Josh Land

David Huzzard: The hot stretch and an important weekend

June 19, 2014, 5:08am

Having scored 289 runs on the season, the Nationals offense ranks eighth in the National League in runs scored. But over their last 20 games, the Nationals offense has kicked it into a different gear. For those games, they've scored 93 runs, or 4.65 runs a game, and have produced a 12-8 record. This scoring outburst also happens to include the series against the Cardinals in which they managed to score a grand total of three runs. The main complaint about the Nationals lately has been their...

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Opposite dugout: First place on the line with Braves set to play four in Washington

June 19, 2014, 4:19am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: First place on the line with Braves set to play four in Washington

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 36-35 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: C Evan Gattis (.294/.346/.588, 16 HR, 38 RBIs); LF Justin Upton (.278/.351/.510, 14 HR, 13 doubles, 37 RBIs); RHP Julio Teheran (6-4, 2.31 ERA, 0.93 WHIP); RHP Gavin Floyd (1-2, 2.98 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 5-1, 32 runs scored, 16 runs allowed Pitching probables June 19: Gavin Floyd vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 20: Mike Minor vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD June 21: Julio Teheran vs....

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Zach Wilt: Zach Britton is following the Jim Johnson blueprint in the ninth

June 18, 2014, 7:14pm

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Zach Britton is following the Jim Johnson blueprint in the ninth

Zach Britton entered Wednesday's game in the ninth inning, attempting to hold a 2-0 lead over the Rays and secure a series win for Orioles. Tampa Bay's 3-4-5 hitters (Evan Longoria, James Loney and Ben Zobrist) were due up. It's never easy in the American League East, even against the lowly Rays. In the blink of an eye, Joe Angel had pronounced that the Orioles were indeed in the win column after Britton struck out Longoria and Zobrist, and forced Loney to ground out to first base. Twelve...

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Ask Matt: Would you rather?

June 18, 2014, 6:25am

Nationals

We're almost three months into the season, so you might not think the new Nationals skipper is very new anymore. But how well do you know Matt Williams? We'll be getting to know just what the manager is all about with his "Ask Matt" blog all season long. This week, we sent Dan Kolko to Williams' office to ask the hard-hitting question: Would you rather? Would you rather only chew bubble gum or sunflower seeds? Would you rather have Jayson Werth's facial hair or Adam Laroche's? Would...

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Daniel Clark: Reassessing the O's active roster

June 18, 2014, 4:40am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Reassessing the O's active roster

Worn fingernails, mood swings and high blood pressure - Welcome to the life of an Orioles fan. A frustrating season has continued to fray the nerves of us fans this past week or so, after our team failed to take advantage of eight consecutive quality starts by winning just four games. Those that follow me on Twitter (@DC_TBLDaily) will know I speak my mind and immediately after Monday night's painful loss to the Rays, I said there won't be any holding back in this week's blog post. I'm...

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Nats take early lead in first inning (Nats win 6-5)

June 17, 2014, 3:34pm

Nationals

Nats take early lead in first inning (Nats win 6-5)

Well, that didn't take long. After scoring a combined four runs over the last four games, the Nationals scored two runs in the first inning against Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Anthony Rendon doubled home Denard Span to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Ryan Zimmerman doubled home Rendon. Tanner Roark will certainly enjoy an early cushion. Update: Back-to-back RBI doubles from Zimmerman and Ian Desmond extended the Nats' lead to 4-0 in the third inning. Meanwhile, Roark...

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Little movement for Orioles in All-Star voting

June 17, 2014, 2:02pm

Orioles

It was more of the same for the Orioles in the most recent All-Star balloting figures. Despite hitting .264/.339/.340 in June, Nelson Cruz is still the leader at designated hitter, following a May where he had a batting average of .339 with 13 home runs and 27 RBIs. Matt Wieters is also still the leader among American League catchers with 1,488,884 votes. However, the O's catcher was ruled out for the rest of the 2014 season on Tuesday following a succesful ligament-reconstructive surgery. The...

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Williams provides updates on Harper, Gonzalez and Ramos

June 17, 2014, 1:30pm

Nationals

Williams provides updates on Harper, Gonzalez and Ramos

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper took swings in the batting cage with both hands this afternoon for the first time since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb on April 26. Manager Matt Williams told the media prior to tonight's game against the Astros that Harper is a taking a positive step in his rehab program. "Today was the first time with two hands," Williams said. "It's limited, but he's excited about that." Williams said Harper came through the hitting session...

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Opposite dugout: Improved Astros look to stay hot with strong set of pitchers on mound in D.C.

June 17, 2014, 4:55am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Improved Astros look to stay hot with strong set of pitchers on mound in D.C.

Manager: Bo Porter, second year Record: 32-39 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF George Springer (.245/.341/.470, 12 HR, 36 RBIs); CF Dexter Fowler (.284/.389/.412, 19 XBH, 41 R, 22 RBIs); 2B Jose Altuve (.318/.359/.428, 25 XBH, 22 RBIs, 24 SB); LHP Dallas Keuchel (8-3, 2.38 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 0-2, 3 runs scored, 11 runs allowed Pitching probables June 17: Dallas Keuchel vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD June 18: Scott Feldman vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Series...

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Stuart Wallace: Remembering Tony Gwynn

June 17, 2014, 4:52am

Nationals

The outpouring of condolences and stories of prowess seen in the wake of Tony Gwynn's passing yesterday were befitting of the man who embodied so much of what was and still is right with the game of baseball. A tireless worker with a fatherly physique that ran counter to many of his contemporaries and to his talent, Gwynn was the ultimate ambassador of the game. That was the case despite Gwynn playing for a San Diego Padres team often mired in mediocrity and often forgotten in terms of...

