CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brian Matusz had allowed four runs in four starts this spring before today, but the Phillies almost matched that total in the third inning. Matusz gave up three runs and four hits, and walked former Oriole Lou Montanez, in a 27-pitch inning. Freddy Galvis led off with a single before pitcher Roy Halladay struck out. Jim Rollins and Placido Polanco followed with singles, which delivered the Phillies' first run, and Jim Thome doubled to center field for a 3-2 lead. Xavier...

VIERA, Fla. - The sun has fought its way through the clouds here in Viera, and the Nationals' bats have fought their way out of a lengthy slump. The Nationals batted around in the first inning today, scoring five runs on seven hits. Three of those hits left Space Coast Stadium, with Ian Desmond, Jayson Werth and Roger Bernadina providing the big flies. Werth's homer was absolutely crushed - crushed - out to left, clearing an entire section of bleachers beyond the left field fence and nearly...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Outfielders Endy Chavez and Jai Miller remain out of the lineup for today's game against the Phillies, but they're getting closer to returning from their respective injuries. Chavez hasn't played since Wednesday because of a strained groin, which happened after he laid down a bunt and raced up the line. "Getting better every day," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't have him going over to Bradenton (Monday night) right now, but that could change. I'm hoping...

VIERA, Fla. - Given the fact that it rained here in Viera this morning, it's only fitting that Stephen Strasburg is taking the mound for the Nationals today. Strasburg always seems to get the ball when the temperature drops or the conditions are poor. "He's a mudder," manager Davey Johnson joked. Here are your latest injury updates, which seem to be getting tweaked every 12 hours: Left fielder Michael Morse (strained lat) is now scheduled to start throwing on Wednesday, and will start...

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson had hoped to write in his opening day lineup for this afternoon's game against the Mets, but that's kind of tough to do when two of your middle-of-the-order hitters are banged up and your center fielder is still recovering from a quad injury. Instead, this is the lineup Johnson will send out today against New York: SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth 1B Mark DeRosa C Jesus Flores CF Roger Bernadina LF Steve Lombardozzi P Stephen...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis made his first appearance with the Orioles yesterday and walked the first three batters he faced. He also mixed in a wild pitch. He hadn't pitched in a while, and it showed. "Early on I was a little shaky, but once I got settled in I felt fine," he said this morning. "That's the one thing about baseball - you take a couple days off and it's like a whole different world as far as the speed. But I settled in. I just need more game experience....

VIERA, Fla. - On Thursday, after reliever Henry Rodriguez had delivered yet another scoreless inning of work without allowing a base runner, Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty turned to manager Davey Johnson and delivered a sentence which would've been laughable not all that long ago. "Can you believe Henry probably has the best command on the staff?" McCatty said. Yes, McCatty was referring to the Henry Rodriguez who had 14 wild pitches last season, nine more than any other Nationals...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm heading to Clearwater for the second time this spring. And for the second time, left-hander Brian Matusz will oppose Roy Halladay. Matusz is preparing for his third game against the Phillies this spring. He's allowed one run and 10 hits in nine innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. In his last three starts, including a March 15 game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Matusz has allowed one run and 12 hits in 13 innings, with one walk and 13 strikeouts. Endy Chavez...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Amid the poor pitching, lack of offense and defensive miscues, there was one major positive for the Nationals coming out of today. Stephen Strasburg tweeted that he shot a 69 in a round of miniature golf. So, there's that. Actually, can you "shoot" anything in mini golf? Don't really know the correct terminology there. Regardless, the Nats again failed to notch a win today, marking their 11th straight game without a victory. They recorded as many errors (four) as they...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Lindstrom retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out one in the Orioles' 12-3 victory over the Nationals before 6,665 at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles outhit the Nationals 17-4. "This is just about the stage of the spring when you see the bats start to catch up with some of the pitching, and you see the pitchers start to go through - not a dead arm - but the novelty's worn off of everything and guys are kind of going through a little dip in...