Nationals searching for offense

The Nationals' offensive struggles continued in last night's 3-2 loss to the Orioles. In six of the last 10 games, the Nationals have scored two runs or fewer, resulting in six losses.

Tyler Moore and Michael A. Taylor delivered two-out RBIs in the fifth inning yesterday, but that was all the Nats could manage despite collecting 10 hits on the night.

Moore's run-scoring double was the Nationals only extra-base hit.

"Two runs in this stadium is tough," Moore said. "We need to score more, and we didn't do that tonight."

The Orioles received a solo homer from Adam Jones in the fourth, a game-tying double from Matt Wieters in the eighth and a walk-off home run from Jonathan Schoop in the ninth.

"We had some opportunities with guys out there, but still," manager Matt Williams said. "We're in the game, and one swing of the bat either way can make the difference. (Last night) it was for them."

Bryce Harper struck out swinging his first two times at the plate against Orioles starter Chris Tillman last night, but then beat out an infield single to start the sixth to extend his current on-base streak to 11 games. Harper has now reached base safely in 72 of 79 games this season.

Gio Gonzalez's walk to Jimmy Paredes in the seventh not only ended the left-hander's night, it snapped a 20-game streak in which the Nationals pitching staff had not issued more than two walks in a game. It was the second-longest streak in baseball since 1900 (27 games, 1904 Boston Red Sox).

The Nationals pitchers have been stingy with walks all season, issuing only 182 free passes, by far the lowest total in the majors. The Mets have the next best mark in baseball with 26 more walks than the Nats.

Right-hander Aaron Barrett returned to the Nats bullpen, appearing for the first time since June 11 after a bicep strain in his throwing arm sent him to the 15-day disabled list. Barrett inherited Paredes in the seventh and proceeded to strike out J.J. Hardy and Schoop before getting Manny Machado to pop out to end the inning. Barrett's fastball reached 95 mph and his slider was sharp.

"I'm glad (manager Matt Williams) had confidence in me in that situation," Barrett said. "I'm trying to get back to help the team in whatever role is available. I felt good coming back. I was able, for the most part, to put the ball where I wanted to."

A sold-out Camden Yards crowd of 46,289 fans was at last night's game, making the largest Orioles' crowd of the season. Williams was asked before the game if he feels a rivalry between his Nationals and the Orioles.

"I think it's great for the fans," he said. "I think rivalries in baseball are good. The fact that we're in different leagues is a little bit of strange thing to have that type of rivalry. Close proximity certainly helps. I don't know if the players think of it that way either because it's two different leagues. But it's great for the fans from both cities to get together and root for their favorite team and see who can come out on top."