Byron Kerr

Giants and Cardinals demonstrating good situational hitting

October 15, 2014, 4:15am

Situational hitting is key in any game, but doubly so in playoff matchups when opportunities are few and far between because of the quality of pitching. The Nationals struggled with situational hitting in the San Francisco series. In Game 4 at AT&T Park, with Bryce Harper at second base and no outs down 2-1, Wilson Ramos grounded out to the shortstop. It handcuffed Harper, who wasn't able to get to third base with less than two outs. It was a critical play in a game the Nationals had to...

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Souza could provide spark to Nationals in 2015

October 13, 2014, 4:01am

Nationals

Steven Souza Jr. put on a late-season display of his offensive and defensive abilities for the Nationals. The outfielder was named International League Rookie of the Year and the organization's top minor league player for his 2014 exploits. Souza played in only 21 games for the Nats, but showed off his immense power by hitting a couple of home runs, one a moon shot in Atlanta. At the minor league level, Souza has hit 56 home runs since 2012. He also made an defensive play that will forever be...

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Update from Arizona Fall League on Nats prospects

October 12, 2014, 6:02am

Nationals

Update from Arizona Fall League on Nats prospects

The Mesa Solar Sox, the Arizona Fall League team that includes Nationals prospects, went 1-1 over the weekend. On Friday, Surprise beat Mesa 14-3. Nationals prospect Neil Holland was charged with a blown save after allowing five runs on four hits in one inning of work. The big blow was a Kyle Waldrop two-run shot against Holland, who entered the game with a 3-2 lead. Catcher Pedro Severino went 1-for-3 with an RBI single. Second baseman Tony Renda was a part of three double plays, but went...

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Williams on Barrett and Strasburg in NLDS Game 4

October 10, 2014, 11:01am

Nationals

Williams on Barrett and Strasburg in NLDS Game 4

Nationals manager Matt Williams spent time this morning with The Junkies on 106.7 the Fan in Washington and talked about the loss in the National League Division series. Williams was obviously still disappointed about the way the season ended with a 3-1 series loss to the Giants. Listen to the entire interview here. The Junkies asked Williams to explain why he decided to keep relievers Matt Thornton and Aaron Barrett in the game to face the right-handers in the Giants lineup in Game 4. "We...

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LaRoche: "I'd love to stick around"

October 09, 2014, 9:57am

Nationals

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche spent a good 15 minutes this morning with "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., and talked about the unfortunate abrupt ending to a great season. To listen to the entire interview, click here. One major topic is LaRoche's future with the team and whether the veteran will be with the Nationals next season or will the organization decide to put Ryan Zimmerman at first base. LaRoche's lefty bat, high baseball IQ and leadership in the...

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Harper proved to be a leader and star for Nationals in postseason setback

October 08, 2014, 10:06am

Nationals

One major bright spot from the National League Division series was the play of Bryce Harper. On a national stage, in the most difficult of moments, he delivered. Offensively, besides an early surge in the series by Anthony Rendon, he was the best hitter for the Nationals. Every one of his hits changed momentum or added to it for D.C. In Game 1, with the offense spinning its wheels and the team down 3-0 late, Harper crushed a home run off of Hunter Strickland into the third deck at Nationals...

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Nationals now must look within to find answers after stunning postseason defeat

October 08, 2014, 5:30am

Nationals

Suddenly, the Nationals season is over. The season began on March 31 and ended on Oct. 7. The team that won 96 games, had the best record in the National League, is out of the postseason after a mere four games. The Nationals have won 280 games over the past three seasons, won a pair of division titles, but have yet to advance to the League Championship Series. What happened? Really, how did this happen so fast? The pitching was good. Allowing the Giants to score nine runs in four games....

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Nationals showed some fight in Game 3 to earn right to play tonight

October 07, 2014, 7:54am

Nationals

It was good to see the fight the Nationals showed in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Doug Fister deserves a ton of credit. Bryce Harper played well in the field, drew a walk and hit a crucial solo homer in the ninth. That gave Drew Storen some room to breathe and he battled out of a two-on jam in the bottom of the ninth. You got the feeling that this team was better than their two games to none hole in the bets-of-five series and they proved it with a 4-1 win. It will now be...

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Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games

October 06, 2014, 7:37am

Nationals

Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games

Yes, the Giants hold a two games to none lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Yes, they're returning home and ace lefty Mardison Bumgarner is on the hill for Game 3 today. But Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in the past. June 10, 2014. Nationals at Giants: Fister defeated left-hander Madison Bumgarner 2-1. The weather was 59 degrees and the wind was coming in from center field at 16 mph, according to Baseball Reference. The Nationals...

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Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3

October 05, 2014, 8:35am

Nationals

Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3

The Nationals are now in a difficult situation down 2-0 in the National League Division series to the Giants with Game 3 on Monday afternoon. The pitching matchup features right-hander Doug Fister against left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Some callers to "Nats Insider" on Sunday morning on 106.7 The Fan have repeated a consistent theme that Ryan Zimmerman should get the start in Game 3 and replace Adam LaRoche at first base. MASN's Bob Carpenter, appearing on the same show, liked the idea...

