Byron Kerr

Williams' confidence in Fister key to 2-1 win over Braves

September 08, 2014, 7:01pm

It was an important decision in a nail-biting moment of the game. With the Nationals leading 1-0 over the Braves and two out in the seventh, right-hander Doug Fister had walked two batters. The dangerous Andrelton Simmons was ready to dig in. Manager Matt Williams jumped out of the dugout and made his way to the mound. Fister at first did not see Williams coming toward him, but he knew he wanted to have a shot and getting Simmons. "I always hope for that chance," Fister said. "My back was...

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Nationals strike first versus Braves (Nats win 2-1)

September 08, 2014, 3:26pm

Nationals

The Nationals were able to break the ice early against the rival Braves. Each of these games are so important, but manager Matt Williams repeated during pregame that it is just another game. But a sweep either way would make a huge statement with games, and the season, dwindling down to a precious few. Doug Fister allowed just a Freddie Freeman base hit in the first. With two outs in the bottom of the first and Anthony Rendon on base, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond had back-to-back singles to...

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Zimmerman works in outfield during batting practice

September 08, 2014, 1:29pm

Nationals

Zimmerman works in outfield during batting practice

Manager Matt Williams gave the latest update on third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is in the process of rehabbing a right hamstring strain. Zimmerman has continued running and agility drills. He was seen doing some baseball-related activities during batting practice Monday prior to the Nationals' series opener against the Braves, throwing the ball to his teammates while in the outfield. The turning and running for Zimmerman, including pivoting and twisting defensively along with running the...

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Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon

September 08, 2014, 1:09pm

Nationals

Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon

Prior to Monday's game versus the Braves, Nationals manager Matt Williams updated Rafael Soriano's progress as he tries to work on his mechanics following a rough stretch. Soriano has not pitched since Friday. Williams did not personally witness Soriano's bullpen session today, but got the full report from pitching coach Steve McCatty. He did get to speak to Soriano after the workout. "He's working on his mechanics," Williams said. "I talked to him in there and he said he felt good....

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Nationals offense needs more consistency; Hagerstown and Potomac playoff updates

September 08, 2014, 6:12am

Nationals

Have you noticed how the Nationals offense has been more all or nothing this season? That is one reason why their record when scoring more than four runs jumps out at you. The Nationals are 66-9 when scoring four or more runs in a game this season. They are 14-52 when scoring three or fewer. Ironically, the Phillies series had two games that were against that average - the 11-inning 9-8 loss on Friday and the 3-2 win on Sunday. But it just seems that the Nationals score zero to three runs...

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Roark felt good despite another hard-luck loss to Phillies

September 06, 2014, 3:33pm

Nationals

Roark felt good despite another hard-luck loss to Phillies

Right-hander Tanner Roark certainly did not what that to happen again. He pitched pretty well, but faced an opposing pitcher who recently has had the Nationals' number. On Aug. 25, Roark allowed two earned runs in a 3-2 loss to A.J. Burnett and the Phillies. Burnett struck out 12 batters in that game. On Saturday, Roark surrendered three earned runs and again lost to Burnett, this time 3-1. Burnett allowed the Nationals' only one run. Despite the loss, his second straight to the Phillies,...

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Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)

September 06, 2014, 12:51pm

Nationals

Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark allowed two earned runs in a tough 3-2 loss to right-hander A.J. Burnett and the Phillies on Aug. 25. In their rematch Saturday, it took the Phillies only three innings before they connected for two earned runs. With one out in the third, Burnett singled. With two outs, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley singled to load the bases. Ryan Howard smacked a base hit through the infield, scoring two runs, and the Phillies led 2-0. The Nationals enjoyed only a single...

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Soriano to take a couple of days off, review mechanics; Nats will mix, match in ninth

September 06, 2014, 9:57am

Nationals

Soriano to take a couple of days off, review mechanics; Nats will mix, match in ninth

Following Friday night's blown save by closer Rafael Soriano - which eventually resulted in a 9-8,11-inning loss to the Phillies - Matt Williams said Soriano will take a couple of days off. The Nationals manager was clear about the plan for Soriano. But Williams wasn't ready to pinpoint exactly who will replace him in the ninth inning for the time being. Matt Thornton, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen will likely get the bulk of the late-inning work, with Ryan Mattheus also a possibility as the...

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Soriano on losing his closer job, Span and Harper describe collision in the outfield

September 05, 2014, 8:59pm

Nationals

Soriano on losing his closer job, Span and Harper describe collision in the outfield

Nationals manager Matt Williams will make a change at closer after Rafael Soriano blew his second straight save in a 9-8 11-inning setback to the Phillies. Soriano has blown five games in 14 opportunities since the All-Star break, and has a 6.98 ERA in 21 games since the break. Soriano said he understands he has not been pitching well. He has allowed opponents to score at least one run in four of his last five outings. "Whatever situation that (Williams) could make, I will be with him because...

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LaRoche, Strasburg start off well (Phillies win 9-8 in 11 innings)

September 05, 2014, 3:31pm

Nationals

LaRoche, Strasburg start off well (Phillies win 9-8 in 11 innings)

There was some question prior to Friday's series opener against the Phillies whether or not first baseman Adam LaRoche would be able to play. He admitted during pregame that he has been battling back pain, elbow soreness and flu-like symptoms since early in the week. Facing the Dodgers on Wednesday, LaRoche managed to battle through the pain to put together a two-hit five RBI performance, including his 20th homer of the season, in a 8-5 14-inning victory over Los Angeles. LaRoche told manager...

