O's game blog: Keegan Akin faces Indians in series opener
O's game blog: Keegan Akin faces Indians in series opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After taking two of three against Minnesota, snapping a 14-game losing streak and picking up their first series win since early May in the process, the Orioles homestand continues tonight at Oriole Park. They host the Cleveland Indians in the start of a weekend series. The Orioles have posted back-to-back wins over Minnesota by 7-4 and 6-3 scores. A win tonight would match the three-game win streak they posted from April 29 through May 1 versus the Yankees and Athletics. The O's have gone...
Game 54 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Game 54 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Tonight will be the Nationals' 54th game of the season, which means we are at the one-third mark of the 2021 campaign. At 23-30, the Nationals are tied with the Marlins, six games back of the division-leading Mets, but only two games back of this weekend's opponent, the Phillies. Yet another opportunity for the Nats to gain some ground in the National League East. And they have the right guy on the mound to get them started. Max Scherzer looks to carry over his fantastic May into June...
Orioles DFA Armstrong and Waddell (plus lineups)
Orioles DFA Armstrong and Waddell (plus lineups)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have designated right-hander Shawn Armstrong and left-hander Brandon Waddell for assignment today among a bunch of moves leading into tonight's game against the Indians at Camden Yards. Reliever Hunter Harvey was activated today from the 60-day injured list and he's on the field for early work with the rest of the pitchers. Left-hander Zac Lowther was optioned yesterday to Triple-A Norfolk to make room on the active roster. Infielder Pat Valaika has been placed on the bereavement...
With a key single, then two blasts, Soto found his swing
With a key single, then two blasts, Soto found his swing
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Juan Soto became Juan Soto again - not on the two-run homer he hit for the Nationals in the eighth inning Tuesday night in Atlanta, not on the two-run homer he hit in the fifth inning Wednesday night in Atlanta. Juan Soto became Juan Soto again when he took an outside fastball from Braves left-hander Max Fried and hit a line drive single to left in the top of the fourth Tuesday, driving in a pair of teammates. The ball left his bat at a modest 93.7 mph and traveled a mere 245 feet in the...
Because You Asked - The Last Knight
Because You Asked - The Last Knight
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
What about this and what about that? Why is this taking so long, and will that ever happen? And where's Chris Davis? Oh, the questions never stop, which is why mailbags exists. They're also a popular filler for sportswriters - our version of breadcrumbs. Some might call it lazy. Those accusers are driven to another county and pushed out the door. And I'll go the extra mile to find a new movie sequel title. You ask 'em and I answer 'em, and then someone else asks the exact same thing and I...
Triple-A skipper Kendall with thoughts on Wynns, Harvey, Bradish and more
Triple-A skipper Kendall with thoughts on Wynns, Harvey, Bradish and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Job one for any catcher is working with his pitchers and handling his pitching staff. If they can throw in a few hits and help the offense, that's a bonus. Orioles catcher Austin Wynns sees it that way, too, and since his recall to the big leagues Monday has caught two games where the Orioles have pitched well. On Monday versus Minnesota, O's pitchers allowed two earned runs over 10 innings with three walks and 14 strikeouts. On Wednesday night, they gave up three earned runs with three walks...
Nats go silent at the plate, can't win series in Atlanta (updated)
Nats go silent at the plate, can't win series in Atlanta (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If they were going to produce a three-game winning streak and win a key road series against a division rival, the Nationals were going to need quality and length today from Patrick Corbin, plus a continuation of the power display their lineup showed the previous 48 hours. They almost got the first. They didn't come close to getting the latter. Corbin was outstanding for five innings, but wilted during a four-run bottom of the sixth that spoiled his start, and the Nationals lineup was rendered...
Mancini, Mullins among Orioles on All-Star ballot (with note)
Mancini, Mullins among Orioles on All-Star ballot (with note)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Major League Baseball has launched its All-Star Game ballots this afternoon, with fans beginning to cast votes at noon via mobile devices at MLB.com, the team websites, the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps, and on Google Search. Phase 1 ends on June 24 at 4 p.m. The top three vote-getters at each position and top nine outfielders will be revealed on June 27, which moves the process into a four-day Phase 2 period. Remember when you would receive a ballot at the ballpark and punch out the...
Schwarber sits to rest sore knee, Sunday's starter is TBD
Schwarber sits to rest sore knee, Sunday's starter is TBD
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When Kyle Schwarber walked into Davey Martinez's office this morning in Atlanta, the Nationals left fielder told his manager his right knee was still sore after a hard landing while attempting to make a diving catch Wednesday night. Martinez told Schwarber he wouldn't be starting this afternoon's series finale against the Braves, but to get treatment on his knee, and then if he thinks he can pinch-hit later in the game, to let him know. "I couldn't even get the words out," Martinez...
Game 53 lineups: Nats at Braves
Game 53 lineups: Nats at Braves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals have a chance this afternoon to take three of four from the Braves, and who saw that coming a few days ago? They've put themselves in position with a combination of power at the plate (four homers the last two nights), one gutsy start on short rest (Jon Lester) and a whole lot of innings out of their bullpen (11 innings the last two nights). Now if they're going to take the series in this early start in Atlanta, they're going to need quality innings out of Patrick Corbin. At...