Josh Land

Opposite dugout: Pirates dealing well with injury woes to stay in NL Central race

August 15, 2014, 5:56am

Manager: Clint Hurdle, fourth year Record: 64-57 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Neil Walker (.277/.347/.456, 16 HR, 50 RBIs); UT Josh Harrison (.313/.351/.503, 25 doubles, 10 HR, 38 RBIs, 17 SB); RHP Edinson Volquez (10-7, 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP); RHP Charlie Morton (5-11, 3.62 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 3-1, 12 runs scored, 11 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 15: Charlie Morton vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 16: Jeff Locke vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 17:...

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Patrick Reddington: Plays at the plate still in a gray area

August 15, 2014, 5:53am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Plays at the plate still in a gray area

The Nationals swept the New York Mets with Thursday's win, but on Wednesday night, the Nats came close to blowing a late lead to their National League East rivals. Jordan Zimmermann and the first two members of the Nationals' "A" 'pen, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard, handed a 3-1 lead to closer Rafael Soriano, but the veteran right-hander struggled with his command after a couple of days off waiting for a save opportunity. A 2-2 fastball up in the zone to Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud...

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Matthew Taylor: A reminder of the past and, hopefully, a hint of the future

August 15, 2014, 5:39am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: A reminder of the past and, hopefully, a hint of the future

Old is a relative term, and growing old is a relative experience. Nevertheless, there are certain mile markers for this baseball fan that indicate I have accumulated some wear on the tires. First, it was being older than most of the players I root for. Next, it was bringing my son to a baseball game. Now it's watching one of the game's legends retire at age 40 and realizing that I've watched his entire career as an adult. I may feel like a kid again when I am at the Yard, but I am not in...

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Opposite dugout: Kluber, productive Indians offense await O's in Cleveland

August 15, 2014, 4:22am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Kluber, productive Indians offense await O's in Cleveland

Manager: Terry Francona, second year Record: 60-60 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Michael Brantley (.325/.383/.517, 32 doubles, 17 HR, 78 RBIs, 77 R, 13 SB); C Carlos Santana (.226/.365/.425, 20 HR, 56 RBIs); 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.292/.358/.460, 23 doubles, 11 HR, 46 RBIs); RHP Corey Kluber (13-6, 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 2-2, 23 runs scored, 19 runs against Pitching probables Aug. 15: Corey Kluber vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Aug. 16: Carlos Carrasco vs. Ubaldo...

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Nationals continue success against divisional foe

August 14, 2014, 7:26pm

Nationals

For all of the talk about how much the Nationals struggle against the Braves, it's the team's record against another divisional opponent that should be raising a few eyebrows. Following Thursday night's 4-1 win over the Mets, the Nationals hold a 10-2 advantage against New York in 2014, having outscored them 62-34. Sure, the Mets don't appear to have any hopes of playing in the postseason, while the Braves and Nationals fight atop the division, but with the regular season schedule pitting...

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Williams, Strasburg on the Nationals' 4-1 win

August 14, 2014, 7:07pm

Nationals

Prior to Thursday night's game, Nationals manager Matt Williams was confident starter Stephen Strasburg was going to come out firing. It seemed like a reasonable, even predictable comment for a manger to make of his own starting pitcher. Yet with a meager 1-8 road record this season coming into tonight, Strasburg's success away from our nation's capital had been anything but a realistic notion. As it turns out, Strasburg backed his skipper in a big way and backed the Nationals in a 4-1 win...

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LaRoche provides early spark (Nats win 4-1)

August 14, 2014, 4:02pm

Nationals

LaRoche provides early spark (Nats win 4-1)

The Nationals didn't waste any time in giving Stephen Strasburg room to work. After the newest National Asdrubal Cabrera drew a walk with one out in the first inning, Adam LaRoche blasted his 17th home of the season, a two-run shot that put the visiting team ahead 2-0. It's LaRoche's third first-inning home run of the season, tying him for the most in any single inning this year. In fact, the opening frame has been kind to LaRoche. In 53 at-bats, the righty has collected 14 RBIs and is...

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Cabrera wasting no time turning heads with Nats

August 14, 2014, 2:52pm

Nationals

Cabrera wasting no time turning heads with Nats

It's been a whirlwind of changes for Nationals second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Not only has the infielder had to get used to playing for a new team, but for the first time in his eight-year career, he's in a new league. Oh by the way, he's learning a new primary position, too. All in a day's work. "It's hard when you switch leagues and you don't know the pitching," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "It's especially difficult when you're switching positions and going to the...

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David Huzzard: On Strasburg, Harper and expectations

August 14, 2014, 7:15am

Nationals

David Huzzard: On Strasburg, Harper and expectations

If there was a 25-year-old pitcher making just under $4 million with an ERA of 3.68 compared to the major league average of 3.87 and who couldn't be a free agent until after the 2016 season, this would be a pitcher you'd want on your team. On the other hand, mention the name of Stephen Strasburg attached to those stats and you get a much different response. The expectations are higher. You'll hear how first overall picks are supposed to be better, and anything less than a Cy Young is a...

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Zach Wilt: Forget random variation and disrespect, real or imagined

August 14, 2014, 6:30am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Forget random variation and disrespect, real or imagined

My fellow Orioles fans continuously remind me that Baltimore is a blue-collar town. At heart, we're a lunch pail-carrying, hard hat-wearing diehard fan base that loves our O's. Our admiration for the hometown Birds is so deep that our fan base often takes offense when it feels the team isn't receiving their due credit from the national media. Admittedly, I'm in the Charm City bubble, but it certainly feels to me that Orioles fans care an awful lot about meaningless power rankings or the...

