Josh Land

Bird Tweets: O'Day explores NYC, Adam Jones is still hungry and more

April 14, 2014, 8:20am

Orioles

Bird Tweets: O'Day explores NYC, Adam Jones is still hungry and more

Another week of baseball means another week of tweets. Here's what's been happening in the Orioles' Twitterverse. Darren O'Day took full advantage of his off day in New York City: The #solowheel does central park. What an unbelievable day here in NYC. pic.twitter.com/fzXO8D9kwT -- Darren O'Day (@DODay56) April 9, 2014 Ryan Webb tweeted this after the Orioles' series win against the Yankees: Great win tonight, happy flight! Looking forward to coming home to Baltimore. -- ryan webb...

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Washington Socialites: Gio's new toy, Harper's prank and more

April 14, 2014, 7:59am

Nationals

Washington Socialites: Gio's new toy, Harper's prank and more

The second week of the season is behind us, which brings us to the second edition of Washington Socialites. Here's what went on in the Nationals' Twitterverse. Adam LaRoche dedicated one of his first tweets to MLB umpire John Hirschbeck: Our thoughts and prayers go out to mlb umpire John Hirschbeck and family after the loss of their son Michael -- Adam LaRoche (@e3laroche) April 11, 2014 Gio Gonzalez shared his excitement over his new toy: S/O to my friends @GoPro for the new camera!...

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Andrew Stetka: Is Chris Tillman on pace for ace status?

April 14, 2014, 5:36am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Is Chris Tillman on pace for ace status?

There's always a discussion each year about baseball's aces and what really defines an ace pitcher. I personally hate the term. How is it defined, and what are the statistical criteria for someone to be called an ace? There are only four aces in a standard deck of playing cards, so every team can't have one. Or does that mean there are actually four on each team? No matter how you look at it, the term "ace" is very subjective and can lead to a lot of debate. I'm not here to debate...

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Marty Niland: Flashing back to happier times after a lost weekend

April 14, 2014, 5:09am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Flashing back to happier times after a lost weekend

The Academy Award-winning film "The Lost Weekend" details an alcoholic's troubles in giving up his bad habits during an especially rough weekend. Sound familiar, Nationals fans? There will be plenty of time to reflect on the Nats' lost weekend in Atlanta. The injuries, the errors, the baserunning mistakes and all their other failures in their sweep at the hands of the Braves will no doubt be analyzed ad nauseum in the coming days. Where we choose to begin today, however, is the part of the...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins hope to stop spiral sparked in D.C.

April 13, 2014, 7:45pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins hope to stop spiral sparked in D.C.

Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 5-8 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.291/.339/.564, 4 HR, 16 RBIs); 3B Casey McGehee (.298/.382/.447, 6 XBH, 11 RBIs); RHP Jose Fernandez (2-1, 3.78 ERA, 23 K); RHP Tom Koehler (1-1, 3.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 0-3, 8 runs scored, 22 runs allowed Pitching probables April 14: Brad Hand vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 15: Tom Koehler vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 16: Jose Fernandez vs. Tanner...

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Opposite dugout: Same old Rays ride arms into first meeting with O's

April 13, 2014, 3:58pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Same old Rays ride arms into first meeting with O's

Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 7-6 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: OF Matt Joyce (.355/.475/.613, 2 HR, 7 RBIs); 2B Ben Zobrist (.277/.382/.489, 3 HR, 6 RBIs); LHP David Price (2-0, 2.91 ERA, 21 2/3 IP, 22 K, 2 BB); RHP Grant Balfour (4 saves, 0.00 ERA, .071 BAA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 13-6, 104 runs scored, 86 runs allowed Pitching probables April 14: Chris Archer vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 15: Jake Odorizzi vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 16: David...

