PHILADELPHIA - There's no Michael Morse or Ian Desmond in the Nationals lineup against the Phillies tonight. Here's the batting order that will face Roy Halladay at 7:05 p.m.: 2B Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth LF Roger Bernadina SS Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Gio Gonzalez Morse, who was removed from last night's game after being struck by a pitch in the first inning, reports that the swelling has gone down but that the hand feels...

The Orioles are using the same lineup tonight as the one that produced a victory last night. The only difference is the starting pitcher. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Steve Johnson RHP Jones is homerless in his last 99 at-bats, but he's 8-for-22 with two homers and six RBIs lifetime against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow. Hardy is 3-for-9 with two...

PHILADELPHIA - When Major League Baseball made the decision to add another wild card in each league this year, most fans and baseball analysts came out in support of the idea. The decision would create more excitement over the final weeks of the season, people said, keeping more teams in the playoff picture deep into September and creating the possibility for added dramatic finishes. Davey Johnson wasn't so keen on the idea of a second wild card, however. In the mind of the Nationals...

It seemed like a must-win situation Friday for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals, down three games to the Frederick Keys with three scheduled games over the weekend. One down, two to go after a 6-4 win over Frederick on Friday night. Displaying his best stuff since the beginning of the season, right-hander Robert Gilliam (1-1) came up clutch and kept the Keys at bay, going 7 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits, two runs, one walk and had eight strikeouts. Gilliam faced 28 batters, tallying six...

Chris Davis showed off his immense power last night, producing the 19th three-homer game in Orioles history and first since Nick Markakis on August 22, 2006. It was an impressive display where he hit one onto Eutaw Street, another deep to right-center and one out to left. He neglected center field, at least for one night. Watching Davis last night makes it a little easier to understand the ridiculous power numbers he had last year at Triple-A Round Rock before his trade to Baltimore. I know...

Zach Britton turned in his second consecutive quality start last night since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Jason Hammel threw a simulated game without any discomfort in his right knee and is nearing a rehab assignment. Steve Johnson is making his second major league start tonight. Tommy Hunter has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. The Orioles' rotation is a constant work in progress. I've seen less construction for next weekend's Grand Prix. Could the Orioles make room in it for...

PHILADELPHIA - The injuries to Michael Morse and Ian Desmond left the Nationals a little shorthanded against the Phillies tonight. But they weren't about to blame their 4-2 loss on their missing cleanup hitter and All-Star shortstop. "It changes the game a little bit," manager Davey Johnson said. "But we had the right guys up at the right time, just didn't get it done." "At the end of the day, we're comfortable with anybody we put on the field regardless of what happens," Edwin...

PHILADELPHIA - The bad news is the Nationals' run of injuries continues. The good news is that neither Michael Morse nor Ian Desmond should be out of the Nationals' lineup all that long. X-rays on Morse's hand came back negative after the Nationals' outfielder got hit on the right hand by a Kyle Kendrick pitch in the first inning of tonight's game. The injury looked bad at the time, as Morse dropped to his knees in pain as he got attended to by a trainer, but manager Davey Johnson said...

The Orioles won their 68th game tonight, one fewer than they totaled in 2011. Marinate in that one for a while. And while you're at it, check out these quotes from Chris Davis on his three-homer night: "These games are important to us," he said. "Obviously, we're doing everything we can to win, no matter what it takes. I felt good at the plate tonight, was able to put some good swings on balls and had a really good night. "I think Zach Britton went out there and just pitched...

Tonight's attendance: 25,754 The Orioles improved to 44-18 in games decided by two runs or less. Elias says you can add one more name to the list of people who have a three-homer game and a win in the same season: Louisville's Guy Hecker in 1886. Manager Buck Showalter was asked for his thoughts on Chris Davis' three-homer night. "It's about time. We've had it done to us," Showalter said. "Chris was kind of pressing a little bit there in Texas. He puts some good swings on the...