Josh Land

Dave Nichols: Setting realistic goals for the second half

July 17, 2011, 3:19pm

The Washington Nationals start play today one game below .500 at 47-48. That's a pretty dramatic increase from seasons past and has many folks in the area, including within the organization and media members as well as fans, thinking the Nats can compete for the Wild Card this season. If Sunday's mistake-filled loss to the Atlanta Braves wasn't enough to sway your opinion from that, let me drop some sobering numbers on you. First, let me preface what I'm about to say with this: I am...

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Nationals option infielder Brian Bixler to Triple-A Syracuse

July 17, 2011, 1:36pm

Nationals

Following today's 9-8 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, the Washington Nationals optioned infielder Brian Bixler to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 28 year-old Bixler hit .196 (9-for-46) with a double, one RBI, four stolen bases and four walks in 45 games with the Nationals this season.

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Orioles place Guerrero on DL; recall Angle, Patton

July 17, 2011, 9:30am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today they have placed designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, with a fractured right wrist. The club has also recalled outfielder Matt Angle and LHP Troy Patton from Triple-A Norfolk. Angle, 25, hit .266 with four home runs, 29 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 81 games for the Tides. He batted .380 in his last 16 games with Norfolk, hitting safely in 14 of those contests. The Orioles' 7th-round selection in the 2007...

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Food drive a major success

July 16, 2011, 8:39am

Nationals

Congratulations, Nationals fans. After tallying the donations made during the 2011 Harris Teeter Food Drive held at Nationals Park last weekend, the results are in, and they're impressive. The event, which helps the Capital Area Food Bank nourish thousands of children and families, resulted in an astounding 6,942 pounds of food. It was the most successful food drive at Nationals Park to date. Your donations will help these ailing children receive the proper meals and nutrition they...

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brian eller nationals nationals buzz

Jenn Jenson: On loving and blogging about baseball

July 15, 2011, 7:24am

Nationals

Jenn Jenson: On loving and blogging about baseball

If five years ago today, you predicted my future would include blogging about baseball for MASNsports.com, I would have given you an odd look. Before 2006, I had never been to a professional baseball game, and I still thought baseball was about as interesting as watching paint dry. Goes to show you never know what will happen. I think a lot of baseball fans, especially lifelong baseball fans, have a story to tell about their love of the game. That story might begin with a young boy playing...

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James Baker: With calvary struggling mightily, better play needs to ride to O's rescue

July 15, 2011, 7:09am

Orioles

James Baker: With calvary struggling mightily, better play needs to ride to O's rescue

Good morning, Birdland! As some of you may know, if you keep a calendar, my name is James Baker and I write primarily for Oriole Post. Pete Kerzel of MASNsports.com asked the new guest bloggers to give a little intro of ourselves and our blogging history for this introductory post, so without further ado, I present "A Brief History of an Orioles Blogger: James C. Baker." I grew up in the wilds of Harford County, but never was the city far from my life. Both my parents were from the city...

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guest blogger guestblogger james baker orioles orioles buzz

Orioles community events to include 25th annual food drive for Maryland Food Bank

July 14, 2011, 12:26pm

Orioles

For the 25th consecutive year, the Orioles, along with Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, WJZ-TV, and the Maryland Food Bank, will hold their 25th annual Food Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, July 15-17, during the Orioles' series with the Cleveland Indians. Members of these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at each entrance from the time gates open until the middle of the second inning. During last year's Orioles Food Drive, more...

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Heath Bintliff: The Orioles' first half by the numbers

July 12, 2011, 8:27am

Orioles

A quick look at some of the first half numbers for the Baltimore Orioles - the good, the bad and the ugly: 0 - Number of passed balls allowed by Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. Obviously, this leads all of Major League Baseball starting catchers. 1- Number of Orioles All-Stars. Matt Wieters represented the O's in Arizona and has been one of the bright spots for the team this season. 3 - Number of homers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero has hit since May 1. 4 - Number of quality starts...

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guest blogger guestblogger heath bintliff orioles orioles buzz

Orioles will host 25th annual food drive at Camden Yards July 15-17

July 11, 2011, 12:32pm

Orioles

The Orioles, along with the Orioles Wives, Orioles Advocates, WJZ-TV, and the Maryland Food Bank, will hold their 25th annual Food Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, July 15-17, during the Orioles' series with the Cleveland Indians. Members of these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at each entrance from the time gates open until the middle of the second inning during games this weekend. Items most needed at this time according to...

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Orioles News Release orioles

Guest bloggers rotation set for season's second half

July 10, 2011, 6:30pm

Nationals

Guest bloggers rotation set for season's second half

It's hard to believe the first half of the 2011 season has come to a close. And for the Nationals, it has to be one filled with great optimism. With impressive starting pitching, the surprise power from first baseman Michael Morse and a bullpen that's been solid throughout the first few months, the Nationals, a team that was poised to do great things in 2012 or later, look like they're not really willing to wait that long to make some noise in the National League. Here at Nationals Buzz,...

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brian eller nationals nationals buzz dave nichols jenn jenson mike henderson rachel levitin ted youngling

Orioles purchase contract of Mark Hendrickson, option Zach Britton to Double-A Bowie

July 09, 2011, 2:26pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Mark Hendrickson from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Hendrickson on the 25-man roster, the Orioles optioned left-handed pitcher Zach Britton to Double-A Bowie. Hendrickson, 37, went 2-4 with a 2.87 ERA (47.0IP, 15 ER) in 19 games for the Tides. He did not allow an earned run in seven of his last eight outings for Norfolk. Hendrickson is 7-11 with a 4.74 ERA (180.1IP, 95 ER) in 105 games for Baltimore...

