Mark Zuckerman

Will time missed cost Soto shot at NL MVP?

September 23, 2020, 9:47pm

The Nationals have never had a batting champion since arriving in D.C. in 2005. They've had one player lead the National League in OPS. With four days to go in the 2020 season, they might just wind up with their first player who did both. Thanks to a strong couple of games to wrap up their just-completed series with the Phillies, Juan Soto heads into the season's final series against the Mets leading the NL in a host of offensive categories. Soto is batting .352, tops in the NL. His.486...

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Blowout loss to Phillies, Giants win eliminate Nats (updated)

September 23, 2020, 4:54pm

Nationals

Blowout loss to Phillies, Giants win eliminate Nats (updated)

Nobody has repeated as World Series champions in two decades. Suffice it to say, it's a huge challenge trying to go back-to-back under normal circumstances. And the 2020 season has been the most abnormal season of our lives. We've accepted for some time the Nationals would not be repeating this year. Injuries, poor performances, a lack of depth and the understandable diminished motivation that was part of this season all came together to produce a disappointing, losing record. Yet when they...

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Kieboom's disappointing season ends with stint on IL

September 23, 2020, 2:26pm

Nationals

Kieboom's disappointing season ends with stint on IL

Despite hopes of a return before the season ends Sunday, Carter Kieboom's hand injury proved too severe to take the chance, so the Nationals placed their rookie third baseman on the 10-day injured list this afternoon. Kieboom officially has a left wrist contusion after getting hit by a pitch from Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler during the sixth inning Monday night at Nationals Park. X-rays were negative, showing no fracture, but Kieboom's hand was swollen and he immediately departed the...

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Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)

September 23, 2020, 11:11am

Nationals

Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)

The Nationals opened this bizarre season 0-6 against the Phillies. Who'd have thought they'd have a chance to finish 4-6 against their division rivals? A win tonight would complete a four-game sweep, deal Philadelphia another blow to its postseason chances and keep the Nats' minuscule chances alive for another day. A loss tonight doesn't automatically eliminate the Nationals. One of the Cardinals, Brewers or Giants would also need to win, raising their season win total to 28 (which the Nats...

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More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep

September 22, 2020, 9:53pm

Nationals

More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep

Some more things to ponder after a long, wild, ultimately successful Tuesday afternoon and evening at the ballpark ... * Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez's walk-off homer won it for the Nationals, but some unheralded bullpen work earlier made it possible in the first place. Even though he got a complete game from Austin Voth in the doubleheader opener, manager Davey Martinez said he was working with a depleted relief corps in the nightcap. Will Harris was unavailable after pitching Sunday and Monday. Kyle...

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HernÃ¡ndez's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)

September 22, 2020, 5:32pm

Nationals

HernÃ¡ndez's first career homer keeps the Nats alive (updated)

When he was sent down Friday, hitless in seven at-bats, Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez couldn't help but wonder if he had just blown his first and only chance in the big leagues. His first call-up didn't come until he was nearly 33. Would he even get a second one? "A lot of bad things ran through my head in that moment," the rookie outfielder said tonight, Octavio Martinez interpreting for him in a Zoom session with reporters. "Frustrated. And I felt like moreso I kept reflecting and telling myself:...

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Game 55 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

September 22, 2020, 1:46pm

Nationals

Well, the Nationals remain mathematically alive. They've won three in a row, including the first two in this series against the Phillies, and they'll try to pull off a doubleheader sweep here tonight and keep that dim flame from burning out. After Austin Voth tossed the first complete game of his career this afternoon, the Nats bullpen is as fresh as it could be. Which means they may not need to rely on too much out of Paolo Espino, who makes his first major league start since 2017. The...

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What would it take for the Nationals to pull off a miracle?

September 21, 2020, 9:21pm

Nationals

If you're one of those who likes to cling to faint hopes and won't concede anything until it's 100 percent guaranteed, you're in luck. Because the Nationals, despite their ridiculously long odds, are still mathematically alive in the National League pennant race. And pretty much everything they needed to happen Monday night around the league actually happened. The evening began with the Nats having no more margin for error. Their tragic number to be eliminated from contention was two, with...

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Nationals top Phillies, avoid elimination (updated)

September 21, 2020, 5:52pm

Nationals

The Nationals took the field tonight knowing it could be the last time they do so this season for an officially meaningful game. Though they've privately conceded they aren't going to the playoffs for some time now, there was a chance they could actually be eliminated tonight, if they lost to the Phillies and the Reds beat the Brewers. Cincinnati did its part. But the Nationals did theirs, beating the Phillies 5-1 and surviving for at least one more day. Behind five effective (if elongated)...

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Barrett, Bourque placed on IL; HernÃ¡ndez, Espino join roster

September 21, 2020, 12:09pm

Nationals

Barrett, Bourque placed on IL; HernÃ¡ndez, Espino join roster

Aaron Barrett's latest return to the Nationals bullpen came to an abrupt halt due to another injury. And James Bourque's first opportunity to pitch regularly in the big leagues has also been cut short due to injury. Barrett, who made national headlines last season when he pitched in the majors three years after breaking his arm while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 10-day injured list today with a right triceps strain, one of a flurry of transactions announced by the...

