Albers strikes out side in ninth inning for second win of season

Albers strikes out side in ninth inning for second win of season
The Nationals needed this one. A comeback victory over a strong opponent when trailing with three outs remaining. Down 6-2, the Nationals rallied for a 7-6 win over the Orioles. The home team rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it. The rally was set up by the precision pitching of reliever Matt Albers, who won his second decision of the season by striking out the side in the ninth. Albers was able to bounce back from allowing a three-run shot in Philadelphia on Sunday. In...

Game 35 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles

Game 35 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles
To answer the question you all want answered: I have no idea. It's been raining all day. It's supposed to continue raining through most of the night. The tarp is covering the infield. But no word yet about the status of tonight's series finale between the Nationals and Orioles. As always, stay tuned. As soon as we know anything, you'll know it. Promise. If they play, it'll be A.J. Cole on the mound for the Nationals, trying to keep this potent Orioles lineup in check and give his own...

Breaking down Werth's latest epic home run at-bat

Breaking down Werth's latest epic home run at-bat
We've seen him do it so many times now during his Nationals career, we've come to expect that every time Jayson Werth engages in a long at-bat late in a ballgame, he's going to cap it off with a home run. Werth, of course, doesn't actually do that every single time. But he sure does it a lot. And it certainly did it Wednesday night to ignite the Nationals' ninth-inning rally that ended in a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Orioles. With an 11-pitch epic battle against right-hander Brad Brach,...

Strasburg kept trusting his stuff despite early runs for the Orioles

Strasburg kept trusting his stuff despite early runs for the Orioles
Just like his team, Stephen Strasburg didn't allow a rocky second inning to ruin his whole start. The Orioles tallied three runs on four hits in the frame, highlighted by three singles in a row from the bottom of the order. Suddenly, the Nationals found themselves in an early deficit. Strasburg spoke about psychologically getting over the early deficit and focusing on his pitching. "Yeah, I was a little frustrated at the time," Strasburg said. "But talking with Mad Dog (pitching coach Mike...

Nats take advantage of last at-bat for "best win of the year"

Nats take advantage of last at-bat for "best win of the year"
The Nationals had become too familiar in recent days with the slow trudge off the field after losing a road game in walk-off fashion. It's the worst feeling in baseball, and they had experienced it Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia and again Tuesday night in Baltimore. So, if nothing else, the Nationals took the field tonight on South Capitol Street knowing they could not lose another walk-off. And if they played their cards just right, they might even put themselves in position to win one of...

Nationals complete stunning rally to topple Orioles 7-6

Nationals complete stunning rally to topple Orioles 7-6
On a night that was looking absolutely dreadful for Washington sports fans, the local baseball club managed to bring a ray of sunshine with its most dramatic comeback of the young season, toppling a previously thorn-in-their-side rival in the process. Matt Wieters' bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth brought home the tying and winning runs and took down his former team while catapulting the Nationals to a stunning 7-6 victory over the Orioles. Wieters' smoked liner past first...

Yard Work: Episode 5

Yard Work: Episode 5
Hey, O's fans! Welcome to the crossover edition of the Yard Work podcast. This week, I'm joined by District 34 podcast hosts Bobby Blanco and Byron Kerr as the Battle of the Beltways gets underway for the 2017 season. It's become a rivalry featuring two of the game's top teams, and this year is no exception. Both the Nationals and Orioles boast two of the best records in baseball. The Orioles got a terrific outing from starter Kevin Gausman in Monday's series opener, helping the Birds to a...

Positive injury updates on Kelley, Glover and Drew

Positive injury updates on Kelley, Glover and Drew
Nationals reliever Shawn Kelley threw a simulated game of around 20-25 pitches prior to Wednesday's game with the Orioles. He threw to Stephen Drew and Trea Turner. Kelley has been on the disabled list since May 2 with a lower back strain. Kelley said the simulated game game went "very good. They asked me and I told them I'm ready. Hopefully, it's Friday." Kelley said this was the best day of his rehab and assured him his back was going to be fine. He said he actually gets more out of...

Strasburg has command issues early (Nats win 7-6 on Wieters hit)

Strasburg has command issues early (Nats win 7-6 on Wieters hit)
Stephen Strasburg had a bit of trouble locating to the first couple of hitters he faced. Seth Smith doubled and Adam Jones walked to open the top of the first. But he then struck out Manny Machado, induced a flyout to left by Chris Davis and struck out Mark Trumbo. The Orioles put together a big second inning against Strasburg. After Jonathan Schoop was hit by a pitch, the Orioles reeled off three consecutive singles. Caleb Joseph had an RBI single to begin the scoring. A sacrifice fly by Seth...

Eaton has ACL reconstruction, faces long rehab

Eaton has ACL reconstruction, faces long rehab
Adam Eaton had surgery Tuesday to repair the torn ACL - as well as other injuries - in his left knee, immediately moving into the long rehab phase that now will consume the outfielder for some time. Eaton's surgery was performed in Washington by Nationals team orthopedist Robin West, who in addition to the full ACL reconstruction also did repair work on other ligaments and the meniscus that was torn in the area. "There was some other ligament ... the meniscus, and there was some other...

