Byron Kerr

Murphy confirms left hamstring "soreness," Baker says "day-to-day"

July 15, 2016, 7:03pm

Nationals first baseman Daniel Murphy was in the original lineup a few hours prior to Friday's opener against the Pirates. But about an hour before first pitch, the veteran was scratched due to "general leg soreness." Clint Robinson was inserted in the lineup, batting eighth and replacing Murphy. "Murph told me before BP, 'Stay ready, might be in there,' " Robinson said. "(Bench coach) Chris Speier told me during BP that I was in there. That's really all there was to it." The...

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Strasburg goes to 13-0 with eight strong in win over Pirates

July 15, 2016, 5:51pm

Nationals

Strasburg goes to 13-0 with eight strong in win over Pirates

It turns out the rest might have worked out perfectly for Stephen Strasburg. Or maybe he didn't really need it at all. Strasburg twirled eight innings and allowed only one run, becoming the first National League starting pitcher since 1912 to start a season 13-0. The Nationals dropped the Pirates 5-1. Selected to the All-Star Game in his hometown of San Diego, Strasburg sat out of the game to rest and get ready for the second half. Earlier this season, he had been on the disabled list for 17...

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Baker updates on Zimmerman and Ross

July 15, 2016, 1:14pm

Nationals

Manager Dusty Baker was asked about the status of right-hander Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (left ribcage strain) during pregame of the first game of the Pirates series. It was the first opportunity to get an update on the progress of the two players since the Mets game on July 10. "Zim's been taking treatment around the clock," Baker said. "Ross has been doing the same. Ross is going to toss tomorrow. He tossed some yesterday. He's getting...

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Schrock can flat out hit, now focuses on defense at Potomac

July 15, 2016, 4:28am

Nationals

Schrock can flat out hit, now focuses on defense at Potomac

Shortstop Max Schrock has hit the ground running in his promotion to high Single-A Potomac. The 21-year-old is hitting .427, going 32-for-75 in 16 games. He has five doubles, three homers, four stolen bases and 11 RBIs. Dating back to Sunday, he has 20 hits in a 10-game span. So far this season with low Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac, Schrock has raked, hitting .348 with 25 doubles, two triples, seven homers, 19 stolen bases and 50 RBIs in 83 games. Potomac manager Tripp Keister, appearing...

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Robles getting chance to display talent at high Single-A

July 14, 2016, 1:48am

Nationals

Robles getting chance to display talent at high Single-A

Center fielder Victor Robles out of the Dominican Republic has been promoted to high Single-A Potomac after dominating at the low Single-A level. While with Hagerstown, Robles hit .305 with nine doubles, six triples, five homers, 19 stolen bases and 30 RBIs in 64 games. He has hit .286 (4-for-14) with a homer and an RBI in his last three games with the P-Nats. In one game last Friday, he went 0-for-0 at the plate with a walk, a run scored and two RBIs after getting hit by a pitch three...

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Whiting and Brinley show why they earned promotions to Harrisburg

July 13, 2016, 5:41am

Nationals

Whiting and Brinley show why they earned promotions to Harrisburg

Right-hander Boone Whiting did very well at high Single-A and now has been promoted to Double-A by the Nationals. Whiting, 26, an 18th-round selection for St. Louis in 2010, reached Triple-A with Memphis and Albuquerque from 2013-2015. At Harrisburg, he is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA, but was too much for Carolina League competition. With the P-Nats, he went 8-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 12 starts. He recorded 43 strikeouts and 10 walks in 72 2/3 innings. Potomac manager Tripp Keister, appearing on my "Nats...

