Nats rally twice, pull out all stops to beat Phillies 13-12 (updated)
Nats rally twice, pull out all stops to beat Phillies 13-12 (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In order to pull off their ninth win in 10 games, the Nationals needed another Kyle Schwarber three-run homer to highlight a five-run top of the fifth, a Josh Bell grand slam to cap a six-run top of the sixth, a two-run single by Starlin Castro in the top of the ninth to re-take a lead that had just been lost and then the first save conversion of Paolo Espino's career (with some help from a bleeding Jordy Mercer at second base). And it all worked out. Somehow. Some way. Adding another...
Orioles and Astros lineups
Orioles and Astros lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Anthony Santander took early batting practice and is in tonight's lineup against the Astros to close out the homestand. Santander didn't play Monday and struck out last night as a pinch-hitter. He's dealing with a sore left ankle, but is in right field tonight. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter. He's 14-for-33 (.424) with four home runs and eight RBIs in his last eight games and is batting .361/.378/.694 in 18 games this month. He's batting .365 (27-for-74) with two outs this...
Schwarber, Turner, Harrison all banged up, but playing
Schwarber, Turner, Harrison all banged up, but playing
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As the baseball world was still up in arms over the theatrics of Joe Girardi asking umpires to check Max Scherzer for foreign substances for a third time Tuesday night, the Nationals were dealing with several injury scares late during their 3-2 victory over the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Josh Harrison all were less than 100 percent healthy by the time Brad Hand escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth. And though all three are back in the lineup for this afternoon's...
Game 71 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Game 71 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Well, guess what? There's another ballgame to be played in Philadelphia. This afternoon. The buzz from Tuesday night's histrionics hasn't dissipated yet, but the Nationals and Phillies can't wait for that to happen before taking the field again for the finale of this quick, two-game series. The Nats, by virtue of a dramatic 3-2 win that was overshadowed by Joe Girardi's attempt to get into Max Scherzer's head (or, at least, his sweaty hair), are now in position to sweep the mini-series...
Is there a better way to check pitchers for foreign substances?
Is there a better way to check pitchers for foreign substances?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
So, what happens now? What happens when the Nationals and Phillies take the field again at 1:05 p.m. today for the finale of this quick, two-game series at Citizens Bank Park? Will the mandatory, between-innings checks of both teams' pitchers by umpires looking for foreign substances continue without issue? Will either Joe Girardi or Davey Martinez try to one-up the other and request an extra examination of the opposing pitcher, as Girardi did Tuesday night with Max Scherzer, setting off a...
Adley Rutschman's first full minor league season has been special
Adley Rutschman's first full minor league season has been special
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE, Md. - After the Orioles selected Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, he went on to play in 37 minor league games that summer. This year, bumped up to Double-A Bowie, Rutschman already has 41 games under his belt and no O's minor league player has more plate appearances, He's getting his work in and thriving, and so is his team. If the O's had presented a wish list for his first full minor league season before this year began, he's...
Nats won't let Phillies get under their skin, win again (updated)
Nats won't let Phillies get under their skin, win again (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Let's get the most important point out of the way first: The Nationals beat the Phillies 3-2 tonight. They've now won eight of their last nine, moved into a three-way tie for second place in the National League East and continued a dramatic June surge that is making believers out of more skeptics with each passing day. Max Scherzer allowed one run in five innings in his first start back from a minor groin injury. The lineup scored three early runs off Zack Wheeler to take the lead. Austin...
López gets into seventh, but bloop single stings Orioles (updated)
López gets into seventh, but bloop single stings Orioles (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The perfect game and no-hit drama dissipated tonight just two batters into the bottom of the first inning after Freddy Galvis slapped a single into left field to beat the shift. Rain wasn't in the forecast. Umpires checking for sticky substances already felt like old news. The Orioles moved on from their lopsided and waterlogged defeat. Each day presents a fresh start. A new opposing pitcher and the latest opportunity to begin spinning their season in the right direction. Astros veteran Zack...
Jorge López throws strong game in loss to Astros
Jorge López throws strong game in loss to Astros
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Perhaps motivated by back-to-back shaky outings and/or by tying a career high by allowing three homers in his last start, Orioles right-hander Jorge López seemed focused on getting deep into tonight's game. And he gave the Orioles their 16th outing this year by a starting pitcher of six innings or more. He went a season-best 6 1/3 innings. But a seventh inning run by Houston broke a tie game as the Astros went on to beat the Orioles 3-1 at Oriole Park. While Houston (45-28) has won nine in...
O's game blog: Jorge López faces Astros
O's game blog: Jorge López faces Astros
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After a 10-2 loss on Monday night, the Orioles welcome the Houston Astros back to Camden Yards tonight to continue a three-game series. The Orioles were being no-hit into the eighth inning last night when Maikel Franco's home run scored two and was the club's first hit. Franco hit No. 9 and blasted that ball 420-feet, his third-longest homer of the season. The Orioles (23-49) are 1-3 on this homestand and 12-24 for the season at home. Overall, they have lost 11 of 12 games. They've been held...