O's get walk-off win on Trumbo's home run

O's get walk-off win on Trumbo's home run
On a night they failed repeatedly with runners in scoring position, the Orioles got an important win thanks to two team strengths - power and their bullpen. Mark Trumbo led off the last of the 12th with a solo homer to left to give the Orioles a 3-2, walk-off win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Orioles (83-71) needed to win as the two teams ahead of them in the wild card race had posted wins also. They stay a 1/2-game behind Detroit for the second wild card and 1 1/2 games back of Toronto...
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Opposite dugout: Diamondbacks trying to avoid NL West cellar

Opposite dugout: Diamondbacks trying to avoid NL West cellar
Manager: Chip Hale (2nd season) Record: 64-88 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Jean Segura (.317 with 17 HR, 59 RBIs, 30 SB), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.298 with 23 HR, 90 RBIs, 27 SB), LF Yasmany Tomas (29 HR, 75 RBIs), 3B Jake Lamb (28 HR, 88 RBIs), LHP Robbie Ray (8-13, 4.66 ERA, 210 Ks) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (3-0 in 2014) Pitching probables: Sept. 23: RHP Shelby Miller vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 24: LHP Robbie Ray vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASN2...
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Opposite dugout: Diamondbacks trying to salvage lost season

Opposite dugout: Diamondbacks trying to salvage lost season
Manager: Chip Hale (2nd season) Record: 43-62 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Jean Segura (.311 with 129 hits), 3B Jake Lamb (.282 with 21 HR), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.297 with 68 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (10-3, 3.62 ERA), RHP Jake Barrett (2.79 ERA, 3 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2015) Pitching probables: August 1: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Archie Bradley, 9:40 p.m., MASNAugust 2: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Robbie Ray, 9:40 p.m., MASN2August 3: RHP Max...
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What does Zack Greinke signing with Arizona mean for the NL West?

What does Zack Greinke signing with Arizona mean for the NL West?
Does Zack Greinke's signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks mean that we've seen the biggest shocker move of the offseason? Does it mean that the Winter Meetings next week in Nashville are going to be without drama? Hardly. The Diamondbacks have been hinting all offseason that they were going to make a push for pitching and subsequently a push to challenge the Dodgers and Giants in the National League West. And while the general consensus is that Greinke was choosing to sign with the Dodgers or...
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Nationals game blog: Nats look to Ross to split series with Arizona

Nationals game blog: Nats look to Ross to split series with Arizona
The Nationals and Diamondbacks wrap up their four-game series today. Rookie right-hander Joe Ross (2-3, 3.00 ERA) faces Arizona right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 4.95 ERA). The season series is split 3-3. The Nationals have won eight of their last 11 games in the series. Ryan Zimmerman gets the day off for the Nationals, and Ian Desmond is back in the lineup. The Nationals wrap up the homestand with three games versus the Rockies starting Friday night. Manager Matt Williams conducted a team...
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Nationals game blog: Gonzalez seeks his fifth straight win as Nats face D-backs

Nationals game blog: Gonzalez seeks his fifth straight win as Nats face D-backs
Welcome to the Nats game blog! The Nationals look for two wins in a row as left-hander Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.75 ERA) takes on Arizona right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.59). Gonzalez has not lost a game since June 15 at Tampa Bay and has not surrendered more than two earned runs in six consecutive starts. Danny Espinosa gets the call to start at shortstop as Ian Desmond will get the day off. Jose Lobaton will catch for Gonzalez as he has all season. Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four...
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Opposite dugout: Lack of ace has kept D-backs mediocre and out of playoff hunt

Opposite dugout: Lack of ace has kept D-backs mediocre and out of playoff hunt
Manager: Chip Hale (1st season) Record: 50-53 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.342/.458/.592 with 22 HR, 77 RBIs), CF A.J. Pollock (.305/.361/.465 with 11 HR, 45 RBIs), LF David Peralta (.281/.351/.493 with 9 HR, 48 RBIs), RHP Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.59 ERA), RHP Brad Ziegler (18 saves, 1.18 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 3: RHP Zack Godley vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 4: LHP Patrick Corbin vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN...
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Opposite dugout: D-backs relying on Goldschmidt, but need more reliable starting pitching

Opposite dugout: D-backs relying on Goldschmidt, but need more reliable starting pitching
Manager: Chip Hale (1st season) Record: 14-16 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.345/.444/.646 with 9 HR, 27 RBIs), LF Ender Inciarte (.304 with 11 RBIs), CF A.J. Pollock (.306 with 3 HR, 10 RBIs), RF Mark Trumbo (.287 with 4 HR, 15 RBIs), RHP Brad Ziegler (1.35 ERA), RHP Josh Collmenter (3-3, 3.40 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-6 in 2014) Pitching probables: May 11: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Josh Collmenter, 9:40 p.m., MASN2 May 12: RHP Stephen Strasburg...
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Strasburg goes eight innings for 10th victory (Nats win 8-1)

Strasburg goes eight innings for 10th victory (Nats win 8-1)
Stephen Strasburg's inability to get off to fast starts haunted him again to begin his second outing against the Diamondbacks this season. In his first start against Arizona on May 13, Strasburg allowed only three runs that came later in the game, and took the hard-luck 3-1 loss. With two outs Tuesday night in the first inning, David Peralta got a hold of a 1-2 pitch and crushed it over the right field wall to give Arizona a 1-0 lead. It was Peralta's second home run in as many at-bats as...
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Opposite dugout: D-backs hope to turn rough August around in Washington

