Josh Land

Nationals overpower Marlins in 5-1 win

August 29, 2015, 4:00pm

Ryan Zimmerman crushed a solo homer into the Red Porch at Nationals Park to lead off the second inning. It was Zimmerman's 12th home run of the season. He has 11 RBIs over his last six games. Danny Espinosa and Jordan Zimmermann reached on bunt singles to start the second. After Jayson Werth grounded into a double play, Anthony Rendon ripped a base hit to right, scoring Espinosa. Update: Rendon led off the sixth with a bloop single to right. Three batters later, Clint Robinson belted a deep...

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Denard Span: "It's been a terrible eight months for me"

August 29, 2015, 2:41pm

Nationals

Denard Span: "It's been a terrible eight months for me"

Denard Span received hugs and handshakes from teammates and coaches as he walked into the Nationals clubhouse for possibly one of the last times on Saturday afternoon. The 31-year-old center fielder will have season-ending surgery on his left hip on Tuesday. "I have a torn labrum, an impingement in my left hip," Span said. "I just gotta get it worked on. I gotta get it repaired, get my hip bone shaved down so I can get it back to working properly." Span indicated the post-surgery recovery...

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Orioles to celebrate 20th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game streak

August 28, 2015, 1:28pm

Orioles

The Orioles will open a three-game homestand on Monday, August 31, at 7:05 p.m. ET against the Tampa Bay Rays. The homestand will feature many special events including KidsPeace Night, an Orioles Wives Habitat for Humanity build, and a night to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game On Tuesday, September 1, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles will celebrate the iconic moment when Ripken played his 2,131st...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Patrick Reddington: Innings, pitches piling up for rookie righty Ross

August 28, 2015, 4:46am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Innings, pitches piling up for rookie righty Ross

At some point in the near future, and no one's saying exactly when, Nationals right-hander Joe Ross will reach his innings limit/pitch count for the season and he'll be shut down for the year. The concern in his case is that the right-hander has never thrown this many innings in a season before. Ross threw six innings on Thursday night, leaving him at 66 2/3 so far in the majors and 142 2/3 overall on the year between Double-A, Triple-A and the Nationals. Ross went up to 122 1/3 innings in...

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Matthew Taylor: Tallying reasons to watch O's despite recent struggles

August 27, 2015, 7:06pm

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Tallying reasons to watch O's despite recent struggles

Let's face it, being an Orioles fan has been a depressing proposition of late. Not quite 14 consecutive losing seasons depressing, mind you, but depressing all the same. If the 2014 season was exhilarating - and it was - the 2015 season has been exhausting. Judging from the recent Orioles commentary on Twitter, fan reactions to the team's struggles have included equal parts hostility and humor. OK, there's actually nothing equal about it. Ours is a hostile fan base right now. Given the...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Eagle Has Landed"

August 27, 2015, 6:35pm

One of the great treats in doing the Hitting the Books blog this season has been the chance to discuss books with my broadcast cohorts. This week I sat down with Dick Bremer, the voice of the Minnesota Twins, to discuss his favorite. Dick has been with the Twins for 30 years and is a St Paul native. Rich in humor and voice, he graciously sat with me to talk books. One thing is clear from this season of blogs: World War II novels and history continue to be extremely popular with readers. Dick's...

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Orioles option right-hander Jorge Rondon to Triple-A Norfolk

August 27, 2015, 3:44pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-hander Jorge Rondon to Triple-A Norfolk. Rondon, 27, allowed one run over 4.0 innings in two outings after being recalled from the Tides on August 24. In three games with the Orioles this season since being claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on May 10, Rondon has posted a 1.23 ERA (7.1IP, ER) while striking out three and walking one. Over five major league games between the Orioles and Rockies this season, he has pitched to an...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Meet Chris Davis and claim exclusive signed baseball card at Dempsey's on Aug. 31

August 27, 2015, 11:33am

Orioles

Meet Chris Davis and claim exclusive signed baseball card at Dempsey's on Aug. 31

We hope you're following us on Twitter, and if not, what are you waiting for? On Monday, Aug. 31, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will take time from his busy schedule of crushing home runs to hold an exclusive autograph signing at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant. The key to get in? You need to be following @masnOrioles on Twitter! On Sunday evening, we will be tweeting out an event ticket, which will get you into Monday's event at Dempsey's. There, Davis will be signing exclusive...

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Zach Wilt: The longball is the key

August 27, 2015, 6:14am

Orioles

It's tough to pinpoint exactly what was going wrong for the Orioles over their season-high six game losing streak. The bats had cooled, but the starting pitchers were averaging nearly a 6.00 ERA during the O's most difficult stretch of the season. Was the offense to blame or the arms? How much of a factor was tough luck? Last night in Kansas City, everything seemed to click once again for the Birds, and they avoided their longest losing streak in more than four years. On the mound, Wei-Yin...

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David Huzzard: It's time to plan for the offseason

August 27, 2015, 5:55am

Nationals

David Huzzard: It's time to plan for the offseason

With the Nationals' 6-5 loss to the Padres on Wednesday night, the Nats are now 6.5 games back of the Mets, and it might be time to start thinking about next year. The first action that most people are going to want is for Matt Williams to be fired, which could and probably should happen but isn't a big difference-making move. Matt Williams' managing philosophy is to interfere as little as possible with the game on the field. In other words, if the players were playing well then the Nats...

