Nationals reinstate Span from 15-day disabled list
Nationals reinstate Span from 15-day disabled list
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated center fielder Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span, who underwent surgery to repair a right core muscle injury on March 9, returns to the Nationals' active roster after a three-game rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg and Single-A Hagerstown where he went...
O's game blog: The Orioles are 6-1 in last seven games at Fenway Park
O's game blog: The Orioles are 6-1 in last seven games at Fenway Park
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles picked up another win at Fenway Park on Saturday. Today they look to gain a 2-1 edge in this four-game series that ends Monday. The Orioles are 6-1 in their last seven games at Fenway dating to last year and have outscored Boston 38-21 in those games. The Orioles are 23-11 at Boston since July 19, 2011. Maybe they just love the green. They continue to show they are resilient. Blow a game against New York by allowing a pinch-hit grand slam and come back to win the next two in the...
Just a little patience leads to violence at the plate for Bryce Harper
Just a little patience leads to violence at the plate for Bryce Harper
Josh Land
Nationals
Bryce Harper pulverized a baseball in the fifth inning yesterday. The 89 mph pitch from Phillies starter Aaron Harang stood no chance as Harper's violent lash sent it flying to an exclusive part of Nationals Park - way, way beyond the center field wall. The ESPN Home Run Tracker measured the distance at 452 feet, making it the longest home run of Harper's career. The blast tied for the fifth-longest home run at Nationals Park over the past five seasons. "I thought I got in a pretty good...
Dylan Bundy makes progress with his secondary pitches and the O's bounce back
Dylan Bundy makes progress with his secondary pitches and the O's bounce back
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Granted, when judging Dylan Bundy so far this season, we're just going by a stat sheet of just six innings over two outings. However, as he continues to make his way back from his June 2013 Tommy John surgery, O's top pitching prospect Bundy said he made progress last night. He gave up two runs over three innings Friday night against Erie. In his first start against Harrisburg, he pitched three scoreless innings. This time progress came with his secondary pitches. "Command and offspeed...
Thoughts on injuries, the roster and today's game
Thoughts on injuries, the roster and today's game
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - If defense up the middle is so important, how are the Orioles maintaining such a sunny disposition right now? Catcher Matt Wieters, shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Jonathan Schoop are on the disabled list and we're only two weeks into the season. Wieters and Hardy still haven't played in a game. Schoop might not return until the second half if he can avoid surgery. The Everth Cabrera signing looks better every day. Cabrera is a quality shortstop who also can play second. Ryan...
Wrapping up a 4-1 win
Wrapping up a 4-1 win
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BOSTON - The Orioles didn't just win today's game at Fenway Park, they survived a pace that most closely resembled a moving glacier. Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz took approximately 14 hours between pitches today, forcing Orioles starter Chris Tillman to sit in the dugout for prolonged stretches. A 2-1 game dragged past the three-hour mark and ended with the Orioles ahead 4-1. Tillman came out after 5 1/3 innings and 105 pitches. "Don't get me going. Chris was good. He had good stuff,"...
Dylan Bundy gives up two runs over three innings for Bowie (updated)
Dylan Bundy gives up two runs over three innings for Bowie (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE, Md. - Dylan Bundy showed similar velocity to his first start and a curveball that looked good at times Saturday, but the middle of the Erie Seawolves' order got to him in the top of the third inning. The right-hander threw three innings at Prince George's Stadium in his second 2015 start, his first at home, for the Double-A Bowie Baysox. After keeping Erie off the board in the first and second, he gave up two runs in the third. Bundy allowed four hits and the two runs with one walk and...
Ian Desmond's errors continue hurting Nats in loss
Ian Desmond's errors continue hurting Nats in loss
Josh Land
Nationals
By no means was shortstop Ian Desmond the reason the Nationals lost 5-3 to the Phillies today, but his horrendous third inning played a major part. Desmond couldn't make a play on simple grounder from Phillies starter Aaron Harang that should've been the inning's second out. Who knows if it mentally bothered Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann, but he promptly gave up a double and a single. And just like that, the game was tied. Unfortunately for the Nats, Desmond's blunders weren't finished....
Pregame notes from Bowie on Hardy, Hobgood and Bundy
Pregame notes from Bowie on Hardy, Hobgood and Bundy
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE, Md. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain, has worked out at Prince George's Stadium the last two days, taking part in drills early in the day even before the Double-A Bowie Baysox took batting practice. "It's going great," Bowie manager Gary Kendall said. "Yesterday he took his groundballs, going through different plays and different moves to the ball. Today, he threw a bit more and turned some double plays. He feels pretty good. "He hit...
Zimmermann felt better than Boston game, but this time struggled with control in loss
Zimmermann felt better than Boston game, but this time struggled with control in loss
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Matt Williams said after starter Jordan Zimmermann's outing in Boston on April 13 that the gametime conditions were dry at Fenway Park and that's why his starter couldn't get a good grip on the baseball. In that loss, Zimmermann surrendered seven earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings. Boston won 9-4. Saturday was a better day for humidity in D.C. The stickiness was better for pitchers and their varying grips on the baseball. It allowed Zimmermann to feel the texture of the ball...