SARASOTA, Fla. - Two of the quieter bats in Orioles' camp cranked up the volume tonight in the first inning.
Adam Jones drilled a three-run homer to center field off Yankees starter Ivan Nova to give the Orioles an early lead. After Chris Davis grounded out, Matt Wieters launched a home run to right field on a two-strike pitch.
Jones was 5-for-22 with two RBIs before tonight, but he seemed prolific compared to Wieters, who was 2-for-20 with no RBIs.
Jones didn't have an extra-base hit...
VIERA, Fla. - For a 19-year-old who at times has battled maturity issues - who among us didn't in our teens? - and had legitimate intentions of winning a spot on the Nationals' opening day roster, Bryce Harper appeared to handle his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse pretty darned well.
Talking with reporters shortly after being informed that he was being sent over to minor league camp, Harper was clearly disappointed with the news, but seemed determined to grow in his upcoming time at the minor...
The Washington Nationals today optioned catcher Jhonatan Solano, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Bryce Harper to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
The Nationals currently have 37 players in their big league camp.
The Washington Nationals today optioned catcher Jhonatan Solano, first baseman Tyler Moore and outfielder Bryce Harper to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the National reassigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
The Nationals currently have 37 players in their big league camp.
VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper might very well play in the big leagues this season.
He just won't do so opening day.
The Nationals optioned Harper, their top prospect, to Triple-A Syracuse following today's 11-7 loss to the Tigers, ending Harper's pursuit of a spot on the Nats' 25-man roster for now.
Manager Davey Johnson broke the news to Harper following his 1-for-5 performance today. Harper struck out in his first four at-bats, then doubled to center.
"He knows how much I love his...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty has a nice collection of gloves in his spring training locker, but not because he's a memorabilia nut.
Flaherty is making his first start in right field tonight against the New York Yankees. He's also played left field, shortstop, second base and third base.
The only thing missing is a catcher's mitt.
"I guess if they asked me, I'm sure I could go back there and make it work, but I don't have much experience behind the plate," he said, grinning....
VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Edwin Jackson obviously wasn't thrilled with his four-inning, four-run, seven-hit, three-walk outing today, but he's not going to get too hung up on the numbers.
"Results weren't really the greatest, but I felt pretty good," Jackson said in the Nats' clubhouse a bit ago. "The only thing I come away from (this) working on is just the walks. Everything else I can accept. They had hits, a lot of them on the ground. They had a few hits in the air, but I'll take...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dave Philley, who played for the Orioles in 1955-56 and 1960-61 as part of an 18-year major league career, died Thursday in his hometown of Paris, Texas. He was 91.
Philley was the oldest living former Oriole.
Philley set a record with 24 pinch-hits during the 1961 season - an American League record that still stands.
Coincidentally, one of Philley's best friends, Eddie Robinson, is now the oldest living ex-Oriole. Robinson, 91, who also hails from Paris, Texas, played four...
VIERA, Fla. - Chad Durbin has come out for the top of the fifth inning, meaning Edwin Jackson's day is done.
The results weren't all that pretty for Jackson in his four innings of work, as the Nationals righty allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
Ten baserunners in four innings? Probably not what Jackson wanted, although I guess it fits his history.
Jackson threw 71 pitches, 41 for strikes.
He got through the first two innings without allowing a run and...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is starting again tonight as the Orioles' designated hitter, giving him back-to-back games for the first time this spring.
OK, what position hasn't Ryan Flaherty played?
For the Orioles:
Endy Chavez LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis DH
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
Mark Reynolds 3B
Ryan Flaherty RF
Robert Andino 2B
Alfredo Simon RHP
For the Yankees:
Gardner CF
Nunez SS
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Ibanez DH
Hall 3B
Maxwell RF
Wise LF
Molina C
Nova RHP
If...