Byron Kerr

Lucas Giolito and other top prospects begin instructional league today

September 22, 2014, 5:36am

The top Nationals prospects have descended on the team's practice and training facility in Viera, Fla. Joining these prospects are the club's coaching and development staff, including Single-A Carolina League champion Potomac Nationals manager Tripp Keister, as instructional league competition commences today with the first game. The season was intended to begin Saturday, but the Nationals' first game versus Houston was rained out. The instructional league squad faces New York Mets today at...

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Nationals benefiting from meaningful baseball in late September

September 21, 2014, 7:06am

Nationals

The Nationals clinched their second division title in the past three seasons on Tuesday in Atlanta. On Wednesday, they rested most of their regulars. On Thursday, they got back to business. They haven't lost since. This club has done a really nice job of setting its goals and then going about accomplishing them as the season goes on. Early on, they just searched for consistency. Their pitching was strong from the beginning. Their defense started to come on. Now it's their offense. They had 12...

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Zimmerman singles in first at-bat since July 22 (Nats win 3-2)

September 20, 2014, 3:42pm

Nationals

Zimmerman singles in first at-bat since July 22 (Nats win 3-2)

The Marlins came out hitting against Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann in the first inning. Christian Yelic and Casey McGehee had early singles and first baseman Justin Bour then slapped a single to right field and for a 1-0 Marlins lead. The Nationals earned a pair of base hits in the first inning from Denard Span and Jayson Werth, but a double play grounder from Adam LaRoche ended the threat. Heading to the second, Marlins lead 1-0. In the second inning, in his first at-bat since July...

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Rendon and Roark could be the difference-makers in 2014 postseason

September 19, 2014, 11:04am

Nationals

Rendon and Roark could be the difference-makers in 2014 postseason

One of the differences between the Nationals' 2014 postseason appearance versus their 2012 run is the emergence of a pair of sophomores. Ray Knight and I discussed this on "Nats Xtra" pregame Thursday night and I asked him about the importance of Tanner Roark and Anthony Rendon to this team. Roark has been on a tear, continues to be consistent and has the ability to go seven innings every outing. On Sept. 16, otherwise known as clinching night, he defeated the Braves 3-0 by twirling seven...

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Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)

September 18, 2014, 3:33pm

Nationals

Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)

The Marlins greeted Miami native Gio Gonzalez rudely in the second inning. Jeff Baker singled to lead off the frame. Reed Johnson, who is replacing the injured Giancarlo Stanton, then smacked a double that bounced off the center field wall and the Marlins led 1-0. Gonzalez managed to get the next three outs to end the rally. Brad Hand has not allowed a hit in the first two innings. He has an 8.03 ERA in six starts versus the Nationals. Update: Anthony Rendon notched a base hit with one out...

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For one night, Souza and company showed why they belong

September 18, 2014, 4:15am

Nationals

For one night, Souza and company showed why they belong

It did not result in a victory, but it was certainly intriguing to watch what amounted to the Nationals' 1A team stay with the Braves, and even lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. The Braves ended up winning 3-1, but the Nationals' starters Wednesday displayed why they belong. Tyler Moore and Steven Souza Jr., both former minor league Players of the Year in the organization, were starters. Moore was at first base hit cleanup and when 1-for-4, while Souza played left field. Souza...

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Quick notes on the playoff rotation, today's lineup, who makes October roster

September 17, 2014, 5:29am

Nationals

Quick notes on the playoff rotation, today's lineup, who makes October roster

The Nationals are the 2014 National League East division champions. Tonight, it's likely that manager Matt Williams will give several regulars the day off. The Braves had scheduled right-hander Alex Wood. Here's a possible starting scenario for the Nationals tonight: Starting pitcher - right-hander Blake Treinen Catcher - Sandy Leon First base - Tyler Moore Second base - Asdrubal Cabrera Shortstop - Danny Espinosa Third base - Kevin Frandsen Left field - Scott Hairston Center field -...

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Desmond and Roark lift Nationals past Braves for NL East crown

September 16, 2014, 5:56pm

Nationals

The Nationals have done it again. For the second time in three seasons, after a 3-0 shutout of the Atlanta Braves, the Nationals have won the National League East. They become the first team to clinch a division title and a playoff berth in the 2014 major league postseason, and they were able to win the pennant on Atlanta's home turf of Turner Field. Ian Desmond smacked a towering two-run homer and Tanner Roark (14-10) twirled seven shutout innings as Washington eliminated Atlanta from...

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Strasburg exorcises demons in dominant win over Braves; now Roark's turn

September 16, 2014, 3:32am

Nationals

Strasburg exorcises demons in dominant win over Braves; now Roark's turn

This season has been about dominant pitching. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg continued that trend with seven innings on Monday in a 4-2 win over the Braves that brought the Nationals' magic number down to two to win the National League East. The San Diego State product allowed five hits, no runs, no walks and struck out seven for his 12th win. He has never pitched this far into a season (202 innings), not to mention this far into September, when the Nationals had a great opportunity to...

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Mets series demonstrates Rendon's long-term value

September 15, 2014, 3:42am

Nationals

Mets series demonstrates Rendon's long-term value

Third baseman Anthony Rendon had a memorable series against the Mets. With a base hit Sunday, Rendon finished with 11 hits in the four-game set. He scored five runs and had two doubles, two homers and three RBIs. Overall, Rendon hit an amazing .579 (11-for-19) against the Mets over the four-game series. His season average is now .289 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs. Last season in 98 games, he had seven homers and 35 RBIs. "Nats Xtra" co-host Ray Knight believes, as many scouts do, that Rendon...