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Keister on Fedde's hot streak: "He's in a good place right now"

July 12, 2016, 4:36am

Nationals

Keister on Fedde's hot streak: "He's in a good place right now"

Right-hander Erick Fedde has been keeping opponents off the scoreboard recently, allowing one or less earned runs in each of his last six outings. On Friday in a 5-1 win over Carolina, Fedde twirled six innings, allowing three hits and one run with one walk and eight strikeouts. He has won five of his last six decisions. High Single-A Potomac manager Tripp Keister, appearing with me on Sunday's "Nats Insider" on 106.7 The Fan, likes the groove and tempo Fedde is pitching with heading to the...

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Reynaldo Lopez shows well in All-Star Futures Game

July 11, 2016, 3:44am

Nationals

Reynaldo Lopez shows well in All-Star Futures Game

Nationals pitching prospect right-hander Reynaldo Lopez contributed well in his outing for the World Futures team at the All-Star Futures Game in San Diego on Sunday. The World Futures dismantled the U.S. Futures 11-3, as 19-year-old Eloy Jimenez from the Dominican Republic had a double and a home run with four RBIs. The 22-year-old Lopez recorded three outs, bridging the sixth and seventh innings, consistently hitting 99 and 100 miles per hour with his fastball. Lopez forced a grounder to...

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An appreciation for Strasburg's stunning first-half run

July 09, 2016, 8:06pm

Nationals

An appreciation for Strasburg's stunning first-half run

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg's first-half run is unprecedented in his career. The 12-0 start continues to be the best start of any season for the former No. 1 overall selection from San Diego State. He already has more wins than he had last season. In 2015, he went 11-7 in 23 starts. In 16 starts this season, he is 12-0. The day after he was announced as making the All-Star Game, Strasburg talked about his season to date. He spoke about how he is concentrating on his pitching and not letting...

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Are recent bullpen struggles a big problem or sign of first half fatigue?

July 08, 2016, 4:57am

Nationals

Are recent bullpen struggles a big problem or sign of first half fatigue?

Manager Dusty Baker has been monitoring the status of his bullpen and had hoped Tanner Roark's seven innings Wednesday would be the bridge they would need to hit the ground running in New York. But Lucas Giolito managed only 3 2/3 innings, and the bullpen was tasked with holding the rest of the game. It didn't work out as the Nationals relinquished a two-run lead and lost 9-7. The Wilmer Flores three-run shot in the fifth was the biggest of swings. It was one of the Citi Field record eight...

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Fixing critical mechanical issue opened door for Giolito

July 07, 2016, 4:50am

Nationals

Fixing critical mechanical issue opened door for Giolito

Right-hander Lucas Giolito has been able to get extra work in as he waits for his second major league start, slated tonight in Flushing, N.Y., against the division rival New York Mets. Giolito said he is looking forward to hopefully getting to pitch into at least the fifth inning and beyond after having his major league debut abbreviated after four frames due to rain. "Yeah, it definitely would be fun to be out there longer," Giolito said. "The rain shortened it so it's unfortunate. But...

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Nats set themselves up well for Mets with 7-4 win over Brewers

July 06, 2016, 4:05pm

Nationals

Nats set themselves up well for Mets with 7-4 win over Brewers

An offensive adjustment by manager Dusty Baker paved the way to three homers as the Nationals finally dropped the Brewers 7-4, preventing the sweep Wednesday on a getaway day at Nats Park. Baker's lineup had the hot-hitting Daniel Murphy chiseled into the three spot. Bryce Harper was moved from the three spot to the cleanup role and instantly delivered. With two men on in the first, he crushed a Matt Garza offering to lift the Nationals to an early 3-0 lead. It was his team lead-tying 18th...

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Harper delivers in cleanup spot, Roark strong (Nats win 7-4)

July 06, 2016, 12:35pm

Nationals

Harper delivers in cleanup spot, Roark strong (Nats win 7-4)

Manager Dusty Baker switched up the lineup after his club lost the first two games against the Brewers, managing two total runs. The biggest move was switching Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper in the batting order. Placing Harper in the cleanup spot for the first time this season, Baker's move paid dividends in the first at-bat for the Nationals. Facing right-hander Matt Garza with two men on, Harper delivered his 18th homer of the season, a three-run shot over the opposite field wall to give...

