Josh Land

David Huzzard: Inside the Nats' left on base numbers

May 08, 2014, 5:46am

The Nationals have left 266 runners on base. This is the second-most runners left on by any team in the National League and the team ahead of the Nationals, the Diamondbacks, has had three extra games to leave runners on. Saying a team has left a lot of runners on base sounds alarming, but it only tells one part of the story. If a team gets a two-out double and that runner is then driven in by a base hit ahead of the third out then a runner is left on base. The same outcome holds if the primary...

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Zach Wilt: Do the Orioles rely too heavily on the longball?

May 07, 2014, 8:26pm

Orioles

The Orioles can thank the longball for Wednesday night's win in St. Petersburg, Fla. All four runs were scored via the home run. Adam Jones hit a pair of solo shots and Jonathan Schoop delivered the two-run go-ahead blast in the top of the seventh that secured the O's victory. Wednesday was Baltimore's third game with three or more home runs (April 8 versus the Yankees and April 24 against the Blue Jays). Not surprisingly, the O's are 3-0 in games in which they go deep three times or...

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Nationals option first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A Syracuse

May 07, 2014, 2:59pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals, following today's 3-2 home win over the Dodgers, optioned first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 27 year-old Moore is 6-for-30 (.200) with a double, two home runs, three RBI and three walks in 18 games for Washington this season. In Moore's five starts (three at first base, two in left field) this year, Washington's...

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Nationals reinstate catcher Wilson Ramos from DL, option right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse

May 07, 2014, 2:58pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated catcher Wilson Ramos from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ramos, 26, returns to the Nationals after missing 32 games with a hamate fracture in his left hand, suffered on Opening Day, March 31 at New York (NL). In two Minor League rehab...

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Orioles select the contract of catcher Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk; infielder Jemile Weeks optioned to the Tides

May 07, 2014, 12:14pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of catcher Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Jemile Weeks to the Tides. Joseph, 28, has batted .261/.284/.402 in 22 games for the Tides this season. He hit .299/.346/.494 with 22 home runs and 97 RBI for Double-A Bowie in 2013 on his way to being named Topps Minor League Player of the Year for the Eastern League, as well as an EL All-Star for both the mid-season and season-ending squads. Joseph, the...

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Rachel Levitin: Lengthy rain delay turned Monday's Dodgers-Nats game into special experience

May 07, 2014, 5:23am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Lengthy rain delay turned Monday's Dodgers-Nats game into special experience

It's rare that Monday night baseball turns into legitimate Tuesday morning baseball, but that's what happened earlier this week between the Nationals and Dodgers. Once the rain that held up the early evening game had passed, what appeared to be a few hundred people (if that) huddled behind their respective team's dugouts at Nationals Park to root, root, root for their own team well into the wee hours of the morning. One of Washington's most reliable players, right-handed starting Jordan...

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Daniel Clark: A closer look at the Orioles bullpen

May 07, 2014, 4:29am

Orioles

It could be the toughness of the American League East, or it could just be the curse of the Orioles' starting pitcher. However, whatever the reason, as has been the case over the last few seasons, the Orioles have relied heavily on their bullpen arms during the first five weeks of the 2014 season. Through 30 games, Orioles starters have pitched a combined total of 171 2/3 innings - the second-lowest amount in the majors. (The lowest is Detroit, which has played two fewer games.) This...

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Orioles recall left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk, option right-hander Brad Brach to the Tides

May 06, 2014, 2:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Brad Brach to the Tides. McFarland, 24, was with the Orioles earlier this season from April 22-25, posting a 2.25 ERA (4.0IP, ER) in two appearances. He has gone 0-1 with a 3.44 ERA (18.1IP, 7ER) in four starts for the Tides. Brach, 28, made two appearances for the Orioles after being recalled on May 2, allowing three earned runs in 1.2 innings.

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Ask Matt: A new blog for the new skipper

May 06, 2014, 11:45am

Nationals

Ask Matt: A new blog for the new skipper

Although Matt Williams has more than a month of managing the Nationals under his belt, he's still the new guy in town. Fans have gotten a cursory view of Williams, but there is still so much to learn about the skipper. Maybe you want to know how Williams grades himself over his first month of managing. Are you curious about his pregame rituals or what he does when he's not at the park? Well, it's time to have your questions answered! Before each homestand, you'll have the opportunity to...

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Stuart Wallace: Digging deeper into Span's slow start at the plate

May 06, 2014, 5:51am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: Digging deeper into Span's slow start at the plate

On a team that has sputtered defensively to start the 2014 season, Nationals center fielder Denard Span is a playmaking oasis in a desert of bad hops, errant throws and generally poor defensive showings. Currently leading the team in the defensive statistics ultimate zone rating and defensive runs saved, Span has few peers in the outfield or across baseball in general when it comes to his skills with the glove. With the bat, however, the reviews aren't as glowing for Span, especially this...