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Nationals play host to 50th Congressional Baseball Game

July 09, 2011, 1:02pm

Nationals

Looking for some baseball to fill the void during the All-Star break? Nationals fans, you're in for a treat. On Thursday, July 14, Democrats and Republicans will meet on the diamond, as Nationals Park serves as host for the 50th anniversary of the Congressional Baseball Game for charity. It's a chance for fans to watch our nation's two primary political parties become even more divided, this time substituting the podium and microphone for a glove and a bat. The game itself is an intense,...

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brian eller nationals nationals buzz

Capture a piece of Washington's baseball history

July 08, 2011, 12:16pm

Nationals

Capture a piece of Washington's baseball history

It's the history of the game of baseball that has always attracted me to the sport. Growing up, I would listen to the stories from my parents about the Orioles of the 1960's and 70's and the childhood icons they watched on the diamond nearly 50 years ago. It's the history of baseball which is unlike any other in professional sports. Baseball has been around the longest, with origins dating well back into the 19th century. Through the years, despite the finer tweaks and tuneups, the game...

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brian eller nationals nationals buzz

Matthew Taylor: Seeking the silver linings in a difficult stretch

July 08, 2011, 5:14am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Seeking the silver linings in a difficult stretch

Things have been pretty bleak of late for the Orioles and their fans, but it can't possibly be all bad news for the Birds, can it? Let's look at some of the facts and locate the elusive silver lining for the orange and black. The Orioles allowed six home runs in a 10-3 loss in Boston on Thursday. The good news is they didn't give up six runs in the ninth inning at Fenway. The Texas Rangers scored a combined 30 runs in a three-game set with the Orioles earlier this week. The good news is...

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Rachel Levitin: Winning three of four vs. Cubs shows progress

July 08, 2011, 5:01am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Winning three of four vs. Cubs shows progress

The Nationals couldn't sweep the Cubs this series though they tried. On the upside, they're still above .500 with a 44-43 record. Whether or not last night's dropped contest should define a half-season's worth of progress is irrelevant. Fact of the matter is that the Nationals have shown improvement from the 2010 season and that should be noted. There are few lessons to be learned from this four-game series: A tired bullpen is not a strong bullpen. Bullpen coach Jim Lett and his squad of...

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Morse falls short in Final Vote contest

July 07, 2011, 2:19pm

Nationals

Sad news to report, Nationals fans. After a tremendous effort and certain bruises to thumbs around the DC area, all in an attempt to send Nationals right fielder Michael Morse to next week's All-Star game, Major League Baseball announced that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino has won the National League Final Vote contest. The 9.2 million votes for Victorino helped the "Flying Hawaiian" edge out the Dodgers' Andre Ethier, Rockies' Todd Helton, Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy...

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Matthew Taylor: O's head to Boston near time Babe Ruth left Baltimore

July 07, 2011, 4:32am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: O's head to Boston near time Babe Ruth left Baltimore

The Orioles are headed to Boston to close out the first half of the season. Given the team's recent struggles and the time of year, fans are perhaps most interested in the upcoming trade deadline and who the Orioles, as sellers, might offer up to other teams in exchange for young prospects. The Orioles don't have any Babe Ruths on their roster, but in 1914 they did, and midway through the season they sold him to the Red Sox. It was on this day in 1914 that Jack Dunn, who owned the...

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Rachel Levitin: Unprompted responses create hopeful stadium buzz

July 07, 2011, 4:21am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Unprompted responses create hopeful stadium buzz

The recent slew of one-run victories in Washington is enough to get the adrenaline of the players and fans to gush. After last night's 5-4 win versus the Chicago Cubs, Nationals organist Matt Van Hoose and I got to talking about the electricity that erupts in the park's seating bowl and creates an aura of energy from within in the confines of Nationals Park. When fans make noise in favor of the team and feel like they're a part of the motivating factor to win it, it really makes that much of...

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Matthew Taylor: Wieters should emulate former O's All-Stars Kennedy, Triandos

July 06, 2011, 4:59am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Wieters should emulate former O's All-Stars Kennedy, Triandos

Matt Wieters is only the fifth All-Star catcher for the Orioles, following Gus Triandos, Andy Etchebarren, Terry Kennedy, and Mickey Tettleton. The good news for Wieters is that each catcher made more than one All-Star team. After reviewing the boxscores of this quartet of previous O's All-Stars I'd say that, come next Tuesday, Wieters would do well to model Kennedy behind the plate and Triandos at the plate. Kennedy made his final All-Star appearance in 1987 for the Orioles after...

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Rachel Levitin: Johnson holds Nats accountable with levity, pride

July 06, 2011, 4:42am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Johnson holds Nats accountable with levity, pride

When Davey Johnson was named manager of the Washington Nationals at the end of June, I was out of the country. Wednesday night's game was my first encounter with Johnson in a postgame press conference. Some managers play small ball with each play and others motivate their guys. The best of those guys do both. I'm still not 100 percent positive how to categorize Johnson, but I do know that I see potential in him as manager for the close of the year. Here's why: He's accountable. Besides...