Mancini: "Mentally ... a year unlike anything I've been through"
Mancini: "Mentally ... a year unlike anything I've been through"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The penultimate off-day has arrived on the 2021 schedule. One last collective reset for the Orioles, who are waiting to host the Yankees in a three-game series. Trey Mancini has played in 132 games and made 561 plate appearances. There were no real expectations. They can't exist for a cancer survivor who endured six months of chemotherapy treatments and could only hope and pray that he'd survive them and resume his career. Manager Brandon Hyde is asked about Mancini's fatigue during those...
Overcoming adversity: Lamar Sparks gets it going with Aberdeen
Overcoming adversity: Lamar Sparks gets it going with Aberdeen
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ABERDEEN - When they drafted him from a high school in Katy, Texas, in the fifth round in 2017, the Orioles could look into the future and foresee a day where young outfielder Lamar Sparks would fill out his 6-foot-2 frame and turn into an athletic player with a lot of pop in that bat. That day could still be coming, but it's at least been delayed for Sparks, the No. 158 overall pick that year. A pitcher in high school, Sparks first felt shoulder pain on the high school showcase circuit. As an...
Pitching staff finally takes advantage of run support (updated)
Pitching staff finally takes advantage of run support (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals got their customary production today from a lineup that has quietly turned into a legitimate strength but too often has been wasted by ineffective pitching performances, especially from those charged with taking the mound late in games. Eight times since Aug. 25, this team had scored five or more runs. And proceeded to lose all eight games, the longest such streak in major league history. So when they looked up at the scoreboard in Pittsburgh this afternoon and saw five runs on...
Still hitting today, Blue Jays pour it on in 22-7 win (updated)
Still hitting today, Blue Jays pour it on in 22-7 win (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
They scored 11 runs twice yesterday in seven-inning games. And they didn't slow down even a bit today. The Toronto Blue Jays scored five runs today before a single out was recorded and had two grand slams and a 10-run inning in the first three frames. The Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle did hit his 28th homer to tie Cal Ripken Jr.'s club rookie homer record, and that was great milestone for Mountcastle. But it came during a 22-7 loss to Toronto as the Blue Jays take the last three games of this...
Ruiz cleared, but not in lineup after getting hit in face
Ruiz cleared, but not in lineup after getting hit in face
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Keibert Ruiz passed concussion tests and has been cleared to play, but the rookie Nationals catcher is not in the lineup for today's series finale in Pittsburgh. Ruiz, who was struck near his right ear by a pitch from Pirates reliever Kyle Keller during Saturday night's game, remains sore, but is allowed to play if needed. "He's clear," manager Davey Martinez said in his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "I talked to him this morning. He's a bit sore. He's going to go through his...
O's game blog: Looking for a win in series finale
O's game blog: Looking for a win in series finale
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have had challenges this year and tough losses to try and bounce back from. Today may present their toughest challenge yet. They blew seventh-inning leads in both games of Saturday's doubleheader with Toronto losing the opener 11-10 after they led 10-7 heading to the seventh inning. In the nightcap, they had not allowed a hit through six innings and led 1-0 but they lost that game 11-2. The Orioles (46-96) have lost three of four. They have won three six games, five of nine and six...
Hanhold joins Orioles (plus today's lineups)
Hanhold joins Orioles (plus today's lineups)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles found a fresh arm for their bullpen this morning, selecting the contract of reliever Eric Hanhold from Triple-A Norfolk. Hanhold replaces Manny Barreda, who was optioned after Game 2 of last night's stunning 11-2 loss. Barreda served up Teoscar Hernández's 445-foot, three-run homer in the Jays' 11-run seventh inning. Matt Harvey was transferred to the 60-day injured list with right knee inflammation to make room for Hanhold on the 40-man roster. Harvey's season is...
Game 143 lineups: Nats at Pirates
Game 143 lineups: Nats at Pirates
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If you thought a lighter schedule was going to help the Nationals finish out a disappointing season strong, well, that hasn't exactly played out as hoped so far this weekend. With back-to-back losses to the Pirates, the Nats are now in danger of being swept by one of the worst teams in baseball. (The Pirates, for what it's worth, haven't swept anyone in a three-game series this season.) So if they're going to avoid this latest ignominy, the Nationals will need a much better performance...
Mancini on Hyde: "He's going to back us up in any situation"
Mancini on Hyde: "He's going to back us up in any situation"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles and Blue Jays made it through two games yesterday without any blowups and only one stunning blowout. No hits through six innings in the nightcap and no hitters drilled after the opposing pitcher surrendered a couple of home runs. No bickering over a misunderstanding or false accusations. No TV-MA rating for the television broadcast. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde took some social media heat - as if that's a unique development - for his language Friday directed at Rays starter Robbie...
After strong outing, lefty Zac Lowther looks for two in a row
After strong outing, lefty Zac Lowther looks for two in a row
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For Orioles left-hander Zac Lowther, the handful of games left in the 2021 season and the starts he may get are very meaningful. After a year where he has gone 0-5 with a 6.53 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk and also missed time while rehabbing a shoulder strain, these outings, like his start today, are big. He wants to show he is healthy and also that the Orioles still can consider him as a candidate for their 2022 rotation. Lowther provided a nice glimpse of what he can do Monday versus Kansas City....