Dodgers too much for Lopez in his debut

Dodgers too much for Lopez in his debut
The Dodgers rudely welcomed rookie Reynaldo Lopez to the big leagues with a 8-4 defeat of the Nationals on Tuesday in the series opener at Nats Park. The Dodgers connected off of Lopez with four hits in the first inning. Chase Utley started the scoring with a solo shot over the right-center field wall. Howie Kendrick followed with a single and Justin Turner hit a double to put men on second and third. The Dodgers were able to connect on Lopez's 96-98 mph fastball. Adrian Gonzalez lined sharply...
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Opposite dugout: First-year skipper Roberts keeping Dodgers focused

Opposite dugout: First-year skipper Roberts keeping Dodgers focused
Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 52-42 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.301 with 17 HR, 43 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.286, 44 RBIs), 3B Justin Turner (15 HR, 50 RBIs), LHP Scott Kazmir (7-3, 4.52 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (27 saves, 1.36 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0 Pitching probables: July 19: LHP Scott Kazmir vs. RHP Reynaldo Lopez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 20: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 21: RHP Bud Norris vs. RHP Stephen...
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After long day, Orioles talk about 14-inning win over the Dodgers

After long day, Orioles talk about 14-inning win over the Dodgers
LOS ANGELES - The Orioles' bullpen kept getting huge outs, but the Orioles offense kept making outs. Mark Trumbo tied the game 4-4 with a homer in the sixth inning. When the O's batted in the top of the 14th against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was still a 4-4 game. Orioles hitters had a stretch after Trumbo's roundtripper where they went 0-for-21 with 12 strikeouts. Mercifully, that would change. At the same time, the Orioles' bullpen made sure that Dodgers batters didn't come through...
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Kim isn't cooling

Kim isn't cooling
The Hyun Soo Kim drama in spring training and the booing at Camden Yards on opening day seem almost comical as he works through his first major league season. Kim wouldn't accept a demotion to Triple-A Norfolk, his contract stipulating that he must give approval. Fans considered him selfish after he looked so overmatched at the plate and in the field. The Orioles were considered a team forced to play with a 24-man roster. Look how far we've come - the player, the crowds, the media. Kim has...
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O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on mound in L.A. series finale

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on mound in L.A. series finale
LOS ANGELES - Back in late May, the Orioles had a three-city road trip with two series on the West Coast. They went 4-5 on that excursion to Anaheim, Houston and Cleveland. A win today at Dodger Stadium would make the Orioles 4-5 on this trip to San Diego, Seattle and Los Angeles. That would not be a winning trip, of course, but a respectable mark to finish 4-5. Of course, the trip got off to a 2-0 start at San Diego before five consecutive losses followed that. After Chris Tillman gave his...
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Opposite dugout: Ace Kershaw sidelined for now, but Dodgers still dangerous

Opposite dugout: Ace Kershaw sidelined for now, but Dodgers still dangerous
Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 47-37 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.303 average, 17 HR, 40 RBIs); 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.278 average, 80 hits); SP Kenta Maeda (7-5, 2.82 ERA); RP Kenley Jansen (1.34 ERA, 24 saves). Season series vs. Orioles: 1st meeting (1-2 in 2013) Pitching probables: July 4: RHP Yovani Gallardo vs. LHP Julio Urias, 9:10 p.m., MASNJuly 5: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Kenta Maeda, 10:10 p.m., MASN2July 6: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Bud Norris,...
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Opposite dugout: Strasburg vs. Kershaw highlights Nats-Dodgers in L.A.

Opposite dugout: Strasburg vs. Kershaw highlights Nats-Dodgers in L.A.
Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 38-33 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.280/.342/.502 with 15 HR, 36 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.274 with 32 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (12 HR, 31 RBIs), LHP Clayton Kershaw (10-1, 1.58 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (1.59 ERA with 19 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-2 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 20: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 June 21: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Scott Kazmir, 10:10...
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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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Opposite dugout: Dodgers continue to ride outstanding pitching by shutting out opponents

Opposite dugout: Dodgers continue to ride outstanding pitching by shutting out opponents
Manager: Don Mattingly (5th season) Record: 62-49 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.298/.373/.529 with 22 HR, 68 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.289/.391/.498 with 15 HR, 44 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (.222 with 21 HR, 43 RBIs), 2B Howie Kendrick (.296 with 49 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (11-2, 71 ERA, 0.85 WHIP), LHP Clayton Kershaw (9-6 with 197 strikeouts, 2.51 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 10: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Brett Anderson, 10:10 p.m., MASN...
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Opposite dugout: Dodgers look to continue controlling NL West with strong pitching

Opposite dugout: Dodgers look to continue controlling NL West with strong pitching
Manager: Don Mattingly (5th season) Record: 51-39 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.283/.355/.520 with 18 HR, 55 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.282/.401/.526 with 14 HR, 36 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (.230 with 20 HR, 40 RBIs), 2B Howie Kendrick (.292 with 37 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-6 with 160 strikeouts, 2.85 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Mike Bolsinger vs. RHP Jordan...
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Fister and Kershaw in a battle from L.A. (Dodgers win 4-1)

