The usage of a position player as a pitcher rarely is celebrated and never done under ideal circumstances. The plan isn't implemented to gain an advantage. Quite the opposite. And it isn't popular with the guy standing on the mound or the batter exposed to the possibility of crippling embarrassment. Ever strike out swinging against a utility infielder? The hitter who grounds weakly to short has bragging rights. There are random players who actually volunteer for the assignment. Who use their...

The Double-A Bowie Baysox came this close to a 4-0 start. They were an out away from a one-run win on Friday at Altoona, but they got tied in the ninth and lost 5-4 in 10 innings to fall to 3-1. The Baysox (3-2) also lost Saturday and they were rained out on Sunday. So after today's off-day, Bowie will host Reading on Tuesday night in its home opener. It will be the first Bowie home game in 605 days - that is one year, seven months and 27 days. And lefty DL Hall will get the start. In the...

Davey Martinez's day began with a follow-up question about his decision Saturday to use Brad Hand in the bottom of the ninth against the Yankees' big right-handed bats. The Nationals manager explained why he believed his left-handed closer was his best option there, and would again be his best option with a game on the line, given his success against hitters from both sides of the plate. "Brad has no issues against right-handers or left-handers," Martinez said during his pregame Zoom...

The bullpen was a bit shaken by having too many relievers stir last night, reaching the point where a utility infielder finally had to pitch. And the Orioles couldn't provide any reinforcements this afternoon, instead subtracting Dillon Tate due to a hamstring injury and expanding their bench. Dean Kremer was coming off his finest start and the Orioles were in dire need of a duplication this afternoon against the Red Sox, leaders in just about every offensive category in the majors, including...

Right-hander Dean Kremer had a solid, if not long, outing. Cedric Mullins hit another home run. Orioles pitching got out of a bases-loaded jam in the Boston seventh when the Red Sox had a chance to extend a one-run lead. But after all that, the Orioles still could not beat Boston at home. The Red Sox beat the Orioles 4-3 on a frustrating day in Birdland as Boston improved its major league-best record to 22-13, and the Orioles fall to 15-19 overall and to 4-13 at home. The Orioles lose this...

The Orioles made a roster move impacting their bullpen this morning, but in the opposite direction than expected. Dillon Tate has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain and the Orioles recalled outfielder Ryan McKenna from Triple-A Norfolk. Tate sustained the injury while covering first base in Friday night's game. He did the splits while taking the throw, an impressive move for a pitcher, and it cost him. Xander Bogaerts beat the relay and Tate landed on the IL...

The fact Juan Soto was back in right field Saturday for the first time in nearly three weeks didn't necessarily mean the Nationals slugger will be back at his regular position every single day for now. Despite appearing to look fine in his return to the field following a left shoulder injury, Soto is back to serving as the designated hitter for today's series finale at Yankee Stadium. Manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters that this was the plan all along....

The Orioles have not won a home series this year - going 0-3-1 - and they need to win the last two games of this current series with Boston just to gain a split. The Red Sox have posted 6-2 and 11-6 wins to start this four-game set at Oriole Park. Rookie Zac Lowther allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings last night and Boston opened a 9-2 lead after four innings. The Red Sox have 21 hits in this series, with the Orioles scoring eight runs on 20 hits. After Saturday's loss, the O's team ERA...

Shortstop Freddy Galvis did some light running this morning, took early batting practice and stayed in the lineup for today's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Galvis was removed from last night's game to improve his chances of playing today. He's still working through some soreness in his adductor/groin. Last night's game produced Galvis' fourth home run of the season and 99th of his career. He also extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games and is batting .368...

In many ways, the Nationals have looked great this weekend at Yankee Stadium. They exploded for 11 runs in Friday night's opener. They've got a decent start from Patrick Corbin in that game, then a brilliant game from Max Scherzer on Saturday. Juan Soto is back in the lineup and back in the field. Victor Robles went 3-for-4 on Saturday. The Nats scored the first run of the season off Aroldis Chapman! Yet because of an uncharacteristic meltdown from Brad Hand in both the ninth and 10th innings...