Hernandez's role changes with Soto's return to field
Hernandez's role changes with Soto's return to field
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Juan Soto's return to right field in Saturday's 4-3 11-inning loss to the Yankees was a boost to a Nationals club whose offense has struggled to score runs while the slugger was sidelined with a left shoulder strain. Even though Soto has been available as a pinch-hitter for a few days and served as the designated hitter in Friday's win at Yankee Stadium, the Nats need to count on him for four or five good at-bats during every game. Instead, while he rounded into defensive form, they had to...
Scherzer carves up Yankees, but Nationals fall in 11th (updated)
Scherzer carves up Yankees, but Nationals fall in 11th (updated)
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Snarling, grunting Max Scherzer will stomp around the mound like a predator stalking his prey. But his alter ego - masterful, riveted Max Scherzer, who carves up an opposing lineup - can be just as intimidating and effective. The Yankees saw a little of both versions on Saturday in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals, punctuated by a season-high 14 strikeouts by Scherzer plus a couple of notable achievements in the record books by the ace, who was long gone by the time an infield hit scored the...
O's game blog: Zac Lowther makes first MLB start
O's game blog: Zac Lowther makes first MLB start
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For the fourth time since last Aug. 31, the Orioles will send out one of their young pitching prospects tonight for his first big league start. Lefty Zac Lowther, who has put together a very strong minor league resume for the club, will face Boston in the second of a four-game series. When Keegan Akin made his first start last Aug. 31 on the road against Toronto, he allowed two unearned runs over 4 1/3 innings and the Orioles won 4-3 as he got a no-decision. On Sept. 6, 2020, Dean Kremer made...
Orioles and Pepsi Stronger Together Jr. RBI equipment drive-thru event
Orioles and Pepsi Stronger Together Jr. RBI equipment drive-thru event
Doug Miller
Orioles
Earlier today, in partnership with Pepsi Stronger Together, the Orioles hosted a drive-thru event to distribute baseball and softball equipment to Orioles Jr. RBI program participants. The event, which was located at The Food Project in Southwest Baltimore, served over 100 local Baltimore City youth. Equipment included Play Ball plastic bat and ball sets, batting tees, Orioles Jr. RBI t-shirts, and new and gently-used baseball and softball equipment gathered from the Cardboard to Leather...
Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles recalled Zac Lowther today, taking him from the alternate training site to the taxi squad to the majors for his first major league start and second appearance. Lowther tossed a scoreless ninth inning in his debut on April 25 against the Athletics at Camden Yards. The No. 11 prospect in the system per MLBPipeline.com was optioned and joined the Orioles for their West Coast trip. A start is needed tonight with Bruce Zimmermann optioned, and Lowther gets the assignment, with a spot...
Ryan Mountcastle on getting his offense going
Ryan Mountcastle on getting his offense going
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As Ryan Mountcastle tries to get his bat going consistently, a few recent games and last night's three-hit effort are steps forward for the O's 24-year-old outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter. As his struggles went on in the season's first few weeks, Mountcastle said he tried to draw on last year as a reminder of what he could do. He hit .333/.386/.492/.878. His OPS plus of 139 in 2020 was 39 percent above league average. His current mark there is 64, 36 percent below the league. "I...
Orioles claim Waddell off waivers and DFA Flaa
Orioles claim Waddell off waivers and DFA Flaa
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Less than two weeks after making his major league debut, right-hander Jay Flaa has been designated for assignment and removed from the Orioles' 40-man roster. Space was required this afternoon after the Orioles claimed left-hander Brandon Waddell off waivers from the Twins and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Waddell, 26, was a Pirates fifth-round selection in the 2015 draft out of the University of Virginia. He's made six relief appearances over the past two seasons and allowed six earned...
Soto's return to right field lengthens Nationals lineup
Soto's return to right field lengthens Nationals lineup
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Somewhere between Yankee Stadium's unique configuration and Juan Soto's eagerness to return to the outfield, Nationals manager Davey Martinez thinks he's seen enough progress from Soto's strained left shoulder to put the slugger back in right field for today's matinee against the Yankees. Soto, who served as the designated hitter Friday night and contributed a two-run homer in the ninth inning of the Nats' 6-2 victory, passed the final hurdle before Friday's game by showing he could...
Josh Bell named player ambassador to Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Josh Bell named player ambassador to Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Doug Miller
Nationals
Today, the Washington Nationals announced that first baseman Josh Bell has been named the Player Ambassador to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, the signature program of Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Nationals. In this position, previously held by Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon, Josh will play an important role in representing the Youth Baseball Academy in the Nationals clubhouse and the D.C. community. He will support the work of the Academy by making regular...
Bullpen's perfect streak ends at 29 batters
Bullpen's perfect streak ends at 29 batters
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The pitch from Kyle Finnegan, a 3-2 sinker to Gary Sánchez in the bottom of the seventh that appeared to split the outer edge of the superimposed strike zone on your TV screen, was called a ball by Carlos Torres. Sánchez trotted to first base, and nobody at Yankee Stadium thought much of his one-out walk during Friday night's game against the Nationals. If you've been watching closely this week, though, you understood the significance of that borderline call. And why it produced...