Nationals lose to Atlanta 3-1 on Wednesday night.

1.    The Nats fell to 43-58 overall and 23-43 since starting 20-15.

2.    Livan Hernandez, off tossing his second complete game of the season, had his shortest outing of the season.
     a.    Hernandez allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
     b.    Hernandez was pulled after throwing jut 85 pitches.
     c.    Hernandez fell to 7-7 with a 3.22 ERA over 21 starts this season.

3.    The Braves pulled off a first-inning double steal in which right fielder Jason Heyward stole home.  MASN analyst Ray Knight said shortstop Ian Desmond didn’t get the ball to first baseman Adam Dunn quickly enough.

4.    The Nats totaled just seven hits and one walk and struck out nine times.
     a.    Dunn went 0-for-4 and now is 4-for-33 over his last 10 games.
     b.    Left fielder Willie Harris went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and now is batting .184 this season.

5.    Starter Tim Hudson allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings and improved to 11-5 with a 2.40 ERA.

6.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Relievers Doug Slaten (1/3 of an inning), Tyler Clippard (1 1/3 innings) and Joel (joh-EHL) Peralta (three innings) combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
          i.    Counting Miguel Batista's five-inning spot start on Tuesday night, Nats relievers have thrown 13 2/3 scoreless innings over the past two games.
     b.    Right fielder Mike Morse had an RBI single and is 29-for-80 (.363) since returning from the disabled list on May 16.
     c.    Center fielder Nyjer Morgan had two singles.


Orioles lose at Toronto 5-0 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

1.    The O’s fell to 31-70 overall and 16-31 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    The O’s fell to 2-11 since the All-Star break.

3.    The O’s fell to 0-12 against the Blue Jays this season.

4.    The O’s totaled just three hits and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
     a.    The Blue Jays’ starting pitcher, soft-tossing lefty Brad Mills, was making just his third MLB start and first of the season.  He allowed two hits over seven innings.

5.    Reliever Will Ohman allowed three runs in 1/3 of an inning, giving up a three-run homer to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

6.    Reliever Koji Uehara (oo-eh-HAH-ruh) allowed one run in 2/3 of an inning.

7.    A positive from the loss was Jeremy Guthrie, who allowed one run (unearned thanks to an error by left fielder Corey Patterson) in seven innings.
     a.    Guthrie has allowed three earned runs over 20 2/3 innings in his three starts since the All-Star break.
     b.    Guthrie fell to 4-11 with a 4.23 ERA over 21 starts this season.


Capitals announce the acquisition of left wing D.J. King from St. Louis in exchange for prospect Stefan Della Rovere (steh-FAHN DEHL-uh roh-VEHR) on Wednesday afternoon.

The 26-year-old King will be the Caps' first true enforcer since Donald Brashear left the team via free agency last summer.  King played in just 12 games last season due to a broken finger, but he got into five fights.  He’s under contract through the 2011-12 season.

Della Rovere (DEHL-uh roh-VEHR) was the Caps’ seventh-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.


The 2010 Preseason All-ACC Football Team is announced on Wednesday.

Maryland, which was picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division, had two players on the team.  Junior Torrey Smith, who set ACC single-season kickoff return yardage records in each of the last two seasons, was named to the team at two positions - specialist and wide receiver.  Smith was a second-team All-ACC choice at both positions last year.  Also honored for the Terps was senior linebacker Alex Wujciak (WOH-jack).  He ranks first in the NCAA FBS in career tackles per game (10.6) among active players.  Wujciak (WOH-jack) was named second team All-ACC in 2008 and first team after last year’s 131-tackle performance.

Virginia Tech, which was picked to win the conference title, had one player on the team – sophomore running back Ryan Williams.  He was the ACC Rookie of the Year and a first-team running back pick on the All-ACC team last season.  Williams’s 21 rushing touchdowns tied an NCAA record for a freshman, and he became the first freshman in ACC history to lead the league in rushing and scoring.

Virginia, which was picked to finish last in the Coastal Division, did not have a player on the team.

Nationals beat Atlanta 3-0 on Tuesday night.

1.    The Nats improved to 43-57 overall and 23-42 since starting 20-15.

2.    Rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his scheduled start after struggling to loosen up.  A variety of tests revealed right shoulder inflammation and soreness but no structural damage.  He’s considered day-to-day.

3.    Relievers Miguel Batista (five innings), Sean Burnett (two innings), Drew Storen (one inning) and Matt Capps (one inning) combined on a five-hitter.  They combined for 10 strikeouts and just one walk.

4.    Shortstop Ian Desmond had two hits (including a two-run single) and a stolen base.  He’s 9-for-12 on steals this season.

