This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey left the alternate camp site in Bowie yesterday and joined his teammates at Camden Yards for the home opener. He arrived at the ballpark around 3 p.m. and headed through the gate reserved for players. Harvey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and won't be activated today. However, left-hander John Means is coming off the IL and making the start against the Yankees. Manager Brandon Hyde already knew that Harvey and reliever Dillon...
Hudson and Rainey step up with power pitches to finally drop Blue Jays
Hudson and Rainey step up with power pitches to finally drop Blue Jays
Byron Kerr
Nationals
In pitchers' duel that continued into the late innings of a scoreless tie, the Nats bullpen took center stage. After the Nats finally got on the board, a pair of power relievers completed the shutout. Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey combined to strike out six batters over the course of the final eight outs as the Nats notched a much-needed win in a 4-0 shutout of the Blue Jays in 10 innings. Max Scherzer pitched into the eighth, but gave up a single and later a walk in that inning. With one...
Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)
Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The orange carpet wasn't unrolled tonight at Camden Yards. Players walked out of the dugouts and lined up sans the traditional introductions. The only bunting used was intended to advance a runner. The Orioles held their home opener in understated fashion, adapting to the new policies implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic. A video played at 7:12 p.m. celebrating baseball's return but also calling for an end to racial injustice and reminding everyone of the importance of wearing...
O's allow three homers, lose home opener to New York
O's allow three homers, lose home opener to New York
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles, who went 2-17 against the New York Yankees last year, extended two long losing streaks against them tonight. They could not get to right-hander Gerrit Cole until late in the night and New York enjoyed more longballs at Oriole Park. O's right-hander Asher Wojciechowski looked like he had some decent stuff - he fanned seven in five innings and got 18 swings and misses - but he also gave up three homers that were not exactly crushed. But that was enough to do him in. The Yankees...
Nats win 10-inning pitchers' duel to snap skid (updated)
Nats win 10-inning pitchers' duel to snap skid (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Whether played in Washington, Toronto, Buffalo or Sheboygan, tonight's game between the Nationals and Blue Jays deserved to be played in front of a packed house. It was that good. Alas, you can't play a ballgame in front of anyone right now, so the select few who were allowed inside Nationals Park to witness this taut pitchers' duel that ended as a 4-0, 10-inning victory for the Nats could only appreciate it for everyone else watching at home. Playing under Major League Baseball's funky new...
Scherzer and rookie Pearson in pitching duel (Nats win 4-0 in 10)
Scherzer and rookie Pearson in pitching duel (Nats win 4-0 in 10)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Top Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson went toe-to-toe with three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer Wednesday night at Nats Park in Toronto's "home" opener. In the first three innings, Pearson allowed one hit and two walks but no runs, with two strikeouts. His fastball ranging from 96 to 98 mph. In the first inning, Adam Eaton walked with one out and stole second base. He got to third with two outs but was stranded there on an Eric Thames' line drive out to left field. In the third...
Orioles trying to feel normal in unusual home opener
Orioles trying to feel normal in unusual home opener
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles took batting practice this afternoon on a field that looked as it did for intrasquad games and an exhibition. Nothing to indicate that they were going to hold their home opening day. No pomp due to the circumstances. They didn't need any frills. They just wanted to get settled in their own ballpark after the scare they received earlier in the week in Miami. "We're extremely excited for opening day here," manager Brandon Hyde said during his Zoom conference call. "It's...
Davis away from ballpark for tonight's home opener
Davis away from ballpark for tonight's home opener
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Davis admitted last night that his safety concerns increased after seeing reports of the positive COVID-19 tests among Marlins players. He also said he'd probably wear a mask at first base. Davis gave the impression that he'd be playing in tonight's home opener against the Yankees, but he's absent from the lineup and away from the team. Renato Núñez has replaced Davis in the field and the Orioles are short one player. "CD, he's not here today," manager Brandon Hyde said...
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Davis is out of the Orioles' lineup tonight for their first home game of the 2020 season. Renato Núñez is playing first base and Dwight Smith Jr. is the designated hitter. Davis was 1-for-11 with an RBI double in Boston. José Iglesias continues to bat third. Anthony Santander is one spot ahead of him. DJ Stewart is in left field. Orioles pitchers haven't issued a walk in the last two games. The club record is three straight on July 1-3, 1980. For the Orioles Austin Hays CF...
Soto cleared to play, waiting on D.C.; Strasburg "day-to-day"
Soto cleared to play, waiting on D.C.; Strasburg "day-to-day"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Martinez opened his pregame video call with the announcement that Juan Soto has been cleared to return to play by Major League Baseball. Martinez confirmed the outfielder has had two negative lab tests in a row for COVID-19. But now there is still one more hurdle before the Nats can get him back to playing baseball. "We're still waiting for clearance from the D.C. Health Department," Martinez said. "We hope to have him back Aug. 1, so he could work out with us...