Josh Land

Zach Wilt: O's guaranteed winning record during grueling stretch against AL East foes

April 24, 2014, 4:34am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: O's guaranteed winning record during grueling stretch against AL East foes

Wednesday night's dramatic 10-8 victory against Toronto may have taken a few years off the lives of Orioles fans, or at least caused some gray hairs, but it was a crucial comeback victory that guaranteed a winning record in one of the most grueling stretches of the O's schedule. This evening, the Birds conclude an extremely difficult 15-game span against American League East opponents. It began with a three-game series in New York against the Yankees way back on April 7, the Bronx Bombers'...

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Opposite dugout: Light-hitting Padres' pitching staff making opponents say uncle

April 23, 2014, 7:19pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Light-hitting Padres' pitching staff making opponents say uncle

Manager: Bud Black, eighth year Record: 10-12 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Chris Denorfia (.328/.349/.492, 6 XBH, 7 RBIs); LF Seth Smith (.274/.374/.419, 2 HR, 6 RBIs); RHP Andrew Cashner (2-2, 2.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP); RHP Ian Kennedy (1-3, 3.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 2-5, 38 runs scored, 41 runs against Pitching probables April 24: Eric Stults vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 25: Robbie Erlin vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 26: Andrew...

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Orioles license plate charity auctions on Orioles.com

April 23, 2014, 7:50am

Orioles

Auctions for World Series plate numbers 1966, 1970 and 1983 begin Wednesday at noon. The Orioles today announced a series of Orioles license plate online auctions through www.orioles.com/plates in honor of the club's 60th anniversary. Fans will have the opportunity to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or their favorite Orioles season with these plates, which feature the popular cartoon bird logo. Beginning today until April 30, Maryland residents can visit www.orioles.com/plates to bid...

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Rachel Levitin: Going through growing pains

April 23, 2014, 5:05am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Going through growing pains

There's been a lot of going on at Nationals Park this week with the Los Angeles Angels in town. Fans in attendance at Tuesday night's game witnessed history as Angels first baseman Albert Pujols slugged his 499th and 500th career home runs. The three-game series, which concludes this evening, also marked the first time young guns Mike Trout and Bryce Harper's ballclubs have faced each other. But all of that aside, what's been most notable from a Nationals perspective is that this team is...

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Daniel Clark: For O's and Britton, that sinking feeling is pretty good

April 22, 2014, 7:40pm

Orioles

Daniel Clark: For O's and Britton, that sinking feeling is pretty good

Human nature can be defined as the general psychological characteristics, feelings and behavioural traits of humankind, regarded as being shared by all humans. One such characteristic is that most of us enjoy hearing about a genuine feel-good story. In life, feel-good stories often focus on achievements by individuals who have had to fight to overcome adversity, and in the world of sports, that exact sentiment rings true. A feel-good story is never far away in professional baseball and each new...

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Bird Talk: O's shine defensively, Santana getting "close," power rankings and more

April 22, 2014, 2:20pm

Orioles

Bird Talk: O's shine defensively, Santana getting "close," power rankings and more

Last week, the Orioles played a pair of American League East opponents, the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. The club was in Boston during the Red Sox's emotional tribute for Boston Marathon bombing victims. While Roch Kubatko and Steve Melewski have you covered with wall-to-wall Orioles coverage, here are some stories from other media outlets. * ESPN's Buster Olney touched on the Orioles' stellar defense in his column from Sunday. Heading into last Sunday's game, the Orioles had...

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Nationals Chatter: Harper, Harper, Harper and power rankings

April 22, 2014, 12:59pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper. Those two words dominated headlines not just in Washington, D.C., but all around baseball this past week - whether it was for his lack of hustle in Saturday's game against the Cardinals or for his hyped matchup with the Angels' Mike Trout. Here are a few headlines you may have missed from other media outlets regarding Harper and the Nationals. * Manager Matt Williams has received praise from many in the media over the way he handled the Harper situation. FOXSports.com's...

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Orioles recall left-hander T.J, McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk; Infielder/Outfielder Steve Pearce designated for assignment

April 22, 2014, 12:22pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk anddesignated infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce for assignment. McFarland, 24, has posted a 1.84 ERA (14.2IP, 3ER) in three starts for Norfolk, striking out 18 while walking four. Pearce, 31, is 1-for-7 in three games with the Orioles this season.

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Nationals recall right-hander Aaron Barrett, option left-hander Xavier Cedeno to Triple-A Syracuse

April 22, 2014, 11:32am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In two appearances since being optioned to Triple-A on April 12, Barrett, 26, collected two saves and did not allow a run in 2.1 innings pitched. He surrendered just two hits, walked one and struck out two. ...

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Stuart Wallace: Could Werth be at start of defensive decline?

April 22, 2014, 6:19am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: Could Werth be at start of defensive decline?

It's been a decidedly dismal start to the season for the Nationals defensively. They find themselves in sole possession of last place in the National League in terms of team fielding percentage, while also leading the NL in errors with 22 after last night's series opener against the Angels. This total would have been higher were it not for a scoring change of Yadier Molina's liner at Jayson Werth in Thursday's 8-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals -- a ball Werth either lost in the lights...

