Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown
Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown
Josh Land
Nationals
Katherine Connors, the laid-back beauty queen from Iowa, threw the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Nationals Park. Connors met with Miguel Batista before the game and the reliever provided some first pitch tips. Batista urged Miss Iowa to take a few steps toward home plate, instead of throwing from the mound. He also encouraged her to throw high to avoid bouncing the pitch. She listened. It was high and a little outside, but Batista managed to snag it. One of the most anticipated...
Tonight's lineups
Tonight's lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 3B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Corey Patterson DH Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Royals: Chris Getz 2B Jason Kendall C Billy Butler 1B Jose Guillen DH Rick Ankiel CF Wilson Betemit 3B Alex Gordon LF Yuniesky Betancourt SS Mitch Maier RF Sean O'Sullivan RHP
July's 'Where in the Yard?' Winner
July's 'Where in the Yard?' Winner
Josh Land
Orioles
I had an idea who this month's winner might be before I even finished tallying up the points. He was so often first to the table and flush with bonus trivia, with a photo or two posted to the MASNsports.com Facebook page thrown in there as well. During the month of July, Chris in Baltimore racked up four points for a correct answer every week and a heavy handful of bonus points for his extra efforts during this month's 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest here in the O's Buzz. Charles B...
Minor matters
Minor matters
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Some notes from around the O's minors: *Triple-A Norfolk (50-57) plays at Scranton tonight with Chris George (5-4, 4.00) on the mound. He has allowed two runs over 12 innings in his past two starts. Robert Andino has hit .356-2-8 during a ten-game batting streak. Corey Patterson and Rhyne Hughes each hit in 11 in a row earlier for the Tides, a Norfolk season best. Norfolk relievers on a roll: *Armando Gabino is 2-0, 0.47 over his last six games with 18 K's in 19 1/3 IP. *Dennis Sarfate...
Left-Handed Pitcher Atahualpa Severino Recalled from Syracuse
Left-Handed Pitcher Atahualpa Severino Recalled from Syracuse
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Severino (pronounced ah-ta-WALL-pa sev-er-E-noh) went 4-2 with one save, nine holds and a 3.55 ERA in 40 relief appearances with the Chiefs. The 25-year-old pitched scoreless ball in 30 of his 40 outings and posted a .237 batting average against, including a stingy .205...
Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"
Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"
Josh Land
Nationals
Some community service projects sponsored by the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation take years to develop. Whether its fundraising for a world-class diabetes care clinic for children or developing a baseball academy for disadvantaged youth, making an impact takes time. But sometimes, one small project can also make a big difference. Just a few hours of service time can have a lasting and visible effect on the community. That was the case today as the Nationals hosted their 2nd annual...
Who does No. 2 work for?
Who does No. 2 work for?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I made it to Ocean Pines without having to pull off the road and blog about a trade. I won't bother to ask president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail whether he's close to making another deal. One phone call changes everything, and I'd need to sit next to him all day to make sure his original answer holds up. He hasn't extended the invitation. We've figured out that Josh Bell is the primary replacement for Miguel Tejada at third base, but who becomes the No. 2 hitter? Nick...
O's sign two more draft picks
O's sign two more draft picks
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have now agreed to terms with 31 of their 49 draft picks from last month. Thursday they came to terms with 10th-round pick, right-handed pitcher Clayton Schrader, from San Jacinto Junior College in Texas. He was the 298th overall selection. Today, the O's have come to terms with 8th-round pick Wynston Sawyer, a catcher from Scripps Ranch high school in San Diego. He is a 6'3", 185-pound, right-handed hitter that is 18 years old and was taken with the 238th pick. He had a...
Nationals Acquire Top Catching Prospect Wilson Ramos from Twins in Three-Player Trade
Nationals Acquire Top Catching Prospect Wilson Ramos from Twins in Three-Player Trade
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
Nationals Also Acquire Lefthander Joe Testa, Send Matt Capps to Minnesota The Washington Nationals tonight acquired catcher Wilson Ramos and left-handed pitcher Joe Testa from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed closer Matt Capps and cash considerations. The Nationals then optioned Ramos to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and assigned Testa to Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A few observations before I load up my car for another weekend trip to Ocean Pines, where my family will be celebrating my sister's birthday. That would be my older sister. My opinion of the Miguel Tejada trade? The Orioles weren't going to get much for him and they ended up with a Double-A power arm, belonging to Wynn Pelzer, who was ranked the seventh-best prospect in the Padres' organization by Baseball America. They could have done a lot worse. Not a ringing endorsement, but that's...