Josh Land

Roark comes through to give Nats quality in a pinch

April 03, 2014, 1:55pm

Tanner Roark didn't know he'd be on the mound Thursday until right around three hours before first pitch. Jordan Zimmermann walked in sick and the Nats turned to tomorrow's scheduled starter in a pinch. Didn't turn out to be much of an obstacle once he got past allowing a two-run Mets rally in the first inning. The Nationals right-hander held New York scoreless over his last five frames, opening his season with a quality start - two earned runs in six innings to earn the decision in an 8-2...

Tags:

Roark recovers for quality start, Nats add to lead (Nats win 8-2)

April 03, 2014, 11:41am

Nationals

Roark recovers for quality start, Nats add to lead (Nats win 8-2)

Tanner Roark's day is done after a solid recovery from his rough first frame. When the Nationals right-hander allowed two runs in the first inning, prospects for a good day seemed dim. But he bounced back to put together a quality start, finishing with two earned runs on six hits in six innings. Roark struck out five and walked three on the way to opening his season with a quality start. Roark held the Mets scoreless over his final five frames, buying the Nats time to come back, which they...

Tags:

adam laroche frontfeatured_nationals josh land nationals tanner roark

Rocky start for Roark (Nats take 3-2 lead)

April 03, 2014, 10:10am

Nationals

Rocky start for Roark (Nats take 3-2 lead)

Perhaps it was the lack of mental preparation that came with last-second notice that he'd be starting today, but Tanner Roark's first inning was one he'd rather forget. The Nationals right-hander allowed two runs on three hits, a walk and a sac fly in the first inning to put the team in an early 2-0 hole. Daniel Murphy started the rally with a one-out single before David Wright singled on a lazy pop fly that center fielder Denard Span lost in the sun. Curtis Granderson followed with an...

Tags:

frontfeatured_nationals josh land nationals tanner roark

Four players in running as voting for Orioles and AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead returns in 2014

April 03, 2014, 9:37am

Orioles

After an overwhelming fan response the past two seasons, the Orioles have announced the return of the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead promotion for 2014. Fans will once again be able to select the player they want to be immortalized in a bobblehead giveaway, scheduled to be distributed during Fan Appreciation Weekend on Sunday, September 21 to the first 25,000 fans age 15 and over. Fans can vote for any of four players - all right-handed pitchers -- who have never been featured as an Orioles...

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

David Huzzard: The myth of the 25-man roster

April 03, 2014, 9:36am

With Wilson Ramos having hit the disabled list and Sandy Leon called up to serve as the backup to Jose Lobaton, the Nationals have used 26 players. When Doug Fister returns at the end of April or beginning of May, that number will be at least 27. In 2013, the average National League club needed 45 players to make it through the season. The Nationals were right around average with 44. Injuries, underperformance and trades are going to happen during the course of the season, and this is going to...

Williams on Zimmermann, Roark and the upcoming pitching situation (plus video)

April 03, 2014, 8:31am

Nationals

Williams on Zimmermann, Roark and the upcoming pitching situation (plus video)

The Nationals were hoping to get their first regular season look at Jordan Zimmermann this afternoon, but will have to wait after the right-hander fell ill last night. Tanner Roark, originally scheduled to pitch Friday, will start the series finale against the Mets. Before Thursday's game at Citi Field, manager Matt Williams said that Zimmermann is running a fever and spent all night sick to his stomach. Zimmermann is being treated with fluids and will head back to Washington ahead of the...

Tags:

anthony rendon danny espinosa jordan zimmermann josh land matt williams tanner roark taylor jordan frontstory_nationals3

Opposite dugout: Braves in town to reopen rivalry with Nats

April 03, 2014, 6:06am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves in town to reopen rivalry with Nats

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 2-1 Last 10 games: 2-1 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.333/.500/1.000, 2 HR, 2 RBIs); RF Jason Heyward (.250/.308/.500, 1 HR, 2 RBIs); RHP Julio Teheran (1-0, 3.00 ERA); RHP Craig Kimbrel (2 saves, 0.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 13-6, 73 runs scored, 49 runs allowed Pitching probables April 4: David Hale vs. TBA, 1 p.m., MASN HD April 5: Julio Teheran vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 6: Alex Wood vs. Taylor Jordan, 1:30...

