Martinez, Nats coaches to wear No. 21 in honor of Clemente
Martinez, Nats coaches to wear No. 21 in honor of Clemente
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
During his 16 seasons as a major league player, Davey Martinez wore five different jersey numbers: 1, 3, 14, 17 and 30. And during his decade-plus as a coach and manager, Martinez has worn No. 4. Tonight, when he steps out of the dugout at Nationals Park and lines up for the national anthem before their series opener against the Braves, he'll finally have the No. 21 on his back. With Major League Baseball celebrating Roberto Clemente Day and granting permission for players and other uniformed...
At 32, Yadiel Hernández finally gets a shot in the major leagues
At 32, Yadiel Hernández finally gets a shot in the major leagues
Byron Kerr
Nationals
For the first time in his career, outfielder Yadiel Hernández has been promoted to the big leagues. With a roster spot open due to the hamstring injury suffered by Howie Kendrick that landed him on the injured list, the Nationals announced they had purchased the contract of the 32-year-old Cuban-born outfielder. Hernández joined the Nats on Oct. 1, 2016. From 2009-14, he played for Cocodrilos de Matanzas of the Cuban Baseball Federation, joining the league at the age of 21. He also has...
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pat Valaika is getting another start at first base as the Orioles begin an important four-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium. Renato Núñez is the designated hitter. José Iglesias is starting at shortstop again rather than being used as the DH to compensate for a sore left quadriceps muscle. Ryan Mountcastle is the cleanup hitter behind DJ Stewart. Hanser Alberto moves down to eighth in the order. The Orioles trail the Yankees by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the American...
Game 42 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
Game 42 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
How do you stop a team that just scored 29 runs last night? By sending your winless No. 5 starter with an 8.26 ERA to the mound, obviously. On paper, tonight's matchup does not appear to favor the Nationals. Austin Voth is pitching, still seeking his first win in his eighth start of the season. And he's facing a Braves lineup that just set a modern National League record last night with 29 runs in a blowout win over the Marlins, a game in which they actually didn't score in either the first...
Nationals select contract of Yadiel Hernández
Nationals select contract of Yadiel Hernández
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals selected the contract of outfielder Yadiel Hernández on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Nationals placed first baseman/designated hitter Howie Kendrick on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain (retroactive to Sept. 6). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Hernández, 32, joins the active roster for the first time and his first appearance will be his Major League debut. He was Washington's 2019...
O's head to Bronx and Elias talks prospects (game rained out)
O's head to Bronx and Elias talks prospects (game rained out)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Few games this season have started so well for the Orioles on offense. They had a 5-1 lead in the third inning after Hanser Alberto singled in a run. To that point in the game, they were 10-for-16 at bat and 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Well, we didn't know then that the Orioles would go 0-for-7 with RISP the rest of that game and score just one more run. It opened the door for a New York Mets comeback and they beat the Orioles 7-6 at Citi Field. Right-hander Jorge López gave...
Improved depth providing Orioles with playoff push
Improved depth providing Orioles with playoff push
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If Austin Hays is able to come off the injured list next week, as he's projecting, manager Brandon Hyde will be tasked with figuring out how to occupy center field. Decisions must be made regarding Hays and Cedric Mullins, who collected two more hits last night and has been an outstanding replacement. Whether or not Hays is back in center field on a full-time basis, he's going to be plopped in the middle of a pennant race. He's been watching from the alternate camp site in Bowie, where he's...
What to make of the Nationals' sudden resurgence
What to make of the Nationals' sudden resurgence
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They fell to 12 games under .500, their low point in what to date had been a dismal season that was slipping away before their eyes. And then something inexplicable flipped the switch and they started winning and started looking like they were actually enjoying themselves again for the first time all year. It happened in late May 2019, and we know how that turned out in the end. Now it's starting to happen in early September 2020, and the Nationals can't help but wonder how it will end this...
Harvey surrenders late home run in 7-6 loss (updated)
Harvey surrenders late home run in 7-6 loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cedric Mullins is starting in center field because Austin Hays has a fractured rib. He led off tonight's game with a single and scored the first run. DJ Stewart is playing right field because Anthony Santander has a strained oblique. He singled in the first inning to move Renato Núñez to third base. Ryan Mountcastle is starting in left field because the Orioles no longer had any reason to hold back one of their top prospects. His single in the first scored Núñez to build on an...
O's game blog: Trying to extend a winning streak
O's game blog: Trying to extend a winning streak
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After hitting four homers in an 11-2 win over the New York Mets last night, the Orioles face the same club tonight as their playoff pursuit continues. The Orioles begin play 1/2 game back of the New York Yankees for the No. 8 American League playoff berth. The Orioles (20-21) have won four in a row and six of their last eight games. They are 9-7 against National League teams, and that is 9-3 since they got swept four in a row by the Miami Marlins at home in early August. The O's team ERA is...