Josh Land

Nationals heading the wrong way at the wrong time

August 16, 2015, 5:50am

Do you remember the scene in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" when the couple is yelling frantically at John Candy and Steve Martin, "You're going the wrong way" as two 18-wheelers are approaching the duo's car? That's exactly what's happening to the Nationals as they appear lost in their 10-game, 11-day journey out west. There's no method to the madness, either. When the offense shows up, the pitching doesn't; when the starters twirl gems, the bats are left in the dugout. Nobody on...

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Losing streak reaches five as Giants double up Nats 12-6

August 15, 2015, 10:01pm

Nationals

Losing streak reaches five as Giants double up Nats 12-6

It's hard to win ballgames when your starting pitchers can't make it past the third inning. Friday night, Max Scherzer was knocked out after five early runs, and on Saturday, the Giants sent Gio Gonzalez to the showers, plating six in the third as the Nationals dropped their fifth straight game, 12-6. The Nationals presented Gonzalez with an early two-run lead on Yunel Escobar's RBI double in the first and Ian Desmond's colossal solo homer in the second. But Gonzalez gave it away quickly in...

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Gio Gonzalez knocked out in third, Nats lose 12-6

August 15, 2015, 6:26pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez knocked out in third, Nats lose 12-6

The Nationals jumped on the scoreboard in the opening frame. After Michael A. Taylor and Anthony Rendon lined out sharply, Giants starter Jake Peavy walked Byrce Harper. Yunel Escobar then dove a ball to the gap in right-center field. Hunter Pence appeared to take a bad route to the ball and it flew over his head. Harper raced all the way around to the plate on the two-out double to give the Nats a quick 1-0 lead. Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez retired the Giants in order in the bottom of...

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Orioles fans host second annual School of Roch Night

August 15, 2015, 5:41pm

Orioles

Every morning, Orioles fans log onto MASNsports.com and check out Roch Kubatko's School of Roch blog for the latest news and notes. As readers ask questions about the roster changes, talk about the previous night's game or even compete to be the first comment on the post, more than just good baseball discussion is generated. The blog has also developed friendships and a sense of a camaraderie among commenters. In 2014, Orioles fan Scott Fahs, known by username CardiacScott on MASNsports.com,...

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Nationals game blog: Bryce Harper looks for power surge

August 15, 2015, 5:25pm

Nationals

The reeling Nationals haven't won since Gio Gonzalez last took the mound. Gonzalez twirled eight scoreless innings in the Nats' 8-3 win over the Dodgers on Monday night. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA and 43 strikeouts over his last eight starts. According to Elias, the only other Washington pitcher to have at least five wins, no losses, an ERA under 1.50 and 40 strikeouts over an eight-game span was Senators Hall of Famer Walter Johnson. Bryce Harper, 22, smacked his National...

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Needing a win, Nationals turn to Gio Gonzalez (with lineups)

August 15, 2015, 3:05pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez heads to the mound to take his turn at stopping the Nationals' losing streak, now at four games. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in his last eight starts. Gonzalez is coming off his best outing of the season, holding the Dodgers scoreless over eight innings in the Nationals' 8-3 win last Monday. After failing to finish six innings in his previous three starts, Gonzalez turned in his longest start of the season five days ago. "The eight innings means a lot," Gonzalez told...

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Add Max Scherzer to the list of Nationals' concerns

August 15, 2015, 6:27am

Nationals

In a season filled with inconsistencies, Max Scherzer was one of the Nationals' constants. But in the dog days of summer, even the once-dominant right-hander is floundering. The Giants attacked Scherzer for six runs on seven hits in just three innings Friday night as the Nationals fell 8-5 for their fourth straight loss. "The last couple times out, it hasn't been his best," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "I just felt like he wasn't throwing it where he wanted to and left...

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Orioles recall catcher Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk, designate outfielder David Lough for assignment

August 14, 2015, 12:52pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled catcher Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk and designated outfielder David Lough for assignment. Clevenger, 29, has appeared in four games with the Orioles this season, batting .455/.455/.545 (5-11). He was named an International League All-Star this season and batted .305/.375/.393 (80-262) in 75 games with the Tides this season. Lough, 29, batted .202/.243/.318 (26-129) in 76 games with the Orioles this season.

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Nationals game blog: Offense looks to break through

August 14, 2015, 11:05am

Nationals

The Nationals have plated just one run over a current three-game losing streak. They will face struggling Giants right-hander Matt Cain, who has allowed four or more runs in five of his seven starts this season. Cain is 5-5 with a 3.34 in 14 career regular season starts against the Nats. Ian Desmond is 4-for-13 (.308) with two homers, three RBIs and two walks over his last four games. The 29-year-old owns a .357 (5-for-14) lifetime average off Cain with a home run. Jayson Werth is 5-for-10...

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Max Scherzer aims to regain dominant form (with lineups)

August 14, 2015, 10:33am

Nationals

Max Scherzer aims to regain dominant form (with lineups)

The Nationals send ace Max Scherzer to the mound tonight looking to end a three-game losing streak. Scherzer, who was arguably the National League's best pitcher through the first half of the season, has not been as dominant since the All-Star break. Scherzer is 1-1 with a 3.90 in his last five starts. The 31-year-old is coming off six innings on Sunday where the Rockies tagged him for three homers in the Nats' 6-4 loss. It was the second time in his last four outings that Scherzer...

