Orioles begin final series by beating Red Sox 4-1 (updated)
Orioles begin final series by beating Red Sox 4-1 (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The final series of the 2019 season came upon manager Brandon Hyde in quick fashion, the months since spring training gaining speed and distorting as if painted by Picasso. The only similarity to a work of art, though tonight's game had shades of a masterpiece. "It does seem like spring training was years (ago). I feel like the season did kind of fly by," Hyde said before tonight's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "I remember being here early in the year, a little bit...
Nationals keep rolling at home, win sixth straight (updated)
Nationals keep rolling at home, win sixth straight (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The final week of the regular season was supposed to represent a daunting challenge to the Nationals, who assumed all along they were going to have to come up big against a pair of fellow contenders in the Phillies and Indians just to sneak into the playoffs. The Nationals indeed have come up big this week. They've won six in a row. And because of that, they remain in the driver's seat to host Tuesday's National League wild card game while also sending these two opponents to...
Rendon, Strasburg, Doolittle are award winners (Nats up 7-2)
Rendon, Strasburg, Doolittle are award winners (Nats up 7-2)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Anthony Rendon's brilliant season might not quite be enough to earn the National League MVP award, but it was plenty good to be honored as the Nationals' best player of 2019. Rendon was named the Nationals' Player of the Year, one of three end-of-season award winners revealed before tonight's game against the Indians. Rendon joins Stephen Strasburg (Pitcher of the Year) and Sean Doolittle (Good Guy Award) as this season's honorees, selected by local media members. Rendon was a no-brainer...
Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)
Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he intends to put Mark Trumbo in Sunday's lineup to close out the season. Left unsaid is how the game also closes out Trumbo's career with the Orioles. He'll decide later whether to retire or pursue a contract with another team. Trumbo is 5-for-25 with three doubles this month since coming off the 60-day injured list. He didn't play in the three-game series in Toronto. Hyde spoke with Trumbo earlier today about the weekend. "He's going to be...
Scherzer will start wild card game, Strasburg and Corbin in 'pen
Scherzer will start wild card game, Strasburg and Corbin in 'pen
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The decision was made a few days ago. And to hear Davey Martinez talk about it, it wasn't that tough of a decision: Max Scherzer will start Tuesday night's National League wild card game. Martinez delivered the news to his ace a few days ago, and his reaction was probably what you assume it was. "I can't exactly say what he said to me, but he was excited," Martinez said with a laugh. "He's ready." Though Scherzer will be on the mound to start the winner-take-all game against either the...
Nationals announce 2019 awards
Nationals announce 2019 awards
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced the winners of the fourth-annual end-of-season awards as voted on by members of the local media. Third baseman Anthony Rendon was voted 2019 Nationals Player of the Year, while right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg was named Pitcher of the Year. Left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle was given the 'Good Guy' Award, given to a player who is exceptionally accommodating to the media and involved in the community. The players will receive their awards from Mark...
Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Alchemist"
Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Alchemist"
Josh Land
Orioles
What better way to end Hitting the Books for 2019 than with a book of hope. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is on just about every must-read list and its message never wanes - if anything, it is a book for this time of so much angst. I am so happy to have with us Kristen Hudak, the director of public relations for the Orioles, who presents this work and what it means to her. Kristen deals with the hopes and dreams of so many who come through the Orioles system. She sees the search for...
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - Anthony Santander remains out of the lineup tonight as the Orioles begin their final series of the 2019 season. Santander hasn't played since Monday. He's in a 1-for-23 slump. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and batting cleanup. DJ Stewart is in right field. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Chance Sisco is catching. Mancini has hit safely in 12 consecutive games at Fenway Park since May 19, 2018, posting a .340 average (16-for-47) during that stretch. He's slashed...
Game 160 lineups: Nats vs. Indians
Game 160 lineups: Nats vs. Indians
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When the 2019 schedule was announced way back when, this final series featuring an interleague matchup stuck out like a sore thumb. Nobody wants to finish up the season with interleague games, but as long as the two leagues have 15 teams apiece, Major League Baseball has no choice but to do this. So the Nationals and Indians drew the short straw and will face each other this weekend. It's a really important weekend for both teams, of course. The Nationals are trying to secure home field...
O's game blog: The Red Sox series begins
O's game blog: The Red Sox series begins
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles begin the final series of the year tonight at Fenway Park in Boston. The Orioles come in off Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Toronto and are 3-3 in their last six games, but have lost seven of 10 games. The Orioles (52-107) are 27-51 on the road, 22-51 versus the AL East, 7-17 in September, 15-36 in series opening games, 33-35 when they score first, 5-11 against Boston and 2-5 at Fenway Park. Boston (83-76) won two of three against Texas in its last series, scoring 27 runs, and has...