Digging into Orioles' past
Digging into Orioles' past
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Has any team with 100-plus losses tied or set more positive records than the 2019 Orioles? The season will go down as one of the oddest in franchise history. It was many things - boring not among them. Here's one of the nuggets that left me shaking my head: Ten players hit 10 or more home runs to tie the record shared by the 1998 and 2000 teams. Maybe you would have expected Trey Mancini, Renato Núñez and Jonathan Villar to do it. Perhaps you were bold enough to project that Anthony...
Soto's early homer sets tone in Game 3 (Nats fall 10-4)
Soto's early homer sets tone in Game 3 (Nats fall 10-4)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Juan Soto blasted a two-run shot over the center field wall to put the Nationals on top in the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Nats Park. Soto became the eighth player in Major League Baseball history under 21 to hit a home run in a postseason game. Aníbal Sánchez has six strikeouts, including punching out the side in the second. The Dodgers left the bases loaded in the first. Sánchez allowed two walks and a single to Justin Turner, but got out of the...
Scherzer: Holding back for Game 4 "probably the best thing"
Scherzer: Holding back for Game 4 "probably the best thing"
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The conversation took place late Friday night, after the Nationals had hung on for a dramatic 4-2 win over the Dodgers to even up their best-of-five National League Division Series. Max Scherzer, who made a surprise 14-pitch relief appearance to help make that win possible, and Davey Martinez met in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse to decide when the ace would next start: Game 3 tonight or Game 4 on Monday. The decision wasn't complicated. The already well-rested Aníbal Sánchez would start...
Robles' MRI reveals mild right hamstring strain
Robles' MRI reveals mild right hamstring strain
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Victor Robles will not start in tonight's National League Division Series Game 3 due to a mild strain of his right hamstring. Nationals skipper Davey Martinez said Robles is available as an "emergency" pinch-hitter. "He had a MRI and it's a very, very mild strain," Martinez said. "His right hamstring. If need be, on an emergency (basis), he'll be available to pinch-hit. As we all know how Victor plays, he wanted to play today, but I really believe that it's best that ... we get him...
NLDS Game 3 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
NLDS Game 3 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals now look to get greedy after knotting the best-of-five National League Division Series at one game apiece with a thrilling 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Friday night in Los Angeles. Now they enjoy home field advantage with the next two games at Nationals Park. The Nats have decided on Aníbal Sánchez as their Game 3 starter. Max Scherzer, who was scheduled to start today, threw 14 pitches in a shutout eighth inning in Game 2. Sanchez has not pitched since Sept. 25 and has...
Sánchez gets nod for Game 3 tonight
Sánchez gets nod for Game 3 tonight
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Aníbal Sánchez will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series tonight, giving Max Scherzer an extra day to recover from his relief appearance before the Nationals ace likely starts Game 4 against the Dodgers on Monday. The Nationals had delayed making a decision on tonight's starter, wanting to see how Scherzer felt in the wake of his dominant, 14-pitch relief outing in Game 2 on Friday night. Originally announced as their Game 3 starter, Scherzer instead will be held back and...
Remembering two seasons spent working with Andy Etchebarren
Remembering two seasons spent working with Andy Etchebarren
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Sometime late in 2003, a mean man decided I should no longer work as sports director at WBAL Radio and that I should exit stage right. So I did, not knowing what might come next. For a few years, it was broadcasting play-by-play on the radio for both the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds and the Florida State Seminoles. I treasure the memories of working for both teams. So it was a bit jarring last night to learn of the passing of former Orioles catcher Andy Etchebarren at 76. Etch was...
Alberto in arbitration adds to his story
Alberto in arbitration adds to his story
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The bizarre and unexpected story of Orioles infielder Hanser Alberto includes how he's first-time eligible for arbitration. And how that's actually an interesting development. Alberto made $578,000 this season and you can say he earned it. Lost and reclaimed via waivers in spring training, Alberto appeared in 139 games with the Orioles and that alone is a stunner. He wasn't supposed to beat out veteran Alcides Escobar for a utility infield job until he did. Jack Reinheimer and Zach Vincej...
Plenty of questions for Nationals to answer before Game 3
Plenty of questions for Nationals to answer before Game 3
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals spent most of their Saturday in the sky, electing to get a full night's sleep in Los Angeles following their intense Game 2 win over the Dodgers and take a charter flight that wasn't scheduled to arrive back in Washington until after 8 p.m. It gave them plenty of time to think back to all the critical moments in Friday night's game at Dodger Stadium, all the moves that worked to even up the National League Division Series at one game apiece. It also gave them plenty of time to...
Nats go out and have fun in stunning Game 2 win
Nats go out and have fun in stunning Game 2 win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
"Just have fun." It's almost as common a phrase as the "go 1-0 today" you pretty much hear every game day from Nationals manager Davey Martinez. And really the "fun" is more or less just relaxing at the plate, relaxing on the mound. But can you have fun before 53,086 at Dodger Stadium in the most important game of the year, after the Nationals had scored zero runs in the series opener? In the playoffs? Against a 106-win team that has been to back-to-back World Series? Easier said than...