5.    Center fielder Nyjer Morgan had a single, two stolen bases and a run.  He now is 27-for-40 on steals this season, including 10-for-his-last-11.

6.    Left fielder Josh Willingham had a single and a stolen base.  He’s 8-for-8 on steals this season.

7.    The Nats won despite totaling just six hits and no walks, striking out 10 times and going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.  


Orioles lose at Toronto 8-2 on Tuesday night.

1.    The O’s fell to 31-69 overall and 16-30 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    The O’s fell to 2-10 since the All-Star break.

3.    The O’s fell to 0-11 against the Blue Jays this season.

4.    Kevin Millwood allowed six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings on 10 hits, four walks and five strikeouts. 
     a.    Millwood gave up a three-run homer to right fielder (and former Oriole) Jose Bautista in the first inning.  Millwood now has allowed a combined 30 earned runs in the first innings of his past 11 starts.  He allowed no runs in the first innings of his first nine starts of the season.
     b.    Millwood fell to 2-10 with a 5.96 ERA over 20 starts this season.

5.    Closer Alfredo Simon (see-MOHN) allowed a two-run homer to Bautista in the eighth inning.  He finished with four hits, a walk, five RBI, three runs and an outfield assist.  Bautista leads the majors with 30 homers.

6.    The O’s went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and struck out 10 times.

7.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Reliever Michael Gonzalez tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
     b.    Center fielder Adam Jones had a double and two singles.
     c.    Right fielder Nick Markakis had an RBI double and a single.  He’s second in MLB with 33 doubles.  But he was thrown out at third base by Bautista while tagging up on designated hitter Luke Scott’s run-scoring sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
     d.    Third baseman Miguel Tejada had two singles and a run.


Capitals announce the re-signing of forward Tomas Fleischman (TOH-mahs FLYSH-mihn) to a one-year contract on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old Fleischman (FLYSH-mihn) had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Wednesday.  He set career highs in goals (23), assists (28), points (51) and plus-minus rating (plus-9) in 2009-10.  Fleischman (FLYSH-mihn) scored eight goals in the 10 games that left wing Alex Ovechkin missed…A negative for Fleischman (FLYSH-mihn) was his postseason performance.  He had an assist but did not score a goal in the Caps’ seven-game upset loss to Montreal in the Eastern Conference quarters.  Fleischmann (FLYSH-mihn) was a healthy scratch for Game 7.

Also on Tuesday, Pittsburgh forward Max Talbot (TAL-biht) ripped Ovechkin on WXDX-FM.  This occurred prior to Tuesday’s press conference promoting the Caps and Penguins meeting in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.

Orioles lose at Toronto 9-5 on Monday night.

1.    The O’s fell to 31-68 overall and 16-29 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    The O’s fell to 2-9 since the All-Star break.

3.    The O’s fell to 0-10 against the Blue Jays this season.

4.    Brad Bergesen allowed eight runs in five innings on 10 hits (including three homers), a walk and a strikeout.  He fell to 3-9 with a 6.95 ERA over 18 games (16 starts) and seems in danger of a third demotion to Triple-A Norfolk this season.
     a.    If you take away Jeremy Guthrie's two outings since the All-Star break, the Birds' rotation has worked just 41 1/3 innings in nine games, allowing 49 earned runs (10.67 ERA) and 64 hits.

5.    The O’s went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

6.    Center fielder Adam Jones and left fielder Felix Pie (pee-AY) went a combined 1-for-9 with six strikeouts.

7.    Another base-running mistake: First baseman Jake Fox was thrown out at second base while trying to stretch a single into a double with the O’s trailing 8-5 with one out in the eighth inning.  He also struck out twice.  Fox did finish with a double and a single.

8.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Catcher Matt Wieters hit two homers: A two-run bomb in the sixth inning and a solo blast in the eighth.  He also had two walks.
     b.    Designated hitter Luke Scott, off being named American League Player of the Week, had a two-run homer, a walk and two runs.  He’s 14-for-31 with five homers since returning from the disabled list on July 19.  Scott now leads the Birds with 17 homers.
     c.    Second baseman Brian Roberts had a double and a single.
     d.    Reliever Matt Albers allowed one run in three innings, recording four strikeouts.


2010 ACC Football Kickoff: Virginia Tech is picked to win the conference title in the preseason media poll released on Monday afternoon.

The Hokies were picked to win the ACC off going 10-3 in 2009-10.  They won their final five games, including a 37-14 ripping of Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl…Hokies tailback Ryan Williams and quarterback Tyrod Taylor finished second and third, respectively, in the voting for ACC Preseason Player of the Year.  Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder finished first.

