-1745819772711.png){kind=logo}
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's quest to become a complete baseball player took another positive step forward with a game that mixed timely at-bats with pinpoint accuracy courtesy a rifle of an arm from right field.
Harper contributed both offensively and defensively in the Nationals' 4-1 series-clinching win over the Phillies. He had a RBI single, a RBI groundout and an outfield assist to lift the Nationals to their 19th win in their last 24 games.
On defense, Harper gloved what appeared...
MIAMI - The Orioles return home tonight after dropping two of three games to the Marlins, including today's 5-2 loss. They're now 2-13 when the series shifts to Miami.
The roof stayed closed. So did the offense, which went 19 consecutive innings without scoring a run.
"Hitting is contagious," said center fielder Adam Jones. "The only person who is really hitting the ball is (Jimmy) Paredes. So I think everybody needs to go hover around him, grab his bats and rub his bats against everybody...
It was another frustrating day for the Orioles. They fell behind early, scored just two runs and lost a series to a team that had a seven-game losing streak when they got to town.
After being shut out over 13 innings last night, they didn't score today until the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss to Miami.
The Orioles fall to 19-22 on the year and to 7-20 all-time against the Marlins, including a 2-13 mark in Miami.
Right-hander Tom Koehler retired the first 13 Orioles he faced today. To that point,...
After three scoreless innings, the Nationals and Phillies both lit up the scoreboard in the fourth.
With one out, Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis reached on an infield single. Ian Desmond made a lunging stop on Galvis' sharp grounder and then twirled to throw but it was too high for Ryan Zimmerman. Nats starter Gio Gonzalez then walked first baseman Darin Ruf to move Galvis into scoring position. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur took advantage with a line drive single to left, plating Galvis for...
Manager: Joe Maddon (1st season)
Record: 24-19
Last 10 games: 6-4
Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.316/.440/.574 with 9 HR, 29 RBIs, 9 SB), 3B Kris Bryant (.273, 5 HR, 29 RBIs), RF Jorge Soler (.280, 16 RBIs), SS Starlin Castro (.271, 24 RBIs), LHP Jon Lester (4-2, 3.56 ERA), RHP Hector Rondon (9 saves)
Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2014)
Pitching probables:
May 25: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, 2:20 p.m., MASN2 May 26: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Kyle...
MIAMI - Batting in the second inning today, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis took a knuckle-curve from Marlins starter Tom Koehler for a third strike, making him 3-for-37 in his last 11 games.
Davis hasn't hit a home run or driven in a run during that span, and he's struck out 13 times. His average is down to .208, with 62 strikeouts in 40 games.
"He seems to be in between everything," said manager Buck Showalter. "He gets in swing mode and then ... It's tough because you're trying to...
MIAMI - The commissioner's office is closed today and left-hander Brian Matusz, facing a suspension following last night's ejection, remains in the Orioles bullpen.
That's just the tip of the pregame notes iceberg.
Matusz figures to be suspended after umpires tossed him for having an illegal substance on his right forearm. He also figures to appeal the suspension, which most likely would be eight games.
Manager Buck Showalter alluded to the substance while opening his session with reporters...
The Nationals recalled right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday morning. The 26-year-old Jordan is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA (10 earned runs in 42 innings) in seven starts for Syracuse this season. Jordan has held opposing hitters to a lowly .208 batting average while striking out 26 and walking only eight.
Jordan was recalled briefly on April 15 but returned to Syracuse the following day without making an appearance with the Nats.
The Nationals selected Jordan in the ninth-round...
After a very frustrating Saturday night that ended in a 1-0 loss in 13 innings, the Orioles will need a win today to avoid losing the series to Miami.
The Orioles are now 7-19 all-time against the Marlins in interleague games and are just 2-12 in Miami. The O's have lost seven of the eight series the teams have played all-time.
Miami is 17-27 and ended an eight-game losing streak Saturday night. It was just the second win in the last 13 games for the Marlins.
The Orioles were shut out for the...
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan on Sunday and optioned right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole to Triple-A Syracuse. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Jordan, 26, is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA (10 ER/42 IP) in seven starts for Triple-A Syracuse. Opposing batters have hit just .208 against him and he has fanned 26 while walking just eight. Jordan ranks among International League pitchers in walks and hits per innings...