Another gutsy pitching effort, but an extra-inning loss (updated)
Another gutsy pitching effort, but an extra-inning loss (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
That the Nationals found themselves with a real chance to win Friday night after Max Scherzer departed 12 pitches in with a tweaked groin was fairly remarkable. And that they found themselves again with a real chance to win tonight after giving surprise call-up Jefry Rodriguez the start against the Giants was fairly remarkable in itself. That after all that, they didn't win either game? Well, that's downright agonizing. But hardly surprising during this season of offensive offense. And...
Wynns' grand slam can't snap Orioles' road losing streak (updated)
Wynns' grand slam can't snap Orioles' road losing streak (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
What could pitching coach Chris Holt say to Jorge López in the first inning after approaching the mound? What could catcher Austin Wynns say as López sat in the dugout with three runs against him? More strikes were needed, but so was much better luck. The Rays rode four groundball hits, a slow mode of transportation, to an early lead that they held throughout, withstanding Wynns' grand slam in the fifth in a 5-4 victory over the Orioles at Tropicana Field. Left-hander Rich Hill faced the...
Game 61 lineups: Nats vs. Giants
Game 61 lineups: Nats vs. Giants
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals pitching staff is by no means in great shape right now, but it's in better shape than it might've been had Erick Fedde not delivered five scoreless innings in the opener of today's doubleheader against the Giants. That performance has given Davey Martinez the luxury of starting Jefry Rodriguez in the nightcap but not needing the right-hander to go too deep if he's not up for it. You may remember Rodriguez from 2018, when he pitched in 14 games (eight starts) and posted a 5.71...
Fedde returns from COVID-19 IL, leads Nats to win (updated)
Fedde returns from COVID-19 IL, leads Nats to win (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
A long day of baseball for the Nationals began with a flurry of roster moves, moves necessitated both by pitcher usage and pitcher injury in the last 48 hours. After Max Scherzer departed Friday night's start 12 pitches in with a tweaked groin and Daniel Hudson had to go on the 10-day IL this morning with right elbow inflammation, they had no choice but to summon whatever healthy arms they had available to them just to get through the 14 innings on today's schedule. Really, though, the...
O's game blog: Jorge López faces Tampa Bay
O's game blog: Jorge López faces Tampa Bay
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As the Orioles try to even their series against the Tampa Bay Rays today after Friday's series-opening loss, they will have to beat a red-hot pitcher. Lefty Rich Hill (5-2, 3.05 ERA) gets the start for the Rays. He has thrown back-to-back scoreless starts versus the Yankees and Rangers, allowing five hits in 10 innings in those games. Over his past seven games, he has not allowed a run five times, going 4-1 with an ERA of 0.68. In 39 2/3 innings in that span, he has walked 13, fanned 39 and...
Hudson's IL stint highlights flurry of roster moves
Hudson's IL stint highlights flurry of roster moves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals made a flurry of roster transactions in advance of today's doubleheader against the Giants, most of them necessitated by their need to have fresh arms for the 14 innings scheduled on the heels of what turned into a bullpen game after Max Scherzer departed with a tweaked groin after recording only one out. The promotions of right-handers Jefry Rodriguez (who may start tonight's second game) and Andres Machado (designated as the 27th man for both games) from Triple-A Rochester...
Orioles and Rays lineups (updated)
Orioles and Rays lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Austin Hays moves over to right field this afternoon against the Rays after leaving the injured list yesterday and playing left field. Ryan Mountcastle goes from first base to left field and Trey Mancini switches from designated hitter to first base. Anthony Santander is the DH. Hays leads the club with four outfield assists. Mancini hit his 98th career home run last night in his 522nd game. Only four players who began their careers with the Orioles have reached 100 homers in their first 600...
Game 60 lineups: Nats vs. Giants
Game 60 lineups: Nats vs. Giants
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Here's some good news to begin your Saturday: The clouds are beginning to clear out of the region and there is no forecast of rain today. The Nationals and Giants should have no trouble playing both ends of today's 14-inning doubleheader. That's about the only good news, unfortunately. The Nats just announced a swath of roster moves, a couple of them quite unexpected. Here's the full list: * Right-hander Daniel Hudson was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. *...
Nationals announce roster moves
Nationals announce roster moves
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements: * Returned from rehabilitation assignment and reinstated right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde from the Injured List * Selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jefry Rodriguez * Selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Andres Machado, optioned him and selected him as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader * Optioned...
Wells good again in series opener, Tides pitch shutout on the farm
Wells good again in series opener, Tides pitch shutout on the farm
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was kind of a tough night for one young Orioles pitcher last night, and a better one for another as they lost 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays to start a weekend series. Lefty Keegan Akin pitched with traffic on the bases most of his night, allowing five hits and three runs over four innings. The Rays forced him to throw 95 pitches, and two walks to start the game didn't help his cause. But Akin pitched out of that and minimized a jam in the third inning, allowing just one run. But second baseman...