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Jordan off to rough start (Zimmerman removed, Nats lose 6-3)

April 12, 2014, 3:34pm

Nationals

Jordan off to rough start (Zimmerman removed, Nats lose 6-3)

The Upton brothers have struck again. Taylor Jordan gave up an early 1-0 Nats lead in the first inning after allowing a solo homer to Braves outfielder B.J. Upton. Jordan then allowed a single to Freddie Freeman. One out later, Justin Upton doubled home Freeman to give the Braves a 2-1 lead. Dan Uggla and Evan Gattis then followed with doubles of their own. The Braves lead 4-1 after one inning. The game got off to a promising start for the Nats as second baseman Anthony Rendon led off the...

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Williams on Span, Barrett and Werth

April 12, 2014, 2:36pm

Nationals

The Nationals revealed before Saturday's game that outfielder Denard Span is dealing with concussion symptoms. Span collided with Braves second baseman Dan Uggla late in Friday's game and has been dealing with a mild headache since, according to manager Matt Williams. "Given his history we thought certainly erring on the side of caution to go ahead and get him on the seven-day concussion disabled list," Williams said before Saturday's game in Atlanta. The Nats center fielder has...

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Nationals select right-hander Blake Treinen & recall outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse, option Aaron Barrett & place Denard Span on 7-day disabled list

April 12, 2014, 1:08pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett there. Additionally, the team recalled outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and placed outfielder Denard Span on the 7-day Disabled List with a concussion. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Treinen, 25, made one start for Triple-A this season (April 7 vs. Pawtucket), tossing five...

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Zimmerman avoids bat attack to make great play

April 12, 2014, 7:00am

The Nationals may have lost to the Braves last night, but that didn't stop Ryan Zimmerman from having himself a night at the plate and in the field. With the Nats trailing 4-1 in the fifth, Zimmerman tied the game with a three-run shot to left. The blast tied the game and seemingly gave the Nats new life, but Zimmerman had more fun to come. At the bottom of the inning, Zimmerman made a spectacular play. Now, you may have already seen the highlight or this might be your first time witnessing...

Patrick Reddington: Looking at Aaron Barrett's road to the big leagues

April 11, 2014, 7:01am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Looking at Aaron Barrett's road to the big leagues

Matt Williams and Aaron Barrett first crossed paths in the Arizona Fall League in 2012. Williams, in his first managing gig at any level of the game, and Barrett, then 24 and coming off a strong campaign split between low and high Single-A in the Nationals' system, were both members of a Salt River Rafters roster that made it to the AFL Championship game that fall. After a dominant season on the mound as a 24-year-old in the low minors that season, Barrett embraced the opportunity to test...

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Matthew Taylor: Developing patience for the Orioles' lack of patience

April 11, 2014, 6:45am

Orioles

The opening weeks of the 2014 season are offering Orioles fans a contrast in team hitting styles that will continue into this weekend's series with Toronto. Orioles batters do not see a lot of pitches; their opponents do. One approach is not inherently better than the other despite assumptions to that effect. I'm therefore working to accept this team as the largely free-swinging bunch that it is even if its lack of patience at the plate occasionally tests my patience. The 3.68 pitches per...

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Williams on Strasburg, saving the 'pen and two big homers

April 10, 2014, 4:11pm

Nationals

Williams on Strasburg, saving the 'pen and two big homers

With the bullpen thin, the Nationals needed a strong outing from their starter Thursday, and Stephen Strasburg came through. Strasburg held the Marlins to one run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out 12 and walking one. That kept the Nats up 2-1 until they put up a five-spot in the eighth inning to pull away for a sweep-clinching 7-1 victory. It also made it so manager Matt Williams could get through the game with the few relievers he had fully available. Jerry Blevins tossed one...

