Jayson Werth is another step closer to returning to the Nationals following another successful rehab stint. Werth led off and played center field for high Single-A Potomac in its game versus the Salem Red Sox on Wednesday night in Woodbridge, Va. The game was called due to rain in the ninth inning. The game will be resumed at 5:05 p.m. Thursday with the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Werth was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in four plate appearances. "I felt good,"...

The Phillies hit so many balls hard off Edwin Jackson tonight that the Nationals starter initially thought he might have been tipping his pitches. After going back and watching some film, Jackson shot down that theory. He came away from that mini film session with a new idea of why he surrendered three home runs and gave up eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. "I just got hurt on balls up in the zone," Jackson said. Yeah, that'll usually do it. "Got behind in some counts," Jackson...

NEW YORK - Just when it appears that the Orioles' rotation and roster are settled, at least for the short term, more rumblings can be heard from miles away. Sort of like Sidney Ponson with an empty stomach. We don't know whether left-hander Zach Britton will make his next start. We don't know whether Tommy Hunter will start on Friday, though he's scheduled to open the three-game series against the Rays. The entire rotation will be working on an extra days rest because of today's open...

In the 18 innings played so far in this series, the Nationals have scored just two runs off Phillies pitching. Think they miss Ryan Zimmerman, who has been out of the starting lineup for both of these games because of a back injury? The Nats dropped their second straight contest to the rival Phils tonight, this one by a 3-2 score. Phillies starter Vance Worley held the Nationals to just two runs (both unearned) on six hits over his seven innings of work. He walked just one and needed only 86...

It hasn't been the smoothest night for Edwin Jackson. He's allowed 11 baserunners in five innings, surrendered three home runs and has needed 94 pitches to get himself through his five frames. Somehow, despite all that action on the bases and all the lengthy innings, Jackson has managed to give up just three runs this far. The Nationals trail 3-2 as we go to the sixth. All three homers off Jackson have been solo shots (two by Jimmy Rollins, who is absolutely on fire right now), and the...

Jayson Werth is back with Single-A Potomac as his rehab assignment appears to be entering its final stage. Werth will play center field and hit leadoff for the P-Nats tonight. He might want to get used to the leadoff spot before rejoining the Nationals, as there's a chance Davey Johnson will slot him there once he's back in the majors a few days from now. "I've talked to him about leading off," Johnson said. "He normally was hitting, I think, last year, was hitting fifth. But he might...

Both Ryan Zimmerman and Jordan Zimmermann had red-hot months of July. Both guys have been battling ailments of some sort recently. Neither is thought to be serious, however. Zimmerman is out of the lineup today for the second straight day because of a tight back, which started bugging him on the Nationals' recent road trip. The third baseman feels it was a combination of the recent travel and a play at the plate on Sunday which kind of caused the back to tighten up, but he insists he'll be...

NEW YORK - Left-hander Zach Britton didn't make excuses for today's poor showing and he didn't pretend that he's a fixture in the Orioles' rotation. He admitted to reporters that he's concerned about being on a "short leash," as the question was phrased, and that he needs to produce better results if he wants to avoid a return trip to the minors. "Yeah, you try not to think about it, but we're in the hunt and I understand what I have to do to be at this level, and I'm not getting it...

NEW YORK - So much for the rotation being settled after the Orioles failed to make a trade for a starter. Zach Britton allowed seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings today, with three walks and three strikeouts. He sat at his locker after the game, his head bowed, his next start in doubt. Manager Buck Showalter didn't offer Britton a vote of confidence. He was noncommittal when asked whether the left-hander would get another start. Showalter also raised questions about Tommy Hunter's...

Fans who purchase 2013 season tickets beginning today receive priority for 2012 postseason tickets The Washington Nationals announced today that 2013 full season ticket packages are now available. Fans who place a deposit on full season ticket plans will receive 2012 postseason ticket purchase priority. CURRENT SEASON TICKET HOLDERS Nationals Season Ticket Holders will receive complete renewal and postseason ticket information in the coming weeks, but beginning today, they can reserve full...