Josh Land

Matt Kremnitzer: Delving into Ubaldo Jimenez's revival

June 23, 2015, 5:48am

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: Delving into Ubaldo Jimenez's revival

Surprised by the resurgence of Ubaldo Jimenez? Maybe you shouldn't be, considering the amount of unexpected productive performances from random Orioles these last few years. The 2015 season hasn't been any different. There are Jimmy Paredes, Chaz Roe, Nolan Reimold, Chris Parmelee, Tyler Wilson, and Mike Wright (temporarily, at least) - all have contributed in some way. But Jimenez has arguably been the best O's starting pitcher so far this season, which is hard to believe considering how...

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Best of the decade: Back to the postseason in 2014

June 23, 2015, 4:10am

Nationals

Best of the decade: Back to the postseason in 2014

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 for the next 10 weeks, check out Nationals Pastime for a remembrance of one of the watershed moments in Nationals history. Some wore ski goggles, others swimming goggles to protect their eyes from the sting of champagne. Bryce Harper donned a D.C. fireman's helmet with his number on it. But all were soaked. Drenched in a...

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Stephen Strasburg expected to return from DL for start

June 23, 2015, 2:31am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg expected to return from DL for start

It's expected that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will come off the 15-day disabled list and return to the mound for tonight's series opener with Braves at Nationals Park. Manager Matt Williams opted to delay naming his starter for tonight's game, but all signs point to Strasburg, who emerged from last Wednesday's rehab start at Double-A Harrisburg appearing comfortable and confident. Strasburg ended up on the DL when a strained left trapezius muscle forced him out of his May 29 outing in...

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No-hitter earns Max Scherzer NL Player of the Week honors

June 22, 2015, 12:02pm

Nationals

No-hitter earns Max Scherzer NL Player of the Week honors

After pitching his first career no-hitter on Saturday, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer earned National League Player of the Week honors this afternoon. Scherzer was one strike away from throwing the 24th perfect game in Major League Baseball history when he hit Pirates pinch-hitter Jose Tabata in the left elbow. That was the only baserunner Scherzer allowed as he re-focused and was able to get Josh Harrison to fly out to left to secure the no-hitter. Scherzer's dominant performance was no...

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Bryce Harper keeps slugging away during gritty weekend performance

June 21, 2015, 3:24pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper keeps slugging away during gritty weekend performance

Bryce Harper's health has been well-chronicled and the 22-year-old has lived under a microscope for most of his four-year career. Fluke injuries have interfered with lofty expectations, causing Harper to miss more than 100 games over the last two seasons. But aside from missing games after two plunkings this season, Harper has largely been on the field, arguably performing as arguably the game's best player. So understandably, the worst was expected when Harper crumbled to ground Thursday...

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Records fall as Nats sweep Pirates

June 21, 2015, 2:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals limped into this weekend just a game above .500, with their star slugger wounded and a rookie on the mound facing the red-hot Pirates, winners of their past eight. Not only did the Nats bring a screeching halt to Pittsburgh's scorching streak, they did it in record fashion, sweeping the Pirates after this afternoon's 9-2 thumping. And just like that, the Nationals find themselves back atop the National League East. Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton confidently brought a...

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Maryland Lottery Contestant of the Game won huge when O's broke home run record

June 21, 2015, 1:30pm

Orioles

Maryland Lottery Contestant of the Game won huge when O's broke home run record

When the Orioles shattered their previous home run record by hitting eight home runs on June 16, O's fans rejoiced while Maryland Lottery Contestant of the Game Kevin Hollis cheered louder and louder for each and every home run. Hollis, 28, is an Eastern Shore resident and was chosen as the Contestant of the Game after entering non-winning Baseball Bucks scratch-offs into his My Lottery Rewards account. Just for being selected, he won $500. And then the real fun started! For each homer, the...

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Nats explode for nine in the first, sweep Pirates

June 21, 2015, 10:44am

Nationals

Nats explode for nine in the first, sweep Pirates

Inspired by Max Scherzer's stunning no-hit performance yesterday, the Nationals offense exploded by tying a club record with nine runs scored in the first inning. Pirates starter Charlie Morton came into today's start riding a five-game winning streak and boasting a sterling 1.62 ERA. He was able to get Denard Span to line out to begin the game, but then the wheels fell off. Yunel Escobar started the onsluaght with a base knock to left bringing Bryce Harper to the plate. The Nats slugger...

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Rendon sits, Tabata in for Pirates and Roark back (with lineups)

June 21, 2015, 8:10am

Nationals

Rendon sits, Tabata in for Pirates and Roark back (with lineups)

The Nationals reinstated right-hander Tanner Roark from the Paternity List (on Father's Day no less) and optioned righty Taylor Hill back to Triple-A Syracuse. Yunel Escobar is back at third base while Anthony Rendon sits today. Danny Espinosa gets the start at second base where he made a spectacular defensive play yesterday to get Pedro Alvarez out at first base, preserving Max Scherzer's perfect game at the time and eventual no-hitter. Jose Tabata starts today for the Pirates after...

