ATLANTA - Despite a slow start offensively and a sloppy first few innings from starter Gio Gonzalez, the Nationals still trailed by just a run after six innings. Things then got away from the Nats in the bottom of the seventh. Two tough defensive plays allowed the Braves to turn a 2-1 lead into a 5-1 advantage, effectively wrapping up a three-game sweep in a 15-minute span. With one out in the seventh and the speedy Michael Bourn on first, Reed Johnson hit a high chopper to third base. Ryan...

Instructional league workouts have begun for close to four dozen prospects in the Nationals organization. Low Single-A Hagerstown manager Brian Daubach is one of the 20 or so coaches that are working to get the players ready for their first game September 22. Daubach said instructional league workouts in Viera, Fla., are organized very similar to the way spring training is set up, with a lot of hands-on specialized teaching going on in each area. "We are working on a lot of the fundamental...

ATLANTA - Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa will spend part of his off-day tomorrow going for an MRI on his left shoulder, according to manager Davey Johnson. Espinosa has apparently been dealing with left shoulder discomfort of some kind for about a week. Johnson, who used a pinch hitter for Espinosa in the ninth inning tonight, said the injury will likely keep Espinosa out of the Nationals' three-game series against the Dodgers, which begins Tuesday. "I'm a little worried about...

ATLANTA - For a guy who'd allowed just one earned run over his last 22 innings coming into tonight, Gio Gonzalez sure is having a tough time getting outs. Gonzalez has thrown 83 pitches through three innings so far tonight, as Braves hitters have battled him deep into counts, fouling off pitches and laying off the stuff just off the black. The Nationals' lefty has gotten to a three-ball count to eight of the 15 hitters he's faced, and has had at-bats last 10, nine, eight, eight and seven...

There are so many different angles at which we can look at these 2012 Orioles. However, needless to say 2012 will always represent a return to glory of a once-great franchise. Ironically - and who among us ever thought we'd hear this - I've seen some blabber on message boards to the effect that people are getting tired of hearing so much about the Orioles on national outlets. Feels strange not to be talking about Boston or New York, doesn't it? When Manny Machado's blooper hit the ground...

Needing a win to avoid being swept in Oakland and to remain just one game out of first place, the Orioles got one as their offense produced 13 hits in a 9-5 win over the A's. The Orioles won for just the third time in 19 games since 2008 in Oakland and improved to 82-64 on the year. They sit a game behind the Yankees in the AL East and remain 2 1/2 games ahead of the Angels for the AL's second wild card berth. It almost seems a bit of an afterthought but, with this win, the Orioles...

For all the Endy Chavez haters out there, well, he's been pretty good today. Chavez is 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs, as the Orioles have taken a 7-2 lead over the Athletics. He contributed a two-run single in the seventh inning. Chavez wasn't initially added to the expanded 40-man roster on Sept. 1, but he was told to stay close. Chavez was in New York when the Orioles contacted him after Nick Markakis suffered a broken left thumb that ended his season. The plus-defense in the...

ATLANTA - After being out of the Nationals lineup for the last four games, including tonight's contest, Michael Morse said today he hopes to return for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. Morse, who is dealing with a lingering left wrist injury, still has not taken batting practice since being shut down following last Tuesday's game in New York. Depending on how he's feeling, Morse could either take BP tomorrow on the Nationals' off-day or wait until Tuesday. Manager Davey Johnson said...

ATLANTA - After two one-run losses vs. the Braves, Gio Gonzalez will try to get the Nationals back on track and earn his 20th win of the season. Tyler Moore will get his first start of the series, playing left and batting seventh. For the Nats: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa LF Tyler Moore C Kurt Suzuki P Gio Gonzalez For the Braves: CF Michael Bourn LF Reed Johnson RF Jason Heyward 3B Chipper Jones 1B Freddie...

ATLANTA - Who better to send to the mound as you're trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of your chief division competitors than your NL Cy Young Award candidate? Gio Gonzalez gets the ball tonight, looking for his 20th win of the season and for the Nationals' win after dropping the last two to the Braves. The left-hander has been on a roll lately, allowing just one earned run over his last 22 innings, spanning three starts. He has 23 strikeouts over that span. Gonzalez is also 2-0 in his...