Chris Rusin wasn't fooling anyone. The Cubs' rookie left-handed starter faced 11 Nationals hitters tonight. He retired just two of them before being pulled from the game. Rusin leaves after surrendering five runs in just an inning plus four batters. He gave up eight hits (including two home runs and four extra-base hits) and walked a batter. Things could have been even worse if Michael Morse hadn't run into an out at third base in the first inning. Replacing Rusin is right-hander Jaye...

Is Zach Britton's stuff getting better as the season goes on? He is certainly pitching better and the stat sheet will tell you that his ground-ball ratio is identical to what it was when his ERA was 8.35 over his first four O's starts this season. But his ERA is 2.36 over his last four starts and 1.25 over the last three. Why the improvement then? My theory is that his slider and other secondary pitches have gotten better and been a real key for him. It sure was in his last start against...

The Nationals have officially activated Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-day disabled list, giving manager Davey Johnson yet another option in relief. Wang has been around the Nats the last couple days after making his final rehab start Sept. 1 for Double-A Harrisburg. Realistically, the veteran righty doesn't stand much chance of pitching in meaningful situations, but he could be called on to eat innings at some point. Wang is 2-3 with a 7.61 ERA in seven games (four starts) with the Nats this...

He has been the voice of the Nationals since their inception. His calls of "Bang! Zoom!" and "another curly W is in the books!" have become catch phrases every Nationals fan yearns to hear when their favorite team is on the airwaves. But something happened this year that has never happened in the 19-plus years Charlie Slowes has called professional baseball. Following Monday's win over the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals were guaranteed to end the season with more curly Ws than losses....

The O's are within a game of first place in the American League East, and September is suddenly a lot more fun for baseball fans in Baltimore. So the Orioles are inviting fans to "BUCKle Up!" - in some creative wordplay featuring their manager's first name - while celebrating the team's push to the postseason and the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. And what better way to celebrate than to offer some money savings of the throwback variety. Next week, when the Tampa Bay Rays - yes, the...

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Wang, who missed the last 58 games with a right hip strain, is 2-3 with a 7.61 ERA in seven games/four starts with Washington this season. The 32-year-old went a combined 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA during 15 minor-league rehab outings in 2012

The plan for the Nationals moving forward after September 12 is starting to take shape. On Sunday, manager Davey Johnson announced that Stephen Strasburg would have two more starts. During the season, many believed left-hander John Lannan would take Strasburg's place in the rotation once Strasburg was shut down. Tuesday, Johnson talked about the schedule for Lannan and when his first start will be since returning. "I talked to John today," Johnson said. "I gave him a rough idea of when...

The Orioles received some good news this afternoon regarding pitcher Chris Tillman. A team official confirmed that the MRI on Tillman's right elbow revealed some inflammation in a nerve, but no structural damage. Manager Buck Showalter passed along the news to reporters in Toronto, and the interview will air on "O's Xtra," which begins at 6:30 p.m. on MASN2 HD. Tillman will work out with Double-A Bowie, which begins the Eastern League playoffs Wednesday night. He could make his next...

Here are two stats that are clearly related: Since Aug. 3, the Orioles are 20-9. Since Aug. 3, their starting pitching ERA is 3.75. Around that time in early August, the Orioles' starting pitching ERA for the year was 4.81, just a tick under its highest mark on the year. Now that figure is 4.58 to rank ninth in the AL; earlier, the Orioles were ranked 11th and 12th in starting pitcher ERA. That still rates a little below average in the AL, where the average mark is 4.40, but it's trending in...

Bryce Harper's getting a rare day off today, but it's not due to anything injury-related, manager Davey Johnson said this afternoon. With the Nationals facing a lefty starter, Johnson figured this was a good time to rest one of his normal left-handed-hitting position players. It was either going to be Harper or Adam LaRoche, and Harper ends up being the one who will take a seat today. Johnson said he wants to get his rookie outfielder a bit of a breather while also allowing guys who...