Opposite dugout: D-backs hope to turn rough August around in Washington
Manager: Kirk Gibson, fifth year Record: 53-71 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: C Miguel Montero (.256/.339/.401, 20 doubles, 12 HR, 63 RBIs); 2B Aaron Hill (.245/.284/.376, 22 doubles, 10 HR, 55 RBIs); RHP Chase Anderson (7-4, 3.16 ERA, 1.30 WHIP); LHP Vidal Nuno (0-3, 3.92 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 1-2, 9 runs scored, 12 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 18: Vidal Nuno vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 19: Chase Anderson vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug....
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Williams on Rendon's first half success and facing his former manager Buck Showalter

Williams on Rendon's first half success and facing his former manager Buck Showalter
Nationals manager Matt Williams fielded questions about second baseman Anthony Rendon and why he has garnered so much interest to be included in the Final Vote for next week's All-Star Game in Minneapolis. "Anthony continues to understand himself and what he can and can't do," Williams said. "For me, I think he's shown more power than anybody expected him to show. And that's power to his pull side. Everybody understands his swing and fact that he can hit the ball the other way. You talk...
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Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo

Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo
PHOENIX - The Nationals face veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo tonight here at Chase Field in the second game of this three-game set against the Diamondbacks. Manager Matt Williams is going with Kevin Frandsen in left field today, this after Frandsen slugged a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth last night. Stephen Strasburg makes his ninth start this season, looking to improve upon his 3-2 record and 3.42 ERA. Arroyo is also 3-2 this season, but sports a 4.89 ERA. He started the...
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Opposite dugout: Underachieving Diamondbacks heating up after slow start

Opposite dugout: Underachieving Diamondbacks heating up after slow start
Manager: Kirk Gibson, fifth year Record: 15-25 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.321/.371/.531, 7 HR, 23 RBIs); C Miguel Montero (.287/.389/.457, 5 HR, 22 RBIs); RHP Josh Collmenter (1-2, 3.44 ERA); RHP Bronson Arroyo (3-2, 4.89 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 2-4, 17 runs scored, 24 runs allowed Pitching probables May 12: Josh Collmenter vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 9:30 p.m., MASN2 HD May 13: Bronson Arroyo vs. Stephen Strasburg, 9:30 p.m., MASN2 HD May 14: Brandon...
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Barrett on Williams: "He was one of the best managers I have ever played for"

Barrett on Williams: "He was one of the best managers I have ever played for"
Matt Williams, who appears to be the choice at the next manager of the Nationals, managed the 2012 Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. He helped guide the Rafters to an appearance in the championship game, a 4-3 loss to Peoria. I caught up with right-hander Aaron Barrett and infielder Jason Martinson, two of the eight Nationals prospects on that team, to get their take on the possibility of having Williams as the next manager of the Nats. Barrett is one of the top relievers in the...
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Kobernus leading off, Moore playing first in Strasburg's 2013 finale

Kobernus leading off, Moore playing first in Strasburg's 2013 finale
PHOENIX - The final series of the Nationals' 2013 season begins tonight. Three games here at Chase Field against the Diamondbacks are all that separates the Nats from the offseason and the frustration that surely comes from watching postseason baseball from home. Stephen Strasburg will make his final start of the season tonight, while the Diamondbacks will send left-hander Patrick Corbin to the mound. Jeff Kobernus will lead off and play left field tonight, and Bryce Harper will play...
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Desmond gets the Nats going (Nats lose 3-2 in 11 innings)

Desmond gets the Nats going (Nats lose 3-2 in 11 innings)
Ian Desmond's first half continues to get more impressive. The Nationals shortstop cranked a two-run homer in the fourth inning today, his 13th of the season, that gave the Nats a 2-0 lead over the Diamondbacks. Desmond took a massive swing at an 0-1 slider from Arizona starter Patrick Corbin and came up empty. I think I felt the gust of wind from Desmond's hack up here in the press box, about 3,000 feet in the air. After working the count to 2-2, Desmond then got another slider, and he...
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Solano behind the plate in series finale vs. Diamondbacks

Solano behind the plate in series finale vs. Diamondbacks
Davey Johnson is running out pretty much the same lineup today that he used in yesterday's 3-2 Nationals win over the Diamondbacks. Tyler Moore will get the start again in left field, this time against Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin. The only change to yesterday's lineup is that Jhonatan Solano will be behind the plate, catching right-hander Stephen Strasburg. This should be a heck of a pitching matchup today, pitting two 2009 draft picks against one another. Strasburg (No. 1 overall...
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A beatdown on the way to No. 70

A beatdown on the way to No. 70
After a four-day stretch which featured three absolute nailbiters against the worst team in the majors, you've got to believe last night's 9-1 throttling of the Diamondbacks was highly appreciated in the Nationals dugout. The Nats smacked 11 hits, seven for extra bases. They held the D'backs to just three hits all night, including one through the first eight innings. They went 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position and outscored the opposition by eight runs, their largest margin of...
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Bring on the bullpens (Nats three-hit D'backs)

Bring on the bullpens (Nats three-hit D'backs)
We'll be getting a heavy dose of both the Nationals and Diamondbacks bullpens tonight. Stephen Strasburg and Trevor Cahill have both thrown well tonight, but through five innings, each starter has a pitch count in the 90s. Strasburg has tossed 93 pitches, while Cahill has needed 92 to get through his five frames. Strasburg might very well be done before reaching the sixth, and if he is indeed finished, he leaves with at least a three-run lead. The righty uncharacteristically walked four,...
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Nats swiftly dispose of D-backs in 2-1 win

Nats swiftly dispose of D-backs in 2-1 win
With Ross Detwiler and Ian Kennedy both dealing tonight, this game moved along at a crisp pace. And thanks to their red-hot fifth starter (yeah, it's still tough to believe Detwiler is really a fifth starter), the Nationals earned a second straight win over the Diamondbacks, this one by a 2-1 count. Detwiler went 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position until the sixth inning, and now has a...
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