Doolittle, Martinez will reconsider closer's workload
Doolittle, Martinez will reconsider closer's workload
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Sean Doolittle insisted before Saturday night's game, he was good to pitch. As soon as he actually tried to pitch in the top of the ninth, he realized he didn't have what he needed to be effective. "Tonight, man, I just didn't have anything," the Nationals closer said. "So, yeah, we're going to have to figure something out. I'm going to have to figure something out. Because this team, they deserve better right now." What had been looming as a potential problem for a while now has...
Wildest game of year ends with loss in 14th (updated)
Wildest game of year ends with loss in 14th (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Who knows how this wild 2019 season will end for the Nationals, whether they'll catch the Braves and win the National League East, whether they'll hold onto one of the league's two wild card berths or whether they'll collapse and miss the playoffs altogether. Here's what we can say unequivocally about the 2019 Nationals: They do not quit. No game is ever out of reach. No matter how demoralized they may be at one moment, they refuse to stay down until they've used up every last...
Kendall talks about Harvey's work out of the bullpen
Kendall talks about Harvey's work out of the bullpen
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - A fulltime pitching role for Hunter Harvey, whether he's back in the rotation or staying in the bullpen, is one of the many important decisions that the Orioles need to make after playing their final game. The kid, and he still qualifies at age 24, would seemingly benefit from a concrete plan. The kicker here, of course, is that Harvey's string of injuries hasn't gotten tangled in the 2019 season. The discussion centers on how to use him properly and his results. Not the latest...
When brutal stretch arrived, O's hit a roadblock
When brutal stretch arrived, O's hit a roadblock
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The way it has been going for the Orioles' pitching lately, you would certainly take a night when they gave up just four runs. That happened last night, but they still lost. They were held to five hits in a 4-0 loss at Boston to fall to 39-84 with six losses in a row and 11 in the past 12 games. They've scored one run in two games this weekend at Fenway Park. Today the Orioles end a brutal stretch of 13 straight games against the Yankees, Astros, Yankees and Red Sox. At best they will go...
Harvey makes major league debut in 4-0 loss (updated)
Harvey makes major league debut in 4-0 loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The Orioles' bullpen has drawn lots of unwanted attention this season with the constant shuttling of relievers and the overall lack of dependability that's been a constant source of frustration to manager Brandon Hyde. The insertion of former first-round pick Hunter Harvey tonight created a different kind of buzz. The kid made it back to the majors and his debut could come at any moment. Hyde pretty much indicated as much prior to the game while sitting in the dugout for his media...
O's game blog: Looking for a win in the series finale
O's game blog: Looking for a win in the series finale
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have lost by scores of 9-1 and 4-0 in Boston and they'll need a win today to avoid a three-game sweep. In this series the Baltimore offense has produced just one run on 10 hits, going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Orioles (39-84) have lost six in a row and 11 of the past 12 games. They have gone 1-11 in this stretch against the Yankees, Astros, Yankees and Red Sox. They have scored four runs or less 72 times on the year, going 8-64. The Orioles have scored two runs...
Decision looming for final spot in rotation (Nats trail 6-5)
Decision looming for final spot in rotation (Nats trail 6-5)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Rotation depth, such a problem area for the Nationals last season and early this season, hasn't been an issue over the last month. That's thanks to the lights-out performances of Erick Fedde and Joe Ross, who have allowed the Nats to continue to thrive even while Max Scherzer has been on the injured list. Now, though, the organization faces a surprisingly tricky decision with Scherzer close to returning from his back injury. And the potential return of two other right-handers from long-term...
O's game blog: Wojciechowski faces Boston at Fenway
O's game blog: Wojciechowski faces Boston at Fenway
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When he faced the Boston Red Sox July 21 in Baltimore, O's right-hander Asher Wojciechowski (2-5, 4.84 ERA) threw a gem as the Orioles won 5-0. It was a combined one-hitter by Wojciechowski, Paul Fry and Michael Givens. Wojciechowski had a no-hitter through six innings. Through four innings he fanned nine and got swings and misses on 18 of his 58 pitches. He finished having allowed one hit with two walks and 10 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. He and his mound mates ended Boston's run of 81...
Hyde on Harvey's arrival in majors and "Show hairdo" (O's down 4-0)
Hyde on Harvey's arrival in majors and "Show hairdo" (O's down 4-0)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - Left-hander Ty Blach is starting Sunday at Fenway Park, his second opportunity with the Orioles. The rotation is set now with John Means, Dylan Bundy and Aaron Brooks handling the next three games against the Royals at Camden Yards. Gabriel Ynoa was a candidate for Sunday, but becomes a bullpen option for manager Brandon Hyde. Hyde has a new reliever in his bullpen after the Orioles recalled Hunter Harvey today from Triple-A Norfolk. And it could be an assignment that stretches through...
Scherzer on track to return Thursday after simulated game
Scherzer on track to return Thursday after simulated game
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer built his arm up this afternoon in his second simulated game of the week, throwing 64 pitches over four innings. And as long as he recovers well from this latest throwing session, the Nationals ace will be lined up to return to the rotation next week in Pittsburgh. Scherzer looked strong and felt strong during today's four-inning simulated game against teammates, according to manager Davey Martinez. Facing Gerardo Parra and Yan Gomes, he threw an average of 16 pitches per inning,...