Game 34 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles

Game 34 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles
After a couple of frustrating losses in Baltimore, the Nationals now come home for the second half of this year's Battle of the Beltways, hoping to at least salvage a four-game split of the season series with the Orioles (which would match the best they've done against their interleague rivals for the last decade). Stephen Strasburg gets the start tonight, hoping to do what Max Scherzer did last night during a dominant performance. And then Dusty Baker can only hope his lineup scores enough...

Adam Lind comes up clutch in a pinch again for Nationals

Adam Lind comes up clutch in a pinch again for Nationals
BALTIMORE - If it wasn't for another bullpen collapse, Adam Lind would have been the hero for the Nationals again. His third pinch-hit homer of the season, a three-run shot in the eighth inning, broke a 1-1 tie to give the Nationals a 4-1 lead over the Orioles. But the Nationals eventually lost 5-4 in 12 innings. Still, what a find the Nationals have in Lind. And even more impressive: three pinch-hit homers in the season's first 33 games. Lind's three pinch-hit homers are the most by a...

Baker concerned about fundamental mistakes late in games

Baker concerned about fundamental mistakes late in games
BALTIMORE - The Nationals' 12-inning loss Tuesday night was attributable, first and foremost, to their makeshift bullpen, which could not hold a two-run lead in the ninth and eventually was charged with the loss. But there were other problems, especially late, when the Nationals started making careless mistakes at the plate, in the field and on the bases, and in one case let their emotions get the best of them. It was enough to make their manager openly worry about their state of mind in...

Luke Erickson: Sharing some minor league travel tips

Luke Erickson: Sharing some minor league travel tips
One of the joys of following minor league baseball is going to see your favorite team on the road. Since 2006, I've been to the stadiums of eight of the nine opposing teams in the Single-A Carolina League, and every Nationals affiliate north of Florida (including short-season Single-A Vermont in 2010). This week, I'm aiming to take care of the ninth Carolina League stadium (Buies Creek) while I'm on vacation here in North Carolina, though it'll be against the Salem Red Sox (the vacation was...

Scherzer did everything but win the game with season-high eight innings

Scherzer did everything but win the game with season-high eight innings
BALTIMORE - Max Scherzer continues to be the go-to starter for the Nationals. Tuesday's effort against the Orioles in a no-decision was one of his best this season. The right-hander lasted a season-high eight innings, allowing only two runs, scattering four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts. The home runs still a concern: Scherzer allowed solo shots to Seth Smith and Adam Jones. The second homer came in the eighth, cutting the Nationals' lead to 4-2. The Orioles came back to win the game...

Relief-induced losses taking emotional toll on Nationals

Relief-induced losses taking emotional toll on Nationals
BALTIMORE - The Nationals are exceptionally good at most of the things they need to do to win ballgames. Problem is, the one thing they are not even close to exceptionally good at doing is the one thing that almost always results in a loss. It's one thing to lose games late via poor relief pitching. It happens to every team a number of times during a season. But it's happening to the Nationals at a far-too-frequent rate, the kind that can have a lasting and negative effect on an otherwise...

Another bullpen meltdown sends Nats to painful 5-4 loss

Another bullpen meltdown sends Nats to painful 5-4 loss
BALTIMORE - They got eight dominant innings from Max Scherzer. They got a huge pinch-hit homer from Adam Lind. All the Nationals needed were three outs from their bullpen before surrendering two runs. For this bullpen, that's no simple task. And so what should have been a nice, uplifting victory over the Orioles instead turned into a 5-4 12-inning loss and the latest nightmare for this talented team with one painfully glaring hole. Enny Romero was the culprit this time. Handed a two-run lead...

Cole will start Thursday night, Turner remains in bullpen

Cole will start Thursday night, Turner remains in bullpen
BALTIMORE - A.J. Cole will start Thursday's series finale against the Orioles, with Jacob Turner remaining in the Nationals bullpen for the time being. The Nationals had their choice of right-handers for the assignment of the final of four straight games between them and the Orioles this season. Manager Dusty Baker said this afternoon the decision had not been made yet, but the club made the announcement shortly after, with both pitchers informed of their roles for the immediate future. Turner...

Updates on Glover, Drew, Kelley and Wieters

Updates on Glover, Drew, Kelley and Wieters
BALTIMORE - Nationals reliever Koda Glover will begin his rehab assignment tomorrow for Double-A Harrisburg. The Senators host Erie tomorrow morning and then go on the road to Trenton. "Yes, he's so happy to go," manager Dusty Baker said. "He said he will see us next week or before that." Glover has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a left hip impingement. On Monday afternoon, he came through the clubhouse screaming in exhilaration after his strength and core workout in the...

Murphy homer gives Nats first lead (Orioles win 5-4 in 12)

Murphy homer gives Nats first lead (Orioles win 5-4 in 12)
BALTIMORE - For the first time in this two-game series, the Nationals have the lead. Facing Orioles starter Ubaldo Jiménez with one out in the top of the second, Daniel Murphy crushed a 3-1 offering well over the right-center field wall. His sixth homer of the season gave the Nationals the 1-0 lead. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer walked the first batter he faced, Seth Smith. But he has since recorded six consecutive outs. He has two strikeouts. After two innings at Camden Yards, the...