Josh Land

Max Scherzer faces Pirates for first time since no-hitter (Robinson scratched)

July 24, 2015, 11:28am

PITTSBURGH - Max Scherzer makes his first start against the Pirates since he tossed his first career no-hitter against them on June 20 at Nationals Park. Scherzer was one strike away from throwing the 24th perfect game in major league baseball history when his slider clipped Pittsburgh's Jose Tabata on the left elbow. Eight days later, the Pirates designated Tabata for assignment. The Nationals have scored only four total runs in Scherzer's four starts in July, leading to a 1-3 record in the...

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Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Great Gatsby"

July 24, 2015, 10:04am

Orioles

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Great Gatsby"

What a treat to have a dear broadcast friend join in this week's Hitting the Books. Suzyn Waldman is a New York baseball institution, currently covering the Yankees on radio. Her rich history runs deep into musical performances as an actress and singer. She is highly educated in the arts, which are a major part of her life. Her book choice: "The Great Gatsby". Consistently rated as one of the great literary works of all time, this book by F. Scott Fitzgerald has generated as much comment,...

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Orioles homestand to feature Casey Cares Foundation 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park

July 24, 2015, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles will open a seven-game homestand on Monday, July 27, at 7:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves. The homestand will feature many special events including the Casey Cares Foundation 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park, a "Play Baseball" clinic with Manny Machado, and Social Media Night at the ballpark. The homestand will also feature exclusive giveaways including a Maryland-themed Oriole Bird bobblehead and a J.J. Hardy player-designed t-shirt. The Orioles and OriolesREACH will again partner...

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Matthew Taylor: Closer look at young Orioles who rivaled Machado's outstanding season

July 24, 2015, 7:38am

Orioles

If you're looking for bright spots in a disappointing season, look no further than the hot corner where Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continues to take on the look of a superstar in the making. After some unexpected early season defensive struggles, Machado has reclaimed his form in the field and taken on a new form in the batter's box. It's fair to say that Machado is having one of the best offensive seasons a young Orioles player has ever had. To make that kind of statement, we need...

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Patrick Reddington: Is trading for late-inning option worth cost of prospects?

July 24, 2015, 7:04am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Is trading for late-inning option worth cost of prospects?

There have been plenty of rumors involving the Washington Nationals as the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline approaches, and Nats GM Mike Rizzo has heard the chatter. One report after another says the Nationals are in the market for relief help. So are they looking for a set-up man? An eighth-inning option? "That seems to be the popular opinion," Rizzo joked in an MLB Network Radio interview this week, "that our bullpen needs more depth, although, going into last night's game, I think we...

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Trade rumors and Anthony Rendon nearing return

July 24, 2015, 4:57am

Nationals

Trade rumors and Anthony Rendon nearing return

PITTSBURGH - With the non-waiver trade deadline exactly one week away, rumors are floating and action and is heating up. In the middle of the Nationals' 7-3 loss to the Pirates last night, MLB Network insider and FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported that two Reds scouts were in Vermont to put eyes on right-hander Erik Fedde, Washington's first-round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. Two #Reds officials are watching #Nationals Class A RHP Erick Fedde tonight in Vermont. -- Ken...

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Doug Fister's slide continues as Pirates sink Nats 7-3

July 23, 2015, 8:05pm

Nationals

Doug Fister's slide continues as Pirates sink Nats 7-3

PITTSBURGH - Nationals starter Doug Fister has struggled to find consistency this season. The tall righty was battered often and hard from the beginning of tonight's 7-3 loss the Pirates. "It's inexcusable," Fister said. "Starting to get back to feeling better and strong and being able to locate. But missing on too many pitches over the plate. I'm not going for the right pitches at the right time. Not going after them and going with my second or third best pitch. I've just got to...

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Pirates smack three homers, beat Nats 7-3

July 23, 2015, 4:15pm

Nationals

Pirates smack three homers, beat Nats 7-3

PITTSBURGH - It's been a rough start for Doug Fister so far. The right-hander gave up a two-out single to Andrew McCutchen and then was tagged for an RBI triple by Starling Marte in the first. Pedro Alvarez drilled an 87 mph fastball over the left field wall to lead off the second. Francisco Cervelli and Gregory Polanco followed with consecutive singles but Fister battled his way out of the jam. Fister has allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He has already thrown...

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Rendon, Werth and Zimmerman ramping up rehab action

July 23, 2015, 3:53pm

Nationals

Rendon, Werth and Zimmerman ramping up rehab action

PITTSBURGH - Anthony Rendon went 3-for-3 with an RBI while playing six innings at third base In Single-A Potomac's 5-1 loss to Frederick last night. The 25-year-old is expected to push it to seven innings tonight again at third base. Rendon's left quad strain sent him to the 15-day disabled list on June 25. He's 7-for-10 (.700) with a double, two walks, one RBI and a run scored in four games over the last week for Potomac. Ryan Zimmerman is down the road from his Nationals teammates playing...

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Yunel Escobar undergoes further tests on injured left wrist and hand

July 23, 2015, 2:59pm

Nationals

Yunel Escobar undergoes further tests on injured left wrist and hand

PITTSBURGH - After X-rays were negative yesterday on Yunel Escobar's left wrist and hand, the Nationals sent him for a CT scan of the area, which was also negative. "All results are good so far," Nationals manager Matt Williams said before tonight's game. "It feels better today. (Escobar's) not in the lineup today but he's available, which is a good sign. We'll see what the coming days give us." A CT scan is the test which revealed fractures in Jayson Werth's left wrist after his...

