Asked Friday if Sean Doolittle's struggles might force him to shift the veteran late-inning reliever into a lower-leverage role, Davey Martinez was adamant in showing faith in the left-hander who has been an integral member of the Nationals bullpen for three years now. "In order for us to pull this off," Martinez said, "we need Sean Doolittle." Barely 24 hours later, the Nationals manager admitted he may have no choice but to start devising a plan for success in 2020 that doesn't include...

It happened fast for the Orioles. In a stunning three-home-run eighth inning, their dormant offense came to life big-time tonight and they rallied to beat the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals 5-3. They did it against their top late-inning relievers who played key roles in their 2019 championship run. All it took was two pinch-hit homers and an "Earl" - a three-run homer that former skipper Earl Weaver loved. The late comeback puts the Orioles back at the .500 mark at 7-7...

The major league debut of Orioles left-hander Keegan Akin won't necessarily come in a starting role. Not on Sunday, for sure. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom conference call that Asher Wojciechowski will work on short rest to close out the series in D.C. Akin is available in long relief this weekend. Left-hander John Means will miss his turn while on the bereavement list. Wojciechowski started the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins and threw 67 pitches, which...

Chance Sisco is going to catch Thomas Eshelman tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Nationals in D.C. Sisco came off the bench last night in an 11-0 win, but he's behind the plate tonight and Pedro Severino is among the reserves. Hanser Alberto stays in the leadoff spot and Austin Hays remains at the bottom of the lineup. Dwight Smith Jr. is the left fielder again and Chris Davis continues to bat eighth. A lineup very similar to last night. Because it ain't broke. With...

The Nationals believe Max Scherzer is on track to make his next start Tuesday against the Mets at Citi Field. Scherzer, who has been dealing with what he calls a "tweaked" right hamstring, is throwing a standard bullpen session this afternoon. It's exactly what he would do three days before starting a game, under normal circumstances. "He's treating it as if he's getting ready for his next start," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. The veteran...

After Friday's 19-hit, 11-0 win over the Washington Nationals, the Orioles and Nats play the second game of their series tonight at Nats Park. The Orioles (6-7) snapped a four-game losing streak while the Nationals (4-6) fell to 2-6 at home. The 19 hits were Baltimore's most since Aug. 30, 2019 at Kansas City, when they had 21. According to STATS, the win marked the largest shutout victory by a team coming off a 100-loss season against a defending World Series champion in major league...

Nothing went right for the Nationals Friday night during an 11-0 whitewashing at the hands of the Orioles. They can only hope for a better result tonight in the second game of the weekend series. Most of Davey Martinez's lineup remains the same, with two exceptions: Eric Thames is back at first base, because the Nats are facing a right-hander (Thomas Eshelman), and Asdrúbal Cabrera is back at third base instead of Carter Kieboom. That lineup had better have the right approach against...

The first prospect from the Orioles' alternate camp site has found his way to the majors. The club announced today that it has recalled left-hander Keegan Akin from the Bowie complex and optioned outfielder Cedric Mullins as the corresponding roster move. A starter is needed Sunday in D.C. if left-hander John Means stays on the bereavement list. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that he could resort to a bullpen game, but Akin is in position to make his debut. Akin, 25, threw four...

The Nationals have entered a span of 13 days of games scheduled without a break. Last week they were off Monday and Thursday, not to mention having last weekend's entire series with the Marlins postponed because of the coronavirus. Manager Davey Martinez said Friday he likes the notion of playing every day because it feels more like a normal season. "For me, on the schedule we have 13 days straight," Martinez said on a Zoom video call. "We are just trying to get through the day. That's the...

There are any number of factors you can point to when trying to explain the Nationals' inconsistent start to this season at the plate, but as is so often the case with this lineup it's always appropriate to start at the top. As Trea Turner goes, so go the Nationals. That was especially obvious in 2019, when the club's early season struggles coincided with the leadoff man's finger injury and the subsequent resurgence coincided with his return to the active roster. There's no injury this...