Josh Land

Domenic Vadala: Should the Orioles buy or stand pat?

July 22, 2015, 6:15am

Orioles

If you read my column on Birds Watcher, perhaps you've noticed that we've started looking toward the trade deadline. This year, the Orioles do in a way find themselves in a bit of a dilemma. I'm not one of those folks suggesting that the Orioles should consider selling off because "they aren't good enough" or something like that. But in my view the real dilemma is "buy or stand pat?" The Orioles are a contending team, so let's just dismiss the notion of selling right now. So that...

Tags:

Best of the Decade: Nationals clinch first playoff berth, win NL East in 2012

July 22, 2015, 4:36am

Nationals

As the Nationals celebrate 10 seasons in Washington, D.C., we reflect on some of the best moments since the franchise moved to the nation's capital. Each Wednesday through mid-August, check out Nationals Pastime for a remembrance of one of the watershed moments in Nationals history. A new chapter of for the Washington Nationals began on September 20, 2012 when Drew Storen whiffed Hanley Ramirez on a filthy slider to beat the Dodgers 4-1 and secure the franchise's first-ever playoff berth...

Tags:

adam laroche bryce harper chris johnson davey johnson jayson werth nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3 best of the decade nat10nals

Late-inning bullpen concerns continue for Nats in 7-2 loss

July 21, 2015, 7:48pm

Nationals

Late-inning bullpen concerns continue for Nats in 7-2 loss

A night after playing one of their tighter games of the year, the Nationals seemed to unravel in a 7-2 loss to the Mets, mostly due to poor relief pitching and shoddy fielding. Rookie Joe Ross was impressive in his return to D.C. after a month at Triple-A Syracuse. The right-hander took a 2-1 lead into the seventh when Wilmer Flores led off with a single. Kirk Nieuwenhuis followed with a bouncing ball down the first base line. "Clint (Robinson) decided to come get it and couldn't get it,"...

Tags:

aaron barrett chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime tanner roark featured_sidebar

Bullpen struggles, Nats lose 7-2

July 21, 2015, 4:16pm

Nationals

Joe Ross retired the first nine hitters he faced before running into some trouble in the fourth. Curtis Granderson led off the inning with a single to center and then stole second. A groundout from Ruben Tejada moved Granderson to third. Ross followed by striking out Daniel Murphy. But after hitting Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores delivered an RBI base knock up the middle scoring Granderson. Ross has allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts and no walks through four innings. Ian Desmond's...

Tags:

chris johnson joe ross nationals nationals pastime wilson ramos

Matt Williams updates Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman

July 21, 2015, 4:01pm

Nationals

Matt Williams updates Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman

Anthony Rendon's minor league rehab assignment continued in Single-A Potomac's 7-0 win at Frederick today. Appearing as the designated hitter, Rendon went 1-for-3 with a single, two walks and a run scored. Rendon played the previous two games at third base for Potomac. Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated he would like to see Rendon play a full nine innings in the field before activating him. "He's scheduled to go again tomorrow," Williams said. "That's at least five (innings),...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson jayson werth matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Stephen Strasburg ramping up rehab

July 21, 2015, 2:01pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg threw off a mound earlier this afternoon for the first time since landing on the 15-disabled list with a left oblique strain on July 5. Manager Matt Williams indicated Strasburg fired around 30 pitches during the bullpen session at Nationals Park. "(Strasburg) threw a couple of breaking balls, fastballs and changeups, and had no issues," Williams said. "So, that's a good sign. We'll see how he feels tomorrow. I would imagine some general body soreness tomorrow after being...

Tags:

chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals

Nats take third crack at All-Star Jacob deGrom (with lineups)

July 21, 2015, 11:41am

Nationals

Nats take third crack at All-Star Jacob deGrom (with lineups)

Mets ace Jacob deGrom takes the mound tonight in his first appearance since stealing the show in the All-Star Game a week ago. deGrom, the 2014 National League Rookie of the Year, blazed through the sixth inning last Tuesday, whiffing Oakland's Stephen Vogt and Cleveland's Jason Kipnis on 97 mph heaters before fooling Detroit's Jose Iglesias on a filthy curveball. The long-haired 27-year-old brings a 9-6 record and 2.14 ERA into tonight's start, but two of his losses have come to the...

