stealing second. Desmond Jennings reached leading off the eighth when

 WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals designated struggling reliever Brad Lidge for assignment Sunday and activated reliever Ryan Mattheus. . Lidge signed a $1 million, one-year contract as a free agent in the off-season to add veteran bullpen depth behind closer Drew Storen and All-Star Tyler Clippard, but the 35-year-old right-hander couldnt find the form that made him a two-time All-Star with Houston and Philadelphia. He went 0-1 with two saves and a 9.64 ERA in 11 appearances with the Nationals, and opponents were batting .308 against him. Lidge allowed three runs in Washingtons 7-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday and was the losing pitcher against New York on Saturday, giving up two runs in the 14th inning of a 5-3 defeat. General manager Mike Rizzo said the marathon game forced the move, with the bullpen in need of a fresh arm for Sundays series finale. "Brad wasnt performing very well," Rizzo said, "and Mattheus was ready to come off the rehab assignment. We thought this was the right time to make the move." When Storen went down with an elbow injury during spring training, Lidge began sharing the closing duties with Henry Rodriguez, but a sports hernia sent Lidge to the disabled list in late April. He was reinstated on June 7. "I think he was healthy," Rizzo said. "He said he was healthy. He threw like he was healthy. He was in no pain, no after-effects after he was done rehabbing." Lidge debuted with the Astros in 2002. He has 225 career saves, and helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series by going the entire regular season and post-season without blowing a save. After Saturdays game, Lidge said he felt he was making good pitches, but the batters were finding the holes. "Just keep throwing good pitches, quality pitches, and at some point those balls will get to people and well make outs," Lidge said. "But until then, youve just got to battle and keep throwing strikes." Mattheus missed the last 24 games with a plantar fascia strain in his left foot. The 28-year-old right-hander went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three rehab appearances with Double-A Harrisburg and Single-A Potomac. In 19 relief appearances with Washington this season, Mattheus is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA. . Derrick Mason led all receivers with nine catches for 136 yards and a score for the Ravens (5-3), who won for the third consecutive week and climbed within a half-game of Pittsburgh for first place in the division. The Steelers face the Redskins on Monday night in the nations capital. .ca! Kerry: Could you explain how the officials are chosen for the NHL playoffs?  What criteria are used to select who works these games and who gets to move into each ensuing round? Thanks,Clark Groome Clark: I always enjoy our conversations when you and I meet in the Wells Fargo Arena press box to cover a Philadelphia Flyers home game. . Or, at the very least, out of answers. Dismal defending. Misfiring on attack. A cheerful coach seemingly leading his frustrated MLS team further into the abyss. . Prince recently completed the 2011-12 season with the Ontario Hockey Leagues Ottawa 67s and helped them advance to the OHL Eastern Conference final, where they were eliminated in five games by the Niagara IceDogs. . The Toronto Raptors first-round draft pick arrived at Air Canada Centre on Friday wearing his new teams cap on his head and a smile on his face.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Blake Beavan put the final touches on Seattles strong road trip. Beavan scattered four hits over eight innings and the Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Sunday to finish a 5-2 trip. "A great performance," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "Ill tell you what, he did a great job with his fastball. He moved it around. But his secondary stuff was big for him. Really controlled the ballgame." Jesus Montero and Brendan Ryan each had an RBI double for the Mariners, who took two of three from the Rays. "A real good road trip," Wedge said. "Its tough to win on the road. Its tough to win in general. The two losses we did have were walk-offs, so they were tight ballgames throughout." Beavan (5-6) struck out five and walked none, outpitching Matt Moore in a tight duel. Tom Wilhelmsen worked a scoreless ninth for his 10th save, completing the five-hitter. "Thats what happens when you mix pitches up," Beavan said. "You get them off balance. For me, that was my goal, just going in there and mixing them up." Matt Joyce hit a two-out double off Wilhelmsen, who then walked Jeff Keppinger. Pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui, mired in an 0-for-16 skid, ended the game on a first-pitch popup to shortstop. Seattle stopped a nine-game losing streak to the Rays with Saturday nights 2-1 win. "Weve been on the losing side of things the past year or so," Wilhelmsen said. "Guys stepped up big-time." Moore (6-7) gave up two runs, five hits and struck out seven in eight innings for the Rays, who went 4-6 on their longest homestand of the season. The left-hander retired his final 17 batters. "Its a difficult moment because we really did not take advantage of some pretty good opportunities oveer the last couple days," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. . "When you get that kind of pitching, you dont want to lose. So we have to figure out a way to get beyond that." Seattle took a 2-1 lead on Ryans second-inning double. Michael Saunders scored after reaching on a bunt single and stealing second. Desmond Jennings reached leading off the eighth when Ryan misplayed his grounder at shortstop and went to second on Jose Molinas grounder. After advancing to third on a grounder by Elliot Johnson, Jennings was left stranded when Beavan got a pop fly from B.J. Upton. Casper Wells started the first with a double, but was thrown out at third on Ichiro Suzukis bunt. Suzuki then stole second and third before scoring on Monteros double to put the Mariners ahead 1-0. Tampa Bay tied it in the bottom half when Ben Zobrist hit a two-out double that deflected off first base and Joyce followed with an RBI single. Suzuki took away an extra-base hit from Carlos Pena with a leaping catch at the right-field wall for the second out in the first. NOTES: Rays 3B Evan Longoria, out since May 1 with a partially torn left hamstring, is increasing his on-field work. He took batting practice, fielded grounders and ran in the outfield. ... Seattle 1B-OF Mike Carp (right shoulder) is nearing the end of his minor league rehab assignment and will have his status evaluated. ... Tampa Bay recalled RHP Brandon Gomes from Triple-A Durham and then optioned him back to the International League club after the game. ... Rays LHP Cesar Ramos was optioned to Durham after throwing four scoreless innings in Saturday nights 2-1 loss to Seattle. ... Tampa Bay OF Sam Fuld, out all season after right wrist surgery, could join the team on Tuesday. ' ' '