Irvin's career day spoiled by late Red Sox rally in loss (updated)

BOSTON – The Nationals returned to Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon in search of a series win over the Red Sox. A victory today would lock up their second series win in their last three and third in their last five. Plus, it would put them two games over .500 for the first time since June 30, 2021. But despite Jake Irvin pitching one of the best s
Beginning their series against Arizona last night, the Orioles were just one game over .500 this year versus National League teams. They had gone 1-2 against Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, 3-0 versus Cincinnati and 1-1 against Washington. A 6-5 record became 7-5 against the NL with Friday’s 4-2 win to start a nine-game homestand. Cole Irvin won his four
BOSTON – Davey Martinez managed his bullpen to perfection in last night’s 5-1 win over the Red Sox. In a 3-1 game at the seventh-inning stretch and facing the Nos. 2-4 hitters in Boston’s lineup, the Nationals manager made the decision to go with Hunter Harvey in that moment instead of saving him for his usual spot in the eighth. Harvey issued a le
Cedric Mullins is available off the bench this afternoon. However, manager Brandon Hyde wants to give his center fielder a breather. Mullins went 0-for-4 last night with a run-scoring grounder and is batting .193 with a .616 OPS in 36 games. He was lowered to ninth Wednesday in D.C., hit eighth last night and is out of today’s lineup despite the Di
BOSTON – The Nationals pulled off a win last night with Patrick Corbin on the mound, thanks to five strong innings from the veteran lefty. The offense also staked him to an early lead and then provided two insurance runs in the ninth inning. Now with a victory already in hand, they turn to two of their better starters for the remainder of the serie
Colton Cowser is starting in center field this afternoon as the Orioles try to secure a series win against the Diamondbacks. Heston Kjerstad gets the start in left field. Cedric Mullins goes to the bench against an opposing right-hander. Jorge Mateo remains at second base. Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter. Gunnar Henderson collected his 40th c
Here is a tale of two Orioles hitters. Both are doing well in 2024 and both did well in 2023. But their batter profiles have changed a lot in what is still kind of a small sample for this year. But we're about to reach the 25 percent point into this season, so it’s not that small. But so far Adley Rutschman is walking a lot less and striking out mo
BOSTON – It had been 25 days since his last game with the Nationals. And it had been three days and two games since he had been activated off the injured list. But on Friday night, Victor Robles finally made his return to a big league game. And what a triumphant return it was. Robles landed on the IL on April 4 with a left hamstring strain, another
Rarely do a reliever’s first warmup tosses in the bullpen create such a stir. Craig Kimbrel wasn’t getting ready last night for the ninth inning. He was prepping for the seventh in a one-run game. Cue the gasps. The Orioles went with the reset over their other options, and Kimbrel retired the Diamondbacks in order to preserve a 3-2 lead. One ball w
BOSTON – The Nationals arrived at Fenway Park with a rough history in the landmark ballpark. Entering tonight’s opener of a three-game series, they were 15-24 all-time against the Red Sox and 5-13 at Fenway. But the 2024 Nationals do not care much for history. They came to face a streaky Red Sox team with a similar record as their third straight Am
Craig Kimbrel stood up tonight, removed his jacket and began to throw in the Orioles’ bullpen. It was the bottom of the sixth inning. Kimbrel said earlier in the day that he expected to get the ball again in a save situation, but he jogged onto the field for the top of the seventh with the Orioles ahead 3-2. The lights flickered as if he were closi