Game 66 lineups: Nats vs. Mets (Castro returns)
Game 66 lineups: Nats vs. Mets (Castro returns)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
It's hard to make too much of a weekend series against a division rival in the middle of June. But considering the circumstances surrounding this four-game series against the Mets over the next three days, you have to put some level of importance on it if you're the Nationals. Coming off a sweep of the Pirates, riding a four-game winning streak and having won six of their last eight games, the Nationals should feel confident facing the division-leading Mets this weekend. They also have a...
Nationals announce roster moves
Nationals announce roster moves
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements: * Returned infielder Starlin Castro from the Restricted List * Reinstated right-handed pitcher Austin Voth from the 10-day Injured List * Placed outfielder Andrew Stevenson on the 10-day Injured list (retroactive to June 17) with an oblique strain * Optioned right-handed pitcher Ryne Harper to Triple-A Rochester * Right-handed...
Orioles DFA Chance Sisco (updated)
Orioles DFA Chance Sisco (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have designated catcher Chance Sisco for assignment today, according to an industry source, and appear ready to add a pitcher to the 40-man roster prior to tonight's game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Sisco's removal from the 40-man opens a spot. Sisco broke camp with the team again and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on May 31 while the Orioles selected catcher Austin Wynn's contract from the Tides. Sisco, a second-round pick in the 2013 draft, was batting...
Weekend series with Mets is measuring stick for Nats
Weekend series with Mets is measuring stick for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As they've completed a four-game winning streak, emerging victorious in six of their last eight games, the Nationals are facing something of an existential question: Is this legitimate evidence of a long-awaited and sustainable turnaround to a season that began horribly, or is this nothing more than a nice week against weak competition that will soon be exposed as insignificant? We may have a good sense of the answer to that question by the end of this weekend, after the Nats face the Mets...
A look at how Bowie moved to the top of its league in offense
A look at how Bowie moved to the top of its league in offense
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Players for the Double-A Bowie Baysox this year can go hitless, yet still get praise from the coaching staff for their hitting. And not just because they may have made a productive out. It's all about the swing decisions they make. They are graded both on the pitches they do swing at and those they do not. The goal is to get a very hittable pitch and drive it. Let almost everything else go. Even borderline strikes are sometimes spit on while a hitter waits for a better pitch. Sometimes, even...
Coby Mayo: "I'm going to have a lot of fun"
Coby Mayo: "I'm going to have a lot of fun"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are performing an exhausting juggling act with their prospects. The kind that doesn't bring joy, like when another player moves up the affiliate chain. They arrange an injury rehab assignment. They reinstate someone else from the injured list. They are forced to shut down someone else. Talk about having a lot of balls in the air. The club passed along good news this week regarding outfielder Yusniel Diaz, who joined Double-A Bowie on his rehab assignment. But wait, there's...
Jorge López allows three homers as road losing streak continues
Jorge López allows three homers as road losing streak continues
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As they tried to end a couple of losing streaks today, the Orioles fell into a three-run hole in the first inning at Cleveland this afternoon. They got close mid-game, but when Cleveland opened up a four-run lead in the sixth the Indians were on their way to a 10-3 win, and they swept a four-game series from the Orioles. The Orioles started this road trip to St. Petersburg, Fla., and Cleveland by scoring 12 runs in the first five games of the trip. But in the last three losses to the Indians...
Live music returns to downtown Baltimore through Birdland Summer Music Series
Live music returns to downtown Baltimore through Birdland Summer Music Series
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that the Birdland Summer Music Series will return to Oriole Park in 2021 with a pair of post-game concerts following two Orioles home games later this summer. On Saturday, July 24, the Orioles will welcome Grammy-winning artist Diplo following that night's game against the Washington Nationals, which has been moved to 6:35 p.m. ET. On Thursday, September 16, rising country star Carter Faith will open for Grammy-nominated folk rock band the Avett Brothers after the...
Trying to put a glove on defensive letdowns
Trying to put a glove on defensive letdowns
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The recent box scores tally the seven errors committed by the Orioles in the first three games of their series against the Indians. Ample reason for a manager to grow concerned, and worse. What's missing, however, are the other breakdowns in fundamentals and execution, such as the rundown last night with no one covering second base and a trapped runner dashing to third. Players standing around, as Brandon Hyde noted after the 8-7 loss. There are missed cutoffs or poor decisions to let the ball...
O's game blog: Trying to avoid a sweep in Cleveland
O's game blog: Trying to avoid a sweep in Cleveland
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles need a win this afternoon at Cleveland to avoid being swept four in a row and going 0-7 on a road trip to Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Last night they lost 8-7 for their third one-run loss on the trip and second in this series. And their fourth loss on the road trip by two runs or fewer. In their past 12 games decided by two or fewer, the Orioles are 1-11. They fell to 4-12 in one-run games last night while Cleveland improved to 11-6. The Orioles (22-45) play Game No. 68 today. They...