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Orioles select infielder Cord Phelps' contract from Norfolk, place third baseman Manny Machado on 15-day DL

August 13, 2014, 11:17am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Cord Phelps from Triple-A Norfolk and placed infielder Manny Machado on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 12, with a right knee sprain. To make room for Phelps on the 40-man roster, catcher Matt Wieters has been transferred to the 60-day DL. Phelps, 27, has batted .258/.358/.380 with 23 extra-base hits and 49 RBI in 97 games for the Tides. Originally a 3rd round pick by Cleveland in 2008 out of Stanford...

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Rachel Levitin: How about Doug Fister, right?

August 13, 2014, 5:04am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: How about Doug Fister, right?

How about Doug Fister, right?!? Despite a delayed start to the 2014 season due to a strained lat muscle, the right-handed starting pitcher has made his mark on the National League. Fister made his major league debut in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners and became a solid back-of-the-rotation guy. Since then, Fister has made his mark on three variations of Tigers playoff teams before coming to Washington in exchange for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol and Robbie Ray in December 2013. And while this...

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Daniel Clark: Joseph continues to lessen the pain of being without Wieters

August 13, 2014, 4:50am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Joseph continues to lessen the pain of being without Wieters

When Matt Wieters was lost to a season-ending elbow injury in the second week of May this year, it appeared to be a crushing blow for the Orioles, who had relied heavily upon the skilful catcher both with the bat and behind the plate for the previous five seasons. A three-time All-Star, Wieters was a fan favorite in Baltimore and had started 2014 on a tear, hitting .308/.339/.839 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in just 26 games. His injury dampened the spirits of Birdland and there was a...

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Yankees, Orioles to make up Tuesday's postponement with split doubleheader on Sept. 12

August 12, 2014, 1:55pm

Orioles

Tonight's postponed game between the Orioles and New York Yankees will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Friday, September 12 at 1:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Separate admission is required for each game. Tickets for today's game marked August 12 will be honored for the 1:05 p.m. game on September 12. Gates for the 1:05 p.m. game will open at 11:00 a.m. and gates for the 7:05 p.m. game will be announced at the conclusion of the 1:05 p.m. game. Fans unable to attend the makeup...

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orioles Orioles News Release

MASN to re-air Orioles' 60th anniversary celebration

August 12, 2014, 11:43am

Orioles

Orioles fans, get ready to experience the magic of the Orioles' 60th anniversary celebration all over again. Whether you were at the Yard for the festivities or watching on MASN HD, you saw an amazing spectacle that included a laser show, appearances by many Orioles legends, fireworks and more. If you saw it, you won't forget it. You had chills. Well, MASN is giving you multiple opportunities to relive the awesome celebration. In the words of Adam Jones, "The Orioles, and it starts at...

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Tonight's Yankees-O's game postponed due to rain; makeup date will be announced shortly

August 12, 2014, 11:17am

Orioles

Tonight's Yankees-O's game postponed due to rain; makeup date will be announced shortly

Tonight's game between the Orioles and New York Yankees has been postponed due to rain. An announcement regarding the make-up date will be made as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to keep their tickets and parking passes until more information is made available.

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Orioles announce series of front office staff promotions

August 12, 2014, 8:13am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced the promotions of four members of the club's front office staff. Tripp Norton, formerly the Director, Baseball Administration, has been promoted to Director, Baseball Operations. Kevin Buck, formerly the Coordinator, Team Travel, has been promoted to Director, Team Travel. Sarah Gelles, formerly the Coordinator, Baseball Analytics, has been promoted to Director, Baseball Analytics. Bill Wilkes, formerly the Manager, Baseball Operations, has been promoted to...

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Orioles News Release orioles

Dave Nichols: Harper, everybody's favorite target, is slowly rounding into shape

August 12, 2014, 5:20am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Harper, everybody's favorite target, is slowly rounding into shape

Bryce Harper is slumping. Bryce Harper should be sent to the minors to get his timing back. Bryce Harper isn't living up to the hype. Bryce Harper is more trouble than he's worth. Bryce Harper is still a punk. If you read social media, listen to sports talk radio, watch ESPN or listen to opposing team's broadcasters, you've probably heard all of the above ideas floated. His name is click-bait for anyone with an IP address and a blog. But here's a fact for you: Harper is still just barely...

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Jon Shepherd: O's forged on contributions of unwanted and overlooked

August 12, 2014, 5:04am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: O's forged on contributions of unwanted and overlooked

A friend of mine lived in Montana for most of his life and came to Baltimore to attend law school. Before driving into town the night before classes began, he had never set foot here. He was recruited for the school from afar and he signed his rental agreement on a row home from afar. As his old pickup limped across the country and into town around 3 a.m. that morning, he saw something that was forever etched in his memory. Parking in the alley behind the row home, he saw something in his...

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Opposite dugout: Mets try to stop skid vs. Nats at Citi Field

August 12, 2014, 4:18am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets try to stop skid vs. Nats at Citi Field

Manager: Terry Collins, fourth year Record: 57-62 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Lucas Duda (.258/.352/.492, 22 doubles, 21 HR, 64 RBIs); 2B Daniel Murphy (.304/.347/.437, 33 doubles, 9 HR, 51 RBIs, 67 R); RHP Dillon Gee (4-4, 3.54 ERA, 1.10 WHIP); RHP Bartolo Colon (11-9, 3.97 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-7, 30 runs scored, 48 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 12: Rafael Montero vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Aug. 13: Bartolo Colon vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2...