list tomorrow, but he'll likely be behind the plate in the 11...

I mentioned earlier that Scott Feldman is the 13th different starting pitcher used by the Orioles this season, exceeding last year's total. The Orioles hadn't used that many starters since 2008. Feldman will be the 14th player to make his Orioles debut this season. We're not counting left-hander Mike Belfiore, who was recalled without pitching in a game. White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers is 5-for-7 lifetime against Feldman. Right fielder Alex Rios is 10-for-32 with two home runs. Brian...

At 2 p.m. today, Dan Haren stepped on the mound at Nationals Park and started firing away as a rotation of hitters took their hacks. It was just a simulated game against three hitters with whom he shares a clubhouse - Chad Tracy, Tyler Moore and Steve Lombardozzi - but it was yet another step in the right direction for Haren, who has been on the disabled list the last 10 days with right shoulder inflammation. Haren threw 65-70 pitches split up over three simulated innings, with a couple of...

It is a big if, but if Scott Feldman pitches for the Orioles at the same level that he pitched for the Cubs this season, he could become one of the best starting pitchers on the O's staff. Here is where he ranks this year against the other O's starters in 2013. WHIP: 1.14 - Scott Feldman 1.19 - Miguel Gonzalez 1.20 - Wei-Yin Chen 1.30 - Chris Tillman 1.40 - Jason Hammel 1.73 - Zach Britton Innings per start: 6.3 - Gonzalez 6.1 - Feldman 5.9 - Chen, Hammel, Tillman 5.5 - Britton Feldman...

Danny Espinosa has continued to struggle at the plate for Triple-A Syracuse as he rehabs from wrist and shoulder injuries. He is batting .094 (6-for-64) in 19 games, with 33 strikeouts in 64 at-bats. Recently he has improved his strikeouts per game, down to four in the last five contests. Manager Davey Johnson has kept up on Espinosa in the team reports and has been able to watch a lot of his at-bats on video. "I saw his approach," Johnson said. "He has changed a little bit in his...

Scott Feldman takes the mound for the Orioles tonight in the second game of their series against the Chicago White Sox, making him their 13th starter in 2013. They used 12 last season. To make room for Feldman on the 25-man roster, the Orioles optioned infielder Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk. Valencia is batting .230/.277/.508 with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs in 21 games. He's batting .282 against left-handers, compared to .136 vs. right-handers, but Nolan Reimold's return...

The Orioles today announced that right-hander Scott Feldman has reported to the club and they have optioned infielder Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk. Feldman is scheduled to make tonight's start against the White Sox after he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs yesterday. Feldman will wear uniform #34. Valencia, 28, has batted .230/.277/.508 in 21 games for the Orioles this season.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler makes his first start tonight since feeling stiffness in his lower back following Friday night's effort at Citi Field in New York. Detwiler is 2-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 12 starts this season. His opposition is Brewers righty Kyle Lohse. He'll be backed up in his start against Milwaukee by what is becoming a familiar batting order, now that some of the bumps and bruises the Nationals have been dealing with have healed. For the Brewers RF Norichika Aoki SS Jean...