Awaiting word on John Means, plus other notes
Awaiting word on John Means, plus other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles' bid for the season's first four-game win streak came up short in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. The series is now tied at one win each with the rubber match today in Baltimore. But beyond the loss, the O's concern was for their ace pitcher, John Means, who gave up two solo homers in the first inning and then left after facing just five batters with left shoulder fatigue, something that apparently had been an on-and-off issue over the last few weeks. Means'...
Orioles' winning streak ends after Means exits (updated)
Orioles' winning streak ends after Means exits (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The careful handling of Orioles left-hander John Means couldn't prevent him from leaving today's game after facing only five batters. Calling on the bullpen early wasn't going to improve the Orioles' chances of building on their winning streak and maintaining a more positive frame of mind. The momentum folded with an ace no longer showing. Means might be headed to the injured list with left shoulder fatigue, confirmation of the injury coming as the Indians were marching toward a 10-4...
Mancini on Mountcastle: "He's got all the talent in the world"
Mancini on Mountcastle: "He's got all the talent in the world"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The parallels and comparisons aren't lost on Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini. What Ryan Mountcastle endured earlier this season, labeled as a dreaded sophomore slump whose existence isn't mythical in baseball circles, felt eerily familiar. Mancini matched his home run total of 24 following his 2017 breakout season, when he ranked third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. But that's where the similarities reached a dead end. The batting average fell from .293 to .242, the OPS...
Ross not perfect enough to overcome weak lineup (updated)
Ross not perfect enough to overcome weak lineup (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals pitching staff has been far from perfect through the season's first two-plus months, but too often that group has seemingly done enough to emerge victorious only to take a loss because its cohorts in the lineup weren't able to provide ample support. This afternoon in Philadelphia, Joe Ross and Kyle McGowin collectively gave up three hits and six total baserunners through seven innings. You'd think that would be enough to put the Nats in position to win. Or at least to have a...
Means leaves game with apparent injury (updated)
Means leaves game with apparent injury (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
What began as a routine mound visit this afternoon from pitching coach Chris Holt in the first inning turned into a situation that's much more alarming to the Orioles. Left-hander John Means might be hurt. Means walked off the field with two outs, the Orioles behind 2-0 and Indians rookie Owen Miller coming to the plate. Holt signaled for manager Brandon Hyde and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel. A brief exchange was followed by Means and Ebel walking to the clubhouse and former Indians...
O's game blog: John Means looks for win No. 5
O's game blog: John Means looks for win No. 5
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles take the field today looking for a season-high four-game winning streak when they play Cleveland in the second of a three-game series. The Orioles have twice won three in a row this season. They opened the year with a three-game sweep at Boston. And they took three in a row April 29-May 1, winning the first game versus the Yankees and the last two against Oakland. The Orioles beat Cleveland 3-1 Friday night as Keegan Akin threw five scoreless and their pitchers allowed eight hits...
Gomes sits for third straight day, Sunday starter still TBD
Gomes sits for third straight day, Sunday starter still TBD
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Yan Gomes is out of the Nationals lineup for the third straight day with a tight right hamstring, and until the veteran catcher can comfortably squat behind the plate for an entire game without being hindered, he'll remain out of the Nationals lineup. "This is going to be a day-to-day thing with him," manager Davey Martinez said in his Zoom session with reporters before today's game in Philadelphia. "The position he plays, with him squatting and stuff, I just want to make sure that he can...
Hyde on clubhouse, Galvis at cleanup, Mountcastle and more
Hyde on clubhouse, Galvis at cleanup, Mountcastle and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have followed a 14-game losing streak with three consecutive wins and manager Brandon Hyde can see and hear the changes in the clubhouse. Though he's also quick to point out that players never became so despondent that it zapped their energy and lowered their effort each night. "I think it's just natural for everybody to be a little looser, and it's a little lighter in there when you're winning, and that's just human nature," Hyde said today on his Zoom call. "But even in...
Game 55 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Game 55 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals managed to turn two runs and six hits into a win Friday night. They did so thanks to Max Scherzer's dominance over 7 2/3 innings, then Daniel Hudson and Brad Hand's relief work after that. In order to win today in Philadelphia, they're either going to need a comparable effort from Joe Ross and any relievers who follow him or a much more complete offensive showing. A more complete offensive showing would be nice, especially against Phillies right-hander Spencer Howard, who...
Orioles and Indians lineups
Orioles and Indians lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles will try to extend their winning streak to a season-long four games tonight with Freddy Galvis remaining the cleanup hitter between Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle. Mountcastle has hit four home runs in his last 10 games, with seven extra-base hits during that span. He's 11-for-35 (.314) with two doubles, a triple and 11 RBI in those 10 games. Santander has reached base in 13 of 14 games since coming off the injured list and is batting .321 (17-for-53) during that stretch...