The Nationals are going to get some high-profile national media attention this week, and it doesn't involve a prime time game, a controversy about a pitcher not pitching or an inside look at a star player (though MLB Network's Saturday afternoon look at Ryan Zimmerman and his affinity for Washington, D.C., and effort to raise money for multiple sclerosis research was pretty sweet). Come 7 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN, the whole sporting world will be introduced to one of Nationals Park's most...

ATLANTA - Adam LaRoche has admitted that this season has felt pretty good on a personal level given all that he went through during a disastrous 2011 campaign. The 2012 season got even better for LaRoche in the top of the first inning today when he turned on an 0-1 pitch from Tommy Hanson and drove it out into the seats in right for his 30th homer of the year. LaRoche now has 94 RBIs to go along with his 30 jacks - quite an accomplishment for the veteran first baseman. He's just the fifth...

The Orioles grounded into four double plays last night, a huge factor in their 3-2 loss to the Athletics and their inability to take over sole possession of first place in the American League East. The double plays came in successive innings. Mark Reynolds ended the fourth, Robert Andino produced two outs in the fifth following Chris Davis' home run and Manny Machado's single, Lew Ford ended a two-on, one-out threat in the sixth and Andino ended a two-on, one-out rally in the...

ATLANTA - Roger Bernadina said last night that he felt fine after slamming into the left field wall while making a leaping catch, but manager Davey Johnson reported today that Bernadina has a bit of a stiff neck. That factored into Johnson's decision to put Steve Lombardozzi in the lineup in left field. Another factor? "Lombo's got 50 percent of his home runs off this guy," Johnson said with a smile, referring to Braves starter Tommy Hanson. Lombardozzi has two career home...

For the first time since starting both halves of a July 21 doubleheader against the Braves in left, Steve Lombardozzi is getting a start in the outfield. Lombardozzi is appearing in left for just the third time since that date, but the two previous occasions had him moved there as a defensive replacement. Edwin Jackson takes the mound for the Nationals, seeking his 10th win as the team aims to bounce back from last night's walk-off loss. Tommy Hanson starts for the Braves sporting a 12-8...

ATLANTA - A quick reminder that today's 4:05 p.m. game between the Nationals and Braves won't be airing on MASN, as FOX has picked it up and will have the rights for today's broadcast. Daron Sutton and Eric Karros will have the call. I'll still have full coverage on MASNsports.com here from Turner Field, however. You can't get rid of me that easily. The Nats will send Edwin Jackson to the mound today as they look to take the middle game of this three-game set. Jackson has put up two...

ATLANTA - Most of the Nationals beat writers covering last night's game at Turner Field felt that there was a bit of a playoff vibe surrounding the division battle between the Nats and Braves. The pitching was excellent, the game was tight, the crowd was large and rockin', and the game ended in dramatic fashion. Not all the guys in the Nationals' clubhouse agreed with our line of thinking. Some brushed off the idea that last night's game had a postseason feel to it, saying that it was...

I still like the Orioles' chances of making the playoffs if they can find 25 healthy players in October. Another game brought another injury, this one to Wilson Betemit, whose wrist pain most likely has ended his season. Manager Buck Showalter delivered the news on MASN following the Orioles' 3-2 loss in Oakland. Meet the new injury, same as the old injury. It's not a huge blow. It doesn't rival the losses of Nick Markakis and Jason Hammel. But Betemit was hitting .302 against...

Instructional workouts begin today in Viera, Fla., with dozens of the Nationals prospects on hand to work on several aspects of their games. Players will work on refining their skills, glove work, plate organization and fielding techniques. Also, just like first baseman Tyler Moore getting his first chance to work in the outfield last season, some players will work out at different positions to add versatility to their games. Second baseman Justin Miller will work behind the plate after...

Well, that was a rarity. An Orioles one-run loss. With it goes a chance for the Birds to move into sole possession of first place in the AL East after the Yankees loss earlier Friday night proceeded the O's 3-2 loss at Oakland. That was just the Orioles second one-run loss in their last 18 one-run games and they fall to 27-8 on the season in the one-run contests. It was a frustrating night for an O's offense that had scored 66 runs in the previous 11 games. In six of nine innings they got...