Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)
Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals opened this bizarre season 0-6 against the Phillies. Who'd have thought they'd have a chance to finish 4-6 against their division rivals? A win tonight would complete a four-game sweep, deal Philadelphia another blow to its postseason chances and keep the Nats' minuscule chances alive for another day. A loss tonight doesn't automatically eliminate the Nationals. One of the Cardinals, Brewers or Giants would also need to win, raising their season win total to 28 (which the Nats...
Martinez likes what he sees with Soto in right field
Martinez likes what he sees with Soto in right field
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Manager Davey Martinez moved Juan Soto to right field for the second game of yesterday's doubleheader against the Phillies and it worked out well. "Just wanted to throw him out there," Martinez said during today's pregame Zoom video session. "I talked about it to him for quite a while. The short stint he was in the minor leagues coming up, that's where he played, right field. He feels comfortable over there. So, we thought we give him a shot to play over there. He's going to play over...
No words: A look inside Austin Voth's first complete game win
No words: A look inside Austin Voth's first complete game win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
After the sixth inning of the Nationals' 5-1 seven-inning win over the Phillies in the opener of Tuesday's doubleheader at Nats Park, starter Austin Voth knew he had enough left in the tank to pitch one more frame. His pitch count had reached 91 - the most he had thrown this season was 88 - and that was in five innings one week ago versus Tampa Bay. But the right-hander didn't care. The Phillies had only two hits off of him, and he still felt strong enough to go for the complete game. So the...
More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep
More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Some more things to ponder after a long, wild, ultimately successful Tuesday afternoon and evening at the ballpark ... * Yadiel Hernández's walk-off homer won it for the Nationals, but some unheralded bullpen work earlier made it possible in the first place. Even though he got a complete game from Austin Voth in the doubleheader opener, manager Davey Martinez said he was working with a depleted relief corps in the nightcap. Will Harris was unavailable after pitching Sunday and Monday. Kyle...
A look at a few slumping bats as the season's end nears
A look at a few slumping bats as the season's end nears
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When you think about the Orioles offense in 2021 you think about getting Trey Mancini back and letting him hit in the middle of an order that includes a healthy Anthony Santander and a young Ryan Mountcastle playing in the bigs for a full season. It you can add in a healthy year for Austin Hays, that would be a real plus. If a couple of the players that have been here since the start of the 2019 season can get their bats going again, that would be a real plus as well. Those players include...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles reliever Dillon Tate tossed a scoreless inning in Sunday's game at Camden Yards and showed no signs of an injury. Nothing happened at the ballpark that led to his placement on the injured list with a sprained finger on his pitching hand. A fall in his apartment the following day was responsible, the final blow in a 2020 season that brought pains and gains. Tate didn't have the best luck. He was struck on the right arm by a Pat Valaika comebacker during a July 10 intrasquad game at...
Sloppy play and Phillips' injury lowlight 8-3 loss (updated)
Sloppy play and Phillips' injury lowlight 8-3 loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
There are a few goals remaining for the Orioles as they fall out of the playoff race. Keep trying to win as many games as possible and have players and a couple of young starters leave on a high note. Keegan Akin opened the series tonight against the Red Sox in Boston. Dean Kremer will follow him on Wednesday. Bruce Zimmermann could resurface out of the bullpen. One more week of evaluations and providing opportunities to gain valuable experience. To get a bigger jump on spring training and the...
Hernández's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)
Hernández's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When he was sent down Friday, hitless in seven at-bats, Yadiel Hernández couldn't help but wonder if he had just blown his first and only chance in the big leagues. His first call-up didn't come until he was nearly 33. Would he even get a second one? "A lot of bad things ran through my head in that moment," the rookie outfielder said tonight, Octavio Martinez interpreting for him in a Zoom session with reporters. "Frustrated. And I felt like moreso I kept reflecting and telling myself:...
O's game blog: The final road trip begins
O's game blog: The final road trip begins
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As the Orioles begin their final road trip of the season tonight, they have clearly played much better on the road in 2020 than in 2019. Of course, there have been many fewer road games to play. But last year's O's club went 29-52 (.358) and won just five of 26 road series, going 5-17-4. This year's club is 10-11 (.476) on the road and has won three of seven road series, going 3-3-1. The Orioles will play the next three nights at Fenway Park in Boston and will end the year over the weekend...
Hyde on Tate, Iglesias, Zimmermann, Fulmer and more
Hyde on Tate, Iglesias, Zimmermann, Fulmer and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles reliever Dillon Tate fell yesterday in his apartment and landed on the injured list. Tate "had an unfortunate accident where he tripped in his apartment yesterday," manager Brandon Hyde said during a Zoom conference call with the media. The accident occurred on the team's off-day. Tate came down on his hand and sprained his right pinky finger, and he's scheduled to undergo an MRI later today. The Orioles reinstated reliever Shawn Armstrong from the injured list as Tate's...