Josh Land

Stacey Long: Reynolds a victim of O's lineup

June 27, 2011, 4:14am

Orioles

Stacey Long: Reynolds a victim of O's lineup

Mark Reynolds has been on fire over the last four weeks, hitting .296/.446/.648. He leads the Orioles in home runs, doubles and walks. He trails only J.J. Hardy in on-base percentage and is arguably the best hitter on the team. Despite all of that, Reynolds remains at the bottom of the lineup, hitting ahead of only Robert Andino or Blake Davis and sometimes Felix Pie (who really shouldn't be in the starting lineup, ever, but that's another story). I spent last week in Pittsburgh watching...

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Dave Nichols: New era for Nationals baseball?

June 26, 2011, 8:36pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have won 13 of their last 15 games. That's pretty heady stuff. When play ended Sunday, the Nats owned a 40-38 record, a mere 3 1/2 games out of the Wild Card. This run that they're on right now can only be described with one word: ridiculous. On this streak, the Nats have won close games and blowouts. They've pitched over their heads and picked up the bullpen on the few occasions they've faltered. The Nats blew three saves in Friday's game alone and still won. In...

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Nationals name Davey Johnson field manager

June 26, 2011, 9:02am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced that Davey Johnson has been named to serve as field manager and will be in uniform Monday for the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Angels. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Johnson, a senior advisor to Rizzo since 2009, will direct the Nationals on the field for the remainder of the 2011 season. He also agreed to a three-year consulting contract that will have him remain...

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Anthony Amobi: Are the Orioles what they thought they were?

June 24, 2011, 4:58am

Orioles

It has not been a good week for the Baltimore Orioles, as they have struggled in interleague play, losing two out of three games to the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Much like the Orioles, the Pirates and Nationals have been your traditional bottom-feeders recently; however, they have improved greatly this season. They are not seen as contenders, but they are no longer doormats, either. That same notion can be also applied to the Orioles. A lot of people at the start of the...

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Drew Kinback: Selfish Riggleman played chicken, lost in a walk-off

June 24, 2011, 4:45am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Selfish Riggleman played chicken, lost in a walk-off

I really don't want to write about Jim Riggleman. First, he doesn't deserve it, considering his actions yesterday; resigning only moments after the Nationals organization hit a peak after sweeping the Seattle Mariners and moving over .500. Second, he ruined my Thursday night because as a Nationals blogger I tend to have to keep on top of these sorts of news stories and it kept me from spending time with my daughter and eating out at Wayside Chicken. I love Wayside Chicken. However, I...

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Anthony Amobi: Does O's Guthrie belong on the block?

June 23, 2011, 5:03am

Orioles

Anthony Amobi: Does O's Guthrie belong on the block?

We are a time during each and every season where teams looking forward to playing in October are looking for help via trades. They need an extra piece to contend and often look at second division teams to acquire a player or two for the stretch run. Meanwhile, teams that know they are realistically out of contention for the season are looking to dump expensive or productive players with value in exchange for young talent or a player who is perhaps more cost-effective. For the Orioles, Jeremy...

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Drew Kinback: Reeling from Rizzo's rope-a-dope

June 23, 2011, 4:39am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Reeling from Rizzo's rope-a-dope

The greatest sporting event I never witnessed took place on Oct. 30, 1974 in the Mai 20 Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire. It was a title bout for the boxing heavyweight championship of the world. It pitted champion George Foreman against challenger Muhammad Ali. Labeled "The Rumble In The Jungle," the match went on to become one of the most legendary sporting events in history - and I missed it. Foreman was the supposed favorite. He was bigger and younger than Ali and from what they say,...

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Free tickets!

June 22, 2011, 11:50am

Nationals

Don't worry, Nationals fans. I wouldn't create such a tantalizing headline without actually meaning it. Thanks to Venga, the mobile application that gives subscribers the scoop on what's happening at bars, restaurants and nightlife venues around you, fans will have a chance to win tickets to the Nationals' doubleheader against Pittsburgh on July 2. Claiming the tickets couldn't be easier. Simply follow Venga on Twitter (@GoVenga) and tweet that you want to go to the game. It's that...

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Anthony Amobi: Orioles and Pirates fans only want one thing: To see their team win

June 22, 2011, 5:13am

Orioles

The cities of Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been through quite a bit with their baseball teams in the last decade. They are roughly four hours apart in terms of driving distance, and of course, have passionate fan bases when it comes to their sports. As we all know, both cities have quite a few parallels; however, none of them mirror more closely than the futility of their baseball franchises. The Orioles have not had a winning season since 1998, and the Pirates have not had one since Barry...

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Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball

June 21, 2011, 3:53pm

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball

I've actually sat at my computer for the past two hours looking at a blank screen trying to figure out how to exactly put into words at how absolutely heartbroken I am to hear that former Nationals closer

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Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL

June 21, 2011, 1:07pm

Nationals

Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny from the 15-day disabled list and placed outfielder Rick Ankiel (left intercostal strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 15. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny missed the last 24 games after being placed on the DL on May 27, retroactive to May 24, with left elbow inflammation. The...

