Proud father Steenstra has two games to follow today
Proud father Steenstra has two games to follow today
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As Triple-A Norfolk's pitching coach, Kennie Steenstra won't divide his attention this afternoon. His focus will stay on the field. He'll be locked into Tides starter Alexander Wells and anyone else who comes into the game. But the final out will send him scurrying for updates on the College World Series in Omaha, where son Logan's University of Tennessee Volunteers are playing the University of Virginia at 2 p.m. A coach can turn back into a nervous father real fast. Also a proud...
Scherzer set to come off IL on Tuesday in Philly
Scherzer set to come off IL on Tuesday in Philly
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer appears to be confident he's ready to come off the injured list as soon as he becomes eligible in two days. The Nationals ace threw off the bullpen mound in between games of Saturday's doubleheader, his final significant hurdle in his return from a tweaked groin muscle, and clearly was pleased with the results. Scherzer didn't stop to talk to reporters who were standing on the warning track between the bullpen and the dugout at Nationals Park. He said everything he needed to say...
Mountcastle homers three times, but Jays rally in ninth (updated)
Mountcastle homers three times, but Jays rally in ninth (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
A feel-good win and a six-homer day by the Orioles - with three from Ryan Mountcastle - blew up on the team in the ninth today, as the Toronto Blue Jays scored six runs in the inning to stun the Orioles 10-7 and quiet what was a boisterous crowd of 10,721. It was a gut punch loss times 10. They were one out away in the ninth, but lefty Paul Fry allowed a bases-loaded walk to Marcus Semien and it was 7-5. Fry, who entered with a 1.78 ERA, allowed two singles and walk around a fly out and...
Game 68 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Game 68 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals need to do more at the plate in the nightcap of today's doubleheader against the Mets. They scored one run in Friday night's game and still somehow won. They scored one run in today's opener and unsurprisingly lost. They need a more productive showing in this one against Robert Gsellman, the first of several relievers who are expected to take the mound for New York. Manager Davey Martinez's lineup is close to the one he put out there earlier today. Yan Gomes will catch instead...
Nats can't dig out of Ross' early hole, win streak ends (updated)
Nats can't dig out of Ross' early hole, win streak ends (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals hoped Joe Ross would take the mound at 1:05 p.m. today and set a good tone for the 14 innings of baseball that were guaranteed to follow. Ross' performance in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against the Mets would go a long toward determining the course of the rest of this long Saturday at the park. So it was undeniably discouraging when Ross dug his team into a two-run hole only two batters into this one. And in the process set a negative tone for what was still to...
O's open to Tyler Wells as a starter and updating John Means
O's open to Tyler Wells as a starter and updating John Means
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said "right around there" today when asked if his ace left-hander, John Means, was expected back around the All-Star break. Means, who is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 12 games, last pitched June 5 when he walked off the mound in the first inning against Cleveland. He went on the injured list with a left shoulder strain. "Good. He's feeling good. He's starting to play catch. Kind of a slow progression back," Hyde said. Speaking of starting pitchers, an outing as a...
Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles ended their losing streak last night at eight games and Cedric Mullins took over the American League lead in hits with 84. They'll try to keep the momentum going this afternoon against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Mullins has five career home runs against the Blue Jays, the most versus any opponent. Last night's four RBIs set a new career high. Mullins tied the club record of being hit in three consecutive games. It's happened seven times, most recently with Jonathan Schoop in...
Could Parra be in Nationals' plans again soon?
Could Parra be in Nationals' plans again soon?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Two years ago today, a slumping Gerardo Parra stepped to the plate for his first at-bat of a doubleheader against the Phillies, and for the first time did so with "Baby Shark" blaring over the Nationals Park sound system. Most in the crowd laughed at the odd choice for a walk-up song, but little did they realize what kind of impact it would have on Parra individually and on the Nats as a whole. Just as they did on June 19, 2019, the Nationals are playing a doubleheader today, this time...
O's game blog: Looking for two in a row over Blue Jays
O's game blog: Looking for two in a row over Blue Jays
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After ending a losing streak on Friday night, the Orioles will try to build on that victory and start a winning streak today. They host the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of a three-game series. The Orioles (23-46) beat the Blue Jays 7-1 as center fielder Cedric Mullins hit two homers and drove in four, and five pitchers allowed just four hits with 10 strikeouts. Thomas Eshelman got the start and gave up three hits and one run over 4 2/3 innings. Tyler Wells replaced him and got the win....
Game 67 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Game 67 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Friday's night's walk-off 1-0 victory over the Mets was a big boost for the Nationals, no doubt about it. But it won't mean much if they can't come out of today's doubleheader on South Capitol Street without at least one more win. And if they can take the seven-inning opener this afternoon? Well, then it might be fair to start talking about legitimate positive momentum for this club. This five-game winning streak - really, the entire homestand, during which they're now 6-2 - has been...