If offered slot in Home Run Derby, Schwarber would likely pass
If offered slot in Home Run Derby, Schwarber would likely pass
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Given the historic home run barrage he's been on over the last 2 1/2 weeks, it's only been natural to wonder if Kyle Schwarber is going to earn a coveted spot in the upcoming Home Run Derby at Coors Field. Schwarber, though, all but said Tuesday night he doesn't expect to find himself in Colorado in two weeks for the annual midsummer power exhibition that leads into the following night's All-Star Game. "If I was approached, I would probably not do it just in terms of ... you get a little...
Feeling a draft: Jim Callis on the O's at No. 5
Feeling a draft: Jim Callis on the O's at No. 5
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On Sunday, July 11, the First-Year Player Draft for 2021 will begin at 7 p.m. There is no consensus No. 1 pick this year, as in some previous years, but there is surely plenty of speculation about what the Orioles will do. After executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias selected Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman No. 1 overall in 2019 and Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad No. 2 overall last year, he will make the No. 5 pick in round one this time. In a Zoom interview taped...
Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)
Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A bullpen game to compensate for optioning a starter to the minors is a shakier proposition when six relievers are used the previous night. At least the Orioles planned on it tonight. Well, part of it. The Astros unexpectedly tapped into their bullpen in the second inning to replace injured starter José Urquidy. Travis Lakins Sr. exited with an injury after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. There are bullpen games and then there are emergency situations, mad...
Where will trade winds blow next month?
Where will trade winds blow next month?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The draft and All-Star break are approaching in Major League Baseball, running together like colors in the wash. They also move the sport closer to the trade deadline and stacking of chips. The Orioles have taken some hits, their pile reduced, but there's still the potential for some movement. Freddy Galvis isn't going anywhere after straining his right quadriceps muscle Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. Manager Brandon Hyde described it as a "Grade 1-plus" and projected a one- to two-month...
Schwarber starts with a bang, Hand hangs on late (updated)
Schwarber starts with a bang, Hand hangs on late (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's not quite on par with Dodger Stadium, but Nationals Park typically takes a couple innings to fill up most nights. Such is life in this traffic-infested town we call home. If you've got a ticket to watch the local nine, though, you might want to start budgeting some extra commuting time to make sure you're in your seats well before the first pitch of the bottom of the first. Because if you're not here, there's a good chance you're going to miss something memorable from the hottest...
O's game blog: Travis Lakins Sr. gets start against Houston
O's game blog: Travis Lakins Sr. gets start against Houston
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Travis Lakins Sr. gets a spot start for the Orioles tonight as they play at Houston in the second of a three-game series. The Orioles scored five runs in the ninth last night - two more than they scored last week in three games against Houston - and they won 9-7. It was their most runs and hits (15) in one game since June 8 in a 10-3 win over the New York Mets. Last night the top five in the Baltimore order - Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays, Trey Mancini, Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan McKenna - were a...
Trey Mancini on his reason to take part in Home Run Derby
Trey Mancini on his reason to take part in Home Run Derby
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For the Trey Mancini, it was an easy decision to accept an invitation to take part in the Home Run Derby competition in Denver on July 12 as part of the All-Star game festivities. Mancini, during a Zoom interview today, talked about winning a home run derby once in college. But this occasion gives him another chance to inspire anyone dealing with cancer and trying to beat it. Mancini missed the entire 2020 season after his diagnosis and surgery for Stage 3 colon cancer. He wants to take...
Orioles and Astros lineups (with more notes)
Orioles and Astros lineups (with more notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The latest Orioles lineup combination tonight has Ryan McKenna batting fifth and playing left field, with Austin Hays in right field and Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter. Domingo Leyba is playing second base and Maikel Franco returns to the lineup at third. Austin Wynns is catching. Meanwhile, with a marathon win last night, the Orioles summoned right-hander Conner Greene from Triple-A Norfolk and put him on the taxi squad. A fresh arm is close. Greene would become the 11th...
Bullpen takes another hit with Rainey landing on IL
Bullpen takes another hit with Rainey landing on IL
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
A Nationals bullpen that already was being stretched thin with the losses of several key late-inning relievers to injury has lost another key late-inning reliever: Tanner Rainey, who today was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction in his lower right leg. It's a serious blow to a relief corps that has been trying to proceed without the services of Daniel Hudson, Kyle Finnegan and Will Harris and now enters a daunting closing stretch to the first half of the season against...
Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Rays
Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Rays
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's a rare thing when a ballclub plays three different opponents on three consecutive days, but that's the case for the Nationals tonight. After wrapping up their weekend series with the Marlins on Sunday, then facing the Mets in a one-off makeup game Monday, tonight they welcome the Rays to town for the first of two games in an interleague series. These two teams split a series at Tropicana Field a couple weeks ago, but things have changed a bit since then. The Nationals have gotten red...