Jays power past Means and Orioles in 10-1 win (updated)
Jays power past Means and Orioles in 10-1 win (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Nothing about today's start in Toronto was capable of lowering manager Brandon Hyde's opinion of John Means. The left-hander's status as the Orioles' ace of a young pitching staff. The expectation that he'll hold the ball on opening day 2022. Hyde just hoped to get a sharper outing, for the left-hander's frame of mind heading into the offseason and his club as it tried to rattle the Blue Jays' cage. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernández homered off Means in a three-run first...
Parra activated, García sits again, Adon could pitch Sunday
Parra activated, García sits again, Adon could pitch Sunday
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Gerardo Parra is getting one last shot to finish the season on the field, but it appears Luis García's season may have already ended. Parra was activated off the 10-day injured list prior to this afternoon's game against the Red Sox, with left-hander Josh Rogers placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. It's a fortuitous break for Parra, who last played Sept. 4 before being taken off the roster with inflammation in his right knee. The popular veteran outfielder, whose future beyond...
O's game blog: John Means makes his final 2021 start
O's game blog: John Means makes his final 2021 start
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles play the penultimate game of the 2021 season this afternoon. After a 6-4 loss Friday night, they are back at Rogers Centre for Game 2 of the season-ending three-game series. Toronto scored twice on Danny Jansen's homer in the third inning and then opened a 6-0 lead, scoring four runs in the last of the sixth. The Orioles pulled within 6-4 in the eighth, both avoiding their 11th shutout and pushing the Blue Jays to the point they needed closer Jordan Romano to get five outs. He...
Game 161 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox
Game 161 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals put up a fight Friday night against the Red Sox, but couldn't convert a few golden opportunities with runners in scoring position and wound up losing 4-2. In the process, the Red Sox moved a step closer to clinching a spot in Tuesday night's American League wild card game. Their magic number is at two entering the day, so they're in with a win and losses by the Blue Jays (who play at 3:07 p.m.) and Mariners (who don't play until 9:10 p.m.). It's up to the Nats to try to delay...
Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ryan McKenna is in left field and Nick Ciuffo is behind the plate this afternoon for the Orioles' penultimate game of the 2021 season. Pat Valaika is starting at second base again. His home run last night was his first since July 23. Austin Hays has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games against the Blue Jays, going 18-for-58 (.310) with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, eight RBIs and a .834 OPS. Hays has reached base safely in 18 straight games since Sept. 12, the longest active streak...
Fans thank Schwarber for memorable half-season in D.C.
Fans thank Schwarber for memorable half-season in D.C.
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Kyle Schwarber was meeting a friend of his on the Cubs coaching staff who was in town for the upcoming weekend series in D.C. at 10:30 p.m. on July 29 when his phone rang and Mike Rizzo's name showed up as the caller. He didn't need the Nationals general manager to tell him why he was calling, only to tell him the name of the team he had just been traded to. Turns out it was the Red Sox, who were sending pitching prospect Aldo Ramirez to the Nats in exchange for the 28-year-old slugger....
A scout's take with the Jim Russo Award winner
A scout's take with the Jim Russo Award winner
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles area scout Brandon Verley noted he was in a very strange position on Tuesday at Camden Yards. He's used to sitting in the stands at ballparks for long hours watching players. He is not used to sitting in the O's dugout surrounded by reporters and taking questions. But there he was, talking to us about being named the club's Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award winner. "It's an incredible honor," Verley said. "You know, as a scout, we are never really in this position, in the...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles would much prefer to be hosting games late in the season that dictate whether they make the playoffs. Somewhere down the rebuild road, it's supposed to happen for them. In the meantime, while the last few games determine whether they pick first or second in next year's draft, they get a chance to see how the other half lives on its home turf. In a raucous environment. They can't catch postseason fever, which certainly would present complications during COVID-19, but they're...
Rogers fades late, Nats can't rally to beat Red Sox (updated)
Rogers fades late, Nats can't rally to beat Red Sox (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It had been a while since Nationals Park experienced this kind of energy, provided by a crowd of 32,521 filled with fans with varied reasons to get amped up for the opener of the season's final series. Some were excited to see Juan Soto's last charge for a batting title and possible MVP honor. They perhaps took solace in the four walks he drew - the last of them his 144th of the season, something only Barry Bonds had previously done this century - but that's not really what they came to...
Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)
Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles tried to stay in spoiler mode tonight while going with a bullpen game rather than a starter equipped to provide actual length. Teams wanting the Blue Jays to implode in the weekend series and influence the wild card race could be heard cringing. Their eyes were bulging while checking the late score. Injuries have tampered with the Orioles rotation, which becomes more settled in the last two games with John Means and Bruce Zimmermann. So, manager Brandon Hyde lined up his available...