What's next for Chandler Shepherd?
What's next for Chandler Shepherd?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - Chandler Shepherd is in that uncertain state where he could stay with the Orioles based on a largely effective relief outing or be optioned based on a largely effective relief outing. Shepherd worked four innings last night and threw 68 pitches, trading a start with Triple-A Norfolk for his major league debut. Other relievers in the past have been sent down, no matter the results, based on their lack of availability in the coming days. Manager Brandon Hyde wasn't ready to reveal a...
Hudson delivers four outs for first save with Nationals
Hudson delivers four outs for first save with Nationals
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When Daniel Hudson trotted in from the bullpen with two outs in the eighth Tuesday night, many among the crowd of 30,130 at Nationals Park may have been wondering whether Davey Martinez intended to ask his recently acquired reliever to give him a four-out save, or whether Martinez simply wanted him to get out of the inning before handing the ball to someone else for the ninth. Hudson didn't need to ask the question. He already knew the plan hours earlier. "Davey told me before the game to be...
Injury and ailment no big deal for Soto and Dozier in 3-1 win
Injury and ailment no big deal for Soto and Dozier in 3-1 win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It appears Juan Soto's ankle is just fine. So is Brian Dozier's stomach. Soto and Dozier crushed solo homers in the fourth inning, providing Joe Ross and the bullpen enough breathing room to help the Nationals drop the Reds 3-1. Soto hit home run No. 25 into the second deck of right field to give the Nats a 2-0 lead. It was his fourth homer in his last 10 at-bats. The 20-year-old said he has been fine-tuning his swing with the Nats hitting coach Kevin Long. "I feel really well at the...
Means struggles again in 8-3 loss (with quotes)
Means struggles again in 8-3 loss (with quotes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - One pitch from John Means tonight, the first ball to leave his hand, brought evidence that the feeling of déjà vu also makes a sound. Leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu pulled a 91 mph fastball into the left field seats for the latest home run surrendered to the Yankees. The eighth run allowed in the first inning in three games in the series. The only break in tradition was that it didn't involve Gleyber Torres. Torres was tamed for one night by his standards, settling for a single...
Ross dominates again, bullpen pieces together the rest (updated)
Ross dominates again, bullpen pieces together the rest (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The longest scoreless innings streak from a member of the Nationals pitching staff this season doesn't belong to Max Scherzer. It doesn't belong to Stephen Strasburg. It doesn't belong to Patrick Corbin. And it doesn't belong to Sean Doolittle. It belongs to Joe Ross. And if that fact doesn't surprise you, you haven't been paying close attention to the 2019 season. Given up for dead by everyone other than the folks who call the shots in the Nationals organization, Ross has completely...
Soto and Dozier go yard (Nats win 3-1)
Soto and Dozier go yard (Nats win 3-1)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals scored first on an interesting double play to end the top of the first inning. With one out, Victor Robles doubled. Anthony Rendon singled with Robles taking third base. Juan Soto's hot shot was gloved by Joey Votto at first. Votto stepped on first to retire Soto, then threw to shortstop José Iglesias to tag Rendon out at second base. When Votto stepped on first base, that eliminated the force out. Robles crossed the plate before Rendon was tagged out at second base, so the...
O's game blog: Looking to end a losing streak against Yankees
O's game blog: Looking to end a losing streak against Yankees
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles (39-80) play game No. 120 tonight as they try to snap a 14-game losing streak to the New York Yankees. New York swept Monday's day-night doubleheader by 8-5 and 11-8 scores, scoring 19 runs and hitting seven home runs. In going 15-2 this season against the Orioles, New York has scored 137 runs (8.1 per game) and hit 59 homers (3.5 per game). New York has scored eight or more runs eight times in 2019 against the Orioles. In their last five games, the Yankees have scored 51...
Updates on Stewart, bullpen and rotation (O's down 8-2)
Updates on Stewart, bullpen and rotation (O's down 8-2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - Outfielder DJ Stewart will go on a brief rehab assignment before the Orioles activate him from the seven-day concussion injured list. Stewart will join Triple-A Norfolk in Pawtucket and play in two games before coming back to the Orioles on Friday in Boston, where a roster move will be made. The latest move for a club that's in a constant state of change. The bullpen has been impacted the most, with Chandler Shepherd the latest pitcher to settle into the group. The Orioles have used...
After sim game, Nats must decide if Scherzer is ready to return
After sim game, Nats must decide if Scherzer is ready to return
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer emerged from a simulated game at Nationals Park this afternoon feeling "really good," perhaps good enough to convince club officials to let the ace return from the injured list without facing live hitters again. That determination won't be made for a few more days, not until Scherzer has a chance to see how his upper back recovers from today's two-inning-plus session and he attempts to throw off a mound again Thursday. But the fact it's even being considered is extremely...
Soto and Dozier return to the starting lineup
Soto and Dozier return to the starting lineup
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It turns out that left fielder Juan Soto's right ankle is good to go and he is back in the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Reds. Soto was injured rounding third base late in Sunday's win over the Mets and had to leave the game. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he had to hold Soto back from trying to get into Monday night's game as well. "He checked all the boxes. We got him on the field, he ran angles. He turned like he was running the bases. The biggest thing was the...