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Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa feels like he might have something going here. With a pair of homers Tuesday night in a 10-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Espinosa now has the team lead and a career-high 10 home runs on the season. Espinosa has hit the three total round trippers in the series against pitchers named Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. And with four
The Nationals have confirmed that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be playing in his first game at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., on Wednesday. Zimmerman continues rehabilitation from abdominal surgery in early May. The original timetable had Zimmerman, who has been sidelined since April 9, returning in mid to late June. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said today that Zimmerman is progressing. "The one thing
Nationals prospect left-hander Sammy Solis pulled off a solid debut for 2011 with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at Kannapolis Intimidators on Monday. Solis went four and 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, three walks and four hits. He allowed only one hit until the fifth inning, giving up three runs and getting a no decision. Solis said the start went well but he ran out of
After battling through a couple of injuries that extended his spring training into late May, Nationals 2010 second-round selection left-hander Sammy Solis is ready to make his season debut today for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at the Kannapolis Intimidators. Solis pitched 5 1/3 innings last week in Viera, Fla., throwing 84 pitches. He anticipates a 90-pitch cap today. "My arm feels strong," Solis said. "Florida
Single-A Potomac Nationals right-handed starter Cameron Selik has already been through a lot in his career, and he is only a 23-year-old. He underwent Tommy John surgery before he earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas. So, you can see how Selik has already had his resiliency tested, and has shown how determined he is to keep pushing towards his goal. Selik started the
Once again, a Nationals starter was cruising along, and once again, the offense had provided a little support. This time, the Nationals got to the ninth inning, hanging on to a 1-0 lead behind a solo homer from Danny Espinosa and masterful pitching from John Lannan. With their closer on the hill, it looked like the Nationals would pull this one out and end their
The Nationals announced after tonight's game that left-hander Tom Gorzelanny has been placed in the 15-day disabled list due to left elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 24. The Nationals did not announce a corresponding roster move. The announcement is expected early Saturday when the player arrives. Gorzelanny was scheduled to start Sunday's afternoon finale against the Padres. Syracuse right-hander Yunesky Maya was
Michael Morse slammed the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth from reliever Mike Adams into the left field bullpen to lift the Nationals to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres before 21,024 at Nationals Park. Morse has now hit a home run in four consecutive games, and the solo shot was the first walk-off winner of his career. Danny Espinosa hit
Second baseman Danny Espinosa crushed a home run to left on a 1-1 pitch off Padres' starter Clayton Richard leading off the bottom of the fifth, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was only the Nationals' third hit off of Richard and the seventh homer on the season for Espinosa, a new career-high. It was the first homer this season for Espinosa with nobody
Nationals southpaw John Lannan did not allow a base runner through three innings Friday night. He set down the Padres in order 1-through-9. Jayson Werth and Roger Bernadina have base hits off of Padres' starter Clayton Richard, but Washington could not score a run. Lannan struck out Chris Denorfia to begin the top of the fourth, and with Jason Bartlett batting, play was stopped. The
Saturday's second game of the series features Nationals right-handed starter Jordan Zimmermann (2-5, 3.98 ERA) against San Diego Padres' right-hander Tim Stauffer (0-3, 3.88). Despite allowing a game-deciding, two-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero in a 2-1 setback at the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, Zimmermann finished with 6 and 1/3-innings allowing only four hits, those two earned runs, one walk and five strikeouts. "The outing was
Nationals starter John Lannan had a 1-2-3 first frame against the San Diego Padres. Lannan is looking to bounce back from a rough outing in Baltimore last weekend. He is trying to end a six-game winless streak (2-5, 5.03 ERA). Lefty Clayton Richard countered with an identical 1-2-3 first inning for San Diego. The Padres ended a five-game skid Wednesday with a 3-1 win over
Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche continues rehabilitation from the torn labrum in his left shoulder and a small tear in his rotator cuff, injuries that landed him on the 15-day disabled list. He hopes to return to the lineup in two to three weeks. But that is a big if. And if you saw him swing in Baltimore last week, even when he connected on
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said he has spoken to Jayson Werth following the right fielder's comments during a postgame interview in Milwaukee earlier in the week. Werth said after the 6-4 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday that "things needed to change" and he had "some ideas." Riggleman said during his pregame meeting with the media Friday that he had a meeting with Werth and
Nationals No. 2 prospect, Sammy Solis, has reported to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Solis has been in extended spring training recovering from various injuries. The 22-year-old lefty will make his first start Monday. He is not on the official roster yet. The Nationals have some time before Solis' Monday start to make that change.
Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was sent to the disabled list this week with a shoulder injury, so the discussion regarding the future for the Nationals at that position is in the spotlight. That attention centers around the development of 22-year-old Chris Marrero. The 6-foot-3, 210 lb., Marrero has once again been handling the bat very well for Triple-A Syracuse, batting .275 with eight doubles,
The Colorado Rockies lost left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a torn ligament in his elbow Tuesday. He will have to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and will be out for at least one year. With starting pitcher Jason Marquis having a very consistent start for the Nationals this season, his stock will not be any higher at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Outfielder Rick Ankiel has been activated from the disabled list. He fills the vacancy created when first baseman Adam LaRoche was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday by the Nationals with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. There had been some speculation about first baseman Chris Marrero, one of the up-and-coming infielders in the Nationals' system, potentially getting the call. Jason Benetti, play-by-play
Here are some updates from Nationals director of player development Doug Harris on a few of the players you have asked for in the comments section. RHP Nathan Karns: Karns, out of Texas Tech, is a 6-foot-5, 230-lb. pitcher currently in Florida for extended spring training. "He's good," Harris said. "He is on a mound progression. He is relatively close to pitching in a ball
The Potomac Nationals' offense is starting to get on a roll, and evidence of that came down this week with outfielder Destin Hood being honored as Batter of the Week in the Single-A Carolina League for the period of May 16-22. In the last seven games, Hood hit .448 (13-for-29) with nine extra-base hits (seven doubles, triple, home run) and 10 RBI. Hood connected on
Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel has joined Double-A Harrisburg Senators on a rehab assignment. Ankiel has been in Viera, Fla., rehabbing a sprained right wrist taking live batting practice. He was placed on the disabled list May 7, retroactive to May 3, and was batting .221 with one homer and seven RBIs in 28 games.
A lot of the starters at Triple-A Syracuse - such as Ross Detwiler, Craig Stammen, Garrett Mock, J.D. Martin and Yunesky Maya - have pitched in front of Nationals' fans. We could see them again soon on 1500 South Capitol St. One question is: Who might be the next starting pitcher that we haven't seen yet get the call to D.C.? How about starting with
BALTIMORE - The Nationals found themselves down Saturday 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning against Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie. Following an Ian Desmond line out, Laynce Nix drew a walk and Jayson Werth smacked a solid single to get men on first and second. Designated hitter Matt Stairs stepped in and had a chance to get Washington back in the game. But Stairs
BALTIMORE, Md. -- The Nationals' clubhouse was loose and relaxed. Guys were chatting up each other, playing cards and some joked around. Hardly the feeling you think you would find from a team that just lost two games in New York without plating a run. Yes, this was before Friday night's offensive explosion at Baltimore. The Nationals scored 17 runs and pounded out 19 hits,
BALTIMORE, Md. - Nationals starter Jason Marquis was the beneficiary of six runs early on from the offense for his second straight start, but this time he was not around long enough to factor into the decision. It was the first no decision for Marquis since way back on April 10. Marquis managed to get through the first two frames unscathed, but the Orioles scored
BALTIMORE - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo offered updates on injured players Ryan Zimmerman and Rick Ankiel during batting practice prior to Friday's interleague opener at Baltimore. Zimmerman is rehabilitating from abdominal surgery in early May. Rizzo said it is likely Zimmerman will leave for Florida in about one week, when the team returns from this extended road trip, which ends May 25 at Milwaukee.
It has been an incredible start to the professional career of Single-A Hagerstown Suns left-hander Robbie Ray. Heading into tonight's game at Greensboro, Ray has not allowed a run in 11 innings over two games. He has struck out 13 batters and walked just one. Opposing hitters mustered just one hit in his debut and only two hits in his second start on May 14.
