Josh Land

Nats bullpen collapses as playoff hopes fade away in devastating 8-7 loss

September 08, 2015, 8:26pm

On a night that began with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo calling this a must-win game, the bullpen that Rizzo constructed collapsed, as the playoff hopes crumbled in a mind-boggling 8-7 loss to the Mets. New York has now taken a commanding six-game lead over Washington with just 24 games remaining. "We got ourselves backed up against a wall here, but I don't think anyone in this clubhouse doesn't think that we can overcome this," closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "If we come out here...

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Watch Chris Davis hit tiebreaking home run against Yankees

September 08, 2015, 7:41pm

Orioles

Watch Chris Davis hit tiebreaking home run against Yankees

We all know Chris Davis as Crush Davis, but last night, he earned the nickname of Clutch Davis. Much of Tuesday night's game was dominated by pitching. Through the first eight innings, the only runs came from Ryan Flaherty and Alex Rodriguez's solo home runs in the sixth inning. Then came Crush ... I mean Clutch Davis. Davis stepped to the plate to lead off the ninth inning of the 1-1 ballgame. With a 2-0 count, Davis launched his league-leading 41st home run of the season to put the Orioles...

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Nats suffer crushing 8-7 loss as bullpen blows six-run lead

September 08, 2015, 3:53pm

Nationals

Nats suffer crushing 8-7 loss as bullpen blows six-run lead

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann received some stellar defense in the first. Ian Desmond made a dazzling stop and throw to get Yoenis Cespedes on a broken-bat grounder up the middle for the second out. And then speedy Michael A. Taylor ran down a deep drive to left-center off the bat of Daniel Murphy to end the frame. Anthony Rendon ripped a one-out single off Mets starter Matt Harvey in the first. After Bryce Harper popped out in foul territory, Yunel Escobar ignited a two-out rally with a...

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anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson clint robinson jordan zimmermann michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Mike Rizzo defends Bryce Harper: "He's a guy who loves this city"

September 08, 2015, 3:04pm

Nationals

Mike Rizzo defends Bryce Harper: "He's a guy who loves this city"

I'm sure you've heard by now that Nationals slugger Bryce Harper wasn't too happy with many fans departing Nationals Park prematurely in yesterday's 8-5 loss to the Mets. "I mean, they left in the seventh," Harper said. "That's pretty brutal." The criticism reverberated throughout the country from fans and media. Before tonight's game, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo defended his young star. "Bryce is a passionate player who wears his heart on his sleeve," Rizzo explained....

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No more starts for Joe Ross, Nats transition rookie to bullpen

September 08, 2015, 2:42pm

Nationals

No more starts for Joe Ross, Nats transition rookie to bullpen

The theme of Tuesday night at Nationals Park seems revolve around innings limits. Drama has surrounded tonight's Mets starter Matt Harvey - who is pitching in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2013 - after his super-agent Scott Boras indicated that a shutdown was necessary and nearing for the fireballer. Meanwhile, speculation has swirled around the Nationals for the past month as to whether right-hander Joe Ross is approaching the end of his rookie run due...

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chris johnson joe ross matt williams mike rizzo nationals nationals pastime tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Domenic Vadala: Looking at O's misfortunes going into offseason

September 08, 2015, 12:31pm

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: Looking at O's misfortunes going into offseason

Over the past month or so, I've gotten various comments and tweets on Birds Watcher to the extent of blaming various people for the Orioles' misfortunes. And while I don't think anyone's going to say that the likes of Buck Showalter or Dan Duquette are in any danger of losing their jobs, it's an interesting question. Who or what is to blame? I'll start by absolving the players - in terms of the effort put forth. Again, a lot of folks seem to want me to come out and say that the Orioles...

