Nats flip script to end losing streak, blast past Braves (updated)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
ATLANTA – It was raining heavily here this morning. There was a point when the forecast didn’t look conducive to playing baseball. But the rain cleared out, the tarp was removed from the infield and this afternoon’s finale between the Nationals and Braves went off without a hitch. And as the clouds cleared out for sunny skies, so did the clouds tha
O's game blog: Going for a three-game sweep against Kansas City
Steve Melewski
Orioles
From April 21-23, the Orioles swept three straight at home from Detroit, beating the Tigers by a combined 9-3 score. From May 19-21 they swept three at Toronto, outscoring the Blue Jays 20-10. Today they can complete a three-game sweep of Kansas City if they win this afternoon at Oriole Park.  The Orioles (40-24) have beaten the Royals by 3-2 and 6
Nats skipping Irvin's next turn in rotation
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
ATLANTA – The Nationals are going to use these couple of off-days over this week to give one of their young starters some extra rest. Jake Irvin will have his next start skipped in the rotation, with the Nats listing Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore as the probable starters for the upcoming three-game series against the Astros. Thursd
Orioles and Royals lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are breaking out another version of their lineup for today’s series finale against the Royals. Ryan Mountcastle is on the bench again due to an illness. Adley Rutschman isn’t starting, though he always seems to find his way into a game. Josh Lester is the first baseman today. Ryan O’Hearn is starting in right field and batting fourth. G
Game 64 lineups: Nats at Braves
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
ATLANTA – The Nationals need a stopper and they need one badly. Or do they need more offense and need that badly? They could use both as they try to snap this six-game losing streak and escape Atlanta with at least one win today. Trevor Williams will attempt to be the stopper. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.335 WHIP in his first 12 s
bautista-pitching-white
A 20.5 K rate for the last month? Yep, Félix Bautista has been that dominant
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If you think O’s closer Felix Bautista is having a better season than even last year, when he closed games well for the club late in 2022, you would be right. His ERA is lower and his strikeout rate is much higher, and he is a pitcher on a tremendous roll right now. For the year, over 30 games and 31 innings, he is 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA and 17 saves,
Nats still in search of some power
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
ATLANTA – However close the first two games between the Nationals and Braves this weekend were, one thing has been abundantly clear: One team has power in full supply and one is seriously lacking. You can probably guess which team is which. The Nationals were doomed by this stark difference yesterday. The Braves hit two home runs, both two-run shot
Bautista is strikeout binging in 2023
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles scored twice in the first inning yesterday and Gunnar Henderson homered into the bullpen in the second. A three-run lead before some fans had found their seats. Félix Bautista had pitched on back-to-back days and in three of the last four, refusing to allow a run or issue a walk, limiting opponents to one measly hit and striking out sev
O's use solid Cole Irvin outing, early offense to beat Kansas City (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In an attempt to take the first two games of this series, the Orioles sent left-hander Cole Irvin to the mound today. He would have a chance to pitch his team to a win and perhaps to pitch himself back into the starting five in the rotation. Today he was a big part of doing the first part and probably got the second done as well. Irvin allowed one
Difference in power leads to Nats' sixth straight loss (updated)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
ATLANTA – A major difference between the Nationals and Braves is power at the plate. The Braves have it. The Nationals do not. The Nats have hit the second-fewest homers in the majors and fewest in the National League. Meanwhile, the Braves have hit the third-most in the majors and second-most in the NL. That difference was pretty glaring in today’