In a pinch, nobody's been better than Stevenson
In a pinch, nobody's been better than Stevenson
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When Ryan Zimmerman drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, Nationals manager Davey Martinez immediately sent Andrew Stevenson out to pinch-run for the veteran. And wouldn't you know it, but minutes later Stevenson was racing around the bases and ultimately colliding with Mets catcher Chance Sisco en route to scoring the game-tying run. So when Zimmerman drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the eighth Monday afternoon, all eyes turned to the home dugout to see if Stevenson...
These minor league pitchers have flown under the radar
These minor league pitchers have flown under the radar
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ABERDEEN - As the Orioles look to continue to stockpile pitchers and build quality pitching depth on the farm, two right-handers that got to high Single-A Aberdeen not long ago have thrown well for the IronBirds. They have had seasons that can fly a bit under the radar, but when it comes to getting swings and misses, they do look good on the stat sheet and show some future promise. Zach Peek, 23, has gone 5-3 with a 4.05 ERA this year over 21 games between low Single-A Delmarva and Aberdeen. He...
Expanded roster still stretching Orioles thin
Expanded roster still stretching Orioles thin
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Grant manager Brandon Hyde one baseball wish and he could go in pretty much any direction, no GPS capable of leading him to an exact spot. Give him a bunch, however, and he's demanding more length out of an expanded roster. The bump from 26 to 28 players just doesn't cut it. He'd rub the shine off the genie lamp for a deeper bench and pitching staff. "I wish we had a 35-man roster in September this year," he said yesterday morning, sitting in the dugout for his media session and confirming...
Nats finally convert late, rally to beat Mets (updated)
Nats finally convert late, rally to beat Mets (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
All weekend, over the course of five games in four days, the Nationals battled their way back against the Mets. Three times they trailed, once by a whopping nine runs, and rallied to tie late, only to ultimately lose in the end. But today, in their final matchup of the season, the Nats finally finished the job. Down a run in the bottom of the ninth but owning at least some confidence in their ability to rally against the New York bullpen, the Nationals stormed back to win, 4-3, getting a...
Lowther impresses but Orioles lose lead and game (updated)
Lowther impresses but Orioles lose lead and game (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The door opens so wide for Orioles in search of an opportunity, it's a wonder that the hinges don't snap in half. Faces have been reddened by that same door slamming shut, the failures bound to leave a mark. Zac Lowther got his latest chance this afternoon after making one appearance each in April, May and June, and two in July. Manager Brandon Hyde suggested that the rookie would receive multiple starts and, hopefully, open some eyes in the front office. Maybe wider than the door. Lowther...
Zac Lowther shines in O's homestand opener
Zac Lowther shines in O's homestand opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After they held leads and won the last two days at New York, the Orioles bullpen could not do that today in the opener of a long homestand. The Kansas City Royals scored twice in the top of the eighth to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win in the opener of a four-game series and 11-game stand. The Orioles (43-93) are 2-2 against Kansas City and now 3-3 their past six games. Their last five games have been decided by one run each, and they are 2-3 in those games. A few positive things did happen...
Ruiz out with bone bruise, Adams gets first drills at first base
Ruiz out with bone bruise, Adams gets first drills at first base
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Keibert Ruiz has a bone bruise in his right knee, the result of a foul ball he hit off himself Saturday, and remains unavailable to catch for today's series finale against the Mets. The Nationals planned to have their rookie start multiple games of this five-game weekend series, but he wound up catching only the first half of Saturday's doubleheader. Fouling a ball off his right knee in the second inning, he writhed in pain for several minutes before returning to the batter's box and...
O's game blog: A new homestand begins at the Yard
O's game blog: A new homestand begins at the Yard
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With a six-game American League East road trip in the rear-view mirror, the Orioles begin an 11-game homestand against Kansas City this afternoon. It's the opener of a four-game series that will be followed by four games at Oriole Park versus the Blue Jays and three against the Yankees. The Orioles beat New York 4-3 and 8-7 the last two days after losing in 11 innings on Friday. They have played four straight one-run games, going 2-2, and are 10-19 for the season in one-run games. Left-hander...
Orioles notes before today's series opener (updated)
Orioles notes before today's series opener (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are recalling rookie left-hander Zac Lowther from Triple-A Norfolk today but haven't announced the move or who's leaving the active roster for the series opener against the Royals at Camden Yards. This is Lowther's second major league start and sixth appearance. He's allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in 8 1/3 innings. His lone start was May 8 against the Red Sox, when he surrendered seven runs and seven hits in 2 1 /3 innings. Lowther has never faced the Royals, who are 61-75 overall...
Game 137 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Game 137 lineups: Nats vs. Mets
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
At long last, the Nationals and Mets wrap up their five-game holiday weekend series, not to mention their 19-game season series, this afternoon. These two teams have been playing each other way too much lately. In fact, 11 of the Nats' last 25 games have come against the Mets. I think I speak for everyone who has had to cover or watch all these games when I say: Thank God. As for today's finale, it's Patrick Corbin on the mound, trying desperately to put together a quality start and perhaps...