Slam off Corbin in fifth seals storm-shortened loss (updated)
Slam off Corbin in fifth seals storm-shortened loss (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Anyone with a smartphone and a weather app knew what was coming. It was approaching from the west and it was going to reach Nationals Park at some point this evening. It was just a question of when. And what the status of the Nationals' series opener against the Dodgers was going to be when it did arrive. The answer: It arrived moments after the Nats went down in order in the bottom of the fifth, which came moments after Patrick Corbin gave up five runs in the top of the inning. That meant...
Mullins denied starting spot in All-Star Game (updated)
Mullins denied starting spot in All-Star Game (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The two phases of fan voting for the July 13 All-Star Game are done and the starters revealed. Where does this leave Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins? On the outside for now, waiting to find out whether he's a reserve for the American League. Mullins didn't finish in the top three voting among outfielders. The Angels' Mike Trout is first, followed by the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernández. The Twins' Byron Buxton was fourth and the Astros' Michael Brantley was...
Turner and Mercer out, Nats forced to start Avila at second
Turner and Mercer out, Nats forced to start Avila at second
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals didn't submit tonight's starting lineup until 45 minutes before first pitch, the sense being they were waiting to see if any or all of Juan Soto, Trea Turner and Jordy Mercer were available to play after departing Wednesday's win over the Rays with injuries. Then the lineup came out, and Turner and Mercer were missing. Which leaves the Nats in a most precarious position: Backup catcher Alex Avila is starting at second base for the first time in his career. Yes, you read that...
Game 79 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Game 79 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Good afternoon from Nationals Park, which just experienced a minor hurricane a few minutes ago. Seriously, it was intense. The skies have let up since then, and at this moment the forecast suggests it will be dry until about 8 p.m. That, of course, doesn't guarantee anything. So don't assume anything. As always, when we know something about the status of the game, we'll let you know. If they play, the Nationals will be looking to stay red hot against a particularly difficult opponent: the...
Orioles to continue offering free, voluntary COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Oriole Park
Orioles to continue offering free, voluntary COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Oriole Park
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Orioles, along with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), today announced an extension of their partnership to host on-site vaccination opportunities during home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards throughout the 2021 regular season. Vaccinations will be offered next to the ballpark's COVID-19 testing site, located along the Lower Level Concourse outside Section 26, beginning on July 6, when the Orioles host the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. ET. All adults aged 18 and over in...
Taking another dive into the Orioles bullpen
Taking another dive into the Orioles bullpen
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles never tried to promote the idea that their roster would be set for the majority of the 2021 season. That the lineup, rotation and bullpen would largely be untouched. They knew that a return to a full schedule and the realities of life in a rebuild would cause a substantial amount of personnel commotion. Reliever Spenser Watkins is waiting to become the 45th player used as the Orioles venture into the mathematical second half. That is, if he stays long enough to do it. The shuttle is...
Lester labors, but Nats take solace in his five-inning start
Lester labors, but Nats take solace in his five-inning start
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Only once in his career had Jon Lester made a major league start on a hotter day, and that was 11 years prior when his Red Sox were in Texas on a 102-degree afternoon. So there was a built-in excuse for the veteran left-hander to use Wednesday after he slogged his way through five innings on a muggy 95-degree late afternoon at Nationals Park, if he chose to use it. Which he did not. Though the conditions were miserable, Lester would not give them any credence in affecting his performance during...
Jordan Westburg settles in at Aberdeen (series sweep notes)
Jordan Westburg settles in at Aberdeen (series sweep notes)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ABERDEEN - Orioles infield prospect Jordan Westburg said he has made a "seamless" transition to professional baseball, but it happened under anything but normal circumstances. After the club selected him No. 30 overall out of Mississippi State in the draft last June, there were no minor league games to play and no place to report to and begin his career. Westburg did eventually get to meet some of his new coaches and teammates during fall instructional league in Sarasota, Fla. This came after...
Four-run first inning and leak-proof bullpen lead to series sweep
Four-run first inning and leak-proof bullpen lead to series sweep
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cedric Mullins is expected to represent the Orioles at the All-Star Game, finding out Sunday night whether he made it as a starter. Trey Mancini already confirmed his participation in the Home Run Derby. They can hang out in Denver. Ryan Mountcastle won't be tagging along, but he's distracted with strengthening his candidacy for American League Rookie of the Month. With more prestigious hardware in his sights. Astros starter Luis Garcia hung a slider tonight with two outs in the top of the...
Turner's third career cycle carries Nats to another win (updated)
Turner's third career cycle carries Nats to another win (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The thermometer was loaded with mercury, the heat index was in triple digits, the ball was flying at Nationals Park, and as everyone else was dragging from exhaustion, there was Trea Turner racing around the bases in the bottom of the sixth, chasing history. Having already singled in the first, doubled in the third and homered in the fourth, here was Turner - on his 28th birthday - lining a ball over Manuel Margot's head in right field and immediately deciding it was time to turn on the...