O's game blog: Homestand begins against Braves
O's game blog: Homestand begins against Braves
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If the Orioles are to end a 15-game losing streak when they start a long homestand tonight, they will have to beat a first-place team that has been recently playing outstanding baseball. The Orioles (38-82) host the Atlanta Braves (65-56) in the opener of a three-game series and nine-game homestand versus the Braves, Angels and Rays. The Braves have won six in a row, scoring 47 runs, and are 13-2 since Aug. 3. They were in third place and four games behind first when this stretch began. But...
Orioles and Braves lineups
Orioles and Braves lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Anthony Santander remains out of the Orioles lineup tonight with a sore ankle. Jorge Mateo has moved to right field for the series opener against the Braves. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter and Ryan Mountcastle is playing first base. Austin Hays is in left field and batting cleanup. Maikel Franco drops to ninth in the order. Executive vice president Mike Elias said outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, has resumed workouts in Sarasota and is getting closer...
Game 121 lineups: Nats at Brewers
Game 121 lineups: Nats at Brewers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Fresh off a two-game sweep of the Blue Jays, the Nationals now embark on a nine-game road trip that kicks off with a tough challenge: a weekend series in Milwaukee. The Brewers have won eight of 10 and now hold a commanding 8 1/2-game lead in the National League Central. They're doing it with elite pitching, especially from an imposing threesome atop their rotation (Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta) that should give them a chance to beat anybody come October. (Sound...
Orioles claim Ellis and DFA Valdez
Orioles claim Ellis and DFA Valdez
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles made their latest bullpen move this afternoon, claiming right-hander Chris Ellis off waivers from the Rays and designating César Valdez for assignment. Left-hander Ryan Hartman cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Ellis, 28, made his second major league appearance Tuesday night against the Orioles and earned the win with four scoreless innings in relief. He allowed three hits, walked one, struck out seven and was designated for assignment to create room for...
Soto content for now to take walks, keep raising OBP
Soto content for now to take walks, keep raising OBP
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
From the moment he arrived in the big leagues in 2018, Juan Soto's ability to reach base has outshone every other baseball skill of his. And he's got plenty of elite skills. For all his prowess hitting for power, hitting to the opposite field, just hitting in general, Soto has always made a name for himself first and foremost because of his batting eye. That, more than anything, has led to his .422 career on-base percentage, a mark that during that four-season span has been bested by only one...
Top pick Colton Cowser banks hits now while looking to future
Top pick Colton Cowser banks hits now while looking to future
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SALISBURY, Md. - Orioles top draft pick Colton Cowser seems to be making a pretty seamless transition to full-season baseball. Promoted to low Single-A Delmarva this week, he went 2-for-6 in his first two games with a double, two runs, an RBI, two walks and one strikeout. He had a 1-for-5 night with a booming RBI double in the third inning last night as Delmarva beat Fredericksburg 11-9. The Shorebirds are 3-0 since the arrival of 12 draft picks this week from the class of 2021. Cowser began...
Losing streak puts Orioles in position for first pick in 2022 draft
Losing streak puts Orioles in position for first pick in 2022 draft
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Moving below the Diamondbacks for the worst record in the majors has put the Orioles in front of everyone else for the No. 1 pick in the 2022 amateur draft. There must be a reward for enduring such agony. Baseball America's early mock draft, published last month, has IMG Academy outfielder Elijah Green as the top choice. It noted his "special combination of elite physicality, electric tools and an impressive underclass track record of hitting." Former Orioles bench coach John Russell, a...
López removed early, O's losing streak at 15 games (updated)
López removed early, O's losing streak at 15 games (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Jorge López walked to the mound today in the bottom of the second inning, still trying to process what happened in the first. Or perhaps wishing he could forget about it and treat his return as a fresh start. Something his teammates desperately need right now. What came next, most unfortunate for the Orioles, represented what's happening to them this month. There are no fresh starts or quality ones. Just more of the same, with the occasional sprinkling of intrigue. And for López, an...
Hurry, last chance to be selected as a Maryland Lottery "Contestant of the Game"
Hurry, last chance to be selected as a Maryland Lottery "Contestant of the Game"
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
O's fans, time is running out to enter the Maryland Lottery's "Contestant of the Game" promotion, where you can win $500 for being selected and an additional $500 for every Orioles home run hit during that game! The deadline to enter is Monday, Aug. 23 for a chance to be selected for one of the last 30 Orioles games of the 2021 season. That's a lot of chances to be home run rich! The Lottery has awarded over $131,000 to winners through this year's FAST PLAY Home Run Riches second-chance...
O's game blog: Series finale against Rays
O's game blog: Series finale against Rays
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There was a time when the Orioles were playing good baseball on the road. But you have to go back to the beginning of the 2021 season. They went 4-2 on their first road trip to Boston and New York. They went 3-2 on a trip to Texas and Miami and 4-2 on a trip to Oakland and Seattle. That one ended with a no-hitter. But if they lose today, the Orioles will have a fourth winless road trip this year. From May 21-30, they went 0-10 at Washington, Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox. And from June...