A look at Tom Eshelman's SoCal homecoming
A look at Tom Eshelman's SoCal homecoming
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SAN DIEGO - When he took the mound on Friday night at Angel Stadium in the third inning, Orioles right-hander Tom Eshelman could hear some of his former college teammates loudly cheering him on from behind the Baltimore dugout. This trip represents a homecoming for Eshelman who pitched Cal-State Fullerton, which is just a few miles from Anaheim. The trip continues the next two days in San Diego. Eshelman is from nearby Carlsbad, Calif., and is scheduled to pitch against his hometown team on...
After surviving Dodgers, banged-up Nats now host Braves
After surviving Dodgers, banged-up Nats now host Braves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals survived their weekend series with the Dodgers. That's probably the best way to describe what took place the last three days on South Capitol Street, where the majors' hottest team of the last two months took on the majors' best team of the entire season and suffered a pair of frustrating losses before bouncing back to win Sunday's finale. Given the matchup and the state of their pitching staff, the Nats couldn't complain about the 1-2 result. Nor their 3-4 overall record...
Wrapping up a series win that ends with a Sunday loss in Anaheim
Wrapping up a series win that ends with a Sunday loss in Anaheim
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - It was a big ask of right-hander Mychal Givens. But the Orioles turned to him in the last of the ninth today to hold a 4-4 tie. Givens finished last night's win, getting four outs and throwing 30 pitches. He was right back out there this afternoon trying to put up a zero and send this game to extra innings. The O's were seeking their first four-game road sweep since Aug. 22-25, 2011, at Minnesota. Givens got Andrelton Simmons to ground out. But third baseman Matt Thaiss, the...
Latest on Orioles as trade deadline nears
Latest on Orioles as trade deadline nears
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The baseball weekend featured multiple trades consummated by teams that aren't based in Baltimore. So what, if anything, is happening with the Orioles? They have two days until they reach the deadline. They're trying to follow up on the Andrew Cashner deal on July 13. And Mychal Givens remains the biggest chip. The Orioles are in talks with multiple clubs regarding Givens, who earned the four-out save Saturday night in Anaheim after allowing a run in the ninth and leaving the bases loaded in...
Walk-off loss: O's fall in last of ninth in Anaheim
Walk-off loss: O's fall in last of ninth in Anaheim
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Called on to pitch in the ninth after throwing 30 pitches last night, right-hander Mychal Givens could not put up a zero and the Orioles' chance to sweep the four-game series ended in walk-off fashion. Third baseman Matt Thaiss hit his second homer of the game as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Orioles 5-4. With one out, he drilled a 3-2 fastball out to right-center to end the game with his first career walk-off homer. Had the Orioles won, they would have had their first...
Strasburg again leads the way in much-needed win (updated)
Strasburg again leads the way in much-needed win (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer was trying to get his upper back healthy enough to pitch again. Davey Martinez and Adam Eaton were fuming in the clubhouse after getting ejected in the bottom of the first. Matt Adams was in the trainer's room getting his injured right foot treated. The Nationals were missing plenty this afternoon as they faced the very real prospect of a weekend sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, and their first four-game losing streak since May. But they had something their vaunted opponents did...
Pregame notes on rotation, offense, trade deadline (game update)
Pregame notes on rotation, offense, trade deadline (game update)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orioles concern level continues to remain low with left-handed starter John Means. He went on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday, with a left bicep strain. He had an MRI yesterday. "It came back clean. Normal wear and tear. He should be ready to start right after he comes off the IL," manager Brandon Hyde said. The Orioles' pitching plans for the two-game San Diego series that begins Monday night are very much in flux right now. Although...
Orioles lineup vs. Angels
Orioles lineup vs. Angels
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles go for the four-game sweep this afternoon as they close out their series against the Angels in Anaheim. Dylan Bundy is making the start. The Orioles have never swept the Angels in four games in California. The last three-game sweep was 2010. The team's last sweep of any kind was Aug. 27-29, 2018 against the Blue Jays. The last road sweep came on June 5-6, 2018 against the Mets at Citi Field. The last four-game sweep was July 17-20, 2017 against the Rangers at Camden Yards. The last...
Scherzer's chances of facing Braves dwindling (Nats win 11-4)
Scherzer's chances of facing Braves dwindling (Nats win 11-4)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer's chances of missing another start against the Braves appear to be growing, leaving the Nationals again facing the prospect of a critical series with the National League East leaders without the services of their ace. Scherzer, still dealing with a lingering upper back injury that has limited him to one start in the last three weeks, has not yet thrown a ball since receiving a stem cell injection Friday for what he described as a "mild strain" of the rhomboid muscle on top of...
Game 105 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Game 105 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals haven't been in this position for a while, needing to win a series finale to avoid a sweep. It was an all-too-common scenario back in April and May, but they've usually found themselves in the polar opposite situation since. But after dropping their first two games to the Dodgers this weekend - not to mention after dropping Thursday's finale against the Rockies as well - they really need a win this afternoon. Stephen Strasburg's on the mound, and that's a good thing for the...