Looking for fewer strikeouts versus the AL East, plus farm notes
Looking for fewer strikeouts versus the AL East, plus farm notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Put the ball in play and something good could happen. That has been true on offense in baseball forever. Although we are in an era now with big swings and big strikeout numbers. As the Orioles were held to four hits and lost 7-1 at Boston Friday night, they struck out just five times while drawing one walk. But as the Orioles look to get better and win more often in the rugged American League East, they are going to need to put the ball in play more versus other division clubs. Not only do...
Could Martinez shake up the lineup over the last two weeks?
Could Martinez shake up the lineup over the last two weeks?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
It ain't broke, don't fix it. A common phrase that Nationals manager Davey Martinez is taking to heart over the last month or so of the season as it pertains to his lineup. Ever since Lane Thomas solidified his role in the leadoff spot on Aug. 28, Martinez's lineups have mostly looked like this: CF Lane ThomasSS Alcides EscobarRF Juan Soto1B Josh BellLF Yadiel Hernandez3B Carter KieboomC Keibert Ruiz2B Luis GarcíaPitcher's spot Those top four spots haven't changed, essentially, and for...
Putting Jones' audition on hold takes him out of infield rotation
Putting Jones' audition on hold takes him out of infield rotation
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The decision late Thursday night to option Orioles infielder Jahmai Jones to Triple-A Norfolk apparently was made to provide consistent at-bats to a player who had migrated to the bench. His last start on Sept. 11 prompting a reporter to ask manager Brandon Hyde whether Jones was injured. That's one reason why Jones is gone. He would have stayed in the lineup if swinging a hotter bat and playing better in the field. And opportunities at second base were drying up, with Hyde preferring...
Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)
Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
There are only so many ways to say this, and given the frequency with which it's happening, we're running dangerously low on options. So I'll be blunt: The Nationals bullpen blew two more leads in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Rockies on South Capitol Street. Handed a one-run lead after a late rally in the eighth, Kyle Finnegan needed only three outs in the ninth to seal a win and record his 10th save of the season. Instead, he gave up a leadoff game-tying home run to blow his fourth save...
Hays' homer can't hold back 100th loss (updated)
Hays' homer can't hold back 100th loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - They didn't look like the Red Sox tonight. The yellow jerseys and powder blue caps. Promotional uniforms from Nike, also featured by six other clubs. Couldn't fool the Orioles, though. They knew which team was running up Keegan Akin's pitch count early, wrestling away a lead and preparing to hand them a 100th loss in 2021. Four of the first five hits off Akin were for extra bases, including Bobby Dalbec's leadoff home run in the fourth, left-hander Chris Sale marked his return from...
Orioles recall Knight, and other notes (and O's lineup)
Orioles recall Knight, and other notes (and O's lineup)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The Orioles have subtracted an infielder and added a reliever as they begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. A day after optioning Jahmai Jones, the club has recalled pitcher Dusten Knight from Triple-A Norfolk to provide another arm in their bullpen. Knight has made five appearances with the Orioles and allowed six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. He's walked four batters and struck out nine. Knight's most recent appearance with...
How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)
How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Wins and losses don't really point to the successes and failures of a starting pitcher. So many things can happen throughout the course of a game that are out of the pitchers' control, it wouldn't be fair to judge them on their record alone. There are other numbers that tell a better story. That being said, wins and losses aren't totally meaningless to pitchers. And for a young hurler, earning his first victory is an important milestone. For Josiah Gray, the new face of the Nationals'...
O's game blog: O's face Boston in series opener
O's game blog: O's face Boston in series opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After going 3-3 on their last road trip through the American League East cities of Toronto and New York, the Orioles begin their second-to-last road trip of the season tonight where they began their 2021 season, Fenway Park in Boston. That first series went great for Baltimore as the Orioles swept the three games by a combined 18-5 score. But in a return trip there in mid-August, the Orioles were outscored 30-5 and swept three straight by Boston, and that included a 16-2 loss. The Orioles...
Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies
Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
There are only 16 games left in the Nationals' season, which means Josiah Gray probably only has four starts remaining, starting with tonight's series opener against the Rockies. Gray started his career in D.C. strong, pitching to a 2.89 ERA over his first five starts. But he has since struggled with an ERA of 12.75 over his last three outings. If the right-hander wants to finish strong and give the organization confidence in him going into next year, he's going to have to limit the walks...
On O's farm, hitters take BP routine and turn it into runs
On O's farm, hitters take BP routine and turn it into runs
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE - In spring training of 2020, the Orioles implemented a new method for their minor league hitters to train with before games. Traditional batting practice, just to get loose by raking against slower, grooved fastballs, was going to be replaced by a routine that would be tougher for the hitters at 4 o'clock, but might lead to more production beginning at 7 o'clock. Then the lost minor league season put this plan on hold. But this year it's being implemented with full force throughout...