Josh Land

Marty Niland: Grading out the Nats at the season's midway point

June 30, 2014, 4:58am

We've reached the midpoint of the 2014 season, and it's time once again to grade the Nationals on their performance so far. This year, the team stands at 43-38, a half-game behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. A year ago at this time, they were 41-40 and 6 1/2 games behind the Braves. An improvement of two wins may not seem like much, but the Nats have made much bigger gains in the individual components of their play, and appear to be on an upward curve. Starting pitching:...

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Andrew Stetka: Cruz's Home Run Derby decision not a bad thing

June 30, 2014, 4:44am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Cruz's Home Run Derby decision not a bad thing

It looks more and more like Nelson Cruz won't be taking part in this year's Home Run Derby at Target Field. Despite an invite from American League team captain Jose Bautista, Cruz said he'd rather not risk taking part in the event and having it alter his swing going into the second half of the season. Despite being tied for the major league lead of 25 homers with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Abreu, Cruz's decision is a logical one. He participated in the derby in 2009 while with the Texas...

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Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's

June 30, 2014, 3:32am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's

Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 37-44 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Adrian Beltre (.332/.376/.508, 18 doubles, 9 HR, 42 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.304/.336/.438, 27 XBH, 34 RBIs, 13 SB); RHP Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP Nick Tepesch (3-3, 3.65 ERA) Season series vs. O's: 1-2, 16 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables June 30: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 1: Nick Martinez vs. TBD, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 2: Nick Tepesch vs. Chris...

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LaRoche gives Nats early lead in Game 2 (Nats win 7-2)

June 28, 2014, 3:42pm

Nationals

LaRoche gives Nats early lead in Game 2 (Nats win 7-2)

Coming into tonight's game, the Nationals needed to win in order to return to D.C. with a series split as well as a winning road trip. Apparently nobody told Adam LaRoche that Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija was on the mound. LaRoche hit his 11th homer of the season to give the Nats a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The homer was just the sixth Samardzija has allowed all season. Nats righty Blake Treinen has tossed two scoreless innings. Update: Another inning and another run off Samardzija....

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Gonzalez, Beeler dueling in Cubs rookie's debut (Nats win 3-0)

June 28, 2014, 9:52am

Nationals

Gonzalez, Beeler dueling in Cubs rookie's debut (Nats win 3-0)

Cubs rookie Dallas Beeler doesn't look at all intimidated going up against a first-place club in his major league debut. The 25-year-old right-hander has matched Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez zero for zero in the early going at Wrigley Field. Beeler has held the Nats to one hit through three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking none. Gonzalez has posted an identical line, throwing 40 pitches, 29 for strikes. And who has the only hit off Gonzalez? Beeler. Of course. The...

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Williams expects Harper to return Monday or sometime next week, discusses plan

June 28, 2014, 8:49am

Nationals

Williams expects Harper to return Monday or sometime next week, discusses plan

Bryce Harper's rehab has progressed to the point that he played nine innings in center field Friday for Double-A Harrisburg. With the outfielder's rehab from torn ligaments in his left thumb nearing completion, manager Matt Williams is optimistic that barring a setback this weekend, Harper could be back with the Nationals on Monday, or soon after. "Yeah, I feel good about it. We'll have to see how he comes out of it, though," Williams said before the first game of Saturday's...

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Nationals recall LHP Xavier Cedeno and RHP Blake Treinen, option RHP Taylor Hill to Triple-A Syracuse

June 28, 2014, 6:34am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno and right-handed starter Blake Treinen from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, and optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill to Syracuse. Treinen was recalled as the 26th man for the Nationals' scheduled doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs and will start the nightcap. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Cedeno returns to the Nationals for his...

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Margaret Valentine and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. performing this weekend at Oriole Park

June 28, 2014, 6:27am

Orioles

Margaret Valentine and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. performing this weekend at Oriole Park

The Orioles today announced that singer-songwriter Margaret Valentine will perform America the Beautiful during the seventh inning stretch at Oriole Park when the Orioles take on the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon at 4:05 p.m. Earlier this week, the Orioles announced that jazz singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will perform the National Anthem and God Bless America on Sunday. Valentine (@MagValentine) is a country and contemporary crossover singer-songwriter from Saratoga Springs, New York. She is...

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Nats strike first, Cubs answer quickly for lead (Nats lose 7-2)

June 27, 2014, 12:53pm

Nationals

Nats strike first, Cubs answer quickly for lead (Nats lose 7-2)

The Nationals didn't need long to take their first lead of the series in Chicago. After going three up, three down in the first, Adam LaRoche led off the second with a single and Ryan Zimmerman doubled to left off Jason Hammel to give the Nats a 1-0 advantage over the Cubs. Zimmerman reached third on the throw and Wilson Ramos walked to put runners on the corners. But Zimmerman was thrown out at home when aggressively trying to score on Ian Desmond's fielder's choice grounder. Desmond and...

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Williams on Desmond's low average, gauging shortstop's need for rest

June 27, 2014, 11:59am

Nationals

Williams on Desmond's low average, gauging shortstop's need for rest

In some regards, Ian Desmond is having his best season to date. With 14 homers and 46 RBIs in 77 games, the Nationals shortstop is on pace to break career highs of 25 homers (2011) and 80 RBIs (2013). But Desmond is also having perhaps his worst year in some regards. His .237 batting average and .292 on-base percentage are career lows. He also has struck out 94 times in 300 at-bats and is on pace to shatter his previous high of 145 (2013). So why is the average down? Manager Matt Williams...