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LaRoche details comeback win in L.A., in lineup vs. Phillies

September 05, 2014, 1:37pm

Nationals

LaRoche details comeback win in L.A., in lineup vs. Phillies

First baseman Adam LaRoche offered more insight to the end of the Nationals' marathon 14-inning 8-5 victory at Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Wednesday. LaRoche said he was battling the flu, his hurt elbow and his aching back in his final at-bat. LaRoche ended up with five RBIs in a game he didn't start. He hit a game-tying home run, a go-ahead two-run single in the 12th inning and a fielder's choice that scored the decisive run in the 14th. Those three ailments still bothered him...

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Williams: Zimmerman up and running

September 05, 2014, 12:35pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Matt Williams had positive news today on the progress for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been on the sidelines since July 23 with a right hamstring strain. Williams said Zimmerman has graduated to running in his rehabilitation program. "He ran," Williams said. "He's upping his running. He was on the Alter-G again at 90 percent body weight, which is good, and running. That's a step in the right direction. He's increasing his strength and his ability to let it go a...

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Potomac a winner, Syracuse looking to get on the board

September 05, 2014, 5:34am

Nationals

Potomac a winner, Syracuse looking to get on the board

The Nationals' minor league teams are in the middle of the playoffs. The Single-A Potomac Nationals advanced to the Mills Cup championship series with a 4-3 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats. The P-Nats swept the best-of-three series 2-0. It is their second straight appearance in the Mills Cup final. Last year, the P-Nats lost to Salem. Salem is facing Myrtle Beach in the other half of the draw. The winner of that matchup faces Potomac on Friday in game one of the championship series. Isaac...

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Hagerstown and Potomac with playoff wins, Cedeno makes huge impact for Nationals

September 04, 2014, 10:46am

Nationals

Here's a roundup of the Nationals' minor league playoff summaries from Wednesday: Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs: Syracuse lost its first game of the International League Governor's Cup semifinals Wednesday, 2-1 in 10 innings to Pawtucket. Syracuse and Pawtucket play the second game of the series tonight in Rhode Island at 7:05 p.m. Chiefs right-hander Scott McGregor will start against Red Sox right-hander Matt Barnes. Syracuse has not won a playoff game since 1994. High Single-A Potomac...

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LaRoche, Span give Nats 3-2 lead in ninth (Nats win 8-5 in 14 innings)

September 03, 2014, 11:33am

Nationals

LaRoche, Span give Nats 3-2 lead in ninth (Nats win 8-5 in 14 innings)

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann looked workmanlike in his 1-2-3 dispatch of the Dodgers in the first inning Wednesday from Chavez Ravine. Zimmermann has a career 5.61 ERA in five starts against the Dodgers, so he would certainly like to change that and give the Nationals their fourth win in the past six games. The Dodgers rookie Carlos Frias did well in the first inning. In the second, Bryce Harper reached on an infield single and Tyler Moore, starting at first base for Adam LaRoche...

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Fister and Kershaw in a battle from L.A. (Dodgers win 4-1)

September 02, 2014, 6:31pm

Nationals

Fister and Kershaw in a battle from L.A. (Dodgers win 4-1)

The much-anticipated match-up between Nationals right-hander Doug Fister and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw got off to a predictable start. The pair have combined for 28 wins and are known to put up a ton of zeroes. Kershaw allowed a two-out walk in the first to Jayson Werth, but then was able to get clean-up hitter Ian Desmond on a looping 75 mph curveball that was called strike three. Fister also surrendered a two-out free pass to Adrian Gonzalez, but then got Matt Kemp to fly out to...

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Giving LaRoche more than the night off now a good call

September 02, 2014, 10:54am

Nationals

Giving LaRoche more than the night off now a good call

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was taken out of Monday's matchup against the Dodgers with a recurring back issue. LaRoche told reporters the back had been barking for a while. "It's been tight for a while," LaRoche said. "Last couple days, it's gotten tighter late in the game. In the fourth, fifth inning, it starts really tightening up from just standing around. I've had it before. I hope it's quick, a day or two. But again, you never know." It might be a good time to rest...

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Souza favorite to nab organization's Player of the Year honor

September 02, 2014, 7:56am

Nationals

Souza favorite to nab organization's Player of the Year honor

Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. has had a breakthrough season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, earning Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors from the International League. The 25-year-old has played so well, he got his opportunity with the big club already a couple of times this season. Most recently, he was activated from the disabled list after a shoulder injury sustained Aug. 8. He is back with the big club through at least September. It has been a pretty quick rise for Souza. He...

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Nationals with four homers, Gonzalez pitching well (Nats win 6-4)

September 01, 2014, 4:32pm

Nationals

If every batter could work the pitcher and force them to throw the pitch he wants like Jayson Werth does, the Nationals would average 10 runs a game. Facing a very feisty Roberto Hernandez in the series opener against the Dodgers, Werth worked him to seven pitches with two outs in the first inning. On Hernandez's 2-2 offering, Werth crushed the 92 mph sinker over the left-center field wall, his 16th homer of the season, and the Nationals led 1-0. But left-hander Gio Gonzalez could not hold...

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Strasburg looks the part in win over Seattle

August 31, 2014, 6:38am

Nationals

Strasburg looks the part in win over Seattle

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg put together a start Friday night that reminded the Nationals why they made him their No. 1 overall selection in 2009. In a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Seattle Mariners, Strasburg came within one out of eight full innings, allowing six hits, one run, a solo homer, no walks and eight strikeouts. His 210 strikeouts this season are a new Nationals record, and it's only August 31. Gio Gonzalez tallied 207 strikeouts in 2012. Strasburg has thrown the 210...