Game update and more notes (O's lead 2-0)
Game update and more notes (O's lead 2-0)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, working on six days rest this afternoon and braving a game-time temperature of 39 degrees, has tossed three scoreless innings against the Rays. Gonzalez has stranded a runner in each inning while allowing one hit, walking two and striking out three. He's thrown 63 pitches, 40 for strikes. Nick Markakis has the only hit for the Orioles in three innings, a leadoff single in the first. Rays starter Jake Odorizzi has retired nine in a row. Manager Buck...
During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)
During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MIAMI - OK, so last night's 11-2 loss wasn't exactly the most enjoyable three hours for Nationals fans, players or coaches, but there were two moments last night that brought a smile to my face sitting next to the Nats' dugout. In the sixth inning, with the Nats down 11 runs, Steven Souza Jr. came into the ballgame, replacing Jayson Werth in right. Two innings later, Souza stepped into the batter's box at Marlins Park, took a first-pitch slider for ball one, and then scorched a 92 mph...
Jones switched to designated hitter
Jones switched to designated hitter
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Adam Jones no longer is listed as the Orioles' center fielder today. Manager Buck Showalter switched Jones to designated hitter, put David Lough in center and moved Nelson Cruz to left. Jones ran in the outfield earlier to gauge how much he's recovered from his virus. Jones, of course, wanted to play in center. "I want him to run around and see if he fatigues or anything," Showalter said earlier today. "He doesn't want to hear it." Jones wasn't in yesterday's lineup and had been...
Classy exit: After being released, minor league player thanks O's for the opportunity
Classy exit: After being released, minor league player thanks O's for the opportunity
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles drafted outfielder Trent Mummey in the fourth round out of Auburn University in 2010. He had some solid early success in pro ball, making the New York Penn League All-Star team in 2010 and a year later hitting close to .300 at two levels. But during that 2011 season Mummey suffered a concussion and, four games after he returned from that, he injured his right hamstring. The hamstring issue, especially, lingered for parts of the next two seasons and this week Mummey's time with the...
Jones returns to lineup
Jones returns to lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The grounds crew at Camden Yards scraped the ice off the tarp and the infield this morning. The sun is shining and we're starting on time. Adam Jones will patrol center field today for the Orioles. He's feeling better after yesterday's bout with the virus that's sweeping through the clubhouse. Reliever Evan Meek also is in the clubhouse. He's a little better, but clearly not 100 percent. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C...
Celebrating 60: Hansen balanced military life, playing at Memorial Stadium
Celebrating 60: Hansen balanced military life, playing at Memorial Stadium
Mel Antonen
Orioles
Shortstop Ron Hansen hit 22 home runs for the Orioles' first winning team in 1960, but if they had gone to the World Series, he wasn't sure that he could have played. That's because his military job begin a few days after the season ended. "I guess I would have missed the World Series," Hansen says. "I didn't think much it (during the season's final days), but not playing would have been a possibility. We didn't make the World Series, so there's nothing to worry about." The 1962...
Rendon staying healthy and delivering big hits for Nationals
Rendon staying healthy and delivering big hits for Nationals
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Remember during draft time when all the naysayers complained about Anthony Rendon and his ability to stay healthy? I do too, and I asked a professional who was there. He recollected what the apprehension was for Rendon when the Nationals selected him in 2011. Jim Callis was the executive editor for Baseball America back then. He is now the senior writer for MLBpipeline.com "He had two right ankle injuries I thought were fluky in college and thought he was the best guy in that 2011 draft,"...
A couple of issues through the season's first two-plus weeks
A couple of issues through the season's first two-plus weeks
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MIAMI - There have been very few times early in Matt Williams' managerial career when we've seen or heard him legitimately frustrated about something. Last night, after watching his team drop a ballgame 11-2 to the Marlins, Williams sure sounded frustrated when discussing the Nationals' defensive play to begin the season. The Nats made two more errors last night, giving them 15 errors through 14 games this season, the most in the majors. Williams' team also has the major leagues' worst...
Rachel Levitin: A few thoughts about expectations
Rachel Levitin: A few thoughts about expectations
Josh Land
Nationals
After being swept by their most formidable division rival in Atlanta over the weekend and an 11-2 loss to Miami, the Nationals are struggling to establish a steady, winning momentum. It's only April, so the standings aren't an accurate representation of where all teams will end up at the end of the season. But that doesn't mean this isn't the perfect time for a little wake-up call. When I posted up shop at a local D.C. bar for happy hour waiting for a friend, the fellow sitting next to me...
Daniel Clark: Checking in on the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Daniel Clark: Checking in on the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Josh Land
Orioles
Whilst the Orioles continue to gather consistency and momentum, their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, have also been experiencing some struggles. Now 12 games into the new season, the Tides have an extremely disappointing 3-9 record, which is somewhat surprising given the improved level of depth and resulting high expectations for the 2014 season. Offensively, just one every-ay player is hitting over .300. This is Caleb Joseph (.316 average, .333 OBP, one home run, six RBIs), whilst the...