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson jacob degrom joe ross nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals2

Nationals officially recall Joe Ross for tonight's start; Wilmer Difo optioned

July 21, 2015, 11:15am

Nationals

The Nationals officially recalled rookie right-hander Joe Ross from Triple-A Syracuse to make tonight's start against the Mets. This will be Ross' second stint with the Nationals this season after impressing with a 2-1 record and 2.66 ERA in three starts in June. Ross struck out 23 and walked only two across 20 1/3 innings after debuting in the majors on June 6. The former 2011 first-rounder figures to remain in the rotation until Stephen Strasburg (left oblique strain) comes off the 15-day...

Tags:

chris johnson joe ross nationals nationals pastime wilmer difo featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals recall right-hander Joe Ross, option infielder Wilmer Difo to Double-A Harrisburg

July 21, 2015, 11:06am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Joe Ross from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and optioned infielder Wilmer Difo to Double-A Harrisburg. Ross will start for the Nationals against the Mets on Tuesday night. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ross, 22, returns to the Nationals for his second major league stint of the season. The Nationals selected Ross' contract from Double-A on June 6 and the rookie right-hander dazzled in...

Tags:

Nationals Nationals News Release

Matt of Matt's Bats: Nationals in good place after All-Star break

July 21, 2015, 5:48am

Nationals

The All-Star break has passed and the second half of the 2015 MLB season has officially begun. After the series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Nationals face the Mets to kick off the second half. This is the first time the Nats are facing their second-place rival since the first week of May, if you can believe it. Even with all the injuries and the poor performance in May, it was a very good first half for the Nats. They ended the first half with sole possession of first...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger matt nationals nationals buzz

Matt Kremnitzer: Looking at Chris Davis in right field

July 21, 2015, 5:27am

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: Looking at Chris Davis in right field

Nothing gets by Buck Showalter, but that doesn't mean you have to believe everything he says. You probably shouldn't believe everything anyone says. In February, when discussing Chris Davis' chances of playing right field during the season, Showalter said, "Chris might be as good a right fielder as we have here." That comment surely made numerous fans roll their eyes. Perhaps that was less of a compliment than an unintentional (or intentional) dig at the defensive skills of some of the...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger matt kremnitzer orioles orioles buzz

Michael A. Taylor leaps through the air for show-stopping catch

July 21, 2015, 4:46am

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor leaps through the air for show-stopping catch

For a few tense seconds, it appeared the Nationals' early lead they built against Matt Harvey was evaporating. Trailing 5-1 in the fifth, the Mets had two runners on with two outs and Eric Campbell at the plate. Gio Gonzalez offered a 92 mph fastball and Campbell drilled it to deep right-center field. "I thought it was at least off the wall, maybe top of the wall," Gonzalez said. Then Michael A. Taylor came into the picture. With the ball screaming through the air, Taylor turned on the...

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson gio gonzalez ian desmond jose lobaton matt williams michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar

Ian Desmond homers after words of encouragement from Cal Ripken Jr.

July 20, 2015, 7:21pm

Nationals

Ian Desmond homers after words of encouragement from Cal Ripken Jr.

The struggles this season for Ian Desmond are well-chronicled. The free-agent-to-be entered tonight's game with his average plummeting to .204 after going 0-for-13 with five strikeouts in the Nationals' previous four games. But, the seven-year veteran's night at the plate ended up factoring in the Nationals' 7-2 win in the series opener over the Mets. Desmond's infield single in the third led to a throwing error by Mets third baseman Daniel Murphy, which allowed Clint Robinson to score the...

Tags:

cal ripken jr. chris johnson ian desmond nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Gio Gonzalez outduels Matt Harvey in Nats' 7-2 win

July 20, 2015, 4:09pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez outduels Matt Harvey in Nats' 7-2 win

After striking out Curtis Granderson to open the game, Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez issued a walk to Ruben Tejada. Daniel Murphy then ripped a fastball down the right field line to give the Mets runners at second and third with one out. In early trouble, Gonzalez scrambled off the mound to field a slow grounder and then fired to first to beat Wilmer Flores for the out while keeping Tejada at third. John Mayberry Jr. followed with a sharp grounder down the third base line, which appeared...