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Anthony Amobi: Should O's fans be worried about Brian Matusz?

June 21, 2011, 3:38am

Orioles

Anthony Amobi: Should O's fans be worried about Brian Matusz?

There's been a lot said about the Orioles' Brian Matusz going into this season. As the O's are still in a rebuilding phase - despite the addition of talent onto the roster - how they will do next season and beyond will depend on their pitching. Well, Matusz is an essential part of that and everyone is hoping for the best for him and the young supply of arms in the organization. Although Matusz started 2010 on a pretty rough note, and included a stretch where he only won one start in the...

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Drew Kinback: Recipe for Nationals victory waffles

June 20, 2011, 6:11pm

Nationals

It has been a good week in NatsTown. The Nationals pulled off an eight-game win streak, have pulled themselves into third place in the National League East, put themselves within striking distance of .500 and somehow got their name in talks for the Wild Card. They also put the hurting on an NL Central powerhouse in the Cardinals and won Round 2 of the Battle of the Beltways against the Baltimore Orioles. Going 8-1 in the past nine games - not too shabby. If your senses are up to par, take a...

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2011 Dream Gala

June 20, 2011, 6:52am

Nationals

I've always found it a little strange to see baseball players out of uniform. We're so accustomed to watching them take the field on a daily basis, recognizable only by their last name and corresponding number on the back of their jersey. In fact, if you're fortunate enough to bump into a player on the street or outside of the ballpark, it can sometimes take a minute to realize who you've just seen. So as players, coaches and members of the Washington Nationals organization dressed up in...

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Anthony Amobi: Grateful for my all-time favorite ballplayer

June 20, 2011, 5:35am

Orioles

Anthony Amobi: Grateful for my all-time favorite ballplayer

As long as I have been an Orioles fan, I have always had one name in my mind: Frank Robinson. For me growing up, Frank Robinson was an iconic symbol unlike any other. I always tell everyone Cal Ripken Jr. was my favorite all-time Oriole growing up, but Frank was my all-time favorite ballplayer. Honestly, due to my age, I really didn't see him play at all - well, except on videotape. Really, the only link to his legend for me as a fan was hearing stories about him from other fans that had...

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Father of the Year

June 17, 2011, 1:37pm

Nationals

First off, I would like to extend a very happy Father's Day to all dads out there, particularly those currently away from their families serving in the military. For me, the word "dad" conjures up memories of grilling outside, weekend bike rides and, of course, trips to the ballpark. In fact, if not for my dad introducing me to the sport, I'm not sure I would be as passionate about baseball as I am today. This weekend will be no different for a lot of families, as the Battle of the...

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Will Yoder: Nationals' rotation still one of the best

June 17, 2011, 3:19am

Nationals

Entering the 2011 season, many felt the Nationals dropped the ball over the winter in a rather public attempt to shore up their starting rotation. General manager Mike Rizzo made no secret that he was out to get another major league-level starter, and when he failed to sign even one of his targets, many were worried about the rotation the Nats had to offer. Quite surprisingly, the Nats' starting pitching has actually been a bright point for the club this season, with one of the more...

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Heath Bintliff: It could be worse?

June 16, 2011, 6:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles' offense is struggling. It wasn't supposed to be that way. The O's made offseason additions to address the punchless offense of 2010 thorough both trade and free agency. However, those moves have had mixed results. J.J. Hardy has been a great addition to the lineup. Mark Reynolds, in his own unorthodox way, has actually been a productive hitter, even with a .206 batting average. Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero have been disappointing, to say the least. But it could be worse. Or...

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Look for the same broadcast team this weekend

June 16, 2011, 9:48am

Nationals

Look for the same broadcast team this weekend

Am I the only one who thinks a Battle of the Beltways logo would look pretty cool? I don't have an artistic bone in my body, so I'm certainly not the one to design it, but I'm picturing the two highways tangled together, steel entrenched with gridlock traffic popping out all over. Hey, it's just an idea, but for anyone who has to travel along either the Baltimore Beltway or Capital Beltway on a regular basis, you know there's enough congestion and construction to make any decent driver...

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Will Yoder: Is Yunesky Maya running out of chances?

June 16, 2011, 4:49am

Nationals

Will Yoder: Is Yunesky Maya running out of chances?

The Washington Nationals optioned starting pitcher Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse yesterday in order to add another bullpen option for Jim Riggleman until Tom Gorzelanny makes his next expected start Sunday. While the demotion was expected, Maya didn't exactly do much to inspire the Nationals to make room on the roster to keep the 29-year-old Cuban. In four starts, Maya went 0-1 and posted a 6.88 ERA and a .325 batting average against. While some viewed his call-up as a chance for him to...