There have only been two cycles in Nationals history. Brad Wilkerson and Cristian Guzman delivered those, and Wilkerson's wasn't even the main story that day, because it came in the first Nationals win after the team relocated to D.C. Ian Desmond had a shot to join that club today, as he delivered a single, home run and double in his first three at-bats of the night. He ended up falling a triple short of his first professional cycle, with a groundout to short in the eighth marking the lone...

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler allowed six doubles Friday night. The Cubs scored two runs early in the game. But Detwiler also tossed 6 2/3 innings, did not allow a walk, struck out two and surrendered just those two runs. Detwiler got early run support and ended up with the victory in a 7-3 decision. "It was terrible on my part for those two runs," Detwiler said. "I came back out and gave up another run to tie the game. That is something that I got to get better at. Our offense...

Ian Desmond led the charge in the Nationals' 7-3 win over the Cubs tonight, going 3-for-4, coming up a triple shy of the cycle and notching three RBIs. According to Davey Johnson, this offensive outburst came after Desmond noticed he'd made an unintentional adjustment that might have been affecting his timing at the plate. Desmond told Johnson that he noticed he'd moved up in the box a bit recently, and while his positioning might have been just a couple inches closer to the pitcher than...

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles have battled back from a 6-0 deficit to tie the Minnesota Twins. They're also threatening the club record for most doubles in one game. Seems appropriate when you're playing the Twins. The Orioles have seven doubles tonight, including six over the last two innings. The franchise record is nine, which has happened twice, most recently on Aug. 14, 2009. The Orioles also had seven doubles on July 20, 2012 vs. the Cleveland Indians. They collected eight doubles on...

If you needed another example of why wins are a flawed stat for pitchers, take a look at Ross Detwiler. The guy leaves his start tonight with a 2.53 ERA on the season, and if tonight's score holds, this will mark just his second win in seven starts. Detwiler exited tonight's game after 6 2/3 innings of work, having scattered eight hits and allowed just two runs. He stuck out two and walked none, throwing 90 pitches, 57 for strikes. The Nationals' left-hander has allowed no more than three...

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...