MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our mobile texting service.
With the June First-Year Player Draft now less than a month and a half away, I got another opportunity to speak with 17-year-old catcher phenom Bryce Harper as his season with the College of Southern Nevada heads toward postseason play. Harper leads the Coyotes in several offensive categories including batting average (.410), hits (64), doubles (14), home runs (21), RBIs (59), total bases (143) and
A recent Baseball Prospectus article had some disparaging opinions regarding the makeup of 17-year-old phenom Bryce Harper. Kevin Goldstein wrote the article, "Future Shock: Bryce Harper" (April 22, 2010) on Harper as a player: "One scout called him among the worst amateur players he's ever seen from a makeup standpoint, with top-of-the-scale arrogance, a disturbingly large sense of entitlement, and on-field behavior that includes taunting
Fresh off a series victory for the Nats over the Cubs, the Harrisburg Senators completed a three game sweep at Reading 5-2. Matt Chico went five innings and allowed a hit and an unearned run to earn his first victory of the season. The Senators have won five in a row. Tuesday night, Stephen Strasburg no-hit the R-Phillies for five innings with no runs, no
READING, PA ---- Righthander Stephen Strasburg pitched 5 innings of shutout no-hit ball, retiring the first 13 batters he faced, for his 3rd win of the season as Harrisburg defeated Reading 1-0 before an announced 4,156 at chilly FirstEnergy Stadium. Strasburg threw 64 pitches, 42 for strikes, allowing no runs, no hits, no walks and striking out 6 batters. The game time temperature was 53
HBURG 1 READ 0 END 5TH strasburg rbi single Reading Stavisky F7 deep left field best hit ball so far tonight Spidale K passed ball allows runner to get to 1st U6 at 2nd Pinckney FC OUT 6-4 at 2nd Nelson FC Strasburg 64 pitches / 42 strikes IP 5.0 R 0 ER 0 H0 BB 0 K 6 HARRISBURG 000 01 READING 000
Reading Gillies CF struck out looking but saw 7 pitches Galvis SS 4-3 2 pitches Brown RF 4-3 3 p Stavisky 1B 4-3 Spidale LF 6-3 Pinckney 3B K Nelson C Chavez 2B Cisco P Strasburg IP 2.0 R 0 ER 0 H 0 BB 0 K 2 Harrisburg 00 Reading 00 pitches 12+12=24 END OF 2 0-0
Stephen Strasburg warming up on a ridiculously chilly and windy Tuesday night, wind chill in the 40s here at FirstEnergy Stadium as Harrisburg takes on the Reading Phillies. I will give you quick updates throughout Game 1 as long as my computer and/or fingers dont freeze first.
As the Nats continue their series in Chicago, I spoke with Carrie Muskat, who covers the Cubs for MLB.com, she had some kind words when I asked her about Jim Riggleman's time at Wrigley Field: "Most of the writers will tell you that Riggs was one of our favorite managers at Wrigley during his time here. Riggleman was a very thoughtful and very smart baseball
Heading to Reading, Pennsylvania tonight to watch the Harrisburg Senators face off against the Reading Phillies after yesterday's game was rained out (again!). It will be the second road start for Stephen Strasburg and will be interesting to see how he does against a team he just faced in his most recent outing. There has been talk that this week and next might be Strasburg's
The Nationals are offering a great opportunity for premium ticket holders to ask General Manager Mike Rizzo and the front office staff questions in a panel discussion for 30 minutes before Saturday home games. They are calling it the "Inside Pitch Live" Speaker Series. From the release: The Washington Nationals have launched "Inside Pitch Live," a new speaker series which will take place in the
Tyler Clippard did it again for the Nats, now 3-0 with the win Wednesday night as the Nationals outscored the Rockies 6-1 after trailing 3-0 middle 3rd. Clippard threw two innings, allowing no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Tyler had 4 wins all of last year and notched that final victory on October 1st. It is just April 21st and already Tyler
The Rockies prevented the Nationals from going two games above .500 for the first time since 2005 thanks to a 10-4 defeat at Nationals Park Tuesday night. Scott Olsen lasted only two innings plus four batters and the Rockies scored 8 runs in the third to put the game out of reach early. Some Good, some Bad One of the bright spots was the play