Fister and Kershaw in a battle from L.A. (Dodgers win 4-1)
The much-anticipated match-up between Nationals right-hander Doug Fister and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw got off to a predictable start. The pair have combined for 28 wins and are known to put up a ton of zeroes. Kershaw allowed a two-out walk in the first to Jayson Werth, but then was able to get clean-up hitter Ian Desmond on a looping 75 mph curveball that was called strike three. Fister also surrendered a two-out free pass to Adrian Gonzalez, but then got Matt Kemp to fly out to...
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Opposite dugout: Top two teams in NL meet as Dodgers welcome Nats

Opposite dugout: Top two teams in NL meet as Dodgers welcome Nats
Manager: Don Mattingly, fourth year Record: 77-60 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.279/.337/.465, 35 doubles, 19 HR, 91 RBIs); RF Yasiel Puig (.298/.384/.489, 33 doubles, 9 triples, 13 HR, 59 RBIs); OF Matt Kemp (.279/.345/.468, 31 doubles, 16 HR, 64 RBIs); LHP Clayton Kershaw (16-3, 1.73 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 1-2, 10 runs scored, 10 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 1: Roberto Hernandez vs. Gio Gonzalez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 2: Clayton Kershaw vs....
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Nats lineup for series opener

Nats lineup for series opener
The Dodgers come into town for a three-game series with the Nats, who are trying to take advantage of a struggling Braves squad which has dropped its last six games. The Nationals currently sit a half-game out of first in the National League East, and look to end a two-game skid of their own. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa LF Nate McLouth C Sandy Leon P Jordan Zimmermann Dodgers star Yasiel Puig will miss...
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Opposite dugout: Kershaw to rejoin strong Dodgers rotation Tuesday in D.C.

Opposite dugout: Kershaw to rejoin strong Dodgers rotation Tuesday in D.C.
Manager: Don Mattingly, fourth year Record: 18-14 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.292/.374/.592, 9 HR, 9 doubles, 25 RBIs); RF Yasiel Puig (.309/.397/.500, 11 XBH, 21 RBIs); LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.35 ERA); RHP Zack Greinke (5-0, 2.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 5-1, 22 runs scored, 12 runs allowed Pitching probables May 5: Zack Greinke vs. Jordan Zimmermann 7 p.m., MASN HD May 6: Clayton Kershaw vs. TBD, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 7: Dan Haren vs. Stephen...
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Haren finds a new home

Haren finds a new home
Dan Haren is heading back west. After a roller-coaster 2013 season with the Nationals, the 33-year-old California native reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers that includes an option for 2015 that vests if Haren pitches 180 innings. The deal, first reported by FOXSports.com, is obviously contingent on Haren passing a physical. Haren went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA with the Nats this season, allowing 28 home runs in 169 2/3 innings, but after coming off the...
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LaRoche returns, Harper leading off, Hairston in left

LaRoche returns, Harper leading off, Hairston in left
After missing two games with the flu, Adam LaRoche is back in the Nationals lineup today against Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. LaRoche had been battling the flu for a few days now, an illness that left his body achy and confined him to a back room in the Nats' clubhouse during games so as not to infect his teammates. He returns in time to face the major league leader in ERA (1.98) and WHIP (0.91). LaRoche is 4-for-16 (.250) with a homer and two RBIs in his career against Kershaw,...
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LaRoche out of Nats lineup again

LaRoche out of Nats lineup again
Davey Johnson said last night that if Adam LaRoche was healthy enough to return to the Nationals' lineup, he'd bat Bryce Harper in the leadoff spot tonight and move Denard Span down in the order. Well, LaRoche is out of the Nats lineup yet again due to a bout with the flu. And as a result, Span remains in the leadoff spot and Harper is back hitting cleanup for a second straight day. The Nats' lineup is actually the same tonight as it was last night, with the exception of a new starting...
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Bases loaded, no-out opportunity one of few scoring chances for Nationals in loss

Bases loaded, no-out opportunity one of few scoring chances for Nationals in loss
In the Nationals 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night, the fourth inning bases loaded no-out opportunity in which the Nationals failed to score proved to be costly in the end. Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper led off with back-to-back singles against Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco. Jayson Werth earned a walk. Suddenly the bases were loaded for one of the most consistent hitters in the Nationals lineup, shortstop Ian Desmond. Desmond's grounder right at third baseman Juan Uribe was thrown...
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LaRoche not in Nats lineup, Harper hitting cleanup (with Dodgers lineup)

LaRoche not in Nats lineup, Harper hitting cleanup (with Dodgers lineup)
Davey Johnson has done some more tinkering to his lineup for the first game of the second half, and one of the moves makes me wonder if something's up. Adam LaRoche is not in the Nationals lineup today. Chad Tracy will instead play first base. The Nats are facing Dodgers right-hander Ricky Nolasco today, and Tracy (like LaRoche) is a left-handed hitter, so it's not as if Johnson is taking LaRoche out as some sort of platoon. The first game after the All-Star break, LaRoche just isn't in...
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Harper out of Nats lineup again

Harper out of Nats lineup again
The Nationals will have to play another day without Bryce Harper. Harper, the Nats' leader in pretty much every major offensive statistical category, is out of the lineup for the second straight day after colliding with the right field wall Monday night. The collision left Harper with a bruised knee and shoulder, and he'll get another day to rest those - among other - ailments. Denard Span is back in Davey Johnson's lineup tonight after getting most of last night's game off. Steve...
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