Nationals left fielder Laynce Nix had a feeling it would happen. He had seen this scenario come up in a game before. Playing in left field, you have to be ready to make a play on every pitch. Nix says when Phillies pinch-hitter Domonic Brown stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, his team hanging on to a 2-1 advantage, he sensed the ball could be coming to him. "It was right after a pitching change," Nix said. "It is easy to sort of get on your heels and not be ready. But...

The best play of today was that catch by Adam Jones in the Seattle fourth. Running full go with his back to the plate, he reached out to rob Miguel Olivo just as he got to the wall. He had to take his eyes off the ball at the last moment, and I'm not sure how he could see the ball enough to get it in his glove, but he did, with a remarkable running catch. That might be the best catch I've ever seen Jones make, and that is saying something. Between his arm this year and his glove, his play on...

Brian Matusz doesn't necessarily have his best stuff today. He's hung a few changeups, including one that Jack Wilson ripped into center field for an RBI single. His fastball looks like it's topping out at 88 mph. But Matusz is a pitcher. He's not just a thrower. And he's held the Mariners to that one run over three innings. Matusz, in his first start this season, has allowed four hits, walked none and struck out two. He's thrown 44 pitches, including 28 for strikes. The Orioles might...

Nick Markakis flied to center field in his first professional at-bat as a first baseman. Matt Wieters struck out in his first at-bat this season as the cleanup hitter. That's it, trash the experiments immediately. Oh wait, Markakis just scooped out a throw in the dirt to complete a double play. Keep him there. Wieters is hitting fourth in his fourth major league game. He's 1-for-13 with a walk and 2 RBIs. Major League Baseball released its All-Star voting for the American League, and...

Laynce Nix hit the go-ahead home run and made a sprawling catch in left field that saved multiple runs to preserve the Nationals' hard-fought 2-1 win over the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies before 24,495 at Nationals Park on Wednesday. Left-hander John Lannan (3-5) notched his first career win over the Phillies in 14 starts, spinning 5 1/3 innings, scattering four hits and allowing one unearned run. He struck out one and walked three for his first win since April 20. Drew Storen...

You want a different lineup? How about Nick Markakis making his first professional start at first base, Felix Pie playing right field, Luke Scott serving as the designated hitter and Matt Wieters batting cleanup? For the Orioles: Felix Pie RF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis 1B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP Update: Vladimir Guerrero is getting a day off. His exclusion from the lineup isn't related to an...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated left-hander Brian Matusz from the 15-day disabled list. Matusz was placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 30 with a strained left intercostal muscle. Matusz is scheduled to make his season debut for the Orioles today in Seattle. In order to make room for Matusz on the 25-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Jake Fox for assignment. Fox batted .188 (9-48) with two home runs and four RBI in 19 games for the Orioles.

Rather than send down a reliever to make room on the 25-man roster for left-hander Brian Matusz, the Orioles have designated utility infielder Jake Fox for assignment. The Orioles would like Fox to clear waivers so he can be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. "I don't know how likely that is, but that's our preference," said president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Otherwise, MacPhail will attempt to trade Fox and get something in return. First baseman Derrek Lee is close to going...

Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague played in only four games this season before going down with a shoulder injury. The Nationals have high hopes for the young Rice University product, but want to be careful with his shoulder before they return him to Woodbridge, Va. Hague is currently in Viera, Fla., rehabbing during extended spring training. Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber updated Hague's status with some positive news. Garber said Tuesday was a "good throwing day"...

Although he has slowed down a bit at the plate recently (.222 in his last 10 games, but 4-for-6 in his last two games) after a scorching few weeks, No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper continues to progress very well for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Harper is batting .331 through 50 games with 14 doubles, 11 homers and 36 RBIs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is happy with what he sees from Harper and his situation in Hagerstown. "His development is obviously a focal point for us,"...