Fedde fans nine over five frames, Nats win second in row (updated)
Fedde fans nine over five frames, Nats win second in row (updated)
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Erick Fedde has struggled through outings where he couldn't seem to harness any confidence. He'd get behind hitters, have to throw a hittable fastball and pay the price. But in the early going of Saturday's start against the Diamondbacks, he got the feel for his changeup and used it masterfully. He also mixed his pitches to keep Arizona hitters off-balance and got on a roll. Fedde matched a career high with nine strikeouts in a five-inning stint and the Nationals beat the Diamondbacks 6-2 on...
Mountcastle moves to first base tonight
Mountcastle moves to first base tonight
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ryan Mountcastle is starting at first base tonight for the first time this season as the Orioles try to secure a series win over the Rangers. Mountcastle has been the designated hitter in eight games and the left fielder in six. He started nine games at first base last summer. Trey Mancini is batting fifth as the designated hitter, followed by Mountcastle. Mancini struck out four times last night to give him 18 for the season, second on the club behind Mountcastle. Rio Ruiz stays at second...
Harrison dealing with stiff back, Avilán has torn elbow ligament
Harrison dealing with stiff back, Avilán has torn elbow ligament
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Josh Harrison, arguably the hottest Nationals hitter, is out of the starting lineup for this afternoon's game against the Diamondbacks because he's dealing with some back stiffness. Manager Davey Martinez said Harrison, who is slashing .556/.600/.778 with a homer and five RBIs in five games since being activated off the COVID-19-related injured list earlier this week, reported a stiff back after Friday night's game, leading to the day off. "I've been trying to give him a day off, but when...
Another look at the Schwarbomb, by the numbers
Another look at the Schwarbomb, by the numbers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If you walk around the Navy Yard this morning, you might still feel the reverberations from Kyle Schwarber's walk-off homer Friday night. That bottom-of-the-ninth blast, which landed on the concourse beyond the second deck in right field, made for as exciting a finish as Nationals Park has witnessed in a while. Before the Nationals and Diamondbacks get back at it this afternoon, let's take one more look at the first Schwarbomb in Nats history, by the numbers ... 463 - Distance, in feet, of...
Updating Austin Hays' quest to come off the injured list
Updating Austin Hays' quest to come off the injured list
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The progression that's supposed to return Austin Hays to the Orioles put him in Fredericksburg, Va., yesterday for a secondary training site game against the Nationals. Not quite the majors, but four important at-bats in a more intense environment than simulated action. Hays played seven innings in left field, and his most impressive swing drove a ball to the wall in right-center. The Orioles will check on him today and decide whether he starts in a four-inning intrasquad game in Bowie. The...
A look at why taking Jorge López out after five was the right move
A look at why taking Jorge López out after five was the right move
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Right-hander Jorge López had a couple of good starts for the Orioles last year, but he could not put much consistency together. And then he started this year with an 11.42 ERA after two starts. But last night was about as good as he has looked in an O's uniform. In his previous 11 games with the Orioles dating to last season - when he posted a 7.28 ERA - he never had swing-and-miss stuff like he had last night. A night when he was painting corners with 97 mph fastballs. A night when he and...
López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)
López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The starting pitcher was dealing early and a leadoff triple in the third inning led to a run and thoughts that the offense might have awakened. Deep in the heart of Texas, the Orioles were trying to bury everything that hurt them back home. What needed to be addressed was whether Jorge López could remain upright while taking another turn through the Rangers order and if settling for one run in that inning would bring regrets. Trying to stay in the rotation with other options available to the...
Schwarber's walk-off bomb sends Nats to victory (updated)
Schwarber's walk-off bomb sends Nats to victory (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer gave the Nationals exactly what they needed, reminding everyone this team still is built on the broad shoulders of a rotation that may be showing cracks in some spots but remains rock-solid at the very top. Great starting pitching, however, can't win a ballgame all by itself. Somebody's got to score a run at some point. Which the Nats finally did in the bottom of the ninth. On the first official Schwarbomb in club history. Kyle Schwarber launched a 463-foot moonshot onto the...
Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more
Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have filled out their rotation for the weekend series in Texas and Dean Kremer is replacing TBD for Saturday night. Kremer is working on short rest after starting Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, but he threw 54 pitches and has indicated that he's feeling good. Otherwise, the Orioles could have selected one of their long relievers, with the candidates including Wade LeBlanc and Adam Plutko. "We feel confident that he's going to be fine for it," said...
Nationals announce roster moves
Nationals announce roster moves
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin from the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and placed left-handed pitcher Luis Avilán on the 10-Day Injured List with left elbow inflammation on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. McGowin, 29, appeared in two games out of the Nationals' bullpen before being optioned to the Alternate Training Site on April 10. He tossed 2.1 scoreless innings with...