Soto and Suzuki lift Ross early (Nats win 8-2)
Soto and Suzuki lift Ross early (Nats win 8-2)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
In the final game of the regular season, the Nats got on the board in the first inning against Mike Clevinger and the Indians. Trea Turner singled and stole second base. After two outs, Juan Soto doubled to right field to score Turner. In the top of the third, the Indians answered back with a solo homer from Francisco Lindor over the right field wall off Nats starter Joe Ross. It was his 32nd homer of the season. He also led off the game with a double. In the bottom of the third, Kurt Suzuki...
Hays on closing out his 2019 season (tied 4-4)
Hays on closing out his 2019 season (tied 4-4)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - Austin Hays grounded out in his first at-bat this afternoon, on the last day that he's going to play baseball in 2019. Hays no longer is headed to the Arizona Fall League and can return home, as the rest of his teammates are doing after the last out is recorded. He's hopping on the team charter, taking with him a tremendous sense of accomplishment. "It's nice to be able to close this season on a good note and just try to carry this momentum into spring training next year," he said...
After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday
After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
With nothing at stake in today's regular season finale, Davey Martinez should be able to enjoy a rare, stress-free afternoon at the ballpark. The Nationals manager insists that will not be the case. "No, they're all stressful," he said with a laugh. "I love what I do. I enjoy what I do, but ... you know, I wear whatever these guys do. I want 'em all to do good. So it doesn't matter who's playing. As long as you're wearing the Nationals uniform, I want 'em all to do good." Martinez...
Hays no longer ticketed for Arizona Fall League
Hays no longer ticketed for Arizona Fall League
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The Orioles have changed their plans regarding outfielder Austin Hays, choosing to shut him down after today's game instead of sending him to the Arizona Fall League. Hays had been part of the Surprise Saguaros' roster until the Orioles learned that they could recall him this month prior to the assignment - a new rule implemented by Major League Baseball. The decision is based on Hays' at-bats, a total that's reached 415 with the 64 that he's accumulated with the Orioles. He's in...
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - Jonathan Villar stays in the Orioles lineup this afternoon and is going to play in all 162 games. Villar is the first Orioles player to do it since Jonathan Schoop in 2016. Mark Trumbo is playing his final game with the Orioles, serving today as the designated hitter. Austin Hays is in center field and Austin Wynns is catching again. Stevie Wilkerson is in right field. Renato Núñez is playing first base. Chandler Shepherd, the former 13th-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014, makes...
Game 162 lineups: Nats vs. Indians
Game 162 lineups: Nats vs. Indians
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's Game 162, which has meant many different things over the years. Sometimes it's a celebration of a great regular season and final prep for the Division Series. Sometimes it's a meaningful game to determine a postseason berth or home-field advantage. Sometimes it's the end of a long road that won't continue. For the Nationals, this Game 162 is simply a bridge between a week's worth of big games and Tuesday's wild card showdown. The only thing at stake is a chance to finish 93-69,...
Scherzer "building up" for Tuesday wild card start
Scherzer "building up" for Tuesday wild card start
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed his ace, Max Scherzer, will get the start in Tuesday's National League wild card game at Nats Park. The first pitch will be a little after 8 p.m. against the Brewers or the Cardinals. It will mark Scherzer's 14th postseason start. Colorado beat Milwaukee 3-2 in 10 innings and the Cubs toppled the Cardinals 8-6 yesterday. St. Louis leads the Brewers by one game for the NL Central title. If the Cardinals lose today and the Brewers win, they will have a...
O's game blog: Game 162 to wrap up the 2019 season
O's game blog: Game 162 to wrap up the 2019 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have had five chances this year to win the final game of a series to sweep that series, and they are 0-5 in those games. Today, on the final day of the 2019 season, they get one last chance for a series sweep. They beat Boston 4-1 Friday night and 9-4 yesterday, and look for the three-game sweep this afternoon at Fenway Park. Once this year the Orioles won the opener of a two-game series but lost the second game. That happened Aug. 28 at Washington. They won the first two games and...
Orioles reach end of 2019 season
Orioles reach end of 2019 season
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The final Orioles lineup of the 2019 season will be posted later this morning. We've moved past penultimate. The word is placed in storage until the next-to-last exhibition game unless someone is bold enough to break it out on the Wednesday of baseball's Winter Meetings. The lineup is going to include Mark Trumbo, playing his last game with the club and perhaps in his career. Anthony Santander is expected to sit again, having already completed his mission of getting back to the...
Nats turn to offense to secure home field Tuesday with 10-7 win
Nats turn to offense to secure home field Tuesday with 10-7 win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals raced out to a big early lead, then held off the Indians the rest of the way for a 10-7 victory over the Indians at Nats Park. The win guarantees the Nats home field advantage for Tuesday's National League wild card game. After starting the season 19-31, the Nats rebounded to go 72-38 (.655), and are now 92-69 with one game remaining in the regular season. Gerardo Parra crushed his second grand slam of the season, Anthony Rendon delivered a two-run double in a nine-run second...