Josh Land

Social Media Weekend wraps up on Sunday

August 10, 2013, 6:56am

Orioles

One of the most wonderful times of the year starts Friday: Social Media Weekend. Thanks to our friends at Hair Cuttery, Social Media Weekend will begin Friday, Aug. 16. Fans will have the opportunity to win exclusive Orioles prizes and experiences. We have seen the loyalty that fans have shown us by tweeting us, interacting with us on Facebook and sharing pictures on Instagram. And we'd like to reward you for your loyalty. Starting Friday, we'll be set up inside the gates of Oriole Park...

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Social Media Weekend continues Saturday at Nats Park

August 09, 2013, 6:27pm

Nationals

Social Media Weekend continues Saturday at Nats Park

One day of Social Media Weekend is in the books. We rewarded fans for their social media usage Friday, providing people who tweeted at us and tagged their Instagram photos with signed gear, seat upgrades and more. And we're at it again Saturday. Check out what's on deck by looking at the schedule below. Even if you can't make it to Nats Park, we're offering chances to win some great prizes for all of our social media followers. You can enter to win lunch with Gio Gonzalez here....

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Nationals announce #NatsCaveCrasher Instagram contest

August 09, 2013, 12:14pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals will host a first-of-its-kind, interactive Instagram contest, the third of four social media promotions hosted this season in an effort to provide the ultimate interactive fan experience at Nationals Park. Nationals fans can enter the contest by posting a photo to Instagram using the designated hashtag #NatsCaveCrasher. Five finalists will be selected on a rolling basis, with one submission picked on Aug. 12, Aug. 14, Aug. 16, Aug. 19 and Aug. 21. All five finalists...

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Matthew Taylor: Most bases on balls

August 09, 2013, 4:47am

Orioles

Fans of plate discipline and on-base percentage, this blog post is for you. Today is the anniversary of Bobby Grich's record-setting ability to get on base without hitting the ball. Grich established a team record for walks in a game with five on Aug. 9, 1975. Grich ended the day 0-for-0 and scored three times, the most of any Orioles player that day, in a 12-6 victory against the White Sox. Grich finished the 1975 season with 107 walks. Meanwhile, Ken Singleton had 118 walks to establish a...

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Fans invited to desigh t-shirt for ballpark giveaway on Sept. 26

August 08, 2013, 2:30pm

Orioles

As part of Fan Appreciation Week 2013, for the first time an Orioles fan will design a team giveaway, a t-shirt on Thursday, September 26. The shirts will be distributed to the first 10,000 fans ages 15 and over attending that night's game against the Boston Red Sox. Fans should visit www.orioles.com/fanshirt to see a complete list of rules and gain access to Orioles team logos that may be used for this purpose. Submissions will be accepted until August 31. Fans are encouraged to work on...

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Orioles to host "Pawz for Pazo" fundraiser for BARCS animal shelter on Sept. 8

August 08, 2013, 2:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles' 2014 Pet Calendar featuring players and their pets is on sale beginning today at www.orioles.com/petcalendar, with proceeds to benefit the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). To help further support BARCS' efforts to find safe homes for dogs and cats in the area, Orioles players including Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Nate McLouth, Darren O'Day and Matt Wieters will appear at "Pawz for Pazo," an exclusive event at Pazo Restaurant in Harbor East on Sunday, Sept....

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Meet Denard Span this Saturday, presented by Cox

August 08, 2013, 9:56am

Nationals

Meet Denard Span this Saturday, presented by Cox

For Nationals fans, one of the most exciting parts about last offseason was the acquisition of Denard Span. The center fielder livened up the Nats lineup, bringing speed to both the outfield and the basepaths. Well, thanks to Cox Communications, you have the chance to meet Span this Saturday, August 10! From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Span will be taking pictures with fans at the Cox Solutions Store in Fairfax, Va. Be sure to RSVP today; however, the event is open to all on a first-come,...

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Andrew Stetka: Machado's future in the field

August 08, 2013, 5:27am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Machado's future in the field

When Manny Machado made his debut with the Orioles in 2012, many things changed. The callup from the minors for the then 20-year-old gave the team a much-needed boost in early August and helped push the O's to their first playoff berth in 15 years. The Birds were 60-51 prior to Machado's promotion, but went 33-18 afterwards. At the time, the move was made as a bit of a necessity. The combination of Wilson Betemit and Mark Reynolds at third base was not working out defensively. A solid game...

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Rachel Levitin: Where's the sustained fire and passion in 2013 Nats?

August 08, 2013, 5:17am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Where's the sustained fire and passion in 2013 Nats?

While I'll admit I wasn't present for the actual bench-clearing brouhaha that went down at Nats Park on Tuesday night, I have to say I for one am glad it happened. Just a couple of weeks ago on this very blog, I was commenting about how this Nationals team doesn't seem to be fighting for their wins this season. Granted, I went on to explain that I don't have clubhouse access so there's no way for me to actually ask the players what their feelings are on how the season's playing out or...

