Jordan Zimmermann has allowed one run through six innings. Is it possible for the offense to put two runs on the board and get this guy a win? Zimmermann has been sharp tonight in cool conditions, giving up just four hits and needing only 78 pitches to get through his six frames. But yet again, he's getting no offensive support, and trails 1-0 as we head to the bottom of the sixth. In the 20 innings that Zimmermann has been on the mound this season, the Nats have scored one run. That's...

While the Orioles began today in first place in the American League East, they began in last place in the AL in some defensive stats. They rank at the bottom of the league in fielding percentage at .973 and have the most errors with 12 through Tuesday's games. Matt Wieters has thrown out four of 13 base stealers so far to rank ninth in the league at 30.8 percent. Yes, the Orioles need to tighten up on the D. They do lead the AL with 16 double plays, so they've got that going for...

CHICAGO - Darren O'Day got out of a huge jam last night after replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the sixth inning, entering with runners on the corners and one out and preserving a 3-2 lead. He's made three straight scoreless appearances over 3 2/3 innings. O'Day figures to be tough on right-handers with his sidearmed delivery, and he's held them to a .214 average over his career. However, left-handers are batting only .246 against him lifetime, including .229 in 2010. His value to manager Buck...

CHICAGO - Rain is in the forecast tonight and tomorrow. A few drops fell during batting practice. Apparently, it's really supposed to be bad tomorrow, when I'm scheduled to fly out of here at 8:05 p.m. I can't afford a lengthy delay. The Kubatko luck strikes again. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked about his decision to use Nick Markakis as the designated hitter tonight. "We'll move it around," he said. "One of the assets we have in not having it locked down. I've got a...

The tarp has been pulled off the field, the drizzle here at Nationals Park has stopped, and we're set to start tonight's game on time. As for what will happen later on, well, we'll have to hope for the best. Since being optioned to the minors and subsequently requesting a trade, John Lannan has really struggled. In two starts for Triple-A Syracuse since his surprising demotion two days prior to the start of the regular season, Lannan has allowed a combined 13 runs (nine earned) over just...

Only weeks after receiving the Golden Pioneer Award, an annual award given out by his high school alma mater for alumni who have made a huge impact, the accolades keep coming for Nationals and Hall of Fame broadcaster Johnny Holliday. Holliday, along with six other famous icons in the D.C. sports region, will be honored as the newest members of the Washington DC Metropolitan Basketball Hall of Fame. The ceremony for the seven new inductees will take place Saturday, May 5 at the Capital Hilton...

Chien-Ming Wang faced hitters today for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury during a spring training outing on March 15, and the reports on Wang out of the Nationals' complex in Viera, Fl. were positive. Wang threw 35 pitches today, and manager Davey Johnson said the veteran right-hander threw well and came out feeling healthy. "Really good, hard sink," Johnson said. "Had a great curveball, which, we saw that in the Yankee (game) his last outing before he hurt his hammy. But...

CHICAGO - Endy Chavez will start in right field tonight, with Nick Markakis serving as the designated hitter. Markakis is in a 3-for-35 slump. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Endy Chavez RF Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

CHICAGO - A victory tonight would put the Orioles a season-high four games above .500 and assure a series win over the White Sox. Since Sept. 12, 2011, the Orioles are 6-1-1 in their last eight series. They're 18-10 in their last 28 games. The Orioles are 16-10 in their last 26 road games since Aug. 22, 2011. Seven of the first 11 games this season have been decided by one or two runs, and the Orioles have gone 5-2. The Orioles' 20 home runs rank second in the majors behind Texas'...

When it comes to picking a walk-out song, most major league relievers select something intense, something that will get their adrenaline flowing and pump them up as they jog out to the mound. Longtime Padres closer Trevor Hoffman used AC/DC's "Enter Sandman". Ryan Mattheus goes a different route. A very different route. You might have noticed that when the Nationals call on Mattheus, their 28-year-old reliever, in the late innings of a game, the music that blares through the speakers at...