Orioles' offense awakens in 13-1 win (updated)
Orioles' offense awakens in 13-1 win (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
On the day that Orioles manager Brandon Hyde summons Austin Hays into his office this weekend for the traditional exit interview - in a non-traditional major league city - he's going to talk again about the importance of staying healthy in order for the young outfielder to reach his full potential. The Orioles know what Hays can do when he's on the field. They just need to keep him on it. Exactly how does a team protect a player from a succession of freakish injuries? Hays hasn't slowed down...
Corbin battles, Nats' late rally fizzles in 3-2 loss to Mets (updated)
Corbin battles, Nats' late rally fizzles in 3-2 loss to Mets (updated)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The game did not turn out the way the Nationals wanted, but one thing is for certain: Patrick Corbin battled. Robinson Chirinos went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and an RBI single as the Mets won 3-2 at Nationals Park, taking the opener of a season-ending four-game series on Thursday night. The signature moment for the lefty came in the seventh inning when the Nats were down two runs. Corbin again demonstrated his value with a gutsy performance to get out of a jam. The Mets loaded the bases on...
Kieboom on adjustments at the plate and at third base
Kieboom on adjustments at the plate and at third base
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Third baseman Carter Kieboom was disappointed that a left wrist injury ended his season prematurely. The 23-year-old felt like he made several strides forward in the field and in the batter's box, especially over the last couple of weeks. Kieboom knows his numbers at the plate did not jump out, but that doesn't mean those at-bats weren't extremely valuable. Kieboom ended up hitting .202 in 33 games, with one double, nine RBIs and 17 walks. He struck out 33 times. But his defense at third...
O's game blog: Looking to avoid a sweep at Fenway
O's game blog: Looking to avoid a sweep at Fenway
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles will fall into a tie for fourth place in the American League East with Boston if they lose to the Red Sox tonight. They began this series three games ahead of the Red Sox in the standings. But after 8-3 and 9-1 losses, they could find themselves even with another defeat. The Orioles (23-33) have scored one run or less nine times in the last 14 games after Wednesday's loss. The team is in an extended slump, but it wasn't always this way. It wasn't always this way even this month....
Notes on roster move, Núñez, Phillips and exit interviews
Notes on roster move, Núñez, Phillips and exit interviews
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles recalled David Hess, who was on the taxi squad, to give them a fresh bullpen arm for tonight's series finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. With Dean Kremer making his final start last night, the rookie has been optioned to the alternate camp site in Bowie. It's the type of move often made leading into the All-Star break. "We optioned Dean just because he wasn't going to make another start," manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon in his Zoom conference call with the...
Pat Valaika finishing strong even as team has not
Pat Valaika finishing strong even as team has not
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles utility player Pat Valaika had an uncertain offseason, one where he was claimed by the Orioles, then Arizona, then the Orioles again. He was outrighted off the club's 40-man roster on Feb. 11. But one day before the shortened season was set to begin, his contract was selected by the club on July 23. It was bumpy ride in the winter, but has been a much smoother one during this season for Valaika. He's been on the roster all year. Over 50 games, the 28-year-old has hit .263/.300/.451...
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
José Iglesias has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter after receiving treatment for a sore left wrist. Renato Núñez has been excluded after appearing to be in some discomfort last night while running the bases. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field and Pat Valaika is the first baseman. Ramón Urías gets another start at shortstop. Austin Hays is in right field. The Orioles are one game ahead of the last-place Red Sox and trying to avoid sharing the division...
Kieboom update, lineup notes and Corbin's final start of season
Kieboom update, lineup notes and Corbin's final start of season
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Third baseman Carter Kieboom said his left wrist is improving, but he understands it was the smart move for the Nationals to place him on the injured list for the remainder of the season. Three days ago, Kieboom got hit by the Phillies' Zack Wheeler's sinker and suffered a left wrist contusion. "Grip strength is where my problem is right now," Kieboom said today on a pregame Zoom call. "Swelling is still a little bit there. I think we are going to get some more opinions at it, some more...
Game 57 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Game 57 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals enter the final series of the regular season knowing they have only four games against the Mets remaining on the schedule. With the Giants' 7-2 win over the Rockies late last night, the Nats were officially eliminated from postseason consideration a year after winning the World Series. Tonight, left-hander Patrick Corbin (2-6, 4.76 ERA) makes his final start of 2020 against Mets left-hander David Peterson (5-2, 3.80 ERA). The Mets are almost done themselves, but at 25-31 still...
Will time missed cost Soto shot at NL MVP?
Will time missed cost Soto shot at NL MVP?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals have never had a batting champion since arriving in D.C. in 2005. They've had one player lead the National League in OPS. With four days to go in the 2020 season, they might just wind up with their first player who did both. Thanks to a strong couple of games to wrap up their just-completed series with the Phillies, Juan Soto heads into the season's final series against the Mets leading the NL in a host of offensive categories. Soto is batting .352, tops in the NL. His.486...