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David Huzzard: What to do with Adam LaRoche

August 07, 2013, 4:45am

Nationals

David Huzzard: What to do with Adam LaRoche

Adam LaRoche's offensive numbers are better than a league average hitter, and only the second-worst among Nats regulars, but he ranks 22nd in the league among qualified first basemen in OPS. The problem isn't that the Nationals are locked into one more year of LaRoche. They faced the same issue in the 2012 offseason when they went after Prince Fielder. It is that there isn't a Fielder on the free agent market this offseason. The best available free-agent first baseman is Mike Napoli, who...

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Neal Shaffer: Still too much negativity and complaining despite O's success

August 07, 2013, 4:28am

Orioles

Neal Shaffer: Still too much negativity and complaining despite O's success

It's been going on all season, pretty much. Maybe not a lot during the first month, but full-swing since sometime in May. If you're on Twitter or you listen to sports talk radio, you know it. You might even be guilty yourself. "It," of course, is complaining. We're no stranger to complaining here in Baltimore. Prior to last year, we endured a solid decade of nothing but (we had 14 total years of losing, sure, but it took time for the pattern to settle in). This was not without reason....

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Orioles reinstate Brian Roberts from paternity leave list; Danny Valencia optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

August 06, 2013, 10:10am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated second baseman Brian Roberts from the paternity leave list and have optioned infielder Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts, 35, is batting .245/.283/.357 in 30 games for the Orioles this season. His wife Diana had their first child, a son, Jax, on Friday. Valencia batted .216/.256/.500 (16-for-74) with five homers and 10 RBI in 25 games for the Orioles this season.

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Nationals select right-hander Roark from Triple-A Syracuse, option left-hander Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse

August 06, 2013, 10:08am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Additionally, the Nationals transferred left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Roark went 9-3 with two saves, four holds and a 3.15 ERA in 33 games/11 starts this season with the Chiefs. He...

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Baltimore Orioles partner with KidsPeace for fourth annual Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-Mile walk walk at Camden Yards

August 06, 2013, 8:11am

Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles, OriolesREACH and Manager Buck Showalter and his wife Angela have partnered with KidsPeace to host the fourth annual Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-Mile Walk on Nov. 2. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume for the race, which begins and ends at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and enjoy a post-race party with the Oriole Bird. The event starts at 8 a.m. and benefits youth in foster care. "Angela and I are proud to once again host the KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot event," said Buck...

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Anthony Amobi: The next few weeks may make or break the Orioles

August 06, 2013, 4:59am

Orioles

On Sundays, I usually have lunch with some friends before the game at one of the fine Baltimore establishments across the street from Camden Yards. Before this season, the topic of conversation would have centered on what the Ravens and the other teams in the NFL would be doing considering the Hall of Fame game (a preseason contest) was on yesterday. The topic only came up only once that day. This has been a huge change since last season. However, we are worried about one Baltimore team: the...

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Ted Leavengood: Seeking 2.75 million heroes for 2013

August 06, 2013, 4:48am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: Seeking 2.75 million heroes for 2013

There was a point several months ago, before games against Atlanta became object lessons in what the Washington Nationals have failed to master. It was opening day, when last night's game was projected to be a key matchup between the key contenders for the NL East title. On that cool April day, Stephen Strasburg pitched seven shutout innings and Bryce Harper hit two home runs as the Nationals started the season with a 2-0 win against the Marlins. The beginnings seemed auspicious enough and...

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Jayson Werth named National League Player of the Month for July

August 05, 2013, 1:10pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth named National League Player of the Month for July

Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was named National League Player of the Month for July. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon. Werth hit .367 (33-for-90) in July with two doubles, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 17 runs scored, 15 walks and two stolen bases to earn the first monthly citation of his 12-year big league career. The 34 year-old Werth led the National League in OPS (1.072), on-base percentage (.450) and RBI in July, while also ranking among the...

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Statement from Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez

August 05, 2013, 11:47am

Nationals

"I am very pleased that Major League Baseball has cleared my name. With this process now complete, I have no lingering sense of animosity, as I quickly realized that the objective of this investigation was to clean up our game. This is an ideal that I share with both Major League Baseball and the MLBPA. I would also like to acknowledge the unwavering support of my teammates, the Lerner Family, Mike Rizzo, Davey Johnson, our coaching staff and Nationals fans everywhere."

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Dave Nichols: With playoff hopes slipping this season, will Nationals make big changes for next year?

August 05, 2013, 7:34am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals are 12 1/2 games out of first place at 54-57, three games below .500, with a three-game series against the division-leading Atlanta Braves looming this week. The Nats and Braves have nine such games to play before the end of the season, so each of these games count doubly in the standings. But with the Braves playing as well as they have lately, the Nationals lost three games in the standings in the past week. But a division title, at this point, is all but...

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Domenic Vadala: Alomar worthy of joining O's Hall of Fame, but who's next?

August 05, 2013, 7:23am

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: Alomar worthy of joining O's Hall of Fame, but who's next?

This past weekend, we saw something that we see every year (generally in August), as the Orioles had their annual Hall of Fame induction. Every team has a Hall of Fame in some manner, and while getting elected to your team's hall might not be as prestigious as Cooperstown, it's quite an honor. Some people seemed to question the election of second baseman Roberto Alomar this year. For sure, he barely slid in under the main qualification (three years of service to the team). However, my...