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Matt Williams hints at possible changes to scuffling lineup

August 14, 2015, 6:33am

Nationals

Matt Williams hints at possible changes to scuffling lineup

The Nationals came out of the All-Star break by beating the Dodgers to climb a season-high 10 games over .500 on July 17 with a three-game hold on first place in the National League East. Since then, the Nats have gone 9-17 to drop 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in the race for the division. With 48 games remaining, including six against the Mets, it's not time for panic. But with the continuing struggles of the offense, it's not far off. After failing to score against Dodgers aces Zack...

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Patrick Reddington: Time winding down for Denard Span to return and make impact

August 14, 2015, 5:12am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Time winding down for Denard Span to return and make impact

Before Denard Span suffered a setback last week, he'd progressed to full workouts, live batting practice and taking fly balls and line drives in the outfield in Nationals Park as he worked his way back from a back issue that landed him on the disabled list. Washington's 31-year-old center fielder and leadoff man worked his way back from two surgeries this winter/spring - after he put together a line of .302/.355/.416, with 39 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 31 stolen bases and a +4.0...

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Slumping Nats drop third straight

August 13, 2015, 10:07pm

Nationals

After suffering back-to-back shutouts in Los Angeles, the Nationals managed to muster only one run as their losing streak reached three with the Giants' 3-1 win. With the Mets completing a sweep of the Rockies earlier Thursday, Washington slid 4 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East. The night began with heavy promise when Yunel Escobar sent Ryan Vogelsong's first pitch of the game over the left-center field wall. The solo shot was Escobar's third leadoff homer of the year...

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Matthew Taylor: Orioles are what their record says they are

August 13, 2015, 7:46pm

Orioles

It's dangerous to apply football wisdom to baseball. Nevertheless, with the Baltimore Ravens having played their first preseason game on Thursday night in this, ahem, football town, now is as good a time as any to do so. Finish ordering that Bryn Renner jersey at NFL.com, and let's talk some baseball. NFL Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcells famously said, "You are what your record says you are." That quote came to mind repeatedly this week as I watched the Orioles struggle through a 4-5 West...

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Offense quiet again as Nats lose 3-1

August 13, 2015, 6:50pm

Nationals

The Nationals broke a 19-inning scoreless streak right out of the gates. Yunel Escobar drove Ryan Vogelsong's first pitch of the game just over the wall in left-center for his third leadoff homer of the year. It was Escobar's eighth longball of the season and the Nats' seventh to start a game this season. After Vogelsong walked Bryce Harper, Giants shortstop Brandon Belt robbed Ryan Zimmerman on a blistered grounder to force Harper at second. Vogelsong then issued back-to-back free passes to...

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Nationals game blog: Stephen Strasburg looks for momentum

August 13, 2015, 6:04pm

Nationals

The Nationals' 10-game, 11-day West Coast trip continues tonight in San Francisco as Washington opens a four-game set with the Giants. The Nats outscored the Giants 14-5 in a three-game sweep in D.C. July 3-5. Stephen Strasburg started the second game of that series and held San Francisco scoreless over 3 2/3 innings before departing with a strained left oblique. The injury forced Strasburg to the disabled list the following day, and he remained there until last Saturday when he returned to...

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Nats hoping Stephen Strasburg continues dominant form (with lineups)

August 13, 2015, 3:09pm

Nationals

Nats hoping Stephen Strasburg continues dominant form (with lineups)

The Nationals begin a four-game set in San Francisco needing a win to remain 3 1/2 games back of the Mets, who finished off a sweep of the Rockies earlier today. Stephen Strasburg aims to end the Nats' two-game losing streak. The right-hander returned from the disabled list to spin seven dazzling innings last Saturday night, limiting the Rockies to one run on just three hits while striking out 12 without issuing a walk. Strasburg strained his left oblique during a start against the Giants on...

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Orioles to unveil pet calendar and sign autographs to benefit the animals of BARCS

August 13, 2015, 9:31am

Orioles

The Orioles will open a 10-game homestand on Friday, August 14, at 7:05 p.m. against the Oakland Athletics. The homestand will feature many special events including an autograph signing of the popular Orioles pet calendar at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), the 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and the 2015 Orioles Hall of Fame Class luncheon and ceremony. Additionally, several exclusive giveaways are scheduled, including a J.J. Hardy orange replica jersey, a Chris Tillman...

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Drew Storen shaky for third straight time

August 13, 2015, 6:04am

Nationals

Drew Storen shaky for third straight time

Drew Storen isn't pitching with the same dominance he displayed over the season's first four months. The easy assumption is either his confidence was shot or simply his focus was altered after the Nationals bumped him out of the closer role in favor of Jonathan Papelbon two weeks ago. In 38 appearances pitching the ninth inning or later before Papelbon was acquired, Storen allowed just seven runs (1.73 ERA). The 28-year-old right-hander has now surrendered eight in his last three games while...

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David Huzzard: A closer look at the Nats skipper Matt Williams

August 13, 2015, 5:43am

Nationals

David Huzzard: A closer look at the Nats skipper Matt Williams

Since the trade deadline, the Washington Nationals are 4-11 and sinking fast in their National League East race against the Mets. An August/September division race is something new for the Washington Nationals. In 2012 and 2014, they were in the lead for most of the season and began to pull away at this time of year, and in 2013 the Nationals were so far out of it, a late surge made no difference. Now the Washington Nationals find themselves in a fight and they are currently behind on the...