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Orioles recall right-hander Oliver Drake from Triple-A Norfolk, option right-hander Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk

June 21, 2015, 7:28am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Oliver Drake from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk. Drake, 28, made his major league debut with the Orioles this season on May 23 at Miami, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings. He went 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA (7.2IP, 3ER) in five games with the Orioles. This will be his second stint with Baltimore this season. In 21 games with the Tides, Drake went 0-1 with a 0.76 ERA (23.2IP, 2ER). Gausman, 24,...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Jose Tabata robs Max Scherzer of perfection

June 20, 2015, 8:52pm

Nationals

Jose Tabata robs Max Scherzer of perfection

Jose Tabata simply ruined Max Scherzer's bid for perfection in a way that some would say is weak or cheap. With Scherzer standing one strike away from becoming just the 24th pitcher in Major League Baseball's storied history to spin a complete game without allowing a single baserunner, Tabata compromised the game's integrity. The electricity of a closing thunderstorm rivaled the moment with a sold-out crowd of 41,104 fans on their feet, screaming in anticipation as the Nationals ace...

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It's a no-hitter for Max Scherzer

June 20, 2015, 5:50pm

Nationals

Six days ago, Max Scherzer's bid for perfection was ruined on a broken-bat bloop single in the seventh inning. Scherzer, in the proverbial zone, carried his dominant swagger into this afternoon where he fell one strike shy of perfect game before finishing off his first career no-hitter in the Nationals' 6-0 win over the Pirates. "Let's go. Let's get on the mound, I'm coming after you," said Scherzer on his mindset entering the ninth inning. Scherzer had thrown just 92 pitches entering...

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Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

June 20, 2015, 5:01pm

Nationals

Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

After watching Max Scherzer pitch the first few innings against the Pirates at Nationals Park on Saturday, you knew he was going to be dominant. The Nationals ace was locked in and perfect through 8 2/3 innings. After his two-out, two-strike pitch in the ninth just got a piece of Jose Tabata, the Pirates had their first baserunner, but the dominance continued. Scherzer got the next batter, Josh Harrison, to fly out to left field, locking up the Nationals' second no-hitter, the first of his...

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Almost perfect, Max Scherzer throws no-hitter in Nats' 6-0 win

June 20, 2015, 1:03pm

Nationals

Almost perfect, Max Scherzer throws no-hitter in Nats' 6-0 win

Max Scherzer's dominance from last Sunday's one-hit shutout has carried over into today's start. Scherzer has retired the first 12 Pirates he's faced. He whiffed the side in the fourth, with Andrew McCutchen the final victim to go down swinging. Scherzer has struck out 21 batters in his last 13 innings. Bryce Harper put the Nationals on the scoreboard with a leadoff bomb in the bottom of the fourth. The solo shot landed up in the grassy batter's eye area behind the wall in dead center...

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Harper's text to Williams: "I'm good to go"; Escobar late scratch

June 20, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

Harper's text to Williams: "I'm good to go"; Escobar late scratch

Nationals manager Matt Williams' phone buzzed early today with a message from his star right fielder Bryce Harper. "I got a text from him this morning that said, 'I'm good to go,'" Williams said. "So, yeah, he's ready to go." Harper returns to the lineup after missing just one game with a strained left hamstring. He took an alarming spill after launching an errant throw in the sixth inning of Thursday's loss to the Rays. "I've played through pain the last two years sometimes,"...

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bryce harper chris johnson jayson werth joe ross nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg yunel escobar featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Orioles make five roster moves

June 20, 2015, 9:19am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Kevin Gausman from the 15-day disabled list, selected the contract of right-hander Mychal Givens from Double-A Bowie, optioned right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk, and transferred right-hander Jason Garcia to the 60-day disabled list. Gausman, 24, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis on May 8. He made three rehab appearances with Class-A (Advanced) Frederick and...

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Orioles Orioles News Release

Bryce Harper back in Nats lineup (with Pirates lineup)

June 20, 2015, 9:03am

Nationals

Bryce Harper back in Nats lineup (with Pirates lineup)

Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals lineup after exiting early in Thursday's contest with what was determined to be a mild left hamstring strain. As usual, he'll be roaming right field and batting cleanup. Ian Desmond will sit for the second straight game. Desmond has 15 errors in 66 games this season. Max Scherzer will take the mound (7-5, 1.93 ERA) this afternoon, one start removed from his outstanding one-hitter, in which he allowed just one bloop hit and struck out 16. For the...

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Unfazed by the spotlight, Joe Ross continues impressing

June 20, 2015, 6:16am

Nationals

Unfazed by the spotlight, Joe Ross continues impressing

In the first inning of Joe Ross' third big league start last night, the rookie right-hander stood on the mound and peered down at Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the National League's 2013 MVP. "I try not to make it more than it is just because I want to stay focused on what I'm trying to do and execute my pitches," Ross said. "But, I mean, it's hard not to recognize when you look at the lineup and hear him getting announced and you see him in the box. It's pretty...

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Ross makes his case in dominant 11-strikeout performance

June 19, 2015, 7:56pm

Nationals

Ross makes his case in dominant 11-strikeout performance

The Nationals' starting rotation was described as potentially historic coming into this season. When critics were searching for new superlatives for the Nats' big five, nobody had any idea, not even the Nationals brass, that 22-year-old rookie Joe Ross would provide some of the most dominating performances to help hold the team together before the All-Star break. In just the third start of his big league career, Ross fanned 11 Pirates while holding them to one run on six hits with only one...

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Rookie Joe Ross fans 11 in 4-1 Nats win

June 19, 2015, 3:35pm

Nationals

The Nationals went to work early against Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett, who entered tonight with the fourth-best ERA in the majors at 1.89. Denard Span pulled a groundball single to right to lead off the first. Anthony Rendon gave the Nats runners at the corners with no outs on a base knock to right. And Yunel Escobar followed with sharp groundout to Pirates shortstop Jody Mercer, easily scoring Span. Two batters later, Wilson Ramos delivered his 10th double of the season on a shot to right-center...