Nationals Chatter: Injury plague strikes, Williams on replay, more on Harper and Robinson
Nationals Chatter: Injury plague strikes, Williams on replay, more on Harper and Robinson
Josh Land
Nationals
Much of the past week was dominated by the Nationals' injury woes. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and center fielder Denard Span are the latest Nats to hit the disabled list. Zimmerman is expected to be out four to six weeks after fracturing his right thumb on Saturday, while Span was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list after a collision with the Braves' Dan Uggla last Friday. In between injuries, the Nats were swept by Atlanta, but got back on the winning side of things after...
Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2014 class
Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2014 class
Josh Land
Nationals
Charles "Lefty" Driesell, Johnny Holliday, Olaf "Olie" Kolzig, Ted Lerner, George Solomon, Michael Weiss and Chris Weller will be awarded the prestigious honor before April 27 Nationals-Padres Game Seven new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored during pregame festivities prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, April 27 at Nationals Park. This year, the renowned sports club will enshrine the following inductees: *...
Orioles continue to engage with Sarasota community through "Arts in the Ballpark"
Orioles continue to engage with Sarasota community through "Arts in the Ballpark"
Josh Land
Orioles
With the regular season well under way, the Birds are no longer taking the field at Ed Smith Stadium every day. However, the Orioles are still keeping the Sarasota community involved with ballpark entertainment, thanks to its "Arts in the Ballpark" initiative. For each event, the Orioles transform Ed Smith Stadium, hosting various entertainment acts. Most recently, the Orioles invited the Sarasota community to the ballpark for free concerts from singer-songwriter Margaret Valentine and...
On Espinosa's strong start to 2014
On Espinosa's strong start to 2014
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MIAMI - With Ryan Zimmerman out 4-6 weeks with a fractured right thumb, Danny Espinosa will be getting a good bit of playing time at second base in the near future. And while Zimmerman will be missed during his absence, the Nationals sure don't mind having Espinosa in the lineup given the way the 26-year-old is playing right now. Espinosa is 9-for-26 (.346) with four doubles, a triple, two walks, five strikeouts and a stolen base on the young season. He's reaching base at a .414 clip and...
Pair of walk off winners down on the Nats farm
Pair of walk off winners down on the Nats farm
Byron Kerr
Nationals
There was plenty of walk-off excitement in Woodbridge. Recently called up third baseman Khayyan Norfork scored the winning run on a Carolina double play attempt as the P-Nats downed Carolina 6-5. With the game knotted at 5-5, Norfork was hit by a pitch to start the rally. He went to second on Oscar Tejeda's groundout. Kevin Keyes was then intentionally walked by Carolina's Louis Head (0-1). Brandon Miller's hard grounder to shortstop Erik Gonzalez was thrown to second baseman Torsten Boss to...
Schoop taking advantage of his opportunity
Schoop taking advantage of his opportunity
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A quick scan of the weather forecast today has the chance of showers ranging from 70 to 100 percent throughout the day. If there's a window, it better be shut. I can't imagine that the Orioles would play a doubleheader on Wednesday if tonight's game is postponed, since the Rays return to Baltimore in June and August, but we'll find out. Rookie Jonathan Schoop wasn't in last night's lineup. Ryan Flaherty got the start at third base for the Orioles and had a pair of RBI singles, along...
Zach Britton on the reasons for his improved sinker and 2014 success
Zach Britton on the reasons for his improved sinker and 2014 success
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles lefty Zach Britton has found his sinker again. He is pounding two-seam fastballs down in the zone and throwing them at a greater velocity. He is getting very impressive results to start this season. Just when some were doubting they'd see Britton pitch well again in the big leagues, he's doing it. Over five games, Britton is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00. He has given up just two hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings. He leads American League relievers with an .080 batting average against...
Harper on his health, Zimmermann on his outing, Leon on his first big league homer
Harper on his health, Zimmermann on his outing, Leon on his first big league homer
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MIAMI - Despite being removed from the game in the seventh inning of tonight's 9-2 Nationals win, Bryce Harper says he's fine, and some minor quad tightness that he's been feeling lately won't keep him out of tomorrow's lineup. "I just fell," Harper said of the play when he dropped to the infield dirt when trying to move from second to third in the seventh inning. "Tripped on my foot. Nothing with my hamstring or my quad or anything like that. Tripped over my ankle and just ran...
Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 romp over Marlins
Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 romp over Marlins
Dan Kolko
Nationals
MIAMI - The frustration that might have built up over the weekend when the Nationals got swept by the Braves melted away tonight, as the Nats pounded out 11 extra-base hits, got seven strong innings from Jordan Zimmermann and routed the Marlins 9-2. Bryce Harper went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple before being pulled from the game due to what manager Matt Williams said was some minor quad tightness, Tyler Moore had three hits, including a homer, while Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendon...
Wieters, Chen and Hardy comment after win over Tampa Bay
Wieters, Chen and Hardy comment after win over Tampa Bay
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters was asked what made the difference tonight for pitcher Wei-Yin Chen. He had an ERA of 6.75 over his first two starts, but this evening gave up just one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 7-1 win over Tampa Bay. "He was able to throw strikes early, get early outs and let our defense work behind him," Wieters said. "He was carrying a little bit more of a fastball tonight which also helped him out." Meaning he had more velocity tonight? "Yeah,...