Two of their starting pitchers are on the disabled list, although Miguel Gonzalez could be returning soon. Jason Hammel, who pitches tonight, has allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings over his last two starts. Freddy Garcia has struggled in back-to-back starts. The rotation ERA is 6.37 over the last six games. OK, the O's starting pitching is not exactly peaking right now. And here is the concern. Tonight, the Orioles start a 10-game stretch against AL East opponents with three against Tampa...

In the Men's Journal's latest weekly online newsletter, the magazine listed major league baseball's best stadium food. Nationals Park's Ben's Chili Bowl stands were cited as not to be missed while at a game in D.C. The quick capsule on Ben's chili mentions the eight-pound Strasburger, but prefers the gut-bombing chili dog as the specialty to grab. Make sure to bring along some antacid to any Nationals game for the seventh-inning stretch...

Catcher Wilson Ramos has a left hamstring strain, so he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, according to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a team press release today. Ramos had just returned from the disabled list April 29 after missing most of April with the same hamstring injury. Jhonatan Solano has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Solano went 1-for-6 in his first stint with the Nationals this season and hit .167 (8-for-48) with two...

The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day Disabled List with a left hamstring strain. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solano, who is 1-for-6 in three games with Washington in '13, batted .167 (8-for-48) with two doubles, two walks and three runs scored in 12 contests this season with Syracuse. The...

Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin found a few reasons to be encouraged today by Tsuyoshi Wada's four-inning start against Lehigh Valley. Wada allowed four runs (three earned) and three hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. He served up two home runs in the fourth and came out of the game after 78 pitches. Wada was making his first injury rehab start. "I know he's been throwing in a couple games at extended spring training, but this was his first outing in front of people...

The Nationals begin a four-game set in San Diego against the Padres tonight with Stephen Strasburg (1-5, 3.10 ERA) making his hometown debut. The Padres counter with right-hander Edinson Volquez (3-3, 5.15). Bryce Harper returns to Nationals lineup for first time since Monday. Carlos Quentin is not in the Padres lineup. The Nationals are 1-2 on their 10-game West Coast road trip and have lost four of their last five. The Padres have won nine of their last 10 at home and have won 13 of their...

Back in his home town of San Diego, seeking his first win since April 1, right-hander Stephen Strasburg should shine like no other time this season. Strasburg will be surrounded by family and friends, including his high school baseball coach, Scott Hopgood, who will be in attendance for the first time at one of the right-hander's major league starts. What a better place than Petco Park for Strasburg to showcase his talents? That is certainly what Padres fans had hoped for back when it was...

When guys get a stint in the big leagues and then head back to the minors, it's easy to forget about them. You don't see a guy every day, don't get a chance to watch him perform, you lose track of him a bit. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. Anthony Rendon is playing well enough back at Double-A Harrisburg that it's worth discussing how he's performed. Since returning to Harrisburg after a brief stint in the majors, Rendon has played 12 games. In that time, he's 18-for-44 with three...

Tsuyoshi Wada has allowed an unearned run and one hit in three innings today in his initial injury-rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk. He's walked one, struck out four and thrown a wild pitch. Wada threw 27 pitches in the first inning, 17 in the second and 14 in the third to leave his count at 58, including 33 strikes. The run is unearned because of an error on shortstop Zelous Wheeler, who was promoted from Double-A Bowie earlier in the day. The Orioles most likely will keep Wada on his...

After this past weekend's series loss to one of the worst teams in baseball and a pair of losses in Los Angeles this week, the Nationals continue to battle in their pursuit of meeting the expectations imposed upon them. But here's the thing: For all the hiccups this team has encountered, they're still just one game behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. To me, this season is all about perspective for the Nationals and their fans. Who could have ever predicted the...