Newly activated regulars deliver late to end skid (updated)
Newly activated regulars deliver late to end skid (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It was appropriate - probably wise - to temper expectations when the Nationals emerged from visitors' dugout tonight in St. Louis and for the first time in 2021 had their entire lineup active. As much as everyone hoped Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber and Josh Harrison would make an immediate impact, logic suggested it was too much to expect in their first game of the season after being stuck in COVID-19-related quarantine. And for a few innings, that was indeed the appropriate sentiment. The three...
Means tries to keep streak alive today in opener
Means tries to keep streak alive today in opener
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Johns Means has faced the Mariners once in his career and held them to one run over seven innings. Pretty much the standard output against him these days. The left-hander and staff ace is the first Orioles pitcher to allow one run or fewer in six consecutive starts since Hall of Famer Jim Palmer in 1978. He's assigned the opener of today's doubleheader, with Dean Kremer going in the nightcap. Palmer owns the franchise record with eight in a row. He also possesses three Cy Young Awards, but...
Looking at a balancing act for O's skipper Brandon Hyde
Looking at a balancing act for O's skipper Brandon Hyde
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As the manager of the Orioles, Brandon Hyde is well aware he is skipper of a rebuilding project. But at 7 p.m. every night (or earlier for day games), he badly wants to win the baseball game that is right in front of him. And Hyde will make every move he can, and any and all lineup tweaks, changes or adjustments that he hopes will lead to a win. He wants to put players in the best spots to succeed, which he hopes ultimately leads to wins. So while pushing hard each night for a win, there will...
Mariners-Orioles opener postponed due to rain
Mariners-Orioles opener postponed due to rain
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Tonight's scheduled game between the Orioles and Seattle Mariners has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a traditional (single-admission) doubleheader on Tuesday, April 13. The first game of tomorrow's doubleheader will begin at 4:05 p.m. ET, followed by the regularly-scheduled game approximately 45 minutes after the first game concludes. Fans holding tickets for the originally scheduled 7:05 p.m. game tomorrow, should use those tickets for both games...
All Nats personnel cleared, most were vaccinated today
All Nats personnel cleared, most were vaccinated today
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Josh Bell tried to hit miniature Wiffle balls coming at him in all sorts of directions from a pitching machine. Kyle Schwarber used a virtual reality mask to take swings against simulated pitches only he could see. Both did whatever they could to follow their Nationals teammates through the season's first week while stuck at home in quarantine. "It wasn't ideal," Schwarber said. "But you still have to make the best of your time. And I still wanted to make sure I was all the way in tune - I...
O's game blog: The series opener against Seattle
O's game blog: The series opener against Seattle
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Looking for their first win since Wednesday, the Orioles take the field at Oriole Park tonight, hosting Seattle. It's the continuation of their homestand and the start of a four-game series through Thursday. Right-hander Dean Kremer (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will make his second start. He took the loss Tuesday in New York against the Yankees. Over three-plus innings, he gave up five hits and three runs with four walks and five strikeouts. Kremer threw 85 pitches, 51 for strikes. His fastball averaged...
Mountcastle lowered to sixth in order (game postponed)
Mountcastle lowered to sixth in order (game postponed)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
An opposing left-handed starter didn't tempt manager Brandon Hyde to keep Ryan Mountcastle as the cleanup hitter. Mountcastle has been lowered to sixth in the order tonight against the Mariners' Justus Sheffield. He batted fourth in eight of nine games. Though he's doubled twice and homered this month, Mountcastle is 7-for-38 (.184) with a .541 OPS and 17 strikeouts that lead the majors. He's 3-for-18 with nine strikeouts in the last four games. Mountcastle doubled in his second at-bat...
Maikel Franco's bat may be heating up as he moves to cleanup spot
Maikel Franco's bat may be heating up as he moves to cleanup spot
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With Ryan Mountcastle among several Orioles scuffling at bat, manager Brandon Hyde dropped him down to sixth in the batting order and moved third baseman Maikel Franco up to the No. 4 spot. Franco will bat cleanup tonight at Camden Yards as the O's and Seattle play the series opener of a four-game set. It will be somewhat familiar territory for Franco. In 117 career games and 486 plate appearances batting fourth, he has hit .248/.302/.395/.698 with 17 homers and 73 RBIs. The only spots he has...
Game 7 lineups: Nats at Cardinals
Game 7 lineups: Nats at Cardinals
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
For the first time in 2021, the Nationals will field their full starting lineup. Now it's up to that reinforced unit to actually produce and help end a five-game skid. Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber and Josh Harrison all were activated from the COVID-19-related injury list today and all three are in manager Davey Martinez's lineup for the series opener against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Bell will hit cleanup and provide protection for the already-red-hot Juan Soto, with Schwarber behind him...
Nationals announce roster moves
Nationals announce roster moves
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Reinstated first baseman Josh Bell, infielder Josh Harrison and outfielder Kyle Schwarber from the Injured List. * Optioned infielder Luis García and outfielder Yadiel Hernandez to the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and placed them on the Taxi Squad.* Returned right-handed pitcher Ryne Harper and left-handed...