Notes on starter innings, Baumann at Triple-A and draft picks get going
Notes on starter innings, Baumann at Triple-A and draft picks get going
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It won't always be this simple, but it is so far in the second half of the 2021 season. The Orioles are unbeaten when their starter pitches six innings or more. They have done that in six of the 15 games since the All-Star Game and the Orioles are 6-0 in those games. It should be pointed out that they actually had a losing record of 7-9 in the 16 games in which their starter went six or more innings during the first half of the season. But getting better and deeper starts is one big reason why...
Fedde pushed early, Hernandez wins it late for Nats (updated)
Fedde pushed early, Hernandez wins it late for Nats (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If you're wondering - for practical, in-game purposes - what will be different the next two months from everything that came before it, here was a good example in the top of the sixth this afternoon at Nationals Park. Erick Fedde, who had been cruising along against a depleted Cubs lineup, opened that frame allowing a single to Andrew Romine, then a two-run homer to Rafael Ortega at the end of a long, seven-pitch at-bat. The Nationals' lead was down to one, Fedde's pitch count was up to 91...
Watkins retires 14 straight, but Orioles lose 6-2 (updated)
Watkins retires 14 straight, but Orioles lose 6-2 (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A fastball from Spenser Watkins in the first inning this afternoon caught the top of the strike zone or just missed it, depending on the perspective from the mound and behind home plate. Watkins wanted the call, which would have closed out the inning without a runner reaching base. Umpire Marvin Hudson didn't give it to him. Hudson had the final word. The ensuing walk led to another, followed by the only two hits off Watkins through the fifth. The Tigers finally broke through again in the...
Spenser Watkins pitches into sixth, but O's lose series finale
Spenser Watkins pitches into sixth, but O's lose series finale
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Only three Tigers got hits today off former Detroit farmhand and current O's right-hander Spenser Watkins. But his day was a mixed bag of a rough start and some late frustration as Detroit beat the Orioles 6-2 to level the four-game series at two wins each. After he gave up three runs after getting the first two batters out in the last of the first, Watkins settled in nicely. He gave the O's a solid outing and retired 14 in a row from the end of the first into the sixth. Watkins went 5 2/3...
Gray will debut Monday, Ruiz goes to Triple-A for now
Gray will debut Monday, Ruiz goes to Triple-A for now
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Josiah Gray, the top pitching prospect the Nationals acquired in this week's blockbuster trade with the Dodgers, will make his debut for the club Monday night, starting the series opener against the Phillies. The Nats officially added Gray to their active roster this morning, giving him a day to get acclimated before he takes the mound for the first of what they hope is many starts in the coming years after making him one of their centerpiece acquisitions in exchange for stars Max Scherzer and...
Scott placed on injured list (and other notes)
Scott placed on injured list (and other notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are placing reliever Tanner Scott on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee. Pitcher Keegan Akin is taking his place on the active roster and in the bullpen. Akin is reinstated today from the COVID-19 injured list. Pitcher Thomas Eshelman has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Scott is 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.488 WHIP in 48 games. He's averaging 6.8 walks and 13 strikeouts per nine innings. The injury came as Scott remained in the...
O's game blog: Looking for a series win at Detroit
O's game blog: Looking for a series win at Detroit
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After winning back-to-back games behind strong starting pitching at Detroit, the Orioles have secured at least a split of the four-game series. Now they look for one more victory and to win their third series in five tries since the All-Star break. Behind right-hander Matt Harvey Friday and lefty John Means last night, the Orioles beat Detroit 4-3 and 5-2. Means and Harvey allowed just one run over 12 combined innings. The Orioles are finally getting some deeper and better outings from their...
Game 105 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs
Game 105 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's a gray Sunday at Nationals Park, and I actually mean that in the literal sense. Rain is forecast on and off throughout the afternoon. Hopefully, it doesn't impact the game, but the grounds crew has the tarp ready to go just in case. Metaphorically, it's been a gray several days for the Nats, who just wrapped up one of the worst months in club history, going 8-18. And that's just their record. As we know, a whole lot of other stuff happened that wasn't directly related to wins and...
Orioles and Tigers lineups
Orioles and Tigers lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Austin Hays is leading off today and playing left field and Ryan McKenna is in center as the Orioles close out their series in Detroit and attempt to win three of four games. Maikel Franco moves up to fifth in the lineup. Pat Valaika is playing shortstop. Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Cedric Mullins and Ramón Urías get a breather. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter today. He has 10 hits and seven RBIs in his last 10 games. Spenser Watkins is making his fifth major league start...
John Means: "I'm excited for where this team is going"
John Means: "I'm excited for where this team is going"
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For a team that desperately needed better starting pitching after a first half when Baltimore's rotation ERA was 6.11, the Orioles are starting to get that. Deeper outings. Better outings. A nice change, to say the least. To see Matt Harvey and John Means hold Detroit to one run over the last two nights over their combined 12 innings was encouraging. A Tigers team that was 10-4 since the break heading into Friday's game. A Tigers team that beat Minnesota 17-14 Wednesday night and then beat...