Rendon, Desmond return to lineup for Mets opener (with MLB postseason schedule)

Rendon, Desmond return to lineup for Mets opener (with MLB postseason schedule)
The flu-like symptoms that caused third baseman Anthony Rendon to miss yesterday's game against the Braves are apparently no longer an issue, and he's back in the Nationals lineup for today's opener of a four-game series at Citi Field against the Mets. Ditto for shortstop Ian Desmond, who sat out yesterday's contest after leaving Tuesday's game early with tightness in his back. Tanner Roark (12-10, 2.91 ERA) faces Bartolo Colon (13-11, 3.96 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. For the...

Desmond, Rendon out of Nationals lineup

Desmond, Rendon out of Nationals lineup
The Nationals go for a sweep of the Braves this afternoon at Nationals Park, but their lineup will have a markedly different look. Shortstop Ian Desmond, who left last night's game with back tightness, is out today. He'll be replaced at short by Danny Espinosa. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is getting a day off to deal with a flu-like illness, with Kevin Frandsen taking over at the hot corner. For the Braves RF Jason Heyward SS Phil Gosselin 1B Freddie Freeman LF Justin Upton 3B Chris Johnson...

Zimmermann set to face Braves

Zimmermann set to face Braves
Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will try to win his fifth consecutive decision when the Nationals attempt to take an important September series from the Atlanta Braves tonight at Nationals Park. Zimmermann is 4-0 in nine starts since his last loss, a 6-2 defeat in Philadelphia on July 11. He's 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA in nine second-half starts. He will be opposed by right-hander Ervin Santana. For the Braves CF Emilio Bonifacio2B Phiil Gosselin 1B Freddie Freeman LF Justin UptonRF Jason Heyward 3B...

Hardy returns to lineup

Hardy returns to lineup
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting sixth tonight in his return to the Orioles lineup after being sidelined by a spasm in his lower back. David Lough is starting in center field and Adam Jones is serving as the designated hitter. Last night, Nick Markakis was given some rest by being the DH. Kelly Johnson will start at third base tonight. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF David Lough CF Adam Jones DH Nelson Cruz LF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Kelly Johnson 3B Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop...

LaRoche returns in finale against Phillies (plus programming reminder)

LaRoche returns in finale against Phillies (plus programming reminder)
PHILADELPHIA - Adam LaRoche is back in the lineup in his normal spots at first base and clean-up for the Nationals in the finale of a three-game against the Phillies. LaRoche was out of last night's starting lineup, getting a rest while he nursed a tight back. Otherwise, the lineup looks very familiar in support of right-hander Doug Fister (12-4, 2.38 ERA) against Philadelphia's Kyle Kendrick (6-11, 4.93 ERA), who owns the National League's worst ERA (6.10) since June 22. A programming...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
Chris Davis has been moved down to seventh in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. Davis' average has dropped to .189. Steve Pearce continues to bat second and play first base. Delmon Young is in left field while Nelson Cruz serves as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 3B Nick Hundley C Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Tillman RHP The Oriole Advocates...

Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base

Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base
PHILADELPHIA - Asdrubal Cabrera, who experienced tightness in his side while swinging in yesterday's game, will not be in the starting lineup at second base when the Nationals open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Instead, Danny Espinosa will get the nod at second base. Washington's Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.80 ERA) faces Philadelphia's A.J. Burnett (6-14, 4.42 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The Nats are seeking their 13th win in 14 games. For the Nationals CF...

Orioles and Cubs lineups

Orioles and Cubs lineups
CHICAGO - Miguel Gonzalez makes the start at Wrigley Field as the Orioles aim to salvage one game of this weekend series. Gonzalez is 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three career interleague starts. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 3B Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop 2B Miguel Gonzalez P For the Cubs Chris Coghlan LF Javier Baez SS Anthony Rizzo 1B Luis Valbuena 3B Welington Castillo C Arismendy Alcantara CD Logan Watkins 2B Matt...

Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
CHICAGO - Delmon Young gets another start in left field tonight and Chris Davis continues to bat seventh as the Orioles' third baseman for the second game of their series against the White Sox. Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter and Steve Pearce is playing first base against White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana. Pearce is batting second. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Nick...

Span returns to lineup, Cabrera remains in two-hole

Span returns to lineup, Cabrera remains in two-hole
NEW YORK - Denard Span is back in the starting lineup in his customary center field and leadoff roles as the Nationals go for a sweep of their three game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field. A night after hitting his first home run in a Washington uniform, second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera remains in the two-hole. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the Nats, opposing the Mets' Dillon Gee. For the NationalsCF Denard Span2B Asdrubal Cabrera3B Anthony Rendon1B Adam...

