Jason Heyward News

If I had to bet, I'd say least half of those reading this can immediately name where that image of Fred McGriff is from.

For anybody who wanted to see what is so exceptional about Harper, his singular capacity for making a difference was on display Saturday.

It probably didn't help Ross Detwiler's cause, after he'd struggled against Atlanta last night, giving up five hits, four walks and three runs, all earned in 4.1 innings over which he threw 100 pitches, that Chien-Ming Wang came on and threw 3.0 strong innings in which he allowed a double to the first batter he faced, a single by the opposing ... (more)

Rick Ankiel hit a two-run triple in Washington's four-run first inning, Ryan Zimmerman padded the lead with a three-run double in the seventh and the first-place Nationals beat the slumping Atlanta Braves 7-4 Friday night.

Last season, Melky Cabrera was two homers shy of joining the 20-20 club, and put up an excellent triple slash line of .305-.339-.470 with 18 HRs, 87 RBI, 102 runs and 20 stolen bases in a full time role in Kansas City.

Maddon, who has been known to use what-in-the-world-is-he-thinking batting orders, is using funky new data-driven defensive alignments to frustrate opposing hitters.

Since we've bombarded you with almost exclusively bad news here from the Queen City these past few days, let's start with a bit of good news: Martin Prado 's bat is blazing.

Brandon Phillips hit two home runs and Zack Cozart added a solo blast to lead the Reds past the Braves, 4-3, in the second of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Is Jeff Samardzija a head hunter? In some quarters, the Cubs' right-hander is getting a reputation as somebody who retaliates against hitters when he's upset, but Braves hitting coach Greg Walker doesn't think Samardzija was trying to hit Paul Konerko in his last start.

Leake hit the first home run of his Major League career, which was part of three consecutive long balls by the Reds with two outs in the fourth inning.

Atlanta Braves' Juan Francisco rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake in the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, May 21, 2012, in Cincinnati.

Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward breaks his bat as he hits a one-run single to score teammate Freddie Freeman during the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, May 20, 2012, in St.

Randall Delgado had pitched great his previous three starts, but this one was anything but great.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson delivers in the first inning to the Tampa Bay Rays during an interleague baseball game, Friday, May 18, 2012, in St.

When : 7:10 p.m. Friday , 4:10 p.m. Saturday , 1:40 p.m. Sunday . Batting: Martin Prado was 16-for-34 with five doubles and two strikeouts during an eight-game hitting streak before Thursdaya .

A two-run home run by Miami's Giancarlo Stanton was beyond the reach of Braves center fielder Jason Heyward in the seventh inning Wednesday.

Base stealing has become more and more popular in the last decade as players are getting faster and are more willing to attempt a stolen base.

' bats earlier this month, but Wednesday night's game against the Braves might have proven that it had finally settled into them for at least the foreseeable future.

Fredi Gonzalez has juggled his lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Miami Marlins, giving Michael Bourn his first day off this season.

Despite the centerfielder's current hot streak at the plate, he was going to get a rest during the Braves' stretch of 33 games in 34 days.