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Rendon gives Nationals first lead of NLDS (Belt homers in 18th for 2-1 Giants win)

October 04, 2014, 2:33pm

Nationals

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann allowed a base hit in each of the first three innings of Game 2 of the National League Division Series. But in each inning, he has found away to get out of trouble. In the third, with a man on second and one out, Zimmermann struck out Gregor Blanco and got Joe Panik to ground out to first base. The Nationals were unable to get much going against Giants right-hander Tim Hudson in the first two innings. But in the third inning, Asdrubal Cabrera dropped a double down...

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Span's defense sets tone, center fielder says Nats needs to "settle down"

October 04, 2014, 4:56am

Nationals

Span's defense sets tone, center fielder says Nats needs to "settle down"

The way you come out and play defense can set the tone for the game and send your teammates the clear signal that you will do everything in your power to make it a tough afternoon for your opponent. Center fielder Denard Span set the tone early for the Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division series against the Giants by making some big catches in the first inning behind starter Stephen Strasburg. Span tracked down long drives by the first two Giants hitters, Gregor Blanco and Joe...

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Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener

October 03, 2014, 4:35pm

Nationals

Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener

The Giants defeated the Nationals 3-2 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday, with Jake Peavy outpitching Stephen Strasburg. But it wasn't like the Giants were teeing off on Strasburg. They had no extra-base hits until Strasburg had departed, but their eight singles were damaging enough. In turn, the Nationals were unable to avoid the Giants' gloves, minus two huge home runs from Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera. Strasburg did not believe the location of all of the Giants...

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Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2

October 03, 2014, 11:27am

Nationals

Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2

Game 1 of the National League Division series is under way in Washington, D.C. It is only the fourth home playoff game in the nation's capital since 1933. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg induced three flyouts to begin the game. Giants right-hander Jake Peavy walked Jayson Werth with two outs in the bottom of the first. He was the first baserunner for either team. But Adam LaRoche struck out to end the inning. Update: Peavy has managed to get swinging strikeouts to end the first two...

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Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS

October 03, 2014, 9:08am

Nationals

Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS

Manager Matt Williams spoke with the media prior to the National League Division series opener Friday at Nationals Park. Williams confirmed that right-hander Tanner Roark will come out of the bullpen in the series. Williams was asked if he planned this 25-man roster with specialists in mind or preferred long men coming out of the pen. "With the days off, especially the first round with the days off, you have those options," Williams said. "Nobody is ever going to have to go three days in a...

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Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

October 03, 2014, 6:08am

Nationals

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

The Nationals' Natonal League Division Series roster has been announced and features 12 pitchers (three left-handed, nine right-handed) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders). There had been some question as to whether or not reliever Rafael Soriano would make the NLDS roster. The veteran right-hander has indeed made the Nats' group of 25. Instead, the Nationals left Ross Detwiler off the roster. He played an important role in keeping the Nationals in the...

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Jake Peavy: "I'm a Stephen Strasburg fan"

October 03, 2014, 3:55am

Nationals

Jake Peavy: "I'm a Stephen Strasburg fan"

Veteran pitcher who has seen it all vs. rising fireballer who watched him growing up. New buddy vs. new buddy. Workout partner vs. workout partner. Nationals vs. Giants. In Game 1 of the National League Division Series, right-hander Jake Peavy will face right-hander Stephen Strasburg. San Diegan vs. San Diegan. Or is it San Diego-an? Will Ferrell, help me out here. It is San Diegan, of course. Either way, the two righties who exchanged texts throughout the season now pitch against each other...

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Strasburg "thankful for the chance" to start Game 1 against Giants

October 02, 2014, 9:58am

Nationals

Strasburg "thankful for the chance" to start Game 1 against Giants

Nationals manager Matt Williams named right-hander Stephen Strasburg his Game 1 starter for Friday's National League Division Series opener against the San Francisco Giants. Strasburg was proud to get the call because he knew the Nats have several outstanding starters to chose from for such an crucial game. "I was excited. I think it wasn't an easy decision by any means," Strasburg said. "I think that's a testament to the guys we have in the rotation. I think every single one of them is...

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Nationals catchers stingy on stolen bases (LaRoche award finalist)

October 01, 2014, 5:18am

Nationals

While watching the miraculous Royals comeback Tuesday and thrilling(!) 9-8 12-inning dispatch of the A's, I marveled at the speed and running ability of the home team. Kansas City stole seven bases in the game. During each comeback attempt, the Royals took an extra base on steals and wild pitches. Instead of relying on base hit after base hit, the Royals needed just a couple per inning to score runs. The Nationals were sixth in the National League in stolen bases with 101. The Dodgers (138)...

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Will Ryan Zimmerman start postseason coming off the bench? (Rendon named Hank Aaron award finalist)

September 29, 2014, 10:08am

Nationals

Will Ryan Zimmerman start postseason coming off the bench? (Rendon named Hank Aaron award finalist)

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, appeared with The Junkies on Sports Radio 106.7 The Fan Monday morning, said he will not be 100 percent until spring training, and is still 80-to-85 percent healthy as he recovers from a hamstring strain suffered July 22 and his team heads into the postseason. Zimmerman had said during his rehabilitation process that he never thought of being just a pinch-hitter, but there is a very good chance that is how he will be used in Game 1 of the National League...