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Jon Shepherd: Looking back on this year's draft

June 17, 2014, 4:35am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: Looking back on this year's draft

When the Orioles chose to sign what Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz, two free-agent stragglers with free-agent compensation attached to them, it was a blessing and a curse for the amateur scouts in the organization. Bad news first - the curse was the continual loss of top selections in the draft. Add in the loss of a competitive pick, which the team dealt in the Bud Norris trade last year, and the Orioles handed over three picks over the first two rounds. The major league draft is one where...

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Marty Niland: Counting down the Nats' houses of horrors

June 16, 2014, 5:16am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Counting down the Nats' houses of horrors

Music fans of a certain age are mourning the death on Sunday of long-time radio host Casey Kasem. Long before the days of podcasts, teenagers and young adults would ritually tune in each week, usually on Sundays, to hear the genial Kasem count down the top 40 songs in the nation. Nationals fans, meanwhile, are grieving after a road trip that started with promise and excitement, ended in a season-long four-game skid. After watching their team take three of four in San Francisco from the...

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Andrew Stetka: O's indecision with rotation is a good thing

June 16, 2014, 5:05am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: O's indecision with rotation is a good thing

Depth at any position in any sport is always crucial, but it seems starting pitching in baseball always provides one of the toughest tests for a team in this department. It's clear that having a top-notch pitcher always gives an organization a chance to win every fifth day, but one injury (or sore elbow leading to Tommy John surgery, it seems this season), can derail the best of rotations and teams. The Orioles are clearly going about things differently this season, and have been for some...

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Opposite dugout: Health issues, offensive ineffectiveness lead Rays to worst record in baseball

June 15, 2014, 6:14am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Health issues, offensive ineffectiveness lead Rays to worst record in baseball

Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 27-43 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.265/.331/.397, 8 HR, 32 RBIs); OF Kevin Kiermaier (.333/.391/.651, 12 XBH, 4 RBIs); LHP Erik Bedard (3-4, 3.83 ERA); RHP Alex Cobb (2-4, 3.99 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 0-5, 8 runs scored, 22 runs allowed Pitching probables June 16: Jake Odorizzi vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 17: Erik Bedard vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 18: Alex Cobb vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m.,...

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Gonzalez in line to return to rotation next week

June 13, 2014, 3:26pm

Nationals

Gonzalez in line to return to rotation next week

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez is on track to return to the Nationals rotation next week, manager Matt Williams said during his pregame media session at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Gonzalez made his second rehab start for Single-A Potomac on Thursday as he works his way back from left shoulder inflammation, which has shelved him since May 18. Williams indicated the shoulder is doing well enough for Gonzalez to return. "Yeah, barring some kind of issue with his bullpen," Williams said. "But...

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Nationals option RHP Blake Treinen to Syracuse, recall LHP Xavier Cedeno

June 13, 2014, 1:26pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and recalled left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno from Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cedeno, 27, joins the Nationals for his second Major League stint this season. In his one Major League appearance this season, April 21 vs. Los Angeles (AL), Cedeno tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two...

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Patrick Reddington: In drafts, Nationals feel reward often outweighs risk

June 13, 2014, 8:16am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon was considered the top hitting prospect in his draft class in 2011. The hard-hitting third baseman was limited to designated hitter duties by a shoulder injury in his final year at Rice University, however, after he suffered ankle injuries in the 2009-2010 seasons, both of which required surgery. So there was some concern about his durability as the First-Year Player Draft approached that June. Five teams passed on Rendon, in spite of the fact that he finished his collegiate...

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Matthew Taylor: How much defense makes up for a lack of offense?

June 13, 2014, 5:10am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: How much defense makes up for a lack of offense?

Would I appreciate Mark Belanger today? That's the question that's been on my mind lately as I watch Jonathan Schoop try to find his way a the plate, Manny Machado struggle to return to the preternatural form he displayed on offense last season or Ryan Flaherty serve as a jack-of-all-trades on defense while mastering none on offense. How much defense makes up for lousy offense? Let me state unequivocally that I'm not putting Schoop or Flaherty in the same category defensively as Belanger,...

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Opposite dugout: Cards send out yet another quality pitching staff to challenge Nats

June 13, 2014, 4:12am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Cards send out yet another quality pitching staff to challenge Nats

Manager: Mike Matheny, third year Record: 34-32 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Matt Carpenter (.294/.385/.385, 19 XBH, 24 RBIs); LF Matt Holliday (.265/.380/.378, 19 XBH, 30 RBIs); RHP Shelby Miller (7-5, 3.59 ERA); RHP Lance Lynn (6-4, 3.49 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 2-2, 15 runs scored, 9 runs allowed Pitching probables June 13: Lance Lynn vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 14: Shelby Miller vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., FOX June 15: Jaime Garcia vs. Doug Fister, 2 p.m.,...

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Williams, Treinen and Frandsen speak after loss in San Francisco

June 12, 2014, 4:36pm

Nationals

Williams, Treinen and Frandsen speak after loss in San Francisco

Blake Treinen has appeared in eight games this season. He's made four starts. He's pitched to a 2.08 ERA. He has yet to earn a win. Although the 25-year-old rookie did not have his best stuff today, he battled through five innings and worked his way out of some tough jams. At the end of the afternoon, he left the game after five innings of work, surrendering two runs while walking three and striking out two. "Blake did a great job. Even today when things weren't going right, he didn't...