Syracuse Chiefs and former George Washington Colonials pitcher Josh Wilkie is off to a good start through 4 games and a 1.35 ERA as a reliever. He has pitched a robust 6 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 hits and 1 earned run. Righties are batting just .125 against Josh, who grabbed a few minutes with me as the Nats were checking out of their team
Harrisburg Senators pitcher Jeff Mandel is looking to follow up an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League with a step up to Double-A this season and the results are starting to show even this early in the season. Mandel bounced back from a tough first outing for a spectacular second start April 13th at Bowie. Jeff pitched 5 and 1/3rd innings, allowing 3 hits,
How many times has a late inning error and a quick deficit deflated the Nats the last two seasons? That is what happens to 100-loss teams everyday and twice on Sunday. Not this year. After Milwaukee went ahead 3-2 in the 8th on a throwing error charged to Alberto Gonzalez (because Cristian Guzman short armed the throw at first base), the Nats attacked the Brewers
Nationals pitcher Scott Olsen pitched fairly well against the Phils in his first game in the majors since July 10th of last year. Olsen threw 91 pitches with 57 for strikes, went 5 2/3rd innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks and struck out 5 Phillies. Olsen told me he debuted a new pitch, the sinker, in that game, and had success throwing
Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Randy Tomlin took some time after batting practice Thursday to talk about Stephen Strasburg as he gets ready for his second start of the season. Strasburg was impressive last Sunday, going 5 innings, allowing 1 unearned run and striking out 8 Altoona Curve batters in a 6-4 win. We talked about Strasburg getting into a rhythm last week, is that again
It has been a pretty big week for Justin Maxwell. The Nationals outfielder and his wife welcomed a baby girl into the world earlier this week, and now a team source confirms the Nats will call up Maxwell from Triple A Syracuse to rejoin the team in Philadelphia as early as Thursday. The University of Maryland product Maxwell has batted .252 with 6 homers and
Phillies catcher Brian Schneider taking on his former team in the Nats this week. He has played for the Nats, Mets and now Phillies in the last three seasons and is settling in as the backup catcher to Carlos Ruiz. When Brian was in D.C., he mentored a lot of young players for the Nats and was a leader on the field as well as
I watched the play over and over. It was a play that won't count in the box score or the stat sheet but one that tells me things will be different this year for the Nationals. Josh Willingham versus Johan Santana with the bases juiced on Sunday in New York. Willingham launches a moon shot to center field that hits above the red line for
Stephen Strasburg and the Nats could not have asked for a better test in his pro debut Sunday in Altoona, a 6-4 win at Blair County Ballpark before 7,887. Strasburg battled back in this game on the mound and at the plate. Down 4-0, Stephen didn't panic and kept his composure, pounded the strike zone thanks to Randy Tomlin's coaching and helped his own cause
Stephen Strasburg 5 innings pitched 4 hits 4 runs 1 earned run 2 bb 8 K 82 pitches/55 strikes rbi double and run scored for Strasburg in 5th, 1-2 rbi run and double. left with Altoona up 4-3 after 5, but Harrisburg took lead in 6th, Strasburg leaves with lead. Erik Arnesen pitching btm 6th.
Harrisburg scores 3 runs T5 on Solano RBI single scoring Jesus Valdez who led off with single rbi double for STRASBURG helping own cause Altoona Btm 5th hernandez sturck out looking presley 5-3 durham 5-3 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 0 K 82 pitches, 52 strikes that might be it with 85-90 pitch count strasburg line 5 inn 4 hits 4 runs 1
Harrisburg only 1 hit vs. Rudy Owens who is making his Double AA debut for Altoona no runs in 4th 1-2-3 BTM of 4th Durham F-9 Watts 99mph fastball WALK both walks to Watts Harrison grounder to SS, SS hand to 2B drops the ball everyone safe error 2nd base Ford struck out looking K de los Santos rbi single CF run scores error
Harrisburg 1-2-3 top 3rd including Strasburg at bat 3-1 groundout Altoona Btm 3rd Negrych 3-2 F-7 Hernandez K Presley 100mph K total pitches 47 pitches, 31 K, BB 16 excellent control 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 K, 0 bb 5 total K retired 7 straight after 3 innings Altoona 1, Harrisburg 0.