Blake Kelso is off to a great start to his season on a very talented first place Single-A Hagerstown Suns ball club. The talented third baseman has been leading off for manager Brian Daubach, and with good reason. Kelso is batting .358 through 38 games with 10 doubles, a homer and 22 RBIs. His on-base percentage is .411 and he has 12 walks and stolen
Nationals left-handed pitching prospect Sammy Solis has fully recovered from a couple of injuries and is ready for what is expected to be his final start in extended spring training in Florida. Solis first injured his quadriceps running late in spring training. Then, he suffered a groin strain that the team's medical staff originally thought might have been a hernia. "It turned out it was
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Single-A Hagerstown Suns right fielder Bryce Harper slapped a double down the right field line and scored a run in the fifth inning of a 4-3 victory over Kannapolis on Wednesday at Municipal Stadium. Harper finished 1-3 with the double, a strikeout and a lineout to left field. His average stays at .366. With the base hit, Harper erased an 0-for-11 stretch.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - David Freitas collected three hits and three RBIs as the Hagerstown Suns held off the Kannapolis Intimidators 4-3 to complete Tuesday's suspended game at Municipal Stadium. Wade Moore bowled over Kannapolis catcher Mike Blanke at home plate in the seventh inning, knocking the ball loose and scoring what turned into the winning run, putting the Suns ahead, 4-2. Bryce Harper smacked a
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Suns outfielder Bryce Harper">Bryce Harper laced a double down the right field line in the fifth inning and then scored on a double by first baseman David Freitas, giving Hagerstown a 3-2 lead over Kannapolis. Hagerstown now leads Kannapolis 4-2 through seven frames. Getting his fourth at-bat in the seventh inning, Harper was intentionally walked and stranded at second. Harper is 1-for-3
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Hagerstown Suns right fielder Bryce Harper has struck out and lined to left field through three innings versus the Kannapolis Intimidators at Municipal Stadium. Today's first game is a completion of the rain-suspended game Tuesday. Harper has now gone without a hit in his last 11 at-bats. He has reached base in 24 straight games and is looking to maintain that streak
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - I'm out in Hagerstown this afternoon, as the Suns will play two games today. The first game will be the conclusion of yesterday's suspended game. Kannapolis leads 2-1 heading to the bottom of the third. Bryce Harper will bat third in this inning. He struck out his first at-bat yesterday. Harper has gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats following an 18-game
The Washington Nationals have made a couple of moves worth noting that affect the Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse rosters. Outfielder Jesus Valdez and right-hander Ryan Mattheus have been promoted to Syracuse. Mattheus had a strong run of nine consecutive games without allowing an unearned run snapped May 12 at Richmond. His record is still impressive at 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA as a reliever
Nationals' left-hander John Lannan fought through Monday night's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates when everything wasn't clicking like he had hoped. He was giving up base hits. His fastball wasn't locating, ending up high in the zone. The Pirates had chances to blow the game open early. "I felt good but I was just up," Lannan said. "I told myself to take a deep breath
Playing the percentages, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle pulled starting left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 2-2 game. Hurdle brought in right-handed reliever Jose Ascanio to face Nationals switch-hitting second baseman Danny Espinosa, who has had only three hits in his last nine games and was 0-for-2 Monday night. Danny Espinosa talks about his strong at-bats in the Nationals'
Danny Espinosa welcomed Pirates relief pitcher Jose Ascanio to Nationals Park Monday night with a two-run blast deep into the right field bullpen, lifting the Washington Nationals to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 21,960. Nationals starter John Lannan struggled throwing strikes early on, but settled down to go 6 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits, allowing only two runs with four walks and
Double-A Harrisburg Right-hander Brad Peacock was named Player of the Week in the Eastern League for May 9-15 after a scintillating performance at the Richmond Squirrels Friday night. Peacock threw seven innings, scattering five hits, allowing one earned run with one walk and a career-high 14 strikeouts. Peacock said he had never struck out more than 10 hitters in the past. "I am pretty sure
Single-A Hagerstown Suns prospect Randolph Oduber has remained very consistent through the first seven weeks of the season, appearing as the designated hitter or in the outfield on a stocked roster. The "Groovin' Aruban", as fans and broadcasters like to call him, burst on the scene last year with an eye-opening .366 average in 39 games in the Gulf Coast League in 2010, crushing four
Double-A Harrisburg Senators right-hander Brad Peacock had one of those gem outings Friday night. Peacock shut down the Richmond Squirrels, going seven innings, scattering five hits, allowing one run and striking out 14 batters in a 5-2 victory. A Miami, Fla., native, Peacock struck out at least one batter in every inning. He struck out the final five batters he faced in the sixth and
Cole Kimball got the call late Friday. He didn't sleep all night and caught an early flight to Washington. At 3:24 p.m., Kimball threw his first major league pitch, a 92 mph fastball for a called strike, against Marlins cleanup hitter Gaby Sanchez. He struck out Sanchez on four pitches. Logan Morrison lined out to second base and Mike Stanton walked. Kimball then got Greg
Right-hander Tanner Roark has been called up from extended spring training to join Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Pitcher Erik Davis has been placed on the disabled list. Davis reportedly tweaked his knee last week and it is not considered a serious injury. Roark was 1-1 with 2.50 ERA in six starts with 33 strikeouts in 2010 with the Senators. The Washington Nationals have also announced that