Maryland was picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division.  The Terrapins went 2-10 in 2009-10, losing their last seven games.  Their final record was their worst since going 0-9-0 in 1967.

Virginia was picked to finish last in the Coastal Division.  The Cavaliers went 3-9 in 2009-10, their worst season since 1982.  Head coach Al Groh was fired and replaced by Mike London.

Nationals lose to Milwaukee 8-3 on Sunday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep.

1.    The Nats fell to 42-57 overall and 22-42 since starting 20-15.

2.    The Nats concluded a 3-7 road trip.

3.    Starter Ross Detwiler allowed five runs (all unearned) in 3 2/3 innings on three hits (including a two-run homer), three walks, a wild pitch and four strikeouts in his first MLB appearance of 2010.
     a.    Detwiler was the sixth overall pick of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

4.    The Nats committed two errors and now have committed an MLB-worst 80 this season.
     a.    Shortstop Ian Desmond committed his MLB-leading 23rd error, a throwing error during the Brewers’ three-run fourth inning.  He also went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and now is batting .247 this season.
     b.    Third baseman Willie Harris misplayed a groundball during the Brewers’ two-run first inning.  He also went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and now is batting .188 this season.
     c.    The Nats had committed just three errors in nine games since the all-star break.

5.    Reliever Joel (joh-EHL) Peralta allowed a three-run homer in the seventh inning in his worst outing for the Nats (three runs in two innings).  His ERA rose to 2.16.

6.    The Nats struck out 10 times, failed to work a walk and went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

7.    Catcher Ivan Rodriguez went 0-for-4 and now is batting .167 in July.

8.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Center fielder Nyjer Morgan had two hits (including an RBI single), a stolen base and a run.  He now is 25-for-38 on steals this season.
     b.    Second baseman Adam Kennedy had two singles, a stolen base and a run.  He now is 11-for-11 on steals this season.
     c.    First baseman Adam Dunn had two hits, including an RBI single.  He’s seventh in MLB with a .565 slugging percentage and ninth in MLB with a .935 OPS.  But he struck out twice and has the second-worst strikeout total in MLB (122).
     d.    Reliever Miguel Batista tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 4.50.
     e.    Closer Matt Capps tossed a scoreless inning to lower his ERA to 2.86.


Orioles lose to Minnesota 10-4 on Sunday afternoon.

1.    The O’s fell to 31-67 and 16-28 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    The O’s concluded a 2-8 homestand.

3.    Rookie Jake Arrieta allowed five runs in four innings on seven hits (including a grand slam), four walks and no strikeouts.  He fell to 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA over nine MLB starts.

4.    The Birds’ bullpen continues to be overworked, and it showed.
     a.    Birds’ starters have pitched 50 innings in 10 games since the All-Star break.  Birds’ relievers have thrown 44 innings.
     b.    Mark Hendrickson allowed four runs in three innings.  He gave up two solo homers.
     c.    David Hernandez allowed a solo homer in his one inning of work.
     d.    Hendrickson, Hernandez and Koji Uehara (KOH-jee oo-eh-HAH-ruh) (scoreless inning) combined to allow 12 hits in five innings.

5.    The O’s went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

6.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Uehara (oo-eh-HAH-ruh) lowered his ERA to 2.35.
     b.    First baseman Luke Scott had two doubles, a walk and a run.  He now is 13-for-27 since returning from the disabled list on July 19.
     c.    Left fielder Corey Patterson had a double, a single and a run.
     d.    Center fielder Felix Pie (pee-AY) had two singles and a run.


Former Expos outfielder Andre Dawson and former Orioles broadcaster Jon Miller are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon.

Dawson played for the Expos (who of course became the Nationals in 2005) from 1976 through 1986.  He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1977 and the NL Most Valuable Player award in 1987 with the Cubs.  Dawson is one of only three players to hit 400 homers and steal 300 bases.  He endured 12 knee surgeries during his 21-season career.

Miller, widely considered the best baseball broadcaster of his generation, broadcasted Orioles games from 1983 through 1996. 

Nationals lose at Milwaukee 4-3 on Saturday night.

1.    The Nats fell to 42-56 overall and 22-41 since starting 20-15.

2.    Reliever Drew Storen allowed a walk-off single to left fielder Ryan Braun.  The Nats had tied the game in the ninth inning on a pinch run-scoring sacrifice fly by first baseman Adam Dunn.

3.    Starter J.D. Martin allowed one run (a solo homer to Braun) in 2 1/3 innings and then left the game with a lower back strain.  He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

4.    Martin’s injury forced even more work from the Nats’ overtaxed bullpen.  Five relievers combined to allow three runs over six innings.