Tags:

chris johnson danny espinosa gio gonzalez nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar frontstory_nationals2

Rookie Joe Ross returns to start against Mets on Tuesday

July 20, 2015, 2:08pm

Nationals

Rookie Joe Ross returns to start against Mets on Tuesday

Nationals manager Matt Williams announced rookie Joe Ross as the starter for Tuesday night's game against the Mets. The 22-year-old was called up from Double-A Harrisburg to make his major league debut on June 6 after Stephen Strasburg landed on the 15-day disabled list the first time this season. Ross dazzled in his three starts until Strasburg returned. The right-hander went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA while setting a new Nationals record by waiting 54 batters into his big league career before...

Tags:

chris johnson joe ross matt williams nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals tangle with Mets, Harvey in series opener (with lineups)

July 20, 2015, 1:12pm

Nationals

The Nationals will try to reverse their luck against Mets starter Matt Harvey. The hard-throwing right-hander has thrown 13 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in two wins over Washington this season. Michael A. Taylor has experienced the most success against Harvey, going 3-for-6 with a double. Taylor is batting leadoff tonight. For the Mets:RF Curtis Granderson SS Ruben Tejada 3B Daniel Murphy 2B Wilmer Flores LF John Mayberry Jr. 1B Eric Campbell CF Juan Lagares C Anthony Recker RHP Matt...

Tags:

chris johnson matt harvey michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals2

Nationals call up Abel De Los Santos (Blake Treinen optioned)

July 20, 2015, 8:38am

Nationals

The Nationals will reportedly call up right-hander Abel De Los Santos from Double-A Harrisburg for bullpen support. The hard-throwing right-hander is 4-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 26 appearances this season. De Los Santos, 22, has struck out 35 while walking seven across 37 1/3 innings in his first year in Double-A. The Nationals acquired De Los Santos along with infielder Chris Bostick last December in the deal that sent left-hander Ross Detwiler to the Rangers. Texas released Detwiler last week...

Tags:

abel de los santos chris johnson nationals nationals pastime

Marty Niland: Nats get some good news on a tough weekend

July 20, 2015, 5:23am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats get some good news on a tough weekend

It was a frustrating, weekend of dormant offense for the Nationals against Dodgers aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, who combined to hold the Nats scoreless for 18 innings, striking out 25 batters. Amid all the whiffs and groundouts, however, the Nats did get a key bit of good news: Injured stars Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are all off to good starts on minor league rehab assignments. Although none will be on the field for what has turned out to be a crucial series...

Tags:

anthony rendon guest blogger guestblogger jayson werth marty niland nationals nationals buzz ryan zimmerman

Mets feature power pitching in series with Nats

July 20, 2015, 4:45am

Nationals

Mets feature power pitching in series with Nats

The Nationals offense comes out of the weekend smarting after back-to-back crippling performances from Dodgers aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. No time for sulking, though, as the Mets roll into town set to throw a trio of young, right-handed power arms in a crucial three-game series. The Nats hold a slim two-game lead in the National League East over the Mets, who outlasted the Cardinals 3-1 in 18 innings yesterday. New York manager Terry Collins plans to send Matt Harvey (3.07 ERA) to...

Tags:

chris johnson ian desmond matt williams nationals nationals pastime wilson ramos featured_sidebar

Max Scherzer takes another hard-luck loss

July 19, 2015, 4:34pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer takes another hard-luck loss

As dominant as Max Scherzer has been this year, the Nationals hold a less than impressive 11-8 record when he starts. That disappointing tally is due mostly to the lack of offensive support Scherzer has received. Sunday's shutout loss to Zack Greinke and the Dodgers totals three times this year that the Nationals have failed to score a run when Scherzer takes the mound. Overall, the Nats have plated just seven runs combined in Scherzer's eight losses. "Max, he's going to do his job every...