MINNEAPOLIS - Jason Hammel hasn't been able to work his road magic tonight. All five of Hammel's wins this season have come away from home, but he's down 3-0 in the second inning at Target Field and the Twins already have worked him for 51 pitches. The Twins have sent 12 batters to the plate and collected five hits and a walk. Joe Mauer was credited with a double in the first on a line drive that eluded right fielder Chris Dickerson, who froze on the ball and broke back late before...

MINNEAPOLIS - Steve Johnson isn't sure how long he will remain with the Orioles. If you're keeping track at home, he will be the ninth starter used this season when he takes the mound on Saturday. He's just going to appreciate the moment and see what develops. "I'm happy to get the call for however long it will be," he said. "It's just good to get healthy and get those rehab starts and get the full pitch count. I felt really good in my last start, and hope I continue with...

Triple-A Syracuse second baseman Jeff Kobernus has had an outstanding start to his 2013 campaign, getting in the conversation about a possible callup to the Nationals. In the end, at least this time, the Nationals decided to go with Eury Perez while Jayson Werth is on the disabled list with an injured hamstring. But that does not take away from what the hot-hitting Kobernus has displayed this season or from his emerging versatility. The 24-year-old Kobernus was hitting .371 through Thursday...

Kurt Suzuki gave the Nationals the lead in the bottom of the second and then made a tremendous play a half-inning later to ensure the Cubs didn't grab the lead right back. Up with two on and two outs in the second, Suzuki smoked a Jeff Samardzija fastball off the right-center field wall. Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa both came around to score, giving the Nationals a 2-1 lead over the Cubs. This marks Suzuki's first two-RBI game since April 17. The Cubs came right back with back-to-back...

MINNEAPOLIS - Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw seven scoreless and hitless innings today at extended spring training. He didn't issue a walk, struck out 10 and hit two batters. Wada, who threw 88 pitches, is ready to go on an injury-rehab assignment. His next start will be with one of the Orioles' affiliates. "He hit two guys. That's good to see," Showalter said. "That tells me he's feeling pretty good about his fastball in. "(Scott) McGregor has seen all his outings. That was kind of...

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles aren't afraid to experiment. They will lower a pitcher's arm slot or turn him into a knuckleballer. They will turn a Double-A shortstop into a major league third baseman. And they will talk a switch-hitter into batting exclusively from one side of the plate. Second baseman Alexi Casilla said he will bat from the left side tonight against Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey, but he's been taking batting practice from the right side against right-handers at the...

With Jayson Werth heading to the disabled list and Bryce Harper out after having minor surgery to get rid of an ingrown toenail, the Nationals are two outfielders short tonight. That will leave Roger Bernadina starting in right field and Tyler Moore starting in left. Bernadina is hitting .129 on the season. Moore is batting .163. Ryan Zimmerman will move back up to his familiar No. 3 spot in the order with Harper out, Adam LaRoche will hit cleanup and Ian Desmond will bat fifth. Davey...

Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced before Friday's game against the Cubs that outfielder Jayson Werth had a setback in his recovery from a sore hamstring and if placed on the disabled list, it is likely that either infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus or outfielder Eury Perez will get the call up. Both have been scorching the baseball. Perez has an eight-game hitting streak and Kobernus has just one hit in his past six games. Kobernus, who is listed as a second baseman, has played...

It looks like Jayson Werth will need to land on the disabled list, after all. Werth hasn't played since May 2 against the Braves because of a tight right hamstring, and all along, the Nationals have felt that Werth would need just a few days off and then would be able to return to the lineup. The veteran outfielder suffered a bit of a setback today, however, as his hamstring went into spasm while doing leg curls. Manager Davey Johnson said that the leg curls are a part of Werth's standard...

MINNEAPOLIS - Nine of Nate McLouth's 11 stolen bases this season have come with Manny Machado at the plate. They're batting first and second again tonight. Why mess with a good thing? Orioles second baseman Alexi Casilla is getting a rare start against a right handed pitcher, and Nick Markakis is again serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson RF Alexi Casilla...