Underperforming Nationals' offense still hasn't come together  —  WASHINGTON — Don't be fooled by the W. The Washington Nationals have an offense problem.  —  Yes, they managed to prevail in the finale of their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles, squeaking out a 4-2 victory on Thursday night.

Suter goes 7, Brewers beat error-prone Cardinals 11-3  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) Brent Suter turned a quick mistake into a big win over the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  The left-hander pitched seven strong innings, Manny Pina homered and the Milwaukee Brewers capitalized on a season-high four errors by St. Louis in an 11-3 victory Thursday night.

Marte, Avila power Diamondbacks over Pirates 9-3  —  Alex Avila each hit two-run homers and the  —  Arizona Diamondbacks scored eight runs in the first three innings to power their way to a 9-3 victory over the  —  Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.  —  Marte's blast capped a three-run first …

Trout rolling as Angels face Blue Jays  —  Already the owner of two American League Most Valuable Player awards by age 25, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is showing there's always room for improvement.  —  Trout is having the best offensive month of his major-league career heading …

Giants, Padres looking healthier in four-game series  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Two teams that looked a bit more like they hoped to look all season Thursday night will go head-to-head for the second straight game when the San Diego Padres take on the San Francisco Giants on Friday.

Ichi-who?  Suzuki Sits on Mariners' Bench in Fake Mustache Disguise  —  Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules.  He came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.

Pump the brakes on a universal DH, and MLB's next big thing  —  There are some debates in baseball that just never go away.  To be fair, baseball itself causes some of this by stirring the pot from time to time, and that's not a bad thing.  Anything that generates discussion is good.

The untold story of Adrian Beltre's MLB debut, 20 years later  —  Here is how much of a fixture Adrian Beltre has become at third base: In baseball's history, only two players have started more games at a single position than Beltre, who is approaching start No. 2,700, has at third.

Cubs face tough stretch without key members of their bullpen  —  CINCINNATI — The Chicago Cubs could be in for an up-and-down stretch until the calendar turns as they play with a makeshift bullpen and face a less-than-favorable schedule.  Flying high after winning two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers …

Giants' Hunter Strickland says he'll consider counseling after latest outburst  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants closer Hunter Strickland apologized to his team and fans and said he'd consider anger management counseling three days after injuring his hand punching a door in frustration after a blown save against Miami.

Next Slide  —  CLEVELAND - Ready or not, MLB trade deadline season is here.  It had an abrupt start earlier this week when the Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals convened for an aggressive early-summer move in a trade sending veteran reliever Kelvin Herrera to D.C.

Astros stick with short bullpen vs. Royals  —  HOUSTON — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch occasionally bristles at conventional methodology, particularly given the availability of superior data and how its dissemination shapes decisions.  —  For instance, last Friday in Kansas City …

J.D. Martinez speaks out about the slow MLB offseason: ‘It was a joke’  —  SEATTLE — Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez should feel vindicated.  After an offseason in which numerous people tried to pick apart his game, Martinez is performing better than ever.

The strikeout epidemic ailing Major League Baseball is showing no signs of slowing down  —  From his office high above 245 Park Ave. in Manhattan, the commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred, can feel and hear it: Whiffff!  It is the sound of his players striking out in record numbers …

Cubs prospect Dillon Maples pitching his way into promotion picture  —  Dillon Maples pitches during the first day of spring training Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs President Theo Epstein praised …

Luis Severino not his dominant self, but does just enough in Yankees' win  —  Luis Severino was not quite himself Thursday, but he still managed to do a good enough job to pick up his 11th win of the season.  —  The Yankees ace struggled with his command all game, allowing three runs …