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Yunel Escobar out; Bryce Harper looks for first homer in Pittsburgh (with lineups)

July 23, 2015, 12:41pm

Nationals

Yunel Escobar out; Bryce Harper looks for first homer in Pittsburgh (with lineups)

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates will look to seek revenge on the Nationals, who swept the Bucs on June 19-21 in Washington. The Nats outscored the Pirates 19-3 in the series, which included Max Scherzer's first career no-hitter. Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was on the wrong side of Scherzer's gem at Nationals Park, takes the mound tonight. Liriano hasn't pitched since before the All-Star break with his last start coming back on July 12. The 10-year-veteran has posted a 1.98 ERA in his...

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Zach Wilt: Orioles' biggest need at the trade deadline

July 23, 2015, 7:00am

Orioles

When Major League Baseball added a second Wild Card to each league in 2012, the trade market completely changed. As I look at the standings here on July 23, six teams are within five games for an American League Wild Card berth. If you include the three division leaders and two teams that current sit in a Wild Card spot, that's 11 of the league's 15 teams. How is it possible that only four clubs will sell at deadline? Maybe it's time to push pack that date another two weeks. Prior to Game...

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David Huzzard: Explanation of slow trade market

July 23, 2015, 6:32am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Explanation of slow trade market

By next Friday, our memories on this trade deadline will be very different, but the current atmosphere is one of inaction. The biggest news we have is that the Tigers might be sellers but haven't made up their minds. Lots of people blame the second wild card for the lack of moves, but the Reds, Phillies, Braves, Padres, Athletics, and a few other clubs are known to be sellers. The inaction can best be explained by what people think should happen and what is actually going to happen. Look at...

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Matt Williams on Danny Espinosa: "Resilient, in every aspect"

July 23, 2015, 4:48am

Nationals

Matt Williams on Danny Espinosa: "Resilient, in every aspect"

Yesterday's 4-3 comeback win is a perfect example to encapsulate everything that Danny Espinosa has meant to the Washington Nationals this season. Riddled with injuries all year, the Nats' list got even longer early Wednesday afternoon when Yunel Escobar left the game suddenly in the second inning. Once again, Espinosa shifted from second to third base to fill in as he had 14 other times this year at a position he had never played in his life prior to this year. Espinosa battled at the plate...

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Zimmermann, Storen featured in Nats' stellar pitching attack against Mets

July 22, 2015, 3:06pm

Nationals

Zimmermann, Storen featured in Nats' stellar pitching attack against Mets

All the hype coming into this pivotal series seemed to focus on the pitching arsenal the Mets were prepared to throw at the Nationals. Three days later, the Nats starters stood up to the test. Gio Gonzalez outpitched Matt Harvey on Monday to claim the win. Last night, Joe Ross took a 2-1 lead over Jacob deGrom and the Mets into the seventh before the Nationals bullpen tanked. And tonight it was Jordan Zimmermann, who outlasted rookie sensation Noah Syndergaard. "It was big," Zimmermann said...

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Resilient Nats deliver another comeback win to take series

July 22, 2015, 2:00pm

Nationals

Resilient Nats deliver another comeback win to take series

The Nationals were four outs from having their National League East lead chopped to one game when an improbable rally ensued, resulting in a stunning 4-3 comeback win over the Mets. There wasn't a whole lot for the soldout crowd of 41,291 to cheer about at Nationals Park for much of the day, especially after watching Yunel Escobar, the Nats' second-leading hitter, exit the game with a left wrist injury in the second inning. The Nationals found themselves down 3-1 in the eighth when Ian...

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Orioles recall right-hander Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk, place Steve Pearce on 15-day DL

July 22, 2015, 12:53pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk and placed infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain, retroactive to July 19. Gausman, 24, has gone 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA (27.0IP, 15ER) in 11 games (three starts) with the Orioles this season. In 51 career major league games (28 starts), Gausman has gone 11-13 with a 4.31 ERA (188.0IP, 90ER). In three starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season, he went...

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Nats rally late to take series with 4-3 win (Yunel Escobar injured)

July 22, 2015, 9:34am

Nationals

Nats rally late to take series with 4-3 win (Yunel Escobar injured)

Yunel Escobar left the game in the middle of his first at-bat to start the second inning. Escobar dropped to his knees, clutching his left hand or wrist after attempting to check his swing on a 96 mph heater from Mets starter Noah Syndergaard. It was unclear if the ball actually hit Escobar, though the Nationals' Twitter account reported that Syndergaard's pitch struck Escobar's hand. Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz tended to Escobar immediately. After...

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Jordan Zimmermann aims for distance in series finale with Mets (with lineups)

July 22, 2015, 6:25am

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann aims for distance in series finale with Mets (with lineups)

The Nationals enter this afternoon's rubber match holding a slim two-game lead over the Mets in the National League East. Jordan Zimmermann should be well-rested for today's outing since his last start on Friday was interrupted after only four innings due to a power failure at Nationals Park. Zimmermann beat the Mets 2-1 back on April 8, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Bryce Harper comes into today's game hitless in his last two, only the...

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Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

July 22, 2015, 6:23am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

Here's the thing about Tuesday night's game at Nationals Park between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets - Washington starter Joe Ross threw a good game. He was able to keep up with 2015 All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom in a head-to-had match-up, which should be viewed as an accomplishment for the young rookie pitcher. The unfortunate part is that the accomplishment dissolved amid a quiet offense and struggling relief pitchers. The onus isn't completely on the quiet offense. deGrom is a...