All posts in blog

09Aug

Nationals left reeling after Baltimore bullies bullpen

In baseball, blog, photos by b murf / August 9, 2020 / No Comments

All seemed right in the universe as the Washington Nationals jumped out to an early lead and were cruising to an apparent victory against the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles.

That is, until relievers Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson imploded in horrific fashion during a cover-your-eyes collapse that turned a three-run lead into a 5-3 loss. Homers by Pat Valaika, Pedro Severino and Anthony Santander sparked the Orioles’ comeback and left Doolittle searching for answers.

“I should be able to get through an inning and it just hasn’t come together. I feel terrible. I’m letting the team down. I want to help. I want to be a part of that group,” said Doolittle, who now sports a 18.00 earned run average in four appearances this season. The loss drops the Nationals to 4-7 on this season, which is troublesome because they have yet to play a game away from Nats Park.

31Jul

Hot bats pace ‘visiting’ Nats in win over Blue Jays

In baseball, blog, photos by b murf / July 31, 2020 / No Comments

The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the defending World Series champions, the Washington Nationals, during an early-season matchup at Nationals Park. If that sentences baffles you, you’re not alone. Welcome to life during a pandemic.

Thanks to COVID-19, the Blue Jays are unable to play games at their Toronto stadium. While the long-term plan for the abbreviated 2020 season involves playing at a Triple-A ballpark in Buffalo, the Blue Jays had to settle for a few empty ballpark home games in D.C. in the interim.

Outfielder Michael A. Taylor’s second home run of the season and a two-run double by catcher Kurt Suzuki helped Washington pick up consecutive wins for the first time this season. Relief pitcher Ryne Harper got five outs in the 6-4 win and closer Daniel Hudson notched his first save.

10Mar

Skillet at The Fillmore

In blog, concerts, photos by b murf / March 10, 2020 / No Comments

With anthems such as “You Ain’t Ready,” “Rise Up” and “Victorious,” it’s clear that everything Skillet does is epic. And that fact isn’t limited to their most recent album, which is also named “Victorious,” as anyone who has ever attended one of their concerts can attest to.

It’s no wonder why World Wrestling Entertainment showcases the band’s smash hit, “Legendary,” as the theme song for its flagship program, Monday Night Raw. Everything about the band’s sound commands your attention and demands your respect.

For those who aren’t familiar with their body of work, Skillet has released ten albums, with two — Collide and Comatose — earning Grammy nominations. Needless to say, by this point in their musical journey, singer John Cooper, guitarist Korey Cooper, drummer Jen Ledger and guitarist Seth Morrison are a well-oiled machine.

All four members have incredible stage presence and really know how to captivate an audience, which was readily apparent on this night at The Fillmore, in Silver Spring, Maryland. This might have been my first time experiencing Skillet live, but it absolutely won’t be the last.

09Mar

From Ashes to New at The Fillmore

In blog, concerts, photos by b murf / March 9, 2020 / No Comments

While members have come and gone since the band formed in 2013, one thing has remained consistent for From Ashes to New — their hard rock sound has always been raw and genuine.

When From Ashes to New came to town this time around, they were led by frontman Matt Brandyberry, along with vocalist Danny Case, guitarist Lance Dowdle and drummer Mat Madiro. While these four guys have only been together since 2017, they’ve clearly developed a bond that translates on stage.

With an abundance of energy and an infectious sound, the band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, made the absolute most of its 45-minute set. By the time they played their final song of the night, From Ashes to New had accomplished exactly what they set out to do — made sure everyone in attendance knew their name.

05Mar

Tom Wilson beats up Flyers, who beatdown Caps

In blog, hockey, photos by b murf / March 5, 2020 / No Comments

Philadelphia prides itself on toughness. So much so, they actually built a statue of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa.

While the “City of Brotherly Love” is busy fawning over make-believe pugilists, Capitals forward Tom Wilson has made a name for himself as a real-life tough guy — kicking ass and taking names (and winning the Stanley Cup, for good measure) during his seven seasons in Washington.

For reasons that will likely forever remain unclear, forward Nate Thompson and defenseman Robert Hagg each thought it was a good idea to drop the gloves against Wilson on this night. Harkening back to the days of Mike Tyson in his prime, Wilson dropped both would-be challengers with relative ease.

Unfortunately, the rest of the roster was unable to rise to the occasion in similar fashion, and the Capitals fell to the Flyers, 5-2.

16Feb

Like Thanos, Defenders annihilate Guardians

In blog, football, photos by b murf / February 16, 2020 / No Comments

Because everything went about as well as possible for the D.C. Defenders in their season opening victory over the Seattle Dragons, it would be reasonable to expect a bit of a letdown in their follow-up act.

It’s safe to say that didn’t happen.

If the Defenders were good in their first game of the season, they were great in their second act — systematically destroying the New York Guardians, 27-0, to record their first shutout in XFL history.

New York was held to a paltry 137 total net yards on the day, as a swarming Defenders defense led the way with three sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown for the second-straight week.

On the other side of the ball, quarterback Cardale Jones threw for 264 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a 90.4 quarterback rating. The Defenders, along with the Houston Roughnecks, remain perfect on the season as the now hit the road for consecutive games in Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.

09Feb

Defenders leave Jim Zorn seeing maroon and black once again

In blog, football, photos by b murf / February 9, 2020 / No Comments

No one really knows what to expect now that the XFL has returned after a 19-year hiatus. Is it doomed to fail from the gimmicks and poor quality of play that plagued the initial incarnation nearly two decades ago? Or has Vince McMahon learned from his previous mistakes and put together a sustainable football league that is capable of sticking around?

While it would be foolish to rush to any snap judgments after one weekend of play, it’s safe to say that the inaugural weekend of XFL football in our nation’s capital went about as well as could reasonably be expected.

Not only did the D.C. Defenders win their opening game of the 2020 season, but they did so in impressive fashion — scoring a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in a 31-19 victory over Jim Zorn and the Seattle Dragons.

Head coach Pep Hamilton, quarterback Cardale Jones and the rest of the Defenders made a strong first impression in front of more than 17,000 fans at Audi Field. Now, the question remains: what can this team do for an encore?

HomerMcFanboy background image
0