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Jon Shepherd: The Orioles have an average defense

April 22, 2014, 5:55am

Orioles

There has been a storyline that has been trumpeted a bit on air and in the media that has not actually been true. You often hear about the club being proficient at fielding and this centering on their ability to avoid errors. At the time of this writing (after a particularly gruesome Sunday), the Orioles had the second-fewest errors in baseball. Only the Houston Astros had less. On the surface, this looks great. On the surface, our old friend Henry Chadwick (the guy who invented the box...

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Opposite dugout: Jays getting job done on mound as well as at plate

April 21, 2014, 8:50am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Jays getting job done on mound as well as at plate

Manager: John Gibbons, second year Record: 10-9 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Jose Bautista (.258/.459/.581, 6 HR, 13 RBIs); SS Jose Reyes (.273/.273/.364, 2 RBIs); RHP Drew Hutchison (1-1, 3.60 ERA, 24 K); RHP R.A. Dickey (1-3, 6.26 ERA) Season series vs. O's: 2-1, 14 runs scored, 5 runs allowed Pitching probables April 22: R.A. Dickey vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 23: Dustin McGowan vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 24: Drew Hutchison vs. Bud Norris, 1:30 p.m.,...

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Andrew Stetka: With Machado and Hardy down, can O's defense hold steady?

April 21, 2014, 4:19am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: With Machado and Hardy down, can O's defense hold steady?

A lot of emphasis is being put on the defensive struggles the Orioles have seen over the past few games. Two losses to the Red Sox have people up in arms and wondering what happened to the O's defense of 2013. As many know, the team set a major league record by playing 119 errorless games last year and also committed just 54 errors during the campaign, a record for a 162-game season. It's a small sample size, but the Birds are showing some dents in their defensive armor on the young...

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Marty Niland: Espinosa's play should win fans' hearts as well as games

April 21, 2014, 4:11am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Espinosa's play should win fans' hearts as well as games

For those who are afraid the Nationals' 2014 season will be a sad repeat of 2013, take a good look at last weekend's four-game split with the St. Lois Cardinals. The knock on the Nats has been that they can rack up cheap wins at the expense of the Marlins and Mets, but come up up empty against teams they may ultimately have to contend with in the postseason, like the Braves and Cardinals. A week ago, they seemed to prove their critics right, dropping three games in Atlanta, showing the same...

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Bird tweets: Dempsey caught sleeping and more

April 20, 2014, 6:07pm

Orioles

Bird tweets: Dempsey caught sleeping and more

In case you missed something, we're recapping what went on in the Orioles' Twitterverse each week. Let's take a look at last week, shall we? Adam Jones shared what Jackie Robinson Day means to him. Thank u Jackie Robinson. Words can't express my gratitude so I go out there everyday and play as hard as I can cause that's what u would do -- 10 (@SimplyAJ10) April 15, 2014 Bud Norris caught Rick Dempsey taking a little nap. Caught in the act. @RickDempsey24 sleeping during the rain delay....

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Washington socialites: From firsts to festivities

April 20, 2014, 5:01pm

Nationals

Washington socialites: From firsts to festivities

The Nationals had a busy week, so many players took to Twitter to talk about it. We've put it all together for you here. Sandy Leon started the week with his first career home run. Jerry Blevins and Aaron Barret thought it deserved a couple of Twitter shoutouts. @sandyleon41 congrats on first homer!— Jerry Blevins (@JerryBlevins_13) April 15, 2014 Congrats mi Hermano!! @sandyleon41 #FirstMLBHR— Aaron Barrett (@aaronbarrett30) April 15, 2014 Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper show...

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Opposite dugout: Even with Trout and Pujols, Angels remain uneven early

April 20, 2014, 7:51am

Manager: Mike Scioscia, 15th year Record: 8-10 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.307/.373/.613, 5 HR, 13 RBIs); 1B Albert Pujols (.280/.349/.587, 6 HR, 14 RBIs); RHP Garrett Richards (2-0, 2.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP); RHP Jered Weaver (1-2, 4.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): Did not play Pitching probables April 21: Garrett Richards vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 22: Tyler Skaggs vs. Taylor Jordan, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 23: Jered Weaver vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7...

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Williams on Treinen, Span, Barrett and concerns so far

April 18, 2014, 2:06pm

Nationals

Williams on Treinen, Span, Barrett and concerns so far

The Nationals needed another fresh arm in the bullpen, so they sent hard-throwing right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse and called up left-hander Xavier Cedeno. Treinen, 25, allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings in last night's 8-0 loss to the Cardinals and pitched to a 1.35 ERA over three appearances during his first career stint in the majors. Before Friday's game at Nationals Park, manager Matt Williams explained the roster move and detailed the plan for Treinen. "The plan for him...

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Nationals recall left-hander Xavier Cedeno, option right-hander Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse

April 18, 2014, 10:58am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned right-hander Blake Treinen to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In three appearances with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Cedeno has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. Cedeno has allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out four while holding opponents to a .077 batting average. Acquired from the Astros in April of...

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Harper takes field with baseball legends

April 18, 2014, 7:48am

Nationals

Harper takes field with baseball legends

At just 21, Bryce Harper is one of the most well-known names in the baseball world. Loyal Nationals fans have come to expect hard-nosed play, extreme amounts of hustle and intense ferocity from the slugger. On the field, Harper has stood out and made himself into one of the most well-known players of this century. In Major League Baseball's latest "For the Love of Baseball" spot, Harper has been edited into old baseball footage, so it appears as if he's playing on the field alongside...