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Whenever an Orioles pitcher gives up a homer - and they've allowed the most in the majors this year - there is always a catcher on the other end waiting for a pitch that never gets to his mitt.
The catcher can be just as frustrated as anyone that the pitch went out and Pedro Severino has been there, done that this year for the Orioles.
"We all feel really bad because we don't want to miss (the location of) pitches," he told me recently. "This is the big leagues man, we are making mistakes...
In their neverending quest to improve the majors' worst bullpen, the Nationals have acquired another veteran with considerable experience.
The Nationals signed right-hander George Kontos on Saturday to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Fresno's roster, where he'll attempt to earn his way into Washington's bullpen.
Kontos, 33, owns a career 3.10 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 350 big league games, the vast majority of those with the Giants. He bounced around three organizations...
DENVER - As the Orioles made the final out tonight in the top of the first inning and players jogged onto the field, the eight relievers vacated the dugout and began the long walk to the bullpen in center field. Outfielder Keon Broxton fist-bumped each one, a friendly gesture rather than the taking of relief inventory.
A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that players are checking on who's available to pitch. Who's running on fumes. Who could use an Uber.
Pity the rookie toting...
DENVER - Gabriel Ynoa is getting another opportunity to start for the Orioles.
Manager Brandon Hyde has chosen Ynoa to pitch Monday afternoon against the Tigers at Camden Yards, the spot that opened with Dan Straily's move to the bullpen.
Ynoa hasn't started in the majors since Sept. 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh. He missed the 2018 season due to shin and shoulder injuries and has made nine relief appearances this year.
Hyde isn't going with the hot hand. He just needs someone who's stretched out...
DENVER - While disappointed that he didn't produce as a starter, Orioles right-hander Dan Straily understands and approves of his move to the bullpen. However long it lasts.
Manager Brandon Hyde announced yesterday that Straily would pitch in a relief, his availability beginning tonight, rather than make Monday afternoon's start against the Tigers at Camden Yards.
Straily has posted a 9.09 ERA and 1.990 WHIP in nine games (eight starts) over 34 2/3 innings. He surrendered four home runs in...
Davey Martinez wasn't pleased at all with the Nationals' play Friday night. Yes, they beat the Marlins, but they did so in spite of themselves, booting balls in the field and burning up their bullpen on a night when their lineup scored 12 runs.
Martinez wanted better play from his team. And he got it this afternoon in one of its best all-around showings of the year.
Behind a four-hit shutout from Patrick Corbin, a five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth and - most importantly - some...
With a record of 15-36 and without a win in eight days, the Orioles take the field tonight at Coors Field against Colorado. They are out to snap a seven-game losing streak following Friday's 8-6 walk-off loss.
O's pitchers allowed four homers Friday - two each to Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story - and they lead the majors with 111 through 51 games. Seattle ranks second in the majors with 92 allowed. Baltimore has a home ERA of 6.43, yielding 2.56 homers per game at Oriole Park. Their road ERA...
The Nationals haven't decided yet who will start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, with AnÃbal Sánchez still on the injured list and Kyle McGowin having struggled in his place Friday night.
Sánchez, on the 10-day IL with a strained hamstring, threw a 41-pitch simulated game Friday and was encouraged by the way he felt. Manager Davey Martinez said he'll throw a side session in the bullpen Sunday, and that would normally line him up to start three days later.
But Martinez said Friday he...
DENVER - Renato Núñez is carrying a hot bat into the cleanup spot for tonight's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Núñez has homered in three consecutive games and four of the last five. He's collected six hits in 15 at-bats since May 19 and he's starting at first base tonight.
Keon Broxton stays in center field after homering last night on the first pitch thrown to him and later reaching on an infield hit.
Hanser Alberto is leading off. Stevie Wilkerson is in left field...
The Nationals converted Joe Ross into a reliever earlier this season, hoping the career change might both reinvigorate the erratic right-hander and help address the big league club's biggest need.
Two months later, the Nats are shipping Ross back to the minors and appear to be converting him back into a starter.
Ross was optioned to Triple-A Fresno this morning, his ERA (9.22) and WHIP (1.829) too high to warrant continued opportunities out of the major league bullpen. The Nationals promoted...