Werth scratched from Nats lineup (with Braves lineup)

Werth scratched from Nats lineup (with Braves lineup)
ATLANTA - Jayson Werth has returned to the Nationals lineup one day after sitting out with shoulder and ankle ailments. Werth will bat third and play right field. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is still listed on the Nats' active roster one day after he crashed into the right field chain-linked fence. Tanner Roark will face Braves right-hander Aaron Harang. Bryce Harper is 4-for-8 with a double and a triple in his career against Harang. Roark is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 18 strikeouts in...

Espinosa back at second as Nats open series in Miami

Espinosa back at second as Nats open series in Miami
MIAMI - Danny Espinosa went 1-for-4 yesterday in Cincinnati and struck the ball well three times. He's 4-for-14 over the past five games and finally looking like he's pulling out of his offensive funk even though his average remains at .214. He's back at second base tonight as the Nationals open a three-game series against the Marlins. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (6-5, 3.20 ERA) opposes Miami righty Nathan Eovaldi (5-6, 4.30 ERA). For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF...

Espinosa at second base, Lobaton behind plate (under way after rain delay)

Espinosa at second base, Lobaton behind plate (under way after rain delay)
CINCINNATI - Danny Espinosa is back at second base today for the finale of the Nats' three-game series at Great American Ball Park against the Reds. Jose Lobaton is behind the plate, catching Nationals right-hander Doug Fister. In the seven games Lobaton has been his batterymate, Fister has worked to a 2.09 ERA and opposing batters have hit only .214. Fister will be opposed by righty Mat Latos. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond...

Harper out of Nats lineup; Rockies without Tulowitzki, Morneau

Harper out of Nats lineup; Rockies without Tulowitzki, Morneau
DENVER - Just as Bryce Harper is starting to heat up, he'll take a seat in the opener of the Nationals' three-game set at Coors Field. Matt Williams has opted to sit Harper against Rockies left-hander Franklin Morales. Ryan Zimmerman will play left field tonight, his first start in left since Harper returned from the disabled list. Danny Espinosa will play second, with Anthony Rendon sliding across the diamond to play third. The Rockies, meanwhile, will be without shortstop Troy Tulowitzki...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
The Orioles close out the first half of the season - as dictated by the All-Star break, not the number of games played - with a weekend series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Brian Roberts makes his first appearance in Baltimore since leaving as a free agent. He's collected five hits in 16 at-bats against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Miguel Gonzalez is 2-2 with a 4.07 ERA in eight career starts against the Yankees. He didn't get a decision on April 9 after allowing three runs in six...

Nats stick with same lineup in finale against Cubs

Nats stick with same lineup in finale against Cubs
You score 13 runs and you don't change much. The Nationals lineup today, with the exception of starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, looks exactly as it did yesterday, when they pounded out a season-high 19 hits in a rout of the Cubs. There's one thing standing between the Nats and a series victory against Chicago: right-hander Jake Arrieta, who has taken a no-hitter at least into the seventh inning in each of his last two starts. On the season, Arrieta is 5-1 with a 1.18 ERA in 11 starts. With...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for series finale

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for series finale
BOSTON - Chris Davis will sit out Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox. Instead, Steve Pearce will get the start at first base and bat second for the Orioles. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Delmon Young LF J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty 2B Caleb Joseph C Kevin Gausman RHP For the Red Sox Brock Holt RF Daniel Nava LF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Stephen Drew SS David Ross C Jackie Bradley Jr. CF Xander...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
No surprises in the Orioles' lineup tonight as they try to complete a four-games sweep of the Rangers at Camden Yards. Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base. Jonathan Schoop is at second base. You've seen it a few times since Manny Macahdo's suspension. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Nick Hundley C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Rangers Shin-Soo Choo DH Elvis Andrus SS Alex Rios...

Espinosa not in lineup, Lobaton catching Fister

Espinosa not in lineup, Lobaton catching Fister
Looks like Danny Espinosa will have to wait at least one more day to return to the Nationals starting lineup. Espinosa isn't in the lineup posted for tonight's 6:05 p.m. game against the Rockies, the last of a three-game series. Instead, Anthony Rendon is manning second base, Ryan Zimmerman is at third and Bryce Harper is in left field. Manager Matt Williams had said last night that he was considering playing Espinosa today. Instead, the lineup remains the same from 1-7 in the order. The only...

Nationals lineup for series opener against Braves

Nationals lineup for series opener against Braves
The Nationals will trot a hot pitcher out to the mound for the opener of their four-game series against the Braves. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who will oppose Braves righty and Annapolis native Gavin Floyd, has allowed only one run in his past 26 innings. On the year, Zimmermann is 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA. Here's the Nationals lineup: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche LF Ryan Zimmerman SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jose Lobaton RHP Jordan Zimmermann