Tags:

beltways braves josh land opposite dugout frontstory_nationals3

Zach Wilt: Breaking down Britton's successful opening day sinker

April 03, 2014, 5:00am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Breaking down Britton's successful opening day sinker

Every time Zach Britton took the mound this spring, a number of scouts from opposing teams eagerly watched the Orioles lefty work. The 27-year-old impressed over his 10 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League, allowing just two runs (one earned), scattering six hits, walking four and striking out 11. Britton is out of options, so if he didn't make the ballclub, he would have been a valuable trade candidate for any team seeking bullpen help. On opening day, we saw Britton do just that. It was...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger orioles orioles buzz zach britton zach wilt

Opposite dugout: Cabrera, Tigers welcome O's to Detroit

April 03, 2014, 4:25am

Manager: Brad Ausmus, first year Record: 2-0 Last 10 games: 2-0 Who to watch: 1B Miguel Cabrera (.143/.250/.286, 0 HR, 0 RBIs); 2B Ian Kinsler (.333/.333/.667, 1 HR, 2 RBIs); CF Austin Jackson (.286/.375/.714, 2 XBHs); RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 3.00 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-4, 27 runs scored, 33 runs allowed Pitching probables April 4: Anibal Sanchez vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 1 p.m., MASN2 HD April 5: Rick Porcello vs. Bud Norris, 1 p.m., MASN HD April 6: Justin Verlander vs. Chris...

Tags:

beltways josh land opposite dugout tigers

Orioles "Birdland Passport" program returns in 2014

April 02, 2014, 7:50am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that the club will continue the Birdland Passport program, designed to reward fans who visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Orioles' local minor league affiliates. All five minor league affiliates - the Norfolk Tides, Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds, and Aberdeen IronBirds - will continue to participate in the program. "America's most family-friendly and affordable sports entertainment option available today is baseball," said Greg Bader,...

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Yard Talk: A very warm welcome home

April 02, 2014, 6:06am

Orioles

It's one thing to watch opening day on your TV or hear play by play on the radio, but there's nothing like taking it in at the yard. On Monday, the Orioles hosted a sellout crowd of 46,685 fans at Camden Yards, as the Birds opened their season against the Red Sox. All of the anticipation built up from a cold winter made for an electric atmosphere that helped propel the the O's to a 2-1 victory. We captured some of the energy from opening day for you to experience in the video below. While...

Tags:

ally bittner orioles yard talk

Rachel Levitin: Baseball, rebirth and the natural rhythms of life

April 02, 2014, 5:29am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Baseball, rebirth and the natural rhythms of life

And so the marathon begins. The 162-game grind that die-hard baseball fans know all too well. Spring is here, too (for the most part), and the Nationals are back at it again. While it's easy to get bogged down in statistics and numbers from seasons past, I prefer looking at the game through a different lens. It's like Paul Dickson once wrote, "beyond the statistics, there are countless fascinating anthropological aspects of baseball." Those are the stories that spark my interest most and...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

#masnFirstPitch winner: Where there's a Will, there's a way

April 02, 2014, 5:23am

Nationals

#masnFirstPitch winner: Where there's a Will, there's a way

To start the season off right, we wanted to give away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to a lucky Nationals fan. We asked MASN Nationals followers to tweet out why they should throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nats Park on April 5. We saw hundreds of creative tweets tagged with #masnFirstPitch. By the time the contest wrapped up, we selected early frontrunner Will as our winner. The 13-year-old Nats fan will take the mound during the home opener, having the same honor as many famous...

Tags:

masnfirstpitch nationals nationals buzz olivia witherite

Bird Talk: World Series prediction, Lombardozzi trade, Clevenger returns home

April 01, 2014, 11:46am

Baseball is back. Finally, all 30 major league clubs are playing meaningful baseball games. And how nice of Mother Nature to cooperate with us. The Orioles got their first win of the 2014 season on opening day, defeating the defending World Champions, the Boston Red Sox. With all of the hype surrounding opening day, you may have missed some stories from other media outlets. Keep reading for more. * Last week, I included a column from the New York Times' Tyler Kepner. His love for the Orioles...