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Bryce Harper: "I'm trying to come in here and play as hard as I can no matter what"

August 27, 2015, 5:16am

Nationals

Bryce Harper: "I'm trying to come in here and play as hard as I can no matter what"

The Nationals seemed to be in prime position to not only tie last night's game in the seventh inning but potentially surge ahead of the Padres. After San Diego right-hander Shawn Kelley issued a bases-loaded walk to Anthony Rendon to cut the Nats' deficit to three, left-hander Marc Rzepczynski entered the game to face Bryce Harper. Down 0-1 in the count, Harper delivered as he has all season, muscling a slider to center for a two-RBI single, making it a one-run game with still just one out...

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Aggressive play backfires as Nationals lose ground with 6-5 loss

August 26, 2015, 8:06pm

Nationals

The Nationals can't afford to battle themselves and the Mets at this point in the season. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez came out sluggish, forcing the Nats to fight uphill all night. An error by Yunel Escobar coupled with an ill-timed double play grounder interfered with a comeback effort as the Nationals fell 6-5. Gonzalez trudged through a 26-pitch first inning, but escaped with consecutive strikeouts of Justin Upton and Jedd Gyorko. The next time Gonzalez faced the meat of the Padres order, the...

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Comeback falls short, Nats lose 6-5

August 26, 2015, 4:07pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez labored through a 26-pitch first inning that included a hit and a walk before finally escaping with back-to-back strikeouts of Justin Upton and Jedd Gyorko. Denard Span drilled a leadoff double in the first and then advanced to third on Jayson Werth's groundout. But Span was stranded as Padres starter Tyson Ross fanned Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper to end the inning. Ross singled off Gonzalez to start the third. After Yangervis Solarte popped out, Melvin Upton Jr. hit a grounder...

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Nats' season of injuries gets bizarre as Reed Johnson strains oblique on sneeze (Update)

August 26, 2015, 1:45pm

Nationals

Nats' season of injuries gets bizarre as Reed Johnson strains oblique on sneeze (Update)

If the Nationals miss these playoffs, injuries will undoubtedly be blamed for the team not meeting the sky-high expectations placed on them. Some have been blatant like Jayson Werth's fractured left wrist on a darting fastball, while others, such as Anthony Rendon's sprained MCL on a diving play, seemed otherwise harmless. Just last week, there was the unlucky Tyler Moore spraining his left ankle while accidentally stepping on a baseball in the batting cage. But none of the Nationals injuries...

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Gio Gonzalez aims to continue winning streak (with lineups)

August 26, 2015, 11:47am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez aims to continue winning streak (with lineups)

Gio Gonzalez looks to get back on track against the Padres tonight. Gonzalez was on a roll, going 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA over eight starts from June 21-Aug. 10. But since then, the left-hander has battled command issues, dropping two straight games while surrendering 11 runs (10 earned) over just 7 2/3 innings (11.74 ERA). Gonzalez is 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 starts at Nationals Park this season. The Padres send Tyson Ross (8-9 3.32 ERA), older brother of Nationals starter Joe Ross, to the mound...

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Fair or foul, Bryce Harper helped Nats to 8-3 win

August 26, 2015, 4:32am

Nationals

Fair or foul, Bryce Harper helped Nats to 8-3 win

The Nationals held a two-run lead in the sixth last night when Ryan Zimmerman's grand slam changed the complexion of the game, allowing Washington to coast to their third straight win 8-3. Zimmerman's epic homer would not have happened if not for a blown call by home plate umpire David Rackley. With two outs and Anthony Rendon on first, the Nationals had Bryce Harper at the plate facing left-hander Marc Rzepczynski. On a 2-1 count, Harper hit a grounder right at Padres first baseman Yonder...

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Stephen Strasburg shuts down Padres in Nats' 8-3 win

August 25, 2015, 7:40pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg shuts down Padres in Nats' 8-3 win

This Nationals season has been marred by injuries since spring training. Most of tonight's pregame attention was dominated by the return of Denard Span from the disabled list, finally making the Nats lineup whole for the first time year in the 124th game. But it was Stephen Strasburg, who twice lost large chunks of the season to DL stints, dominating the Padres over six strong innings in the Nats' 8-3 win. Yonder Alonso singled to lead off the second and Jedd Gyorko followed with a two-run...

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Strasburg, Zimmerman lead Nats to 8-3 win

August 25, 2015, 3:35pm

Nationals

Strasburg, Zimmerman lead Nats to 8-3 win

Stephen Strasburg gave up a leadoff single to Yonder Alonso in the second. Jedd Gyorko then smacked Strasburg's 97 mph fastball over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Strasburg retired the next three Padres in order. The right-hander has four strikeouts through two innings. The fans at Nationals Park welcomed Denard Span back from the disabled list with a standing ovation before his first at-bat. Span grounded out to shortstop. Update: Yunel Escobar singled off Padres starter James Shields...

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Domenic Vadala: Orioles can learn from the way Royals carry themselves

August 25, 2015, 2:44pm

Orioles

Gary Thorne and Mike Bordick brought up a great point in regards to the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. They mentioned that the team was playing with a lot of confidence, and there can be no doubt about that. You can see it written all over their faces, with the manner by which they carry themselves and, heck, even how their fans react. So could the Orioles learn a lesson from that? The answer is yes - but to a point. The Birds are an uber-professional team in a sense. Think about it: When...

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Williams explains Roark decison, lines up Scherzer to face Mets

August 25, 2015, 2:25pm

Nationals

Williams explains Roark decison, lines up Scherzer to face Mets

In order to make room for the return of Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams were left with the tough decision to option right-hander Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac. Roark, who went 15-6 with a 2.66 ERA in 31 starts last season, has worked primarily out of the bullpen this season. He's 1-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 relief appearances. However, with rookie right-hander Joe Ross nearing an innings limit, the Nationals are sending...