Johnson discusses Nats' missed opportunities in 2-1, 10-inning loss
Johnson discusses Nats' missed opportunities in 2-1, 10-inning loss
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - Still wearing the baggy throwback Negro League jersey he and the Nationals donned during tonight's game, Davey Johnson looked like a man who was running out of answers while meeting with reporters after tonight's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Braves. With the game tied in the top of the ninth inning, Johnson's Nats put two runners in scoring position with none out against Braves All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. Ian Desmond, Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinosa were then retired in...
Tough test: Kevin Gausman faces the Tigers today in his third major league start
Tough test: Kevin Gausman faces the Tigers today in his third major league start
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Detroit Tigers have scored 15 runs and hit seven homers this weekend in Baltimore. Kevin Gausman has pitched to an ERA of 11.00 over his first two big league starts. If it is going to get better for the Orioles' 2012 first-round draft pick starting today, the kid will have to go through one of the best lineups in the American League this afternoon at Camden Yards. Gausman remains upbeat and confident in what he can do on a big league mound, even if he's had two rocky outings to start...
Looking back and ahead
Looking back and ahead
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kevin Gausman will attempt today to win his first major league game and avoid becoming the second consecutive Orioles starter to be ejected. I'm confident that he will achieve the second goal. I mean, what are the odds of it happening twice in two days? If the ball keeps slipping out of his hand, as it did yesterday with Jason Hammel, he may want to play it safe and switch to an underhand delivery. Maybe just roll the ball to the plate. Don't take any chances. Hammel had the full support...
A golden opportunity blown, extras coming (Nats lose 2-1)
A golden opportunity blown, extras coming (Nats lose 2-1)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - It's not often you can get to put up a crooked number on Craig Kimbrel. The flame-throwing Braves closer has a career 1.54 ERA and makes some of the best hitters in baseball look like children in the batter's box. The Nats had a chance to take the lead off Kimbrel in the top of the ninth tonight, however, but they failed to cash in, and it's still 1-1 as we go to the 10th inning. Ryan Zimmerman led off the top of the ninth with a broken-bat bloop single to center off Kimbrel,...
Gonzalez, Hudson locked in a duel (updated)
Gonzalez, Hudson locked in a duel (updated)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - Two of the National League East's top starters are duking it out here at Turner Field tonight, as Gio Gonzalez and Tim Hudson have both allowed just a single run and two hits through five innings. The Nationals and Braves are knotted 1-1 as we go to the top of the sixth. Gonzalez has five strikeouts to Hudson's two thus far, but Hudson has needed just 72 pitches to get to this point, while Gonzalez has thrown 81 pitches through his five frames. The Braves got on the board first...
Showalter and Hardy comment on Hammel's ejection
Showalter and Hardy comment on Hammel's ejection
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Buck Showalter and shortstop J.J. Hardy used the same logic and arguments to defend starter Jason Hammel, who earned his first career ejection today in the fourth inning after surrendering three consecutive home runs and hitting Matt Tuiasosopo with the next pitch. The ball kept slipping out of Hammel's hand today, especially when he tried to throw his slider. And if you're going to drill a batter on purpose, you do it with a fastball to make the intent perfectly...
Jason Hammel: "Zero intent there to hit him"
Jason Hammel: "Zero intent there to hit him"
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Jason Hammel was ejected from a game for the first time in the big leagues today. He didn't think he should have been tossed after he hit Detroit's Matt Tuiasosopo one pitch after yielding three straight homers in the top of the fourth inning. "I'm not going to make a big deal of - I hit him with a slider. Zero intent there to hit him," Hammel said. "Obviously I gave up the three home runs, but I'm not the guy that answers getting hit around with hitting somebody. That is bush league...
Johnson on Rendon at second base, Davis on his call-up (and more)
Johnson on Rendon at second base, Davis on his call-up (and more)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - Jayson Werth finds himself in Woodbridge, Va., again tonight, as he'll suit up for high Single-A Potomac for the third straight night as part of his rehab assignment. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the plan is for Werth to play a full nine innings tonight, and if everything goes well, Werth would then rest tomorrow and be ready to return to the Nationals on Tuesday when they open a series against the Mets. Ross Detwiler is not as close to returning to action, however....
O's yield four homers in an inning for first time ever as Tigers roll 10-3
O's yield four homers in an inning for first time ever as Tigers roll 10-3
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Miguel Cabrera homered again and this time it was a grand slam. Prince Fielder homered. The Tigers scored eight runs in an inning and Jason Hammel was ejected. It could have been a better Saturday for the Orioles, who gave up four homers in one inning for the first time in team history as Detroit pounded the Birds 10-3 behind Justin Verlander. After giving up three consecutive homers to Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila during the Tigers' eight-run fourth, Hammel was ejected...
Johnson discusses Strasburg's injury, Harper landing on DL
Johnson discusses Strasburg's injury, Harper landing on DL
Dan Kolko
Nationals
ATLANTA - A day after Stephen Strasburg left his outing against the Braves just two innings in, the Nationals have a bit more clarity on his injury, but the timetable surrounding when he'd be able to return is still uncertain. Manager Davey Johnson said that Strasburg underwent an MRI back in D.C. today, which revealed a slight strain in his back/side. The Nationals have not yet determined whether Strasburg will be able to make his next start, instead choosing to monitor his progress over...