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Harper, Span homer as Nats beat Mets 10-3, reduce magic number to six

September 13, 2014, 3:50pm

Nationals

Harper, Span homer as Nats beat Mets 10-3, reduce magic number to six

The Nationals were able to fight through the rain and get to Zack Wheeler in the second inning. After a walk to Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper blasted a two-run homer to the second deck in right field at Citi Field for a 2-0 Nationals lead. It was Harper's 13th homer of the season. Before the blast, Harper was 1-for-11 with six strikeouts against Wheeler, who came into tonight's game with a 7-1 record since July 1. Doug Fister allowed just one hit in the first two frames. He is 3-0 in three starts...

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LaRoche's hot streak, lengthy experience a huge benefit as Nats get closer to division title

September 12, 2014, 6:51am

Nationals

LaRoche's hot streak, lengthy experience a huge benefit as Nats get closer to division title

The Nationals' magic number is down to nine after Thursday's 6-2 win over the Mets. Following a loss to the Braves, the Nationals bounced back with a quick win. They have done this time and again this season, where they follow a loss with a victory, eliminating the possibility of a losing streak. The hottest hitter in the National League, Adam LaRoche, set the tone with a monster shot that hit way up on the foul pole in the first inning. The two-run homer came with two outs in the inning,...

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LaRoche stays hot in New York (Nats win 6-2)

September 11, 2014, 3:29pm

Nationals

LaRoche stays hot in New York (Nats win 6-2)

Adam LaRoche has brought his hot bat to New York. With a man on first in the first inning, LaRoche launched a two-run home run to right field off of Mets starter Bartolo Colon. The blast was LaRoche's fourth in the last seven days. The Nationals first baseman has nine RBIs in that stretch. Tanner Roark will start the game with a 2-0 lead. Update: This is Adam LaRoche's world and we're all living in it. LaRoche picked up another hit in the third inning to drive in Jayson Werth and...

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Nationals deflect clinching queries, continue to focus on next game

September 11, 2014, 7:26am

Nationals

It is a question that Nationals players and their manager have deflected for what seems like an entire six-game homestand. Do the Nationals feel like they're close to clinching the National League East? Manager Matt Williams has repeated the mantra, whether his team wins or loses, of "one game at a time." His players have followed suit. Whether they are winning two in a row to take a series from the Braves or falling 6-2 in the finale, the company line has been don't get too high or too low...

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Hearing from Strasburg, Harper and Span after 6-2 loss to Braves

September 10, 2014, 4:21pm

Nationals

Hearing from Strasburg, Harper and Span after 6-2 loss to Braves

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was fairly pleased with his outing, even though he took the loss in a 6-2 setback to the Braves. In a scoreless game in the fifth, B.J. Upton was able to connect on Strasburg's first offering and hit it over the fence for a 1-0 Atlanta lead. "Ball just found his bat," Strasburg said. 'I just got to make a better pitch 0-0. I felt great out there. I felt like I was hitting my spots and just couple hits that (were) just out of our reach that was the ball game."...

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Strasburg lasts six innings (Braves win 6-2)

September 10, 2014, 12:45pm

Nationals

Strasburg lasts six innings (Braves win 6-2)

The Nationals, looking for the series sweep against the Braves, got a couple of men on against right-hander Aaron Harang in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a single. After a loud out to deep right field by Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa singled to put men on the corners. But Jose Lobaton was caught looking and Stephen Strasburg lined out to first base. Strasburg has allowed one hit and struck out three in two innings. No score heading to the top of the third. Update: B.J. Upton,...

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Williams on Soriano, Strasburg, Rendon, Desmond and more before Braves finale

September 10, 2014, 10:23am

Nationals

Williams on Soriano, Strasburg, Rendon, Desmond and more before Braves finale

Nationals manager Matt Williams said it is important for reliever Rafael Soriano to get into today's game after spending a few days refining his mechanics following a rough stretch. During Soriano's time off, Drew Storen has saved three consecutive games. "Oh, yeah, very important," Williams said of getting Soriano some game action. "We gave him a couple of days. He worked on some things. He had a day (off) after that work. Now it's important for him to get in a game, of course. We want...

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Update on Desmond's back and the pitchers speak after 6-4 win

September 09, 2014, 7:37pm

Nationals

Update on Desmond's back and the pitchers speak after 6-4 win

The Nationals' quick start paid dividends late in a 6-4 series-clinching victory over the Braves on Tuesday night. First baseman Adam LaRoche, the co-Player of the Week in the National League, had two singles and two RBIs has the Nationals built a 5-0 lead against right-hander Ervin Santana after two innings. "That doesn't happen too often against that guy," LaRoche said. "He's a pretty good pitcher. He's got a few different pitches and a lot of times they all look the same coming out of...

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Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)

September 09, 2014, 3:39pm

Nationals

Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)

Never underestimate the importance of getting the leadoff man on base. Factor in that your team is facing a 14-game winner in Ervin Santana and the importance ramps up. The Nationals offense has scored three runs or less in eight of its last 11 nine-inning games. So if Santana could get going, it would add pressure to the offense as the innings progressed. Denard Span made everything easier for his teammates in his first at-bat, smacking a 1-2 Santana offering into right field for a double....

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Zimmerman takes live batting practice for first time since injury

September 09, 2014, 3:02pm

Nationals

Zimmerman takes live batting practice for first time since injury

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman took another step in his rehabilitation from a right hamstring strain by taking live batting practice on the field prior to Tuesday's game with the Atlanta Braves. Zimmerman was happy to get back on the field, but he said that running at full speed will be more critical to him getting back into games. And he is still a ways away from from that milestone. "Running is the biggest thing," Zimmerman said. "I don't want to downplay hitting and throwing...