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond is creating havoc for opposing pitchers on the base paths. Despite a left quad injury that sidelined him Saturday, Desmond has stolen 13 bases, tied for the top spot in the National League. Third base coach Bo Porter, who stole 236 bases in the minor leagues and was an All-Big 10 defensive back for the Iowa Hawkeyes, says Desmond is good
Marlins second baseman Omar Infante somehow avoided a tag attempt by Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos in the 11th inning, scoring the eventual winning run in a 6-5 thriller Friday night at Nationals Park. Infante raced from first base on Greg Dobbs' double down the right-field line. With Infante arriving at home plate before the ball, Ramos tried - to no avail - to tag Infante,
The Florida Marlins edged the Washington Nationals 6-5 on an RBI double by Greg Dobbs in the 11th inning before 19,503 at Nationals Park on Friday night. With one out in the 11th, Omar Infante singled off Nationals reliever Brian Broderick (0-1). Dobbs' one-out hit down the right-field line scored Infante, who reached his right hand around the tag of catcher Wilson Ramos and was
Normally, going for a light run is not big news. Unless, of course, you are an All-Star third baseman and the face of the franchise, recovering from abdominal surgery, it becomes a much bigger deal. Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went jogging today and he said his abdominal muscles "felt OK," 10 days out from surgery. Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list April12a
Single-A right-hander A.J. Cole makes his second start for the Hagerstown Suns tonight at Lakewood, looking to build off of his season debut last week. Cole went 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with one homer on May 7 versus Lexington. The righty walked two batters and struck out three. "I felt pretty good," Cole said. "I could have done a
Advanced Single-A Potomac Nationals righthander Paul Demny finally got credit for his outstanding pitching in a game where he gave up four runs. But a win is a win, and his resume from the first seven weeks has been an impressive one. The East Bernard, Texas, native went six innings and allowed four runs on two homers with six strikeouts and two walks in a
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Suns right fielder Bryce Harper extended his hitting streak to 14 games Tuesday with two hits in his final two at-bats of Single-A Hagerstown's 7-3 win over Delmarva. Suns manager Brian Daubach has noticed a trend on how opponents are trying to go after the No. 1 prospect. "It seems like he is facing a lot of lefties," Daubach said. "A lot
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Right fielder Bryce Harper extended his hit streak to 14 games with two hits, including an RBI single to left in the fifth inning, as the Single-A Suns downed the Delmarva Shorebirds 7-3 before 1,808 on school day at Municipal Stadium. Harper also had a single to right in the eighth. He flew out to center field in his first at-bat and
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Hagerstown Suns right fielder Bryce Harper slapped a clean single to left in the bottom of the fifth inning that scored Adrian Sanchez from second and gave the Single-A Suns a 7-3 lead over Delmarva. Harper was gunned down trying to stretch the single to a double, but it did allow the run to score. Harper now has a 14-game hit streak
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Single-A Delmarva scored two runs off of Suns starter Bobby Hansen in the second frame. Michael Flacco, younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, smacked an RBI double and Dudley Leonara added a run-scoring hit two batters later to give the Shorebirds a 2-0 lead. The Suns rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second. Michael Taylor drove in a
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Single-A Hagerstown Suns right fielder Bryce Harper made a nice over-the-shoulder running catch to rob the Shorebirds' Jonathan Schoop of extra bases in the top of the first inning in a morning affair from Municipal Stadium. In the bottom of the first with one out and a man on first, Harper swung on the first pitch pitch from Delmarva right-hander Luis Noel
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Game under way, Bryce Harper batting third, lineups are in on a pleasant morning start at Municipal Stadium. Delmarva (20-11) Planeta CF Hornback LF Schoop SS Schutz RF Flacco 1B Ohlman DH Dalles C Gaylord 3B Leonara 2B RH Luis Noel (2-2, 4.75 ERA) Hagerstown (20-11) Blake Kelso 3B Adrian Sanchez 2B Bryce Harper RF David Freitas DH Jason Martinson SS Wade
Good news from the offensive side of the ball in the minor leagues as outfielders Archie Gilbert and Bryce Harper have been named Player of the Week in their respective leagues for the week of May 2-8. This is the first such honor in Single-A Hagerstown for Harper, who was the 2010 Golden Spikes Award winner for best amateur player in the country. Gilbert is
Here is a good rundown of some of the pitchers in the Nationals system to get your week off to good start. I had a chance to catch up with Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams, who is (always!) on the road checking in with and checking out Nationals prospects and just got back from Florida, Single-A Potomac and the Dominican Republic. Williams had an update
It has been a very good start for former George Washington pitcher Pat Lehman with the Single-A Potomac Nationals. The 6-foot-3, 210 lb., right-hander from Fair Lawn, N.J., is transitioning well to the back end of the bullpen in the first month and a half of the season. "Things are going pretty well," Lehman said. "It is a new role for me. Back at GW,
Following Friday's game, the Nationals placed center fielder Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 3, with a right wrist sprain. Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs outfielder Roger Bernadina is likely to be recalled to take Ankiel's place on the roster. Ankiel has a .302 on-base percentage with four doubles, one home run, seven RBIs and 12 walks in 28 games with the Nationals.
