MIAMI - When it was over, when Dee Gordon lined his 1-1 curveball cleanly into left-center field to open the bottom of the ninth to end his flirtation with history, Gio Gonzalez knew it was time to call it a night. There were still three outs to go before the Nationals could secure a 1-0 victory over the Marlins, and Gonzalez's pitch count was a manageable 106. But this wasn't about workload or trying to go the distance. Emotionally speaking, the lefty was done. "I'll be honest with you: It...

Orioles closer Zach Britton is focusing on trying to get his team into the playoffs and not his chances to contend for a Cy Young Award after this season. But that doesn't stop reporters from asking him about it and he was asked yet again during the 11-game homestand that ended yesterday. After his 14-pitch save Sunday, Britton is now 46-for-46 in save opportunities. According to STATS, LLC., with that save, Britton extended his stretch of consecutive save opportunities converted to 48. The...

PITTSBURGH - The joy of the Nationals' division-clinching celebration last night came to a screeching halt this morning as players learned the news that stunned the entire baseball world: Jose Fernandez's death from a boating accident in Miami. The Marlins ace was a well-known figure throughout the Nationals clubhouse, mostly as one of the toughest competitors they had to face on a regular basis, including as recently as Tuesday night. This morning's news stopped players in their...

The Orioles clubhouse was silent this morning except for a television report providing more details on the tragic death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. Players stared at the screen, numbed by the news of the early-morning boating accident. A baseball fraternity mourned. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he woke up to the news, which led to the cancellation of the Marlins-Braves game in Miami. "A reality check, huh?" he said. "I was talking to Jonathan Schoop this morning," Showalter...

MIAMI - As one might have expected, a pair of pitchers with identical 15-8 records and sub-3.00 ERAs are locked in a pitchers' duel at Marlins Park on Tuesday night. Right-hander Jose Fernandez, who is 6-0 against the Nationals, has struck out five through four innings, allowing only a first-inning double to Stephen Drew. Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark got into trouble in the bottom of the third when he allowed a two-out single to Dee Gordon and then a pair of walks to load the bases. But...

MIAMI - Nationals right-hander Joe Ross deserved better on his 23rd birthday. And despite falling 3-2 to the Marlins, he really stood toe-to-toe with Marlins ace Jose Fernandez for most of the game. Manager Dusty Baker had said in pregame the one way they could stay in the game against Fernandez is if Ross could hang with him. He pretty much did. "His total outing was outstanding," Baker said. "He was matching, other than the strikeouts. Every time Fernandez got a 3-2 count it was either out...

MIAMI - Pretty much everything went right for the Nationals as they attempted a spectacular comeback in the ninth inning - until it all went wrong with one quick swing. Down 3-1 in the top of the ninth and facing Marlins closer A.J. Ramos, the Nationals put men on first and third thanks to singles by Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy. A Wilson Ramos pinch-hit single scored Harper and suddenly the Nationals had cut the Marlins' advantage to 3-2. Anthony Rendon worked A.J. Ramos for a walk to load...

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker had already decided to rest Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's game against the Marlins because he knew he wouldn't have much chance to rest them during the upcoming homestand. "I had it planned in advance because the amount of games that we're going to be playing, the late get-in," Baker said. "Everything contributed to this (lineup). I always believe you take your shot all at once. A lot of times, your shock troops actually sometimes come out...

MIAMI - It seems to be a birthday weekend so far in South Florida. Friday was Jayson Werth's 37th birthday. He collected two hits en route to a 4-1 Nationals win over the Marlins. Today is right-hander Joe Ross' 23rd birthday. He starts for the first time in majors on his birthday as the Nationals look for their first series win against the Marlins this season. Incidentally, the next Nationals player with a birthday in season is third baseman Anthony Rendon on June 6. Ross is 3-3 with a 2.63...

Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez tossed a career-high 117 pitches, and finished up with relative ease, as the Marlins defeated the Nationals 5-1 to split the four-game set. Fernandez struck out 10 of the last 12 batters he faced, striking out 11 batters overall. He pitched seven innings, allowing only four hits, one run (earned) and three walks. "I think that's been the whole season," Fernandez said on his surge to end the outing. "The whole season, as the game progresses, I've been...

Jose Fernandez beat the Nationals with his arm and his bat Sunday. Fernandez threw seven innings, allowing only one run, and provided a huge two-run single with the bases loaded that put the game out of reach. The Marlins won 5-1, splitting the four-game set. Fernandez got some early assistance from the Nationals defense. With two outs and two men on in the third inning, Martin Prado's infield pop-up was dropped by Stephen Drew as he battled the bright sunshine, allowing both runs to score and...

MIAMI - There was no one singular moment that defined the Nationals' 6-1 loss in the opener of a four-game series at Marlins Park. But compile a list of small moments throughout the 2 hour, 43 minute affair, and you'll wind up with a detailed account of a ballgame that might have looked far different than it did. Like Christian Yelich's hard grounder that squirted through the Nationals' drawn-in infield to bring home the night's first run. Or the risky double play first baseman Ryan...

Last year, the baseball season was defined by a record number of pitchers sidelined with Tommy John surgery, a procedure that requires ligament replacement in the elbow. This season, star pitchers who missed 2014 will be returning, and the National League East could be in for a big change as far as the teams that will challenge the Nationals. The Nationals won the division by 17 games last season, but the Atlanta Braves - usually their biggest challenger - are short on pitching thanks in part...