Josh Land

Lauren Tilley: The O's woes

September 20, 2011, 4:43am

Orioles

The Orioles have been playing like a playoff team lately, winning back-to-back series for the first time since May 21-26, which included taking two of three from Washington and sweeping Kansas City in a three-game set. Not only is that a major feat in itself for this team, but these consecutive series wins came against two teams vying for a postseason berth: the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. This past week has been pretty impressive in Baltimore and it seems like it's going to...

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Matthew Taylor: Revisiting O's distribution of power

September 19, 2011, 5:02am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Revisiting O's distribution of power

Orioles fans anticipated a power surge in the lineup in 2011. The offseason acquisitions of Vladimir Guerrero, Derrek Lee and Mark Reynolds gave the Birds three players who had hit 30 or more home runs a combined 14 times. Here's how things have played out this season with 11 games still remaining. Reynolds became the Orioles' first 30-home run hitter since Aubrey Huff stroked 32 in 2008. Overall, only 15 O's players have recorded 30-homer seasons, led by Eddie Murray who did it five times....

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Dave Nichols: Will Wang be part of new dynasty in Washington?

September 19, 2011, 4:52am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Will Wang be part of new dynasty in Washington?

Sunday was just the latest chapter in the comeback of Chien-Ming Wang. Until he tired in the seventh inning, Wang dominated the Florida Marlins for 6 2/3 innings. The last batter he faced, backup catcher Brett Hayes, lined a sinker that didn't sink into the stands in left field, but up until that point he'd allowed just one earned run on five hits. Wang struck out five and, most importantly, did not walk a batter. Wang was sharp from the very beginning, using his always-present sinker to...

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Orioles hold annual fan appreciation celebration during final series, Sept. 26-28

September 16, 2011, 12:52pm

Orioles

As a "thank you" to fans for their support throughout the 2011 season, the Orioles will hold their annual Fan Appreciation Celebration during their last series of the season when they host the Boston Red Sox for three games, Monday, Sept. 26 through Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Oriole Park . The three day celebration includes opportunities for fans to be randomly chosen to win prizes by "liking" the Orioles on Facebook or visiting www.orioles.com and then entering the Orioles Fan Appreciation...

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James Baker: Wieters on the perpetual cusp

September 16, 2011, 6:58am

Orioles

James Baker: Wieters on the perpetual cusp

Is there a more aggravating player than Matt Wieters on the Orioles right now? He is so good, and it appears that he is on the verge of breaking his season, and career, open at any second, but he never seems to take that final step. As of this morning Wieters' slash-line looks like this: .262 /.323 /.449 /.772 That .772 OPS is good enough for third in the American League among catchers. Detroit's Alex Avila is having a ridiculous season, but Wieters has hit more homers and has struck out 30...

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Ted Youngling: MLB releases 2012 schedule, but was timing right?

September 14, 2011, 7:47pm

Nationals

Ted Youngling: MLB releases 2012 schedule, but was timing right?

It's never too early to think about next season, especially if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Major League Baseball released its 2012 schedule Wednesday morning to the delight and disdain of several fans across the country. Of course, it seems a little odd that the league would release next year's schedule when this season is still happening, but for the 20 or so teams who are out of contention, this means they are one step closer towards the hope and optimism spring training and April...

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Heath Bintliff: Lose, baby, lose

September 14, 2011, 5:17pm

Orioles

With the recently concluded series with Tampa Bay and seven games with the Boston Red Sox over a two-week span in such close proximity to one another, it has led some Oriole fans to root against their own team. For some reason, the O's laying down for the Rays and playing tough against the Red Sox is the desired outcome, hopefully allowing the Tampa Bay to catch Boston and claim the American League wild card lead. Why would I ever root against the Orioles? So that one division rival can oust...

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Alex Ovechkin to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch on Friday, Sept. 16

September 14, 2011, 1:57pm

Orioles

Alex Ovechkin to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch on Friday, Sept. 16

ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch at the Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards on Friday, Sept. 16. Ovechkin will throw the first pitch prior to the Orioles game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, which is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. Ovechkin will be available for interviews on the field prior to the game at 5:30 p.m. Media interested in obtaining credentials for this game are advised to contact Orioles public...

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Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

September 14, 2011, 4:44am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

We're about halfway through September now, which means baseball in Washington is nearing an end for 2011. Things will start to quiet down around the Navy Yard. Patrons' use of the Green Line Metro Station near the ballpark will decline. Street vendors won't be trying to handout hats during the evening hours and no one will be out on Half Street selling cheap water and peanuts. Live music won't wail from the tiny corridor of The Bullpen beer garden. In short: NatsTown will become a ghost...

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Daniel Moroz: Johnson's new role can't save O's from ill-advised signing of Gregg

September 14, 2011, 4:33am

Orioles

Daniel Moroz: Johnson's new role can't save O's from ill-advised signing of Gregg

Jim Johnson now has as many saves in the last week as Kevin Gregg has since the beginning of August. That gives me a great excuse to bring out two of my favorite hobby horses: Despite what many people say (including some allusions by the Orioles themselves), Johnson is perfectly capable of being the team's closer, and signing Gregg was not a good move. Johnson once blew a save (or two), which resulted in some people deciding that he didn't have the mentality of a closer, or something like...

