Mel Antonen

In no-hit bids, pitch counts come into play

June 05, 2012, 8:21am

Thanks to Johan Santana's no-hitter last week versus St. Louis, the Nationals won't have to face the lefty with the elite changeup when the Mets play in D.C. this week. Santana, in his first season back after shoulder surgery, threw 134 pitches, about 20 more than he was supposed to throw, and the Mets want to give him extra time to allow his arm to get back to full strength. He'll pitch Friday. Santana is the Mets' best pitcher, but this no-hitter story could turn sour for the Mets if...

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Seems like everybody's handing out long-term extensions

May 28, 2012, 6:17am

Nationals Orioles

Seems like everybody's handing out long-term extensions

The Orioles signed outfielder Adam Jones to a contract extension and became part of the hottest trend in baseball. Teams in every market size are signing players to extensions that buy out arbitration years and keep players off the free agent market. And it's not just big-market teams handing out the money. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen got $51.5 million from the Pittsburgh Pirates. First baseman Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds signed for $225 million. The St. Louis Cardinals gave a...

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Season at quarter mark, but a lot can change

May 21, 2012, 8:12am

Nationals Orioles

Season at quarter mark, but a lot can change

With a quarter of the season in the books, the Orioles and Nationals are turning heads and bringing hope for a summer of excitement. But it's too early to label the Orioles and Nationals serious contenders for at least another three months. The last two seasons provide proof that surprise teams can begin to slip as early as June and as late as September. Nobody expected the Cleveland Indians to contend last season in the American League Central, but on May 23, they were in first place with a...

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O's ending rough schedule stretch; Nats weather long rain delay

May 14, 2012, 9:37am

Nationals Orioles

O's ending rough schedule stretch; Nats weather long rain delay

As what could be considered the roughest part of the Orioles' schedule comes to an end this week, the good news is that the Orioles are going to finish with at least a winning record in 15 games versus the Rays, Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers. Even if they lose Monday and Tuesday at home to the Yankees, the Orioles are proving that they are an improved team, one that believes they can win, no matter the circumstances. The near-comeback win, a 9-8 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, is a perfect...

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Hamels' old-school opinion an insult to intimidating pitchers

May 09, 2012, 5:10am

Nationals Orioles

Hamels' old-school opinion an insult to intimidating pitchers

Before we move on from the new-found and legitimate Nationals-Phillies rivalry, there's one question that has to be clarified: What does Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels mean when he says he was bringing back old-fashioned baseball by drilling Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the back? Hamels hasn't said a word since he was suspended. Hamels, who deserved the five-game suspension that he received from Major League Baseball, is confused on the term. In old-school baseball, pitchers never...

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Baltimore-born Kaline has some advice for phenom Harper

April 30, 2012, 1:19pm

Nationals Orioles

Baltimore-born Kaline has some advice for phenom Harper

Who knows what kind of production teenage sensation Bryce Harper will have with the Nationals this season? But one thing's for certain: Not many players that young have managed to play 100-plus games in a big league season. According to baseballreference.com, nine teenagers have played 100-plus games in the big leagues since Baltimore native Al Kaline, a Hall of Fame outfielder, did it in 1954 with Detroit. "The key for Bryce Harper to be successful is to have a balance of confidence and...

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Rounding the majors: O's on road, Humber's development, Nationals' potential quandary

April 23, 2012, 9:00am

Nationals Orioles

Rounding the majors: O's on road, Humber's development, Nationals' potential quandary

Thoughts on the early going: * The Orioles are getting good pitching from Jake Arrieta and Wei-Yin Chen, but the most impressive aspect of the Orioles' start is their character. After getting swept in three games at home by the Yankees, the Orioles responded well on a road trip that took them to three time zones. They won series at Toronto and Chicago, and then managed to take one of three over the Angels after two late rallies in Sunday's 3-2 10-inning win. Given how the Yankees have...

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For Nationals, no Morse, no Storen, no offense are no problem

April 16, 2012, 4:44am

Nationals Orioles

For Nationals, no Morse, no Storen, no offense are no problem

This is how good the fast start is for the Nationals: They have a winning record even though they have no Michael Morse, no Drew Storen and virtually no offense. Last season, the Nationals scored 3.8 runs a game. This season, through the first 10 games, they were at 3.9. The Nationals missed a chance at their first four-game sweep since moving to D.C. in 2005 when they lost 8-5 in 11 innings to the Reds at Nationals Park on Sunday. But while the Nationals have new swagger, the Reds, one of...

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Guillen's latest remarks have him in hottest water yet

April 10, 2012, 1:11pm

Nationals Orioles

Guillen's latest remarks have him in hottest water yet

Ozzie Guillen's steady stream of inappropriate comments has generally been forgotten, but watching his press conference from Miami on Tuesday, you get the idea that the Cuban community that hates Fidel Castro is not going to be as forgiving. Guillen, the 48-year-old and Miami Marlins manager, spent 50 minutes apologizing in English and Spanish for his remarks in Time magazine about how he loves and respects Castro, the dictator that destroyed thousands of lives after he took over...

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No shortage of suitors should Nationals opt to deal Lannan

April 05, 2012, 6:12am

Nationals Orioles

No shortage of suitors should Nationals opt to deal Lannan

With John Lannan preparing to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse while requesting a trade via email to reporters, there will be a list of teams looking at the possibility of acquiring the lefty. But it's not like the Nationals need to trade him. They can't afford to give him away, and teams might not go for their asking price, considering Lannan makes $5 million. Plus, if Stephen Strasburg is on an innings limit of 160 this season, Lannan might be needed late in the season. Every team needs...