The Washington Nationals got out of a two men on, nobody out situation in the 10th inning to survive the Marlins, 3-2 in a thrilling extra-inning affair at Sun Life Stadium, snapping their losing streak at three. The Nationals are now 4-1 in extra innings this season. The game was tied 2-2 from the sixth inning on. With one out in the 10th, Jayson Werth
Update: The game headed to extra innings, but it didn't take long for the Nationals to respond. With runners on second and third in the top of the 10th, Adam LaRoche hit a sacrifice fly to center field, good enough to score Jayson Werth from third. The run would be enough for Drew Storen and Sean Burnett, who took care of the Marlins in the
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco has five strikeouts through two innings but somehow the Nationals got something going in the second. After two outs, Pudge got a base hit. Jerry Hairston followed with a double that scored Pudge. Ian Desmond then struck out swinging to end the inning. Nolasco struck out the side and had five strikeouts through two frames. The Nationals led 1-0 heading to
Nationals high draft picks A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray have been promoted to the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Cole starts Saturday and replaces Cameron Selik who was promoted to high Single-A Potomac. "They are both throwing very well in extended (spring training)," Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams said. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to pitch under the lights." Ray will start Monday for
The Washington Nationals continue to reward their outstanding young pitchers in the farm system. Yesterday, Cameron Selik was promoted to the advanced Single-A Potomac Nationals after an outstanding first month with low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. On Thursday, righthander Brad Meyers got the call to head to Triple-A Syracuse from Double-A Harrisburg. The club really loves Selik's competitiveness on the mound and his overall command of
The Washington Nationals have announced that right-handed starter Cameron Selik has been promoted to Single-A Potomac after an almost perfect month of April on the mound for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Selik is 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA in five starts. He allowed his first run of the season in his last start Saturday at the Rome Braves, which snapped an astounding 37.0 consecutive scoreless
Single-A Potomac Nationals center fielder Eury Perez will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans after being placed on the disabled list with a rib injury. Perez played in only nine games this season before getting hurt. He is batting .222 with seven stolen bases in 36 at-bats. In his last game April 18, at Frederick, Perez went 3-for-4. He does a
Sometimes you need a little encouragement from your teammate. Someone else who is going through the same battle you are, someone else who struggled like you did and then came through. Such was the scenario for Nationals teammates Michael Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr., Monday night as they took on San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Both Morse and Hairston had been unable to notch
Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder Bryce Harper - perhaps you have heard of him - continues to scorch South Atlantic League pitching. His last 10 games have been ridiculous. Since April 21, Harper is hitting .500 (16-for-32) with six doubles, five homers and 13 RBIs. During this recent run, Harper's slugging percentage is 1.156 and his on-base percentage is .600. Overall, Harper is now batting .355
Single-A Potomac Nationals first baseman Justin Bloxom has been activated today and will start tonight in Woodbridge. Bloxom has been out since the beginning of the season with knee weakness related to a previous surgery. The 6-foot-1, 205 lb. first baseman hit .309 with 11 homers and 70 RBI in 2010 with the Hagerstown Suns. His season was cut short last year due to the
The Washington Nationals put Laynce Nix in the clean-up spot Sunday. Nix has had a pretty good start of the season at the plate in an utility role. Nix is batting .314 with three homers and nine RBIs. He hit a home run off of Tim Lincecum to start the series against the San Francisco Giants, and is an impressive 5-for-12 with runners in scoring
