Game 55 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies
Game 55 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Well, the Nationals remain mathematically alive. They've won three in a row, including the first two in this series against the Phillies, and they'll try to pull off a doubleheader sweep here tonight and keep that dim flame from burning out. After Austin Voth tossed the first complete game of his career this afternoon, the Nats bullpen is as fresh as it could be. Which means they may not need to rely on too much out of Paolo Espino, who makes his first major league start since 2017. The...
Voth throws complete game for first win of season (updated)
Voth throws complete game for first win of season (updated)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Austin Voth again kept the ball down and mixed his pitches well for a second consecutive start, finally earning his first win of the season with a complete-game gem in Game 1 of a doubleheader as the Nationals dropped the Phillies 5-1 at Nats Park. Voth struck out a season-high seven batters and pitched a season-best seven innings, working his fastball with a dipping curveball and a slowdown changeup to keep the Phillies off guard. After losing five games to begin the season, Voth has bounced...
Tate on injured list and Armstrong activated (plus lineup)
Tate on injured list and Armstrong activated (plus lineup)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have made an adjustment to their bullpen today by activating Shawn Armstrong from the injured list and putting Dillon Tate on the 10-day IL with a sprained right finger. Infielder Ramón Urías has been recalled from the alternate camp site in Bowie to fill the vacant roster spot after the Pirates claimed pitcher Carson Fulmer off waivers yesterday. Armstrong hasn't pitched since Aug. 22 due to left SI joint inflammation in his lower back. He's 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.892...
Martinez on Kendrick's possible return from hamstring issue
Martinez on Kendrick's possible return from hamstring issue
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Howie Kendrick has been on the injured list since Sept. 9 with a left hamstring strain. In the last week, Nationals manager Davey Martinez said the first baseman/designated hitter was looking like he might be able to return before the season finished up this weekend. But in a visit with Kendrick yesterday, Martinez got a new report. "I talked to Howie yesterday and he ran again," Martinez said during today's pregame Zoom video session. "He's at basically a stalemate right now. He gets to a...
Game 54 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies
Game 54 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals finally defeated the Phillies with last night's 5-1 victory. Philadelphia had won six straight over the Nats to begin the season. Today, the Nats and Phillies embark on a doubleheader with Game 1 featuring right-hander Austin Voth (0-5, 7.17 ERA) against veteran Aaron Nola (5-3, 2.92 ERA). Nats manager Davey Martinez will go with right-hander Paolo Espino as his starter in Game 2. Espino pitched in 12 games for the Brewers and Rangers in 2017, starting two for Milwaukee, and has...
What would it take for the Nationals to pull off a miracle?
What would it take for the Nationals to pull off a miracle?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If you're one of those who likes to cling to faint hopes and won't concede anything until it's 100 percent guaranteed, you're in luck. Because the Nationals, despite their ridiculously long odds, are still mathematically alive in the National League pennant race. And pretty much everything they needed to happen Monday night around the league actually happened. The evening began with the Nats having no more margin for error. Their tragic number to be eliminated from contention was two, with...
Kieboom suffers bone contusion in left hand, listed as day-to-day
Kieboom suffers bone contusion in left hand, listed as day-to-day
Byron Kerr
Nationals
In the bottom of the sixth in tonight's 5-1 Nationals win, third baseman Carter Kieboom was hit by a pitch on his left hand from a 95-mph sinker by Phillies starter Zack Wheeler. Kieboom went down holding his hand. He then walked over to the top steps of the Nats dugout with assistance from Nats director of athletic training Paul Lessard. Kieboom appeared to be attempting to flex his hand and Lessard checked the bones on the back of his hand. Manager Davey Martinez told his third baseman to...
Could O's fans be getting behind this team in playoffs?
Could O's fans be getting behind this team in playoffs?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the Orioles made the American League playoffs in 2012, they ended a 14-season drought with no playoff baseball. On Sunday, the San Diego Padres clinched their first playoff berth since 2006. That ends a run of nine consecutive losing seasons and 13 straight seasons without seeing the postseason. O's fans can relate to how Padres fans must feel this year, ending the long postseason drought. Sadly for them, it comes at a time when they can't even go to beautiful Petco Park to watch their...
Nationals top Phillies, avoid elimination (updated)
Nationals top Phillies, avoid elimination (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals took the field tonight knowing it could be the last time they do so this season for an officially meaningful game. Though they've privately conceded they aren't going to the playoffs for some time now, there was a chance they could actually be eliminated tonight, if they lost to the Phillies and the Reds beat the Brewers. Cincinnati did its part. But the Nationals did theirs, beating the Phillies 5-1 and surviving for at least one more day. Behind five effective (if elongated)...
Reviewing recent roster and player pool reconstruction
Reviewing recent roster and player pool reconstruction
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The trade that brought right-hander Conner Loeprich to the Orioles organization was announced in the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon's game against the Rays. In the middle of the filing frenzy, when most of the beat crew is rushing to get its stories ready to post after the final out - and hoping that the score and stats don't require a late adjustment. César Valdez was in the process of retiring the side in order for his second save. Leadoff hitter Willy Adames smoked a ball to the...