Orioles at Nationals
The worst team in the majors proved to be the perfect elixir for the Washington Nationals, who snapped a four-game skid by rallying twice for a 9-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. Assured of their first season series win over Baltimore since 2007, the Nationals host the Orioles in Wednesday's middle contest of the three-game set.
Trea Turner homered to ignite a 4-for-4 night and Anthony Rendon collected three RBIs, including a go-ahead two-run double for Washington, which improved to 4-0 against Baltimore this year. Michael A. Taylor extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games with a pinch-hit RBI single while rookie Juan Soto reached base three times and is 7-for-14 versus the Orioles this season. Baltimore squandered an early four-run lead and wasted a pair of two-run homers by Jace Peterson and Trey Mancini to lose for the 10th time in 11 games. The Orioles, who fell to 9-28 away from home, will try to beat the Nationals for the first time behind right-hander Andrew Cashner, who is seeking his first win since April 5.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN 2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.98 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-3, 3.01)
Cashner is coming off back-to-back quality starts, but he lost his third consecutive outing after giving up three runs and nine hits over six innings at Toronto last time out. He had an identical line versus the New York Yankees in his previous start and has won just once over his last 11 turns. Daniel Murphy (6-for-12), Bryce Harper (5-for-11) and Anthony Rendon (5-for-12) have roughed up Cashner.
Gonzalez was tagged for five runs and nine hits -- both season worsts -- over six innings in a loss at Toronto and was reached for four runs and six hits in a season-low 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus San Francisco on June 9. His last win was a dominant performance at Baltimore on May 28, when he permitted six hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Manny Machado is 5-for-16 against Gonzalez.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals RH Kelvin Herrera, acquired from Kansas City on Monday, worked a perfect inning Tuesday in his Washington debut.
2. The Orioles designated 3B Pedro Alvarez for assignment and promoted INF Steve Wilkerson and C Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk.
3. The Nationals placed 1B Matt Adams on the 10-day disabled list due to a fractured left index finger.