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Orioles make series of roster moves

June 27, 2014, 6:42am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Evan Meek from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-hander Bud Norris on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 22, with a right groin strain. Additionally, right-hander Kevin Gausman has been recalled from the Tides and will serve as the 26th player on the roster for today's doubleheader. Meek, 31, is 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA (19.1IP, 6ER) and three saves in 17 games for the Tides. He has gone 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA (12.2IP, 9ER)...

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Patrick Reddington: Changes in mental approach helped Roark, Souza become more major league-ready

June 27, 2014, 4:40am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Changes in mental approach helped Roark, Souza become more major league-ready

Tanner Roark struggled at Triple-A in 2012, but "just got over it mentally," as he put it this past winter when asked about his breakout campaign in 2013. "That was the biggest thing," the 27-year-old right-hander said. "I knew I had the tools, I just needed to get out of my own head and that's what helped me come up here and be able to do what I'm doing right now and keep doing what I'm doing, hopefully for a long time." The former Texas Rangers prospect finished the 2012 season at...

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Opposite dugout: Rays' bats show improvement as team emerges from rough patch

June 27, 2014, 4:24am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Rays' bats show improvement as team emerges from rough patch

Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 32-48 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.264/.330/.405, 10 HR, 37 RBIs); 1B James Loney (.289/.344/.381, 21 XBH, 38 RBIs); RF Kevin Kiermaier (.300/.354/.567, 8 doubles, 4 HR, 9 RBIs); RHP Alex Cobb (2-6, 4.10 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 1-7, 18 runs scored, 35 runs allowed Pitching probables June 27 (Game 1): Alex Colome vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m., MASN2 HD June 27 (Game 2): Jake Odorizzi vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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Fister, Wood off to strong starts (Nats lose 5-3)

June 26, 2014, 5:02pm

Nationals

Fister, Wood off to strong starts (Nats lose 5-3)

We're through three innings in Chicago and the Cubs and Nationals have managed just four hits. Maybe it's because they can barely see the ball crossing the plate. In a city known for its extreme weather, a dense fog has planted itself in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, leaving conditions increasingly tough to battle. Still, with less than full visibility, both teams have had little trouble making plays in the field, but haven't found much success at the plate. Both Cubs starter...

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Ramos to approach latest return with caution

June 26, 2014, 3:45pm

Nationals

Ramos to approach latest return with caution

The third time's the charm. At least, that's what Wilson Ramos is hoping. After missing the team's last 14 games with a strained right hamstring - his second significant absence this season due to injury - the Nationals catcher was activated earlier today, and is ready to put a stop-and-start beginning to the 2014 season behind him. "Yeah, it feels good," Ramos said of his health. "Those games in the minor leagues helped me a lot to be here and healthy and those games helped me to see...

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David Huzzard: For bench, no impact is better than negative impact

June 26, 2014, 5:47am

Nationals

David Huzzard: For bench, no impact is better than negative impact

One of the reasons for the success of the 2012 Nationals was their bench, and one of the main reasons for the disappointment of the 2013 Nationals was their bench. As it stands right now, the 2014 Nats bench is directly in the middle. The combined contributions of Danny Espinosa, Kevin Frandsen, Tyler Moore, Zach Walters, Jose Lobaton, Scott Hairston, Nate McLouth, Sandy Leon and Greg Dobbs have been nothing and that is great. At a combined 0.0 fWAR the Washington Nationals bench has played...

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Zach Wilt: Digging inside Chris Davis' numbers

June 26, 2014, 5:07am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Digging inside Chris Davis' numbers

Chris Davis was the hero on Monday night after crushing a three-run walk-off home run against the Chicago White Sox. The moment was so great that Davis decided to rejoin Twitter the next morning. Talk about a win-win for Orioles fans. Prior to that longball, however, Davis had been scuffling at the plate. Coming into that game, he had hit just .130 over his previous 54 at-bats. You know the rest of the story: Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave Davis the night off against White Sox ace Chris...

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Opposite dugout: Cubs set to throw solid rotation, strong bullpen at Nats in Chicago

June 26, 2014, 5:05am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Cubs set to throw solid rotation, strong bullpen at Nats in Chicago

Manager: Rick Renteria, first year Record: 32-44 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.284/.399/.524, 17 HR, 44 RBIs, 52 R); SS Starlin Castro (.287/.333/.479, 23 doubles, 11 HR, 45 RBIs); RHP Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP); RHP Jason Hammel (6-5, 2.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-4, 36 runs scored, 31 runs allowed Pitching probables June 26: Travis Wood vs. Doug Fister, 8 p.m., MASN HD June 27: Jason Hammel vs. Tanner Roark, 4 p.m., MASN HD June 28...

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Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 loss to Brewers

June 25, 2014, 3:21pm

Nationals

Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 loss to Brewers

Manager Matt Williams provided reporters with his thoughts on Stephen Strasburg's rough start, rookie Taylor Hill's first outing and the dustup between Ian Desmond and Carlos Gomez following the Nationals' 9-2 loss to the Brewers. Strasburg fell to 6-6 with perhaps his worst start of the season. Hill saved the bullpen by pitching the final 3 1/3 innings and cooler heads prevailed after Desmond and Gomez went at each other following the eighth inning. Here's what Williams had to say after...

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Desmond on scrum with Gomez, Strasburg on struggles, Hill on debut

June 25, 2014, 2:30pm

Nationals

Desmond on scrum with Gomez, Strasburg on struggles, Hill on debut

Stephen Strasburg's struggles and Taylor Hill's major league debut in Wednesday's series-ending 9-2 loss to the Brewers were overshadowed by a few tense moments after the eighth inning. The eighth had ended on a double play where Milwaukee's Carlos Gomez, after being hit by a Hill pitch, slid hard into Kevin Frandsen at second trying to break it up. Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond didn't like the fact that Gomez issued a takeout slide in that situation, potentially hurting Frandsen late in...