Overmatched Nats suffer four-game sweep to Dodgers (updated)
Overmatched Nats suffer four-game sweep to Dodgers (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
You can analyze this four-game sweep at the hands of the defending World Series champions until your face turns blue, but it really boils down to a simple fact: The Dodgers had 26 healthy and versatile players whom their manager trusted to be used over the course of a ballgame, and the Nationals did not. Over the course of a difficult holiday weekend on South Capitol Street, capped by a 5-1 loss before an Independence Day crowd of 37,187, Dave Roberts consistently utilized every player from his...
Valdez reinstated from IL, Mullins and Santander out of lineup
Valdez reinstated from IL, Mullins and Santander out of lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Reliever César Valdez has been reinstated today from the 10-day injured list, with reliever Isaac Mattson optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Valdez hasn't pitched since June 20 due to a lower back strain. A prolonged slump has raised his ERA to 5.74 and WHIP to 1.650 in 25 appearances and 26 2/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs in 12 2/3 innings in April and recorded six of his eight saves. Mattson made his second major league appearance last night and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless...
O's game blog: The road trip finale in Anaheim
O's game blog: The road trip finale in Anaheim
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles wrap up a three-city, 10-game road trip today in Anaheim and need a win or they will be swept three in a row by the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels beat the Orioles 8-7 on Friday night in a walk-off win and 4-1 last night behind right-hander Alex Cobb's strong start. The Orioles will wind up losing the first and third series on the road trip and sweeping Houston three straight in the middle leg. So, yes, strange trip. A loss today and they would go 1-6 playing Toronto and the Angels...
Game 82 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Game 82 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Good morning from Nationals Park - and, yes, it was morning when last we spoke. Less than 11 hours after they wrapped up a rain-delayed 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, the Nationals are back to work for their annual Independence Day morning game, needing a win to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the defending World Series champs. They will do so with a lineup that remains depleted. Trea Turner is out for the fourth straight day with a left finger injury. Yan Gomes also isn't catching today,...
O's bats slowed as Angels win 4-1 (updated)
O's bats slowed as Angels win 4-1 (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Former Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb got his season off to a good start this year with the Los Angeles Angels. He had an ERA of 3.78 through May. But the year took a downturn for him in June, when he pitched to an ERA of 7.32 over 19 2/3 innings. However, Cobb got back on track tonight and slowed down the O's bats that had produced seven runs last night, 34 runs the last four games and 46 runs over the last seven. Cobb and the Angels beat the Orioles 4-1 and have taken the first two games of...
After rain, Dodgers rally to send Nats back under .500 (updated)
After rain, Dodgers rally to send Nats back under .500 (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The largest crowd at a D.C.-area sporting event since Dec. 22, 2019, when the Washington Football Team hosted the New York Giants in Landover, gathered on South Capitol Street tonight to watch some baseball, get an early start on Independence Day weekend and witness a fireworks display on a picture-perfect Saturday evening. What the sellout crowd of 42,064 at Nationals Park got instead was a compelling yet ultimately frustrating 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, a 1-hour, 44-minute rain delay that...
How do injuries keep hounding Hunter Harvey?
How do injuries keep hounding Hunter Harvey?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles avoided a roster move with Maikel Franco, finishing their road trip today with the veteran third baseman still available to play. Having a four-man bench enabled the club to be a little more patient with him. "We got lucky there," said manager Brandon Hyde via Zoom. Franco could have been trampled in the stampede to the injured list. Reliever Travis Lakins Sr. moved from the 10-day to 60-day injured list yesterday, joining first baseman Chris Davis and infielder Richie Martin....
Renewing old friendships: Dylan Bundy on his time with O's
Renewing old friendships: Dylan Bundy on his time with O's
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After the Orioles traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for four minor league pitchers on Dec. 4, 2019, Dylan Bundy got a fresh start with a new club. The Orioles were the only team he had known. They drafted him No. 4 overall in 2011 and brought him to the big leagues. After pledging to throw his slider more, Bundy had a strong 2020 season, going 6-3 with a 3.29 ERA for the Angels. He finished ninth in the American League Cy Young voting. But the results have not been there this year, with the...
Updates on John Means and more, plus checking in with Dylan Bundy
Updates on John Means and more, plus checking in with Dylan Bundy
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde provided an update today on three pitchers that are currently on the 10-day injured list in starters John Means and Bruce Zimmermann and bullpen right-hander César Valdez. Hyde confirmed what was reported on the high Single-A Aberdeen Twitter feed earlier today. Means, who has not pitched since early June while out with a left shoulder strain, will make a rehab start for the IronBirds at Ripken Stadium on the Fourth of July game at 2:05 p.m. "He's starting his...
Orioles claim Shaun Anderson off waivers (plus lineups)
Orioles claim Shaun Anderson off waivers (plus lineups)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The roster moves keep coming for the Orioles. They've barely taken a breath today. Pitcher Shaun Anderson was claimed off waivers from the Rangers and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Pitcher Konner Wade was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Also, Stevie Wilkerson cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Norfolk. Anderson, 26, was a third-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2016 out of the University of Florida. He pitched for the Giants in 2019-20 and the...