Mark Zuckerman

No drama: Nationals are 2016 NL East champs

September 24, 2016, 6:33pm

PITTSBURGH - The 2016 Nationals won the National League East without drama, without wild pendulum swings, without the kind of indelible memories (both good and bad) that so often define championship seasons. No, this was a methodical march to a division title by a ballclub that simply was very good throughout and wore down its opponents along the way. And now, at last, these guys can celebrate their achievement. The Nationals officially clinched the NL East crown tonight, beating the Pirates...

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Is tonight the night? (Nationals win, Mets losing)

September 24, 2016, 4:23pm

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals are trying to take care of business early tonight. So are the Phillies. And that could result in a very satisfying conclusion to the evening for everybody dressed in red at PNC Park. The Nats burst out of the gates, scoring three runs in the top of the first to take a quick lead on the Pirates. Meanwhile in New York, the Phillies scored five runs in the top of the first and then added another in the top of the second, opening up a commanding 6-0 lead on the Mets. Josh...

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Sunday's starter could depend on tonight's outcome

September 24, 2016, 2:10pm

Nationals

Sunday's starter could depend on tonight's outcome

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals will hold off naming Sunday's starting pitcher until after tonight's game, a decision that could hinge on whether or not they pop any champagne corks in the clubhouse later this evening. If the Nationals clinch the NL East title tonight - their magic number remains two entering the game - manager Dusty Baker probably will rest most of his regulars in Sunday's series finale against the Pirates. That would likely leave a rookie taking the mound: A.J. Cole, or perhaps...

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Game 154 lineups: Nats at Pirates

September 24, 2016, 11:15am

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - It has cooled off considerably here in the last 24 hours. It was actually pretty warm and muggy yesterday, but now it's cool and breezy. It almost feels like, you know, fall. Which, of course, it now is. It also feels like the kind of weather you associate with postseason baseball. So perhaps tonight is the night the Nationals officially ensure they'll be part of the postseason. The magic number to clinch the National League East remains two - they did technically clinch a tie...

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More on Petit, Gonzalez, Harper and Zimmerman

September 24, 2016, 6:10am

Nationals

More on Petit, Gonzalez, Harper and Zimmerman

PITTSBURGH - The primary focus of last night's game was on the bottom of the ninth, when Mark Melancon blew his first save with the Nationals on Sean Rodriguez's two-out double past a possibly mis-positioned Trea Turner in center field. But there was a lot more to the Nats' 6-5 11-inning loss than that, so let's recap some other important (or mildly interesting) developments ... * We'll start with the end of the game, which saw Yusmeiro Petit give up the winning run on a bases-loaded...

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Ninth-inning gaffe leaves Nationals waiting another day

September 23, 2016, 9:06pm

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - The plastic curtains were taped up high above the lockers inside the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park, even after the Nationals suffered a gut punch of a 6-5 11-inning loss to the Pirates tonight, even after the Mets had earlier beaten the Phillies in convincing fashion to prevent any possibility of a celebration here. The clubhouse crew, however, went through the trouble to get the room ready. Might as well keep the plastic up in case it's needed Saturday night. Or maybe even...

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Melancon blows first save, Nats clincher put on hold

September 23, 2016, 7:46pm

Nationals

Melancon blows first save, Nats clincher put on hold

PITTSBURGH - The National League East lead has come surprisingly easily to the Nationals, who after a brief, four-day stint in early May have held a firm grasp on first place in the division every single moment since. The actual clinching of that title? That is requiring a bit more work and patience than hoped. Two things needed to happen tonight for the Nationals to pop the champagne corks. Neither happened. The Nats were in position to do their part, up a run with two outs in the bottom of...

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Baker wants players to fully celebrate clincher (Nats lose 6-5 in 11)

September 23, 2016, 4:14pm

Nationals

Baker wants players to fully celebrate clincher (Nats lose 6-5 in 11)

PITTSBURGH - They weren't obvious to the naked eye, but they were there this afternoon, tucked away on the fringes of the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park: boxes of champagne. The Nationals know they'll be popping those things open at some point, perhaps as soon as tonight if they can beat the Pirates and the Phillies can beat the Mets at Citi Field. Yet there weren't many other outward signs of the situation inside the clubhouse before tonight's series opener against Pittsburgh. Guys went...

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Murphy shut down for weekend with buttocks strain

September 23, 2016, 2:16pm

Nationals

Murphy shut down for weekend with buttocks strain

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals are shutting down Daniel Murphy for at least the weekend after an MRI on the MVP candidate's left leg revealed a buttocks strain, manager Dusty Baker said. Murphy hasn't been in the Nationals lineup since Saturday in Atlanta, when he appeared to hurt himself running the bases. He did take two pinch-hit at-bats during this week's series in Miami, but would have been replaced for a pinch-runner had he reached. The Nationals hoped a couple days off would suffice for...

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Game 153 lineups: Nats at Pirates

September 23, 2016, 11:12am

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - Hello from PNC Park, splendid as ever, and the possible site tonight of something special. Not for the home club, which has held a couple of celebrations here the last few years, but for the Nationals, who tonight have a chance to clinch a division title. The Nationals' magic number, as surely you know by now, is two. In order to clinch the National League East crown tonight, they'll need to beat the Pirates and the Mets will need to lose to the Phillies at Citi Field. So, yeah,...