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Will Nationals be able to change Jackson's delivery so he can be more consistent?

February 02, 2012, 4:15pm

Nationals

The Nationals added to their rotation depth Thursday when they signed free agent pitcher Edwin Jackson to a one-year contract. It will be Jackson's seventh team, and the question is whether the Nationals can change his delivery so that his command can be more consistent. Jackson, 28, was a top-notch pitching prospect who started with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but his lack of command has been the reason he hasn't lived up to his billing. Last season, with the St. Louis Cardinals, Jackson...

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Hall of Fame thoughts on Larkin, Trammell, Morris, Smith and more

January 10, 2012, 2:55am

Nationals Orioles

Hall of Fame thoughts on Larkin, Trammell, Morris, Smith and more

Thoughts on the Hall of Fame voting: * I voted for shortstop Barry Larkin, who played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds, but I don't understand why my colleagues in the Baseball Writers' Association of America don't give more support to Alan Trammell, who was the American League's version of Larkin. Their stats are eerily similar, and Trammell actually had more hits and RBIs. So Trammell should have more than 34 percent of the vote. * Next year, will pitcher Jack Morris be able...

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My Hall of Fame ballot for 2012

January 03, 2012, 10:46am

Nationals Orioles

The Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2012 will be announced Jan. 9. Ron Santo has been selected by the veterans committee to be enshrined in July. Here's my ballot as a voting member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America: Barry Larkin: Easy choice because he was the best shortstop in the National League while playing 19 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds. A 12-time All-Star who won three Gold Gloves and an NL Most Valuable Player in 1995, Larkin finished with 2,340 hits and 379 stolen...

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O's Jones would be an attractive fit for many clubs needing center field help

December 23, 2011, 4:59pm

Nationals Orioles

O's Jones would be an attractive fit for many clubs needing center field help

The Orioles have apparently talked to the Atlanta Braves about a trade involving center fielder Adam Jones, and while that trade is off for now, it could heat up again. But there is a long list of other teams that might want to trade for Jones. Who knows if the Orioles will trade the All-Star outfielder? They don't have a lot of trade chips, and of the core players, he seems the most likely to go, assuming the right price. Jones has two years left on his contract, and that makes him...

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Notes from the Winter Meetings

December 08, 2011, 5:26am

Nationals Orioles

DALLAS - The Winter Meetings at the Hilton Anatole will be remembered for the free-spending Miami Marlins and the Albert Pujols contract, but there was plenty of other baseball talk: * After coming within a strike twice of winning the World Series, Texas manager Ron Washington likely will never hear the end of the second-guessing. It came up again in Dallas, when Washington was asked whether right fielder Nelson Cruz was playing too shallow when St. Louis' David Freese's two-out, two-strike...

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Nats want a center fielder - what about O's Adam Jones?

December 06, 2011, 8:11am

Nationals Orioles

Nats want a center fielder - what about O's Adam Jones?

DALLAS - The Nationals are shopping for a center fielder at the Winter Meetings. How about the Orioles' Adam Jones? Here's a proposal: The Orioles trade Jones to the Nationals for a pitcher, John Lannan or Ross Detwiler, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi and centerfielder Roger Bernadina. The Nationals could get one more player, but basically, the players named would be the foundation of the proposal. The trade would be good for the Orioles because it would boost their pitching staff and...

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HGH testing in new labor pact gives baseball added credibility

November 23, 2011, 5:39am

Nationals Orioles

HGH testing in new labor pact gives baseball added credibility

The latest agreement between the owners and players, announced Tuesday, means baseball will have 21 consecutive seasons of labor peace, and that makes baseball look good compared to the NBA and, to a certain extent, the NFL. The key to this year's agreement was the workable personalities of Rob Manfred, the owners' top negotiator, and Michael Weiner, who heads the players' union. The two worked together much better than the Bud Selig-Donald Fehr battles that were part eight work stoppages...

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Duquette finally gets another shot; forget Fielder, Nats should focus on pitching

November 07, 2011, 8:08am

Nationals Orioles

Duquette finally gets another shot; forget Fielder, Nats should focus on pitching

In 2002, when Dan Duquette was fired by the Boston Red Sox as their general manager, he vowed to make a comeback. Now, he gets his chance as the Orioles' top executive. Duquette left Boston in cloud of controversy, and because of that, he probably didn't get proper credit for his role in building the Red Sox's 2004 World Series championship team. His strengths are his Latin American connections and his ability to develop players. He gets credit for pulling off the most lopsided trade in...

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How baseball's postseason awards should shake out

September 26, 2011, 9:03am

Nationals Orioles

How baseball's postseason awards should shake out

Here's one writer's view on how the postseason awards should go: American League Cy Young: Lots of sleepless nights trying to decide this one. Detroit's Justin Verlander should win the award unanimously in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The Orioles prevented him from winning No. 25, but how can you argue with 251 innings, a 24-5 record and 2.40 ERA? AL Most Valuable Player: There's a grassroots campaign for Verlander to become the first pitcher since Boston's...

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Wild race brewing in AL, Strasburg loses some of his buzz

September 13, 2011, 4:26am

Nationals Orioles

Wild race brewing in AL, Strasburg loses some of his buzz

Perhaps there's going to be more drama that expected in baseball's final month - and the Orioles have a chance to determine the American League's wild card. It's likely, and not unexpected, that the American League West will be decided on the final three games when the Texas Rangers play the Los Angeles Angels. But, now, there's a possible wild card race brewing in the AL. Even though time is against them, the Tampa Bay Rays came to Baltimore Monday night trailing the Boston Red Sox by...