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Baker says Nationals feed off energy of crowds at Nats Park

July 06, 2016, 10:43am

Nationals

Dusty Baker reflected on his first half-season as manager of the Nationals prior to Wednesday's series finale against the Brewers. Baker was asked about what he thought of D.C. through his first 85 games in a Nationals uniform as the skipper. He spoke of his love for Nats Park and the city. And he noted how quirky the weather can be over the ballpark. "It's just a wonderful place to play," Baker said. "I've seen sort of a tale of two stadiums. The ones when it's cold, (the ball) doesn't...

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Game 86 lineups: Brewers at Nats

July 06, 2016, 6:54am

Nationals

The Nationals have struggled against the Brewers this season, falling in four of five games. They are also 0-2 against Milwaukee at Nats Park. The offense has been limping to the All-Star break. Take out the 12 runs scored against the Reds on Sunday and the Nats have combined for only nine runs in the other four games in July. They have struck out 36 times in those five games. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the offense needs to pick up the slack for the starting pitching. Right-hander Tanner...

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Baker says Nats were "flat" in 5-2 setback to Brewers

July 05, 2016, 7:18pm

Nationals

Baker says Nats were "flat" in 5-2 setback to Brewers

On a night where the Nationals would normally celebrate having four players being awarded All-Star invitations, the club came out with a sluggish performance at home in a 5-2 loss to the Brewers. It marked Washington's second straight loss to Milwaukee. The Brewers have won four of their first five games against the Nationals this season. One of the four All-Stars heading to San Diego is second baseman Daniel Murphy. But his late baserunning mistake cost the club a shot at a potential...

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Gio wiggles out of early jam; Rendon delivers (Brewers win 5-2)

July 05, 2016, 3:45pm

Nationals

Gio wiggles out of early jam; Rendon delivers (Brewers win 5-2)

Now that's how you walk the tightrope. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed a double, a walk and a passed ball in the first inning, but his quick glove ended a big Brewers threat and kept the game scoreless. Aaron Hill doubled and two batters later, with men on second and third, Chris Carter's hot shot line drive back to the mound was stabbed out of the air by Gonzalez to end the inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Daniel Murphy blooped a single to left-center field. Two batters later,...

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Baker confident Zimmerman can break out of recent struggles

July 05, 2016, 2:26pm

Nationals

Baker confident Zimmerman can break out of recent struggles

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman said earlier this season that he is always been a second half player when it comes to offensive production. That has played out in his career splits. For his career, Zimmerman has hit .254, .282 and .231 in the first three months of the season, but in July, August and September/October he has rebounded to hit .309, .305 and .293. His power numbers have accelerated in his career in the last three segments of each season. For his career, he has had a .501, .523 and...

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Papelbon "felt pretty strong" in first game back since June 12

July 05, 2016, 4:37am

Nationals

Papelbon "felt pretty strong" in first game back since June 12

Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon returned from the disabled list yesterday and looked strong with one inning of shutout relief in Monday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers. He struck out two batters in the ninth, not allowing a run or a hit. He fanned out Martin Maldonado, who had homered earlier for the only run of the game. It was Papelbon's first appearance since June 12. He had been on the disabled list with an intercostal strain. Manager Dusty Baker liked what he saw from Papelbon. "Papelbon...

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Baker and Revere on Taylor being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

July 04, 2016, 11:20am

Nationals

Baker and Revere on Taylor being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

Following Monday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers, Nationals manager Dusty Baker discussed the decision to option outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse. Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon was activated prior to Monday's game, so the team decided to send the outfielder to the Chiefs. Taylor was batting .225 in the first 60 games of the season and has struck out 64 times. In the last seven games, he has gone 2-for-22 (.091) with 10 strikeouts. Baker said it is never an easy decision to send a...