5.    The Nats totaled just seven hits, all singles.


Orioles lose to Minnesota 7-2 on Saturday night.

1.    The O’s fell to 31-66 overall and 16-27 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    Rookie Brian Matusz allowed three runs in five innings on six hits (including a two-run homer), three walks and five strikeouts.
     a.    Matusz has allowed 13 runs over 9 2/3 innings over his last three starts.
     b.    Matusz fell to 3-11 with a 5.22 ERA over 20 starts this season.

3.    Relievers Matt Albers, Michael Gonzalez and Jason Berken combined to allow four runs in four innings on eight hits.

4.    The O’s went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and were outhit 14-6.

5.    A positive from the loss was scorching designated hitter Luke Scott, who had a two-run homer and a single.

Nationals lose at Milwaukee 7-5 on Friday night.

1.    The Nats fell to 42-55 overall and 22-40 since starting 20-15.

2.    The Nats blew a 5-1 fifth-inning lead.

3.    Relievers Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett each allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning on two hits, a walk and a strikeout.
     a.    Clippard was credited with his MLB-leading eighth blown save.  He’s allowed 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings (10.80 ERA) this month.  Clippard’s ERA rose to 3.45.
     b.    Burnett gave up a two-run homer to 40-year-old Jim Edmonds, who was in the game only because all-star right fielder Corey Hart suffered a right wrist injury after crashing into the wall in foul territory in the third inning.  Burnett hadn’t allowed a run since June 28.  His ERA rose to 3.03. 

4.    Craig Stammen allowed three runs in five innings on five hits, a walk and three strikeouts.  He was far from pitch efficient (90 pitches in five innings), forcing manager Jim Riggleman to go to his bullpen perhaps earlier than he would have liked.  Stammen has a 5.50 ERA over 17 starts this season.

5.    First baseman Adam Dunn had a double and a run, but he failed to catch a one-hop throw from shortstop Ian Desmond (who made a nice play in fielding the ball) in the fifth inning.  The potential out would have ended the inning.  Instead, it continued, and the Brewers hit a pair of RBI singles.

6.    Desmond and center fielder Nyjer Morgan each went 0-for-4.

7.    The Nats did not draw a walk. 

8.    Positives from the loss:
     a.    Right fielder Michael Morse hit two home runs: A three-run bomb in the second inning and a solo blast in the fourth inning.  He’s 25-for-71 (.352) with six homers since returning from the disabled list on May 16.
     b.    Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had an RBI single in the third inning.
     c.    Reliever Joel (joh-EHL) Peralta tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 0.61 (one run in 14 2/3 innings over 12 games with the Nats).
     d.    Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder went a combined 1-for-7.

9.    Nats senior vice president and general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com on Friday afternoon that Riggleman will manage the team in 2011.  He later told reporters nothing officially was announced, but he said Riggleman “deserves” to be the team’s manager next season.  Last offseason, Riggleman signed a two-year deal, but only 2010 was guaranteed.  The team could buy him out after this season.


Orioles beat Minnesota 3-2 on Friday night.

1.    The O’s improved to 31-65 overall and 16-26 under interim manager Juan Samuel (sam-WEHL).

2.    Jeremy Guthrie allowed two runs in seven innings on six hits, no walks and six strikeouts.  He improved to 4-10 with a 4.46 ERA over 20 starts this season.  As crazy as it sounds, Guthrie has been the Birds’ best starting pitcher this season.

3.    Relievers Will Ohman, David Hernandez and Alfredo Simon (see-MOHN) combined for two scoreless innings.
     a.    Hernandez has a 2.35 ERA (six runs in 23 innings) since moving to the bullpen.
     b.    Simon (see-MOHN) improved to 14-for-16 on saves.

4.    Designated hitter Luke Scott had a two-run homer and a single.  He’s 9-for-20 with three homers since returning from the disabled list on July 19.

5.    Center fielder Adam Jones had an RBI single.

6.    Third baseman Miguel Tejada had two singles and two runs.

7.    First baseman Ty Wigginton had a triple.  He’s appealing a three-game suspension by MLB for bumping umpire Gary Darling during a tirade on Thursday night.

8.    Second baseman Brian Roberts went 0-for-4 in his return from the 60-day disabled list.  He hadn’t played in a major-league game since April 9.
     a.    The O’s designated infielder Scott Moore for assignment.  He batted .209 in 41 games this season and made a bad base-running mistake during Wednesday afternoon’s 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay.

9.    The O’s won despite failing to work a walk.  They are last in the American League with 258 walks.