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Opposite dugout: Braves take on top division rival for last time until June

April 10, 2014, 10:14am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves take on top division rival for last time until June

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 5-4 Last 10 games: 5-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.419/.514/.677, 2 HR, 5 RBIs); LF Justin Upton (.264/.324/.441, 2 HR, 3 RBIs); RHP Julio Teheran (1-1, 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP); RHP Aaron Harang (1-1, 0.71 ERA, 0.71 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 9 runs scored, 5 runs allowed Pitching probables April 11: Julio Teheran vs. Tanner Roark, 7:30 p.m., MASN HD April 12: Alex Wood vs. Taylor Jordan, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 13: Aaron Harang vs. Gio...

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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays take powerful bats into Baltimore

April 10, 2014, 9:58am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays take powerful bats into Baltimore

Manager: John Gibbons, second year Record: 5-5 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Jose Bautista (.233/.452/.667, 4 HR, 6 RBIs); LF Melky Cabrera (.333/.333/.644, 4 HR, 5 RBIs); LHP Mark Buehrle (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 14 IP, 14 K, 2 BB); RHP Sergio Santos (3 saves, 2.70 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 9-10, 97 runs scored, 94 runs allowed Pitching probables April 11: Dustin McGowan vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 12: Drew Hutchison vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 13: Mark Buehrle...

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David Huzzard: Early returns on Matt Williams and the Nats

April 10, 2014, 6:52am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Early returns on Matt Williams and the Nats

The early-season magnifying glass is intense. Coming into the series against the Marlins, Bryce Harper was in a bad slump. His upper and lower halves were not in sync and he struggled to get around on the ball, and because it was the only sample size people had, they put more meaning to it than it deserved. If Harper had had two bad series in the month of June, no one would have noticed, but because it is April everything is noticed. The same can be said of Stephen Strasburg and the two bad...

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Zach Wilt: Revisiting Adam Jones and plate discipline

April 10, 2014, 5:38am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Revisiting Adam Jones and plate discipline

As I watched the Orioles battle the Yankees last night on MASN, I kept a watchful eye on Tweetdeck to read the continuous stream of commentary, as I typically do. On this particular night, one tweet from former major league outfielder and 2004 World Series champion Gabe Kapler stuck out to me. It's a point that has been made before, but one that proved to be valid throughout the remainder of the game in the Bronx. "I salivate at how good Adam Jones could be with 15% more plate discipline. He...

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Adam Jones stays hungry at the MLB Fan Cave

April 10, 2014, 5:22am

Orioles

Adam Jones stays hungry at the MLB Fan Cave

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is known for many things: his defensive capabilities, his power and, of course, his "Stay Hungry" catchphrase. This week, Jones appeared on MLB Fan Cave's show "Off the Bat," which airs on MTV2. During the show, he gave host Chris Distefano a tour of some of his favorite restaurants in the Baltimore area. Jones also faced off against "Off the Bat" hosts in a doughnut-eating contest. It was competitive. It was sloppy. But did Jones "Stay Hungry" and...

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Orioles continue mobile-exclusive check-in promotions at Oriole Park

April 09, 2014, 6:58am

Orioles

The Orioles have announced new promotions available exclusively within the free MLB.com At the BallparkÂ® application at Oriole Park during the 2014 season. MLB.com At the BallparkÂ® offers mobile check-in, social media, special offers, rewards and exclusive content for anyone with an Android smartphone or iPhone. Incentives for fans to "check-in" using MLB.com At the BallparkÂ® include offers that will reward fans at every home game and several that reward fans for checking in over...

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Rachel Levitin: Injuries to Zimmerman, Ramos put early obstacles in Nats' path

April 09, 2014, 4:56am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Injuries to Zimmerman, Ramos put early obstacles in Nats' path

The 2014 season won't be easy for the Washington Nationals. If anything, the biggest hurdles thus far have unmasked themselves within the first seven games of the season. After dropping two of three to their division rivals over the weekend, the Nationals proceeded to shut out the Miami Marlins 5-0 in Game 1 of the three-game series at home Tuesday night. The Nationals' current obstacles still remain at the forefront of conversation. First off, Ryan Zimmmerman's shoulder isn't going to...