Tags:

bird talk courtney lofgren monica barlow steve clevenger steve lombardozzi

Nationals Chatter: Recovery comparisons, Williams and Desmond profiles

April 01, 2014, 11:07am

Nationals

Happy new year, baseball fans! I know 2014 technically started in January, so I guess I should be more specific. Happy baseball new year! The Nationals kicked off the 2014 season in dramatic, extra-inning fashion on Monday. With the excitement of opening day, you may have missed some stories about the team from other media outlets. * Back in 2012 the Nats were in the midst of a division race with the Atlanta Braves. In early September, the team decided to shutdown ace Stephen Strasburg because...

Tags:

courtney lofgren ian desmond matt williams nationals nationals chatter stephen strasburg

Daniel Clark: Following the Orioles from Melbourne, Australia

April 01, 2014, 10:31am

Orioles

Fresh from a long offseason in which Orioles fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, the 2014 regular season has finally commenced. Lead by impressive performances from Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones and Zach Britton, it started on a positive note after a thrilling win against the American League East rival Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon at Camden Yards. The season which awaits Orioles fans is set to be full of excitement - and hopefully a return to the playoffs. From a personal...

Tags:

daniel clark guest blogger guestblogger orioles orioles buzz

Jon Shepherd: In praise of diversity in Birdland

April 01, 2014, 10:08am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: In praise of diversity in Birdland

With the excitement of a successful opening day fresh in our minds, a common feeling across Birdland is that anything is possible from this point forward. This contrasts with the dread that was felt for much of the cold winter in Baltimore. Pieces finally fell into place in the guises of Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz and spring training brought more hope as the club escaped without any significant injury and 22-year-old Jonathan Schoop emerged as the second-best hitting second baseman in...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger jon shepherd orioles orioles buzz

Stuart Wallace: For Strasburg and Clippard, still work to be done

April 01, 2014, 9:52am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: For Strasburg and Clippard, still work to be done

For a pair of Nationals pitching veterans, it was a season opener that would probably be better forgotten. Despite populating the win column, the performances of both Stephen Strasburg and Tyler Clippard, the anchors of the rotation and bullpen, respectively, left a lot to be desired. For Strasburg, the start of his 2014 regular season was a laborious one, highlighted by a 26-pitch first frame and a three-run homer by Mets outfielder Andrew Brown. Despite settling down as the game progressed,...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz stephen strasburg stuart wallace tyler clippard

Opposite dugout: Meet the 2014 Mets

March 30, 2014, 6:56pm

Nationals

Manager: Terry Collins, fourth year Record (2013): 74-88 Last 10 games: N/A Who to watch (2013 stats): 3B David Wright (.307/.390/.514, 18 HR, 58 RBIs); RF Curtis Granderson (.229/.317/.407, 7 HR, 15 RBIs); RHP Dillon Gee (12-11, 3.62 ERA); RHP Bartolo Colon (18-6, 2.65 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 7-12, 76 runs scored, 88 runs allowed Pitching probables March 31: Dillon Gee vs. Stephen Strasburg, 1 p.m., MASN2 HD April 2: Bartolo Colon vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD April 3: Zack...

Tags:

beltways josh land mets opposite dugout frontstory_nationals3

Opposite dugout: Red Sox begin their World Series defense

March 30, 2014, 6:37pm

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Red Sox begin their World Series defense

Manager: John Farrell, second year Record (2013): 97-65 Last 10 games: N/A Who to watch (2013 stats): DH David Ortiz (.309/.395/.564, 30 HR, 103 RBIs); 2B Dustin Pedroia (.301/.372/.415, 42 doubles, 84 RBIs); 1B Mike Napoli (.259/.360/.482, 23 HR, 92 RBIs); LHP Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 8-11, 84 runs scored, 71 runs allowed Pitching probables March 31: Jon Lester vs. Chris Tillman, 3 p.m., MASN HD April 2: John Lackey vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD April...