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Nationals have chance to clinch NL East title tonight

September 22, 2016, 6:41pm

Nationals

From the moment they were eliminated from playoff contention 363 days ago, this was the Nationals' primary focus. They reshaped their roster over the winter. They fired one manager, almost hired another, then wound up with yet another in the end. They watched key free agents depart. They made a couple of calculated moves to address those vacancies. They reported to spring training in Viera with a clear goal in mind. They opened the season with an extra-inning win and never really looked back,...

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Time to start watching the Dodgers with a scouting eye

September 20, 2016, 11:27am

Nationals

Time to start watching the Dodgers with a scouting eye

No, the Nationals haven't clinched the National League East title. Yet. The champagne celebration has been pushed back just a bit. But it will happen, probably sometime this weekend in Pittsburgh. Maybe not until early next week when the team comes home to face the Diamondbacks. And so while one eye obviously should be kept on the immediate task at hand, it's OK to start focusing the other eye on the Nationals' likely opponent in the National League Division Series: the Dodgers. (Just be...

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More on Sunday's rain-shortened loss in Atlanta

September 18, 2016, 9:45pm

Nationals

More on Sunday's rain-shortened loss in Atlanta

ATLANTA - A few more thoughts after Sunday's rain-shortened, 6-2 loss to the Braves ... * The Nationals wanted to try to get the entire game in. They weren't pushing for the umps to call it in the seventh inning. But conditions got to the point where Dusty Baker didn't feel comfortable letting his players re-take the field. As the second rain delay dragged on during in the bottom of the seventh, Baker came out from the clubhouse to examine the infield, which the Turner Field grounds crew had...

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Ross sharp, but Nats fall 6-2 to Braves in rain-shortened game

September 18, 2016, 3:09pm

Nationals

Ross sharp, but Nats fall 6-2 to Braves in rain-shortened game

ATLANTA - The Nationals had to be pleased with Joe Ross' return to the mound after a long stint on the disabled list. The rest of the club's performance today against the Braves? Not so much. Ross looked sharp during a planned three-inning start, his first appearance in a big league game since right shoulder inflammation sidelined him in early July. But the bullpen gave up five runs after replacing Ross, and the lineup couldn't manage much at the plate during a 6-2 loss that was called in...

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Baker trying out options in eighth inning (Nationals lose 6-2)

September 18, 2016, 8:34am

Nationals

ATLANTA - The Nationals solved their ninth-inning problem when they acquired Mark Melancon at the trade deadline. But as the regular season reaches its final two weeks, they're still trying to figure out who's going to get through the eighth inning to get the ball to their new closer. Shawn Kelley held a firm grasp on the primary setup role through most of the season, but manager Dusty Baker has tried out some new arms in the last few weeks, with mixed results. Rookie Koda Glover struggled in...

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Game 149 lineups: Nats at Braves

September 18, 2016, 6:54am

Nationals

ATLANTA - You know, the Nationals' final game at Turner Field just wouldn't be complete without the threat of rain. They've sat through far too many delays at this park over the years to remember, so what's one more if it happens today? Hopefully, that won't be the case and the Nationals and Braves can get this game in without any problems. It's actually important from the Nats' standpoint to avoid any delays, because they need Joe Ross to be able to get at least three innings of work in...

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Ross ready to return, hopes to make Nats' postseason rotation

September 17, 2016, 6:56pm

Nationals

Ross ready to return, hopes to make Nats' postseason rotation

ATLANTA - For 2 1/2 months, Joe Ross has watched the rest of the Nationals from afar, wanting to play a role in their march toward a division title but unable to contribute. Inflammation in his right shoulder lingered much longer than anyone initially expected when he was placed on the disabled list July 3. At long last, Ross will get his chance to contribute to the cause. This afternoon, the young right-hander returns to the mound, getting the start for the Nationals in their series finale...

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Nationals try to separate process from results in Gonzalez's loss

September 17, 2016, 2:10pm

Nationals

ATLANTA - Dusty Baker seemed to realize midway through his answer about Gio Gonzalez's ragged start during today's 7-3 loss to the Braves that some on the outside might be rolling their eyes. "He made some good pitches," the Nationals manager insisted. "I mean, you didn't see those balls blooping in there, and stuff? You can't do anything about that. He made his pitch." Baker then paused to make sure he addressed what everyone surely was thinking at that moment. "I'm not just saying...

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Gonzalez roughed up by Braves again during 7-3 loss

September 17, 2016, 12:34pm

Nationals

Gonzalez roughed up by Braves again during 7-3 loss

ATLANTA - Gio Gonzalez can't beat the Braves. Which has to leave the Nationals seriously wondering if they can trust the left-hander to beat a much better opponent in the playoffs. Gonzalez was roughed up yet against by Atlanta this afternoon, lasting just 4 1/3 innings and giving up six runs during the Nationals' 7-3 loss at Turner Field. It was Gonzalez's third start vs. the last-place Braves in the last month, and none of them were encouraging. He allowed a total of 16 runs (15 earned) in...

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Murphy ties club records for hits, doubles (Nationals lose 7-3)

September 17, 2016, 10:20am

Nationals

ATLANTA - Daniel Murphy's remarkable first season with the Nationals is now cementing its place in the club's record book. With a third-inning double this afternoon against the Braves, Murphy tied a pair of Nationals records. His 184 hits have matched Denard Span's total from 2014. And his 47 doubles have matched Ryan Zimmerman's total from 2006. Oh, by the way, there are still 14 more games on the schedule for Murphy to claim both records for himself and then tack on some...