Johnson: Rendon is "a good-looking young hitter"
Johnson: Rendon is "a good-looking young hitter"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon is enjoying his second opportunity of the season back with the big club. On Wednesday, Rendon smacked a double and two singles while scoring a run in a 3-for-4 night, helping the Nationals edge the Diamondbacks 3-2. Rendon looks right at home in the batter's box. "That is where I feel most comfortable," Rendon said. "That is what I have been doing my whole life. I like to hit." Manager Davey Johnson said Rendon does not act like a rookie in the...
Cleveland matches O's rally, scores two in the ninth off Jim Johnson to win 4-3
Cleveland matches O's rally, scores two in the ninth off Jim Johnson to win 4-3
Steve Melewski
Orioles
They rallied, but then so did Cleveland. After the Orioles scored twice in the last of the eighth tonight to get a 3-2 lead, Cleveland scored twice in the ninth off Jim Johnson to post a 4-3 win. It was the fifth blown save for the O's closer, who had saved 12 in a row since a blown save May 26 at Toronto. Johnson, seeking his 28th save, issued a four-pitch walk to Micheal Brantley to start the ninth and Jason Giambi doubled. An intentional walk followed and back-to-back ground balls scored...
Johnson, Zimmerman on 3-2 victory over D-backs (with Harper update)
Johnson, Zimmerman on 3-2 victory over D-backs (with Harper update)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the early matchup between starter Jordan Zimmermann and Arizona second baseman Aaron Hill was a battle that helped the Diamondbacks score first. Hill walked in front of Paul Goldschmidt, who slapped a run-scoring single to give the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 advantage. "We had a really tough at-bat with Hill, an 11-pitch or 12-pitch at-bat," Johnson said. "But (Zimmermann) misses so many bats. He just kind of settled down. He used all of his pitches...
Orioles being no-hit through six innings (O's lose 4-3)
Orioles being no-hit through six innings (O's lose 4-3)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Maybe it should have kept raining. Indians starter Scott Kazmir hasn't allowed a hit in six innings. The only baserunner came on a four-pitch walk to Matt Wieters in the fifth after Kazmir retired the first 13 Orioles. First base umpire Will Little is probably rehearsing his quotes for the pool reporter. If Kazmir completes the no-hitter, immediate attention will fall upon Little, who blew a call in the fourth inning. Manny Machado dove into the bag and was clearly safe. His hand touched...
Duquette on Bundy's surgery (game update)
Duquette on Bundy's surgery (game update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with reporters in the back of the press box to discuss pitcher Dylan Bundy's pending elbow surgery. Bundy will undergo ligament-reconstructive surgery Thursday morning in Gulf Breeze, Fla. The Orioles are hopeful that he will be cleared to pitch next summer. "The thinking was that Dylan is 20 years old, he's very young and it's early in his career, and after giving it two times of rest and significant rest, and the elbow not responding...
Diamondbacks jump out early vs. Zimmermann (Nats win 3-2)
Diamondbacks jump out early vs. Zimmermann (Nats win 3-2)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Arizona came out swinging in the first inning against Nationals ace Jordan Zimmermann, scoring two runs. Paul Goldschmidt smacked a RBI double and Martin Prado added an run-scoring single. Then quickly in the bottom of the first, Anthony Rendon started things with a single followed by a Ryan Zimmerman run-scoring double to cut the Diamondbacks lead to 2-1. Update: The Nationals tied the game in the fourth inning on a solo shot by Tyler Moore, his third homer of the season. Then in the fifth,...
Rain delay update and more notes
Rain delay update and more notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Rain continues to fall at Camden Yards and the tarp remains on the field. However, we've been told that tonight's game will start at approximately 8:05 p.m. Sounds like a one-hour rain delay to me. Also, executive vice president Dan Duquette will meet with reporters in the back of the press box at 7:55 p.m. to discuss Dylan Bundy's pending elbow surgery. Jim Johnson's next save will be the 100th of his career. His 99 career saves are fourth-most in Orioles history, trailing Gregg Olson...
Updates on Harper, Ramos, Garcia and Zimmerman
Updates on Harper, Ramos, Garcia and Zimmerman
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Johnson did not get a full report on outfielder Bryce Harper's first rehab game. Harper had a double, a walk, a run scored and ran the bases hard. Johnson knew that Harper was not going to take it easy, even playing only three innings. "I knew he was going to do that," Johnson said. "Have you ever seen him jog to first? He hits a gapper, you think he is going to stop at first? No, he was going to try to hit and go to second." General manager Mike Rizzo said they...
A return to 2012 form by Jason Hammel would be big for the Orioles
A return to 2012 form by Jason Hammel would be big for the Orioles
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Tonight would be a good time for Jason Hammel to pitch better than he has in recent outings. Hammel went 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA last year and while he is 7-4 this year, his ERA is up there at 5.30. Hammel has allowed four runs over six innings in each of his last two outings and in his most recent four starts, he is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.23. His last win came May 27 against Washington. His hits per nine innings are up and his strikeout rate is down. Hammel has been able to put together...
Valencia wants to be latest Oriole to contribute off bench (O's send two to Futures Game)
Valencia wants to be latest Oriole to contribute off bench (O's send two to Futures Game)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Maybe it won't be as dramatic as what Alexi Casilla did last night, but Danny Valencia would like a repeat. Last night, Casilla, who hasn't had much playing time recently, hit a key three-run homer in an Orioles win. It can be hard to sit for a while as a reserve and then start and come up big for the team, but that is the role of the bench player to try and stay ready when he gets a chance. Valencia gets his shot tonight batting eighth against Cleveland in the DH spot. "You go through...