Harrisburg top 2nd base hit by adam fox but did not score. 24 pitches for Strasburg in 1st so he has 61 to 66 pitches left in pitch count Altoona Bottom 2nd Shelby Ford 1B leftie 99mph fastball swing miss 4-3 groundout Jose de los Santos SS leftie 99mph fastball swing miss 0-1 foul pop behind 3rd 0-2 struck out swinging 85 mph breaking
Harrisburg did not score Top 1st 1-2-3 Altoona Bottom 1st Jim Negrych 2B leftie up high fastball 1-0 ball thrown out for sens to keep 1-1 foul tip 1-2 foul tip all fastballs breaking ball 2-2 POP SS 1 out 5 pitches Gorkys Hernandez CF rightie 0-1 pop foul 5-3 groundout 2 pitches Alex Presley LF leftie up high fastball outside 1-0 fastball outside
Starting lineups for Stephen Strasburg's debut in Altoona, PA: Harrisburg Michael Martinez 2B Pedro Lopez SS Leonard Davis CF Chris Marrero QB Jesus Valdez RF Adam Fox 3B Bill Rhinehart LF Jhonatan Solano C Stephen Strasburg P Altoona Jim Negrych 2B Gorkys Hernandez CF Alex Presley LF Miles Durham RF Kris Watts C Josh Harrison 3B Shelby Ford 1B Jose de los Santos SS Rudy
I just spoke with Harrisburg manager Randy Knorr. Strasburg is on an 85-90 pitch count and Jhonatan Solano will catch Stephen today, as he did a lot during spring training. Randy, what are you looking for from Stephen today? "I just want him to go out there and just get the first one over with, relax, and just be himself. I am going to look
Beautiful day here in Altoona, arrived about 15 minutes. There is a horseshoe curve outside Altoona for the railroad, that is why the team is called "Curve", but curveball works as well. The team was almost called Altoona "Fish". Stephen Strasburg faces leftie Rudy Owens. The Sens looking for first win at 0-3. I will blog throughout the game so stay tuned to masnsports.com. Heading
From time to time, Tim Chambers, baseball coach and athletic director at College of Southern Nevada checks in to give us an update on 17-year old catcher/outfielder sensation Bryce Harper. Harper is eligible for the June amateur draft in which the Nationals again hold the number one overall selection. The Coyotes are doing very well this season at 30-6 and lead the Scenic West conference.
Nationals Garrett Mock is preparing for tonight's matchup against the N.Y. Mets from Citi Field. Before he left for the road trip, I had a chance to talk with Garrett on his spring training, feelings about making the team and what he will try to do to take down the Mets tonight. To listen to the audio interview, in its entirety, click here. So, are
The Nationals played a complete baseball game Thursday on getaway day, dropping the Phillies 6-5 for their first win of the season. Ryan Zimmerman with two doubles, including a blooper down the right field line for the go ahead run in the 7th, Willie Harris smacked a 2-run shot and Nyjer Morgan ignited a 3-run rally to begin the game with a big triple for
Thursday getaway day matchup features Nationals righthander Craig Stammen taking on Phillies righthander Kyle Kendrick. Stammen made 19 starts last year and went 4-7 with a 5.11 ERA and did not pitch after August 29th. He had off-season surgery to clean out bone spurs in his elbow. He said the pain had bothered him to the point where he couldn't straighten his arm out completely
Nationals pitcher Tyler Walker has bounced back from a slow start to spring training. He put his latest resurgence on display Wednesday night during the Phillies 8-4 win. Walker retired six consecutive Phillies hitters in the 5th and 6th innings. During that run he prevented the Phils from tacking on to a 6-3 advantage. The line was impressive: 2 innings, no hits, no runs, no
Starting pitcher Jason Marquis makes his Nats Park and season debut in a Nationals uniform Wednesday night against lefthander Cole Hamels and the Phillies. Last year, Jason was 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA for the Colorado Rockies. He had an especially brilliant start to the season that garnered him an All-Star selection. Jason was 10-5 through June 30th last season with two complete games to
Ian Desmond wanted more from his first game as the starting shortstop with the Nationals. His teammates felt the same way as the Phillies arrived and rolled past the Nats 11-1 on opening day. The beginning was pretty much all the Nats could have wanted from their first game of 2010 at Nats Park: A sold out crowd, a visit from the Commander in Chief
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig stopped by the press box during Monday's opener versus the Phillies and talked about a myriad of subjects and a few on the Nats and D.C. baseball. Here is a couple of his answers on the subject: Is Washington, D.C. coming into its own as a major league baseball town?: "I have no doubts and I mean this sincerely.
With Opening Day just around the corner, its time to get you ready for your visit to Nationals Park for the first time in 2010. Not only is the team expected to be much improved this season, but the Nationals have made sure the fan experience will be the best in the league. I had a chance to tour Nats Park recently to take in
Dan Cabrera from College of Southern Nevada passes along that Bryce is the Player of the Week in the NJCAA: Harper had his best weekend of the season to date last week in Price, Utah, going 7-for-14 with seven runs, four homers, eight RBIs and four walks. He hit three of his four home runs on Saturday, including two in the 5th inning of Game
