All posts in photos

14Sep

Defense dominates as Washington rallies to stun Eagles

“We play for each other. It’s about us as a team. Eleven guys doing one thing at a time, not one trying to do 11. Do your job to the best of your abilities and we win.”

Head coach Ron Rivera delivered these words to his players as they prepared to take the field for their season opener. We know that thanks to the wonderful Amazon Prime “All or Nothing” series, which followed Rivera’s Carolina Panthers during the 2018 season. While it was a different team during a different year, it shows viewers the mindset Rivera wants to establish with his teams.

Washington clearly hasn’t performed on a level anywhere comparable to the Philadelphia Eagles over the last decade or so, but if all eleven guys are doing their part and playing for each other, the results will be there. Believe in your teammates and believe in the system. Sounds simple, right? But what happens when you find yourself down by three scores before halftime? Will the players stick to the plan? Or will the same selfish and self-destructive tendencies that have doomed this franchise for decades begin to surface?

That’s what was so enjoyable about Sunday’s come-from-behind victory in the season opener — while they started the game looking very much like the same, old NFC East doormat for most of the first half, Washington refused to revert back to their typical lowest common denominator. This isn’t Jay Gruden’s football team. Greg Manusky isn’t walking through those doors to hold back these players. We have no clue how Rivera will be remember once his days in D.C. are over, but this was a wonderfully perfect debut for the 58-year-old.

Eight sacks by seven different players. Franchise records set. First win in a home opener since 2014. And a respectable showing against a franchise that has dominated Washington for far too long. This wasn’t a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, but eleven players clearly did the job to the best of their abilities, and they won.

23Aug

Marlins earn first ‘home’ win of the season at Nats Park

When Sixto Sanchez dreamed of winning his first home game, it’s safe to say this wasn’t how he envisioned it playing out. The highly-touted youngster won his major league debut in an empty ballpark nowhere near Miami to split a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, 5-3.

Thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in 17 Marlins players being sidelined, an early-season matchup between these two teams was called off. A month later, Major League Baseball rescheduled the game as a doubleheader in Washington, with the Marlins labeled the home team during the nightcap.

Home runs by catcher Yan Gomes and outfielder Victor Robles were not enough to keep Washington from falling to 10-14 on the season.

23Aug

Mad Max muzzles Miami Marlins

Pitcher Max Scherzer wasn’t at his best — allowing four fifth-inning runs — but the three-time Cy Young Award winner was good enough to earn his second victory of the season.

Once Scherzer’s day was done, Kyle Finnegan, Tanner Rainey and Daniel Hudson retired seven straight batters to halt Miami’s potential rally and secure a 5-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader.

09Aug

Nationals left reeling after Baltimore bullies bullpen

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

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

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

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.

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