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Game 53 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

September 21, 2020, 10:53am

Nationals

We have reached the final week of a most unusual regular season. Around these parts, that usually means a pennant race, a potential clincher for the Nationals and maybe a few days to rest guys up for the postseason. Not in 2020. Though the Nats are technically still alive, practically speaking they're done. Their elimination number, if you're wondering, is currently three, so the earliest they could be officially knocked out is Tuesday. (Update: It turns out they actually could be eliminated...

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Nationals survive trying, joyless road portion of season

September 20, 2020, 7:08pm

Nationals

Eric Thames, only minutes removed from dropping the throw that sent the Nationals to an agonizing, 2-1 loss to the Marlins in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader, was asked during his Zoom session with reporters how high the frustration level has become on the majors' most disappointing team of 2020. His answer, which grew more and more exasperated with each sentence, revealed a lot more than that. "It's very frustrating living life as it is now," Thames said. "It's not just on-the-field...

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Defense does in Scherzer in latest agonizing loss (updated)

September 20, 2020, 11:47am

Nationals

Defense does in Scherzer in latest agonizing loss (updated)

If this wasn't the epitome of the Nationals' 2020 season, it's tough to imagine a sequence that could define this agonizing campaign any better. Max Scherzer on the mound, his pitch count well into triple digits. The Marlins threatening to take a late lead. Manager Davey Martinez trusting his ace to get out of the jam over anyone out of his bullpen. And then a defensive miscue costing Scherzer and his team the game. Despite thinking for a split-second he had escaped a bases-loaded jam with a...

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Gomes catching Scherzer, Kendrick trying to make it back

September 20, 2020, 8:30am

Nationals

Gomes catching Scherzer, Kendrick trying to make it back

Some quick-hit news and notes before the Nationals take the field in Miami for the start of today's doubleheader against the Marlins ... * Yan Gomes is behind the plate for the opener, a bit of a surprise because Max Scherzer is on the mound. Scherzer typically pairs up with Kurt Suzuki; in fact, Suzuki caught all 10 of his previous starts this season. "Just wanted to change it up," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "I talked to Max and Yan before...

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Game 51 lineups: Nats at Marlins

September 20, 2020, 7:23am

Nationals

OK, it's time for the second of three doubleheaders the Nationals have scheduled in a five-day span. Slowly but surely, they're getting through this rough stretch and approaching the finish line of a difficult season. Davey Martinez decided to have Max Scherzer start this afternoon's opener in Miami, thinking he can hopefully get six or even seven innings out of his ace and save his entire bullpen for the nightcap, in which Ben Braymer will start but several relievers will be needed....

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With no minor leagues, Cavalli made most of alternate camp

September 19, 2020, 8:41pm

Nationals

With no minor leagues, Cavalli made most of alternate camp

Cade Cavalli could justifiably look at the summer of 2020 and be bitter he missed out on his first season of professional baseball. With no minor leagues and no opponents to face, the Nationals' first-round pick could only spend the last two months working out every single day at the club's alternate training site in Fredericksburg, pitching simulated games to the same group of hitters over and over and over. You'll hear no such complaints from Cavalli. If anything, you'll hear nothing but...

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Familiar record, unfamiliar season result for Nats (updated)

September 19, 2020, 5:17pm

Nationals

Familiar record, unfamiliar season result for Nats (updated)

It's impossible to look at the Nationals' record following tonight's 7-3 loss in Miami and not feel something. Yes, they're now 19-31. That might make you laugh. It might make you cry. It might make you roll your eyes and wonder if the baseball gods have some kind of perverse sense of humor. "Just so you know," Davey Martinez interjected tonight in his postgame Zoom session with reporters, "I really don't like that number. It worked out last year, but I'd rather be 31-19." Fair...

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Freeman had elbow surgery, ElÃas pitching in Fredericksburg

September 19, 2020, 1:03pm

Nationals

Freeman had elbow surgery, ElÃas pitching in Fredericksburg

Sam Freeman, one of the early bright spots in the Nationals bullpen during this unusual season, had Tommy John surgery one month ago, manager Davey Martinez confirmed today. Freeman last pitched Aug. 12 in New York, when he motioned for a trainer after feeling a "pop" in his left elbow. He was immediately removed from the game, and though the club's initial diagnosis was a flexor strain in his forearm, Martinez admitted at the time he was worried the injury was more serious. It was. An MRI...

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Game 50 lineups: Nats at Marlins

September 19, 2020, 12:41pm

Nationals

Well, if you're a fan of symmetry and symbolism, tonight's game is really important for the Nationals. To lose, not to win. Because if they lose, their season record will be 19-31. Yep, same as it was after 50 games last season. The difference, of course, is that one year ago they had 112 games to turn everything around and this year they have 10 games. So the chance of this 19-31 start producing the same result as the last 19-31 start are nearly impossible. Let the record show, these...

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Fedde dazzles, lineup takes down SÃ¡nchez in 5-0 win (updated)

September 18, 2020, 3:26pm

Nationals

Fedde dazzles, lineup takes down SÃ¡nchez in 5-0 win (updated)

If there's a primary goal for the Nationals during this final stretch of a disappointing season - beyond a miracle rally to reach the playoffs, of course - it's to leave 2020 with a positive impression of anyone who has a chance to hold a prominent role in 2021. Someone like Erick Fedde, who hasn't been able to make the most of his opportunity to stick in a depleted Nats rotation but might have one last chance to make his case in his final two starts of the year. And what Fedde showed this...