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Nats lineup for series opener

May 05, 2014, 1:42pm

Nationals

The Dodgers come into town for a three-game series with the Nats, who are trying to take advantage of a struggling Braves squad which has dropped its last six games. The Nationals currently sit a half-game out of first in the National League East, and look to end a two-game skid of their own. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa LF Nate McLouth C Sandy Leon P Jordan Zimmermann Dodgers star Yasiel Puig will miss...

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Jon Shepherd: What to make of the Morales chatter

May 05, 2014, 7:37am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: What to make of the Morales chatter

Last week, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Orioles and free agent first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales remained in negotiations. Those ongoing talks allegedly had agreed on the framework of a one-year deal, but differed greatly on the price. In response to that report, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said on SiriusXM Radio that the report is overblown. He further clarified noting that the improvement of Chris Davis' injured oblique (he was doing field...

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Andrew Stetka: A look at the muddy AL East

May 05, 2014, 5:56am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: A look at the muddy AL East

The American League East has long been looked at as one of the best divisions in baseball, and with good reason. Since 1992, the division has produced 13 AL champions and nine World Series titles. Unfortunately for Baltimore baseball fans, the Orioles are the only one of the five current members of the division who haven't participated in the Fall Classic in that timespan. While the O's have come out of the gate this season spinning their wheels a bit, there is nothing to be discouraged about...

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Opposite dugout: Rays' bats helping to compensate for pitching injuries

May 05, 2014, 5:45am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Rays' bats helping to compensate for pitching injuries

Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 15-17 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.276/.333/.409, 3 HR, 17 RBIs); CF Desmond Jennings (.294/.386/.505, 4 HR, 9 doubles, 6 SB, 10 RBIs); LHP David Price (3-2, 4.44 ERA, 55 K); LHP Cesar Ramos (1-1, 2.91 ERA) Season series vs. O's: 0-2, 1 run scored, 10 runs allowed Pitching probables May 6: Chris Archer vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD May 7: Cesar Ramos vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 8: David Price vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7...

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Marty Niland: Hang on, help is on the way

May 05, 2014, 5:44am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Hang on, help is on the way

What a frustrating weekend for the Nationals and their fans. After beating up on the hapless Houston Astros and another of their characteristic come-from-behind victories in the series opener in Philadelphia, the road trip went south in a hurry. The Nats' bats fell silent at the hands of A.J. Burnett and Roberto Hernandez in a pair of losses to the middling Phillies. To make matters worse, each of those losses cost the Nats a chance to take over first place in the National League East from the...

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Opposite dugout: Kershaw to rejoin strong Dodgers rotation Tuesday in D.C.

May 04, 2014, 9:48am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Kershaw to rejoin strong Dodgers rotation Tuesday in D.C.

Manager: Don Mattingly, fourth year Record: 18-14 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.292/.374/.592, 9 HR, 9 doubles, 25 RBIs); RF Yasiel Puig (.309/.397/.500, 11 XBH, 21 RBIs); LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.35 ERA); RHP Zack Greinke (5-0, 2.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 5-1, 22 runs scored, 12 runs allowed Pitching probables May 5: Zack Greinke vs. Jordan Zimmermann 7 p.m., MASN HD May 6: Clayton Kershaw vs. TBD, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 7: Dan Haren vs. Stephen...

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Orioles outright infielder David Adams to Double-A Bowie

May 04, 2014, 6:24am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have outrighted infielder David Adams to Double-A Bowie. Adams, 26, batted .214/.295/.371 (15-70) with two homers and eight RBI in 21 games for Triple-A Norfolk. Adams was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on March 22 and optioned to Norfolk on March 23. The Orioles now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

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Phillies jump out to early lead (Nats lose 7-2)

May 03, 2014, 3:30pm

Nationals

Phillies jump out to early lead (Nats lose 7-2)

The Nationals were retired in order by A.J. Burnett in the first before watching the Phillies take an early lead on a three-run home run off the bat of Ryan Howard. After pitching his best outing in his last start, right-hander Tanner Roark is struggling early in Philadelphia. He retired Tony Gwynn Jr., but allowed a single to Jimmy Rollins, who then stole second base. Chase Utley walked, bringing Howard to the plate. He crushed an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left-center field, giving the...

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Fister slated to make first start next week, Williams offers update on Ramos

May 03, 2014, 2:20pm

Nationals

Fister slated to make first start next week, Williams offers update on Ramos

Offseason acquisition Doug Fister, who is on the disabled list with a strained lat, is set to make his first regular season start in a Nationals uniform next week. Whether that start is on Wednesday or Friday has yet to be determined. Fister made a rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg last night. "Felt strong, felt right where I need to be," he said in Philadelphia. "I feel like I'm a little late obviously, but for the most part, came out of the game, felt strong, felt like I could go out...

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Orioles recall right-hander Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk

May 02, 2014, 12:53pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk. Brach, 28, was 2-1 with a 4.85 ERA (13.0IP, 7ER) in 12 games for the Tides. He will wear number 35.