Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)
Hunter hanging tough, but where's the offense? (O's lose 5-0)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles might want to mix in a run once in a while. Not trying to be a know-it-all here, but I think it's pretty solid advice and I'm offering it up for free. It's almost like they're being punished since Jason Hammel tossed a one-hit shutout Saturday night in Atlanta. They needed another shutout to win the following day while being limited to two runs, and they managed only one hit last night while being shut out by Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Tonight, left-hander Johan Santana...
Chien-Ming Wang's future now in doubt (Morse has his first homer)
Chien-Ming Wang's future now in doubt (Morse has his first homer)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
With Chien-Ming Wang putting up three straight sub-par starts entering tonight, this might have been a statement game of sorts for the veteran right-hander. This wasn't the statement he was hoping to make. Wang got smacked around by the Rays tonight, and was pulled after just 3 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits, gave up three extra-base hits, walked three batters (including Rays starter David Price) and tossed 77 pitches before being pulled. Ross Detwiler came on in relief of...
Reimold decision on hold
Reimold decision on hold
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles still don't know whether outfielder Nolan Reimold will undergo surgery. They continue to wait and hold onto whatever bit of optimism remains. I wrote earlier today that Reimold was undergoing another examination - special assistant Brady Anderson accompanied him - after he already visited two cervical specialists. If you missed "O's Xtra" on MASN HD, here's what manager Buck Showalter told reporters at Citi Field regarding Reimold's status and what lies ahead: Buck Showalter...
Johnson tells Zimmerman, Morse to relax and "just go play"
Johnson tells Zimmerman, Morse to relax and "just go play"
Dan Kolko
Nationals
After Sunday's game, a game in which Michael Morse went 0-for-4 at the plate, dropping his average to .211, he approached manager Davey Johnson and asked to be dropped in the batting order. "I'm killing the team," Morse told Johnson. "No, you're not killing the team," the Nats' manager replied. "You're going to be fine. You'll be carrying us in a minute. I'm not worried. I don't want you worrying." Morse and Ryan Zimmerman are frustrated with the way they've been swinging the...
Braves-Nationals game rescheduled
Braves-Nationals game rescheduled
Josh Land
Nationals
After rain washed out the game between the Braves and Nationals back on June 1, the team today released its plans to move the game to July 21. The two division foes will play a split doubleheader at Nationals Park, with the first game beginning at 1:05 p.m. and first pitch for the second game to follow at 7:05 p.m. The two games against the Braves on July 21 will require separate admission. Season Ticket Holders and Mini Plan Holders with game tickets to the postponed June 1 contest may use...
O's offensive numbers against LHP; Guthrie to the Rockies' bullpen (with game update)
O's offensive numbers against LHP; Guthrie to the Rockies' bullpen (with game update)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In the first four games of their current road trip, the Orioles have scored just nine runs on 17 hits, with a team average of just .152 in Atlanta and New York. The Orioles have come up with, in order, six, six, four and one hits in the four games of the trip, and they have not homered in four straight for the first time all year. But now for the good news. The Orioles hit better against left-handed pitchers, and they face one tonight in Johan Santana. Here are some of the O's batting...
Ryan knows Ryan: Nationals' Mattheus believes Perry's transition to starter will be smooth one
Ryan knows Ryan: Nationals' Mattheus believes Perry's transition to starter will be smooth one
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Right-hander Ryan Perry is now with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators as he prepares to transition from reliever to starter. The 6-foot-4, 213 lb. pitcher will make his professional debut as a starter Saturday night at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Perry is slated to pitch three innings, or to a limited pitch count, as he makes his initial attempt pitching as a starter. This will be the first time Perry has started at this level, having made 15 starts in his 62 games over three seasons at...
Werth possibly ahead of schedule in rehab (plus plenty of injury updates)
Werth possibly ahead of schedule in rehab (plus plenty of injury updates)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
It's now been more than six weeks since Jayson Werth broke his left wrist while trying to make a sliding catch in a game against the Phillies. The initial timetable on Werth's return was set around 12 weeks, but doctors thought that because they had operated on the outfielder's wrist so quickly after the injury, he might be able to cut as much as three weeks off that estimate. Today, manager Davey Johnson said that Werth is making progress, but still probably is at least a month away from...
Moore starts in left against Rays (Rodriguez begins rehab assignment)
Moore starts in left against Rays (Rodriguez begins rehab assignment)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
Facing Rays left-hander David Price, Davey Johnson will send out what's become his typical lineup against lefties. Danny Espinosa will lead off, Michael Morse will hit cleanup and Adam LaRoche will be bumped down to the No. 5 spot. In addition, Tyler Moore will start in left field, hitting seventh. Here's how the lineup will look tonight: 2B Danny Espinosa CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Tyler Moore C Jesus Flores P Chien-Ming...
Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)
Pearce in right field, Andino at third base (and more notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Buck Showalter is changing his lineup today against Mets left-hander Johan Santana. He's got Steve Pearce in right field, Steve Tolleson in left and Robert Andino at third base. Chris Davis, who has been starting in right field, is 0-for-14 on the road trip. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce RF Steve Tolleson LF Robert Andino 3B Tommy Hunter RHP The Orioles have been involved in three consecutive...