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Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

September 13, 2011, 12:47pm

Nationals

Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

It's no secret the bonds of a major league baseball team can closely resemble those of a fraternity. Twenty-five guys, living in and out of suitcases, spending virtually every minute together for an entire season. Ah yes, the brotherhood of baseball. So what would the spirit of a fraternity be without a little good ole' fashioned hazing, right? As it so happens, pictures, like the one seen below, recently made their way onto Nationals catcher Jesus Flores' Twitter account, showing the...

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Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

September 13, 2011, 5:17am

Nationals

Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

On this day in 1945, a large crowd of more than 24,000 fans turned out to Griffith Stadium to watch the visiting Cleveland Indians play the red-hot Washington Senators. The Senators went into the game having won eight of 10 games and found themselves only one game behind the American League-leading Detroit Tigers. With such a big game in the nation's capital, it would only be fitting that both teams would be starting pitchers who were World War II veterans. The Cleveland Indians' started...

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Lauren Tilley: Rooting against the O's?

September 13, 2011, 4:57am

Orioles

This is a very rare and difficult blog for me to write. I had a discussion with some friends today asking what in the world I should write about. I've discussed the endless pitching problems in many articles, as well as my problems with the management and entire front office, coaching, and training staff. What's next to complain about? As James Baker discussed in his recent guest blog, why do we even watch anymore? I've never thought of that question, just like many of the people he...

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Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

September 12, 2011, 7:23am

Nationals

Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

This season, MASNsports.com has seen tremendous growth, thanks in large part to its ability to interact with fans through social media. With in-game alerts via text message, breaking news broadcast through the @masnNationals Twitter account and the MASN Nationals Facebook page, which has created a daily forum for fans to gather together to discuss and cheer for the Nationals, social media has become our best tool when it comes to delivering the latest information to you, the fans. So, as a...

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Dave Nichols: Strasburg's shortened start the prudent course of action

September 12, 2011, 4:45am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Strasburg's shortened start the prudent course of action

Stephen Strasburg made his second big league start of the season for the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The big righty struggled a bit with his normally pinpoint control and saw a drop in velocity on most his pitches, but he gutted out a 57-pitch, three-inning start, giving up one earned run on three hits. He did not walk a batter for his second consecutive start and struck out four Houston Astros, three on his devastating changeup and one on a biting two-seam fastball. Manager Davey Johnson...

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Weekend security measures at Nationals Park

September 09, 2011, 5:45pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals Observe 9/11 Remembrance Day Fans should expect enhanced security procedures throughout the weekend Due to heightened security precautions surrounding 9/11 Remembrance Day, the Washington Nationals encourage fans to arrive earlier than normal and leave backpacks, bags and extra items at home throughout the weekend. Enhanced security procedures at Nationals Park may slow entry into the ballpark on both Saturday and Sunday. Fans should prepare for the following safety...

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Nationals to increase security at Nationals Park this weekend

September 09, 2011, 5:41pm

Nationals

The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, is coming up this weekend and the Washington Nationals are making sure their fans are safe with increased security around the stadium. The Nationals are taking the following measures this weekend: Due to heightened security precautions surrounding 9/11 Remembrance Day, the Washington Nationals encourage fans to arrive earlier than normal and leave backpacks, bags and extra items at home throughout the weekend. Enhanced security procedures at Nationals...

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James Baker: As fall slowly starts to arrive ...

September 09, 2011, 7:16am

Orioles

James Baker: As fall slowly starts to arrive ...

As the rain continues to fall here in Charm City, it is hard to believe that the season is coming to an end. Some would say a merciful one. With the Ravens about to kick off the NFL season against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, the Orioles are about to be, once again, relegated to second-team status here in our fair community. And they deserve to be. Getting two come-from-behind, extra-inning wins from the Yankees is great, watching Nick Markakis lay out Francisco Cervelli is awesome, but...

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Jenn Jenson: Rain, rain, rain delay

September 09, 2011, 5:55am

Nationals

So, how 'bout that weather? Yesterday, the second game of a doubleheader with the Los Angeles Dodgers was rained out. The day before yesterday, the game was postponed by rain. And the day before that? Still more rain that first threatened to put off Stephen Strasburg's return to the mound and later created a mid-game delay. This week brought a crazy amount of rain to the Washington area, with important consequences that include three deaths in Maryland and Virginia, property damage from...

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Should the Nationals retire Hernandez's No. 61?

September 07, 2011, 8:10pm

Nationals

After a mutual agreement between Livan Hernandez and the Washington Nationals, the 245-lb. right-hander will be shut down for the rest of the season to make room for the excess of young pitching talent making their auditions for the 2012 season. It was a classy move by the man who threw the first pitch in Nationals history way back in 2005. I know most of you are thinking: Why would the Nationals retire the number of a guy who went 70-72 with the Expos/Nationals franchise? This is a fair...