Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)
Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
There are only so many ways to say this, and given the frequency with which it's happening, we're running dangerously low on options. So I'll be blunt: The Nationals bullpen blew two more leads in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Rockies on South Capitol Street. Handed a one-run lead after a late rally in the eighth, Kyle Finnegan needed only three outs in the ninth to seal a win and record his 10th save of the season. Instead, he gave up a leadoff game-tying home run to blow his fourth save...
Hays' homer can't hold back 100th loss (updated)
Hays' homer can't hold back 100th loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - They didn't look like the Red Sox tonight. The yellow jerseys and powder blue caps. Promotional uniforms from Nike, also featured by six other clubs. Couldn't fool the Orioles, though. They knew which team was running up Keegan Akin's pitch count early, wrestling away a lead and preparing to hand them a 100th loss in 2021. Four of the first five hits off Akin were for extra bases, including Bobby Dalbec's leadoff home run in the fourth, left-hander Chris Sale marked his return from...
Orioles recall Knight, and other notes (and O's lineup)
Orioles recall Knight, and other notes (and O's lineup)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The Orioles have subtracted an infielder and added a reliever as they begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. A day after optioning Jahmai Jones, the club has recalled pitcher Dusten Knight from Triple-A Norfolk to provide another arm in their bullpen. Knight has made five appearances with the Orioles and allowed six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. He's walked four batters and struck out nine. Knight's most recent appearance with...
How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)
How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Wins and losses don't really point to the successes and failures of a starting pitcher. So many things can happen throughout the course of a game that are out of the pitchers' control, it wouldn't be fair to judge them on their record alone. There are other numbers that tell a better story. That being said, wins and losses aren't totally meaningless to pitchers. And for a young hurler, earning his first victory is an important milestone. For Josiah Gray, the new face of the Nationals'...
O's game blog: O's face Boston in series opener
O's game blog: O's face Boston in series opener
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After going 3-3 on their last road trip through the American League East cities of Toronto and New York, the Orioles begin their second-to-last road trip of the season tonight where they began their 2021 season, Fenway Park in Boston. That first series went great for Baltimore as the Orioles swept the three games by a combined 18-5 score. But in a return trip there in mid-August, the Orioles were outscored 30-5 and swept three straight by Boston, and that included a 16-2 loss. The Orioles...
Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies
Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
There are only 16 games left in the Nationals' season, which means Josiah Gray probably only has four starts remaining, starting with tonight's series opener against the Rockies. Gray started his career in D.C. strong, pitching to a 2.89 ERA over his first five starts. But he has since struggled with an ERA of 12.75 over his last three outings. If the right-hander wants to finish strong and give the organization confidence in him going into next year, he's going to have to limit the walks...
On O's farm, hitters take BP routine and turn it into runs
On O's farm, hitters take BP routine and turn it into runs
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE - In spring training of 2020, the Orioles implemented a new method for their minor league hitters to train with before games. Traditional batting practice, just to get loose by raking against slower, grooved fastballs, was going to be replaced by a routine that would be tougher for the hitters at 4 o'clock, but might lead to more production beginning at 7 o'clock. Then the lost minor league season put this plan on hold. But this year it's being implemented with full force throughout...
Once a pitching-rich club, Nats have lost their way
Once a pitching-rich club, Nats have lost their way
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In a summer full of agonizing losses, Wednesday's 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Marlins had to rank among the Nationals' worst. Not just because of the end result, but because of the path they took to reach that result. After getting five scoreless innings from starter Josh Rogers, and after getting a well-balanced offensive attack from a lineup that has been better than advertised since the trade deadline, the Nats still found a way to lose after their bullpen imploded. Five relievers...
Nationals Park to host 2021 Battle of the Bases championship game on Sept. 18
Nationals Park to host 2021 Battle of the Bases championship game on Sept. 18
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals are excited to host the return of the Battle of the Bases Championship softball game at Nationals Park on Saturday, September 18. The championship game will take place after the conclusion of the Nationals 4:05 p.m. game against the Colorado Rockies. The Battle of the Bases Championship is free for fans to attend. The championship game will feature Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall squaring off in a seven-inning game for the title. In...
Mountcastle surpasses Ripken in Orioles' 3-2, 10-inning win (updated)
Mountcastle surpasses Ripken in Orioles' 3-2, 10-inning win (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Individual achievements remain in play for the Orioles as the final weeks expire on their season. During those times when trying to be spoilers doesn't bring full satisfaction. Ryan Mountcastle led off the bottom of the sixth inning today by depositing Jordan Montgomery's sinker into the Orioles bullpen, his 29th home run breaking Cal Ripken Jr.'s rookie record for a single season. Mountcastle also cut a deficit in half and the bullpen provided 4 1/3 scoreless innings in regulation. Clay...