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Ryan Zimmerman out for critical game with Mets (with lineups)

September 08, 2015, 12:00pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman out for critical game with Mets (with lineups)

The Nationals will be without Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's crucial game against the Mets. Zimmerman was a late scratch for Sunday's game after experiencing continuing soreness in his left foot. He went 2-for-5 with a run scored in yesterday's 8-5 loss. The 11-year veteran missed 40 games with plantar fasciitis in the middle of the season, but since returning on July 28, Zimmerman leads the National League with 39 RBIs. He also tops the Nats with 11 homers, 13 doubles and a .652 slugging...

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Orioles reinstate J.J. Hardy from 15-day disabled list, recall Dariel Alvarez from Single-A Frederick

September 08, 2015, 10:10am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated infielder J.J. Hardy from the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Dariel Alvarez from Class A-Advanced Frederick. Hardy, 33, was placed on the disabled list on August 24 with a left groin strain. He has appeared in 93 games this season (91 starts at shortstop), compiling a .992 fielding percentage, while committing just three errors. He has batted .222/.253/.315 (74-333) with seven home runs and 32 RBI this season. Alvarez, 26, made...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Nationals release 2016 schedule, Marlins visit D.C. for home opener

September 08, 2015, 9:30am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2016 schedule this afternoon. The season will begin with a two-game series in Atlanta on April 4-6, with an off-day April 5. Opening day in D.C. will follow with the Marlins visiting Nationals Park for a three-game set beginning April 7. The Nats will once again celebrate the Fourth of July in the nation's capital when the Brewers start a three-game series. The Nationals' other home holiday game will come against the Phillies on Labor Day (Sept....

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Orioles announce 2016 schedule

September 08, 2015, 9:16am

Orioles

Opening Day slated for April 4 at Oriole Park against the Minnesota Twins The Orioles today announced that they will open the 2016 season at Oriole Park against the Minnesota Twins as part of a six-game homestand beginning with Opening Day on Monday, April 4. The Orioles will continue the first homestand of the season with a three-game series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, April 8-10. The Orioles will again host each American League East divisional opponent for three series...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Nationals announce 2016 schedule

September 08, 2015, 9:13am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2016 schedule on Tuesday, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, revealing an 81-game home slate that will begin with the home opener on April 7 vs. the Miami Marlins. The 83rd home opener in D.C. since 1901 will come after the Nationals begin the season at Atlanta with a two-game series April 4-6. Nationals Park will play host to 11 homestands, four of which will span 10 days, and include 13 weekend series. The home schedule will be highlighted by...

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Nationals Nationals News Release

Orioles to host Red Land Little League team on September 12

September 08, 2015, 7:13am

Orioles

The Orioles will host the Red Land Little League team from Lewisberry, Pa. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, September 12, prior to the 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Kansas City Royals. Representing the Mid-Atlantic Region in the Little League World Series, Red Land defeated the Southwest Region to win the U.S. title game on August 29, in Williamsport, Pa. The team went 4-1 in the tournament, losing only to Japan in the World Series Championship game on August 30. During a special...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Matt of Matt's Bats: With Nats running out of time, Williams should have pulled Scherzer early

September 08, 2015, 6:02am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: With Nats running out of time, Williams should have pulled Scherzer early

This has been an unexpected year for the Washington Nationals. They started the year well below expectations until the Braves game on April 28 when Dan Uggla hit a three-run go-ahead home run in extras. Max Scherzer chocolate sauced him, and the Nats flew. In late May, the Nationals were the favorites to win the division, with a 90 percent chance to make the postseason. After mediocre summer and horrible August, their chances have plummeted down to a measly 14 percent. However, that number...

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It won't get any easier for Bryce Harper, Nats against Matt Harvey

September 08, 2015, 4:56am

Nationals

It won't get any easier for Bryce Harper, Nats against Matt Harvey

After the Nats dropped a pivotal series opener to the Mets yesterday afternoon, it seemed like more of the attention was focused on Bryce Harper's brief comments on the Labor Day crowd checking out a bit prematurely at Nationals Park. "I mean, they left in the seventh," Harper said. "That's pretty brutal." For what it's worth, Harper has also praised the fans all season, later saying on Monday that playoff atmospheres have been pretty insane on South Capitol Street. But we also know that...

