Showalter on walk-off wins and team chemistry (Flaherty homers)
Showalter on walk-off wins and team chemistry (Flaherty homers)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound tonight for the Orioles, let's point out that the rotation has registered a 1.59 ERA and 11 quality starts in the last 13 games. No pressure. Last night, Kelly Johnson delivered the Orioles' 10th walk-off win of the season. The 10 walk-offs, against seven teams, are tied for fourth in the majors with the Pirates and Angels. They trail the Padres, Marlins and Indians, who each have 11. Anyone surprised by who's atop the leaderboard? Nine different players...
Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist
Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman has reported to the Nationals' fall instructional league camp in Viera, Fla., and was scheduled to undergo a full workout today. The next step in Zimmerman's rehabilitation from the right hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since July 23 will be three innings in the field in a simulated game Tuesday. Because instructional league games have not begun, the Nationals will schedule simulated contests to accommodate Zimmerman until fall play begins. For starters, Zimmerman...
O's game blog: A look at the club's strong play in the AL East
O's game blog: A look at the club's strong play in the AL East
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the Orioles made the 2012 playoffs, they had an excellent record within the American League East. The Orioles went 43-29 (.597), posting their best winning percentage in division games since 1980. The Orioles finished at .500 or better against each AL East team that year. The 2014 Orioles are doing even better against their own division. These Orioles are 40-23 (.635) in games versus the AL East, going 11-4 against New York, 10-6 versus Boston, 12-7 against Tampa Bay and 7-6 versus...
Adam Jones not quite ready to talk about any celebrations yet
Adam Jones not quite ready to talk about any celebrations yet
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It is so close now. The Orioles could be celebrating a division title as soon as tomorrow. But it should come as no surprise that players in the O's clubhouse who have been so focused on taking the season day by day are not quite ready to talk much about that yet. Even with the magic number to clinch the American League East for the first time since 1997 at three. Adam Jones was asked today what it will be like to clinch in front of the home fans if and when that happens. He's not ready to...
Showalter one win away from tying Martin on all-time list
Showalter one win away from tying Martin on all-time list
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Chris Davis will report to the Sarasota complex between Friday and Monday. Davis is flying back to Texas first before heading to Florida for workouts and instructional league games. The Orioles also can set up simulated games. Showalter may adjust the rotation following Thursday's off-day. He already met with Chris Tillman after last night's game. Also, the Orioles could add a player to their roster for the weekend series against the Red Sox that...
Orioles and American Heart Association to celebrate partnership with Baltimore Heart Ball launch event
Orioles and American Heart Association to celebrate partnership with Baltimore Heart Ball launch event
Josh Land
Orioles
Prior to the September 17 game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles will host the American Heart Association and top donors for the 2015 Baltimore Heart Ball on the Centerfield Roof Deck for a special partnership launch event. The pregame activities will be highlighted by two on-field check presentations to the American Heart Association - one from the Orioles, and one from the event chair, SunTrust Foundation - to signify the official beginning of fundraising for the Heart Ball. The...
Nats open series in Atlanta with Strasburg on hill (plus an honor for LaRoche)
Nats open series in Atlanta with Strasburg on hill (plus an honor for LaRoche)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - The Nationals open their final three-game series at Turner Field - barring an unlikely late-season run by the Braves to secure one of the National League wild cards - with right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the mound. Strasburg hasn't traditionally fared well here - he's 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven career starts. But he'll try for his 12th victory while making his team-high and career-best 32nd start of the season. He'll face righty Ervin Santana. The Nats' magic number stands at...
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kelly Johnson remains at third base tonight as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Johnson hit a walk-off double last night to beat the Yankees 3-2 and lower the Orioles' magic number to three. The number will go down to one if the Orioles win tonight. The Orioles lead the season series 7-6, going 3-4 in Baltimore and 4-2 in Toronto. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base. Jonathan Schoop is in a 1-for-31 slump in his last eight games. For the...
Tickets for potential Nats NLDS games will go on sale Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.
Tickets for potential Nats NLDS games will go on sale Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced today that tickets for potential Postseason National League Division Series games at Nationals Park will go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 22 at 10 a.m. A maximum of four tickets for each game may be purchased either online at nationals.com/postseason or by calling 888.632.NATS(6287) on a first come, first served basis. Tickets will be unavailable for purchase at the box office. In addition, the Nationals Park Box Office will sell a...
Opposite dugout: Braves trying to keep Nats from clinching NL East in Atlanta
Opposite dugout: Braves trying to keep Nats from clinching NL East in Atlanta
Josh Land
Nationals
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 75-74 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.293/.390/.476, 41 doubles, 18 HR, 73 RBIs, 90 R); LF Justin Upton (.277/.351/.502, 32 doubles, 27 HR, 96 RBIs); LHP Alex Wood (10-10, 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP); RHP Ervin Santana (14-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 10-6, 64 runs scored, 48 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 15: Ervin Santana vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 16: Aaron Harang vs. Tanner Roark, 7...