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Max Scherzer can't hold lead as Nats fall five games back

September 07, 2015, 2:09pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer can't hold lead as Nats fall five games back

The Nationals couldn't hold a two-run lead, wasting an opportunity as they fell back to five games behind the Mets with an 8-5 loss. Max Scherzer gave up solo homers to Michael Conforto and Kelly Johnson in the second and another to Yoenis Cespedes in the fourth. It was the third time in his last eight starts that Scherzer has surrendered three longballs in a game. "I just gotta execute better," Scherzer said. "I gotta find a way to execute pitches keep the ball out of the middle of the...

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bryce harper casey janssen chris johnson matt thornton matt williams max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar wilson ramos frontstory_nationals2

Max Scherzer tagged for three homers, Nats lose 8-5

September 07, 2015, 9:36am

Nationals

Max Scherzer tagged for three homers, Nats lose 8-5

After battling his way out of a jam in the first, Max Scherzer wasn't so lucky in the second. Michael Conforto drilled a first-pitch fastball over the wall in left-center to start the inning. Two batters later, Kelly Johnson smacked a changeup into the stands in right-center. Scherzer has now surrendered 10 homers in his last seven starts. Update: Yoenis Cespedis launched a 1-1 heater just over the left field wall to lead off the fourth. Scherzer has allowed three home runs three times in his...

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bryce harper chris johnson jayson werth max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar wilson ramos frontstory_nationals2

Max Scherzer looks to set tone against Mets (with lineups)

September 07, 2015, 8:01am

Nationals

Max Scherzer looks to set tone against Mets (with lineups)

The Nationals are set to begin an enormous series against the Mets with ace Max Scherzer on the hill. Scherzer has experienced two hard-luck starts against New York this year, going 0-2 with a 0.61 ERA. Two costly errors from Ian Desmond led to Scherzer's first loss against the Mets on opening day. Desmond has cleaned up his fielding and since the All-Star break, his bat has been red hot. In his last 45 games, Desmond is slashing .299/.368/.543 with 10 homers, one triple, eight doubles, 18...

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Marty Niland: With the season on the line, who would you rather be?

September 07, 2015, 5:40am

Nationals

Marty Niland: With the season on the line, who would you rather be?

For baseball fans, the season's final weeks can be a manic-depressive time when fortunes turn on a dime. At least that's how it's been for followers of the Washington Nationals. We've gone from hope to despair and back so many times in the past few weeks, it's hard to count. Remember that awful western road trip when the Nats returned with a five-game deficit to the New York Mets? Wasn't the season basically over then? How about last week's trip to St. Louis when the deficit grew to 6...

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Andrew Stetka: Chris Davis could prove to be O's most valuable free agent

September 07, 2015, 5:17am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Chris Davis could prove to be O's most valuable free agent

As the Orioles continue to carry about a 1 percent chance to make the postseason this year, they also are approaching one of the more important offseasons in their recent history. There are plenty of big decisions to be made as the games start to dwindle. While the O's won't completely give up on the prospect of making the playoffs, reality will eventually set in and I have a feeling some players from the minors will begin to see playing time. Perhaps one of the biggest decisions the O's...

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After a long wait, Max Scherzer gets his shot against the Mets

September 06, 2015, 3:50pm

Nationals

After a long wait, Max Scherzer gets his shot against the Mets

A day before taking the mound to begin a crucial series against the Mets, Max Scherzer watched his teammates complete a four-game sweep of the Braves, allowing the Nationals to gain 2 1/2 games on New York over the weekend. "You just come to the park ready to play and do your job," Scherzer said of the Nats' focus. "You don't worry about what the Mets are doing or anything like that. I mean, even though we're in a playoff race with them, you just understand where you're at within the...