Byron Kerr

Cabrera, Werth and Fister following 2-1 setback to Phillies

August 01, 2014, 6:47pm

New second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera went 0-for-4 in his Nationals debut, but was able to hit three balls hard and made an impressive sliding play to prevent a base hit and record the out on defense in the third inning against Jimmy Rollins. Cabrera was not able to record a hit despite three line outs. "That's baseball, man," Cabrera said. "I got to keep doing what I'm doing. Tomorrow is another day." His debut was the first time he had started at second base since 2009 and he admitted...

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Nationals answer Phillies quickly in second (Phils win 2-1)

August 01, 2014, 3:44pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has been a perfect 5-0 in five starts at Nationals Park this season. But he struggled a bit in the second inning of Friday's matchup against the Phillies. After notching the first two outs, Grady Sizemore hit a ball to deep left field. Bryce Harper was able to get a glove on the hit, but was unable to catch the ball. Sizemore was given a double on the play. Following a walk to Carlos Ruiz, Cody Asche smacked a single to score Sizemore and the Phillies led...

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Williams on Barrett option and Cabrera on his new team

August 01, 2014, 2:28pm

Nationals

Williams on Barrett option and Cabrera on his new team

The Nationals activated infielder Asdrubal Cabrera prior to Friday's game against the Phillies. The team optioned right-hander Aaron Barrett to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Matt Williams said there were a couple of reasons they decided to send Barrett back to the minors. "(Ross Detwiler's) pitched really well. So we want to get him some higher leverage lefty-lefty situations," Williams said. "Aaron has been in a lot of pressure situations so far and it's not easy for a first-year pitcher...

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Cabrera activated, Barrett optioned; Lobaton talks trade (plus lineup)

August 01, 2014, 11:22am

Nationals

Cabrera activated, Barrett optioned; Lobaton talks trade (plus lineup)

The Nationals officially activated infielder Asdrubal Cabrera today and optioned right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett to Triple-A Syracuse. The club acquired Cabrera and cash considerations yesterday in exchange for infielder Zach Walters. Cabrera has made 149 starts at second base in his career and is a career .270 hitter. The 26-year-old Barrett is 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 40 appearances for the Nationals. Blake Treinen, who was called up Thursday, will remain with the team. Nationals...

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Gonzalez, Ramos and Frandsen on loss to Phillies

July 31, 2014, 8:01pm

Nationals

Gonzalez, Ramos and Frandsen on loss to Phillies

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was looking to build off a seven-inning, one-run performance Saturday at Cincinnati. He took a hard luck 1-0 loss, but still managed to pitch well, allowing the Reds only four hits and striking out eight. But in his first game back at Nats Park since July 20, Gonzalez struggled against the Phillies, giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 10-4 Nationals loss. He allowed eight hits and recorded only 11 outs. In the five-run fourth inning, the Phillies were able to get...

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Phillies pouring it on (Nats fall 10-4)

July 31, 2014, 3:45pm

Nationals

The Nationals have finally returned home for the first time since July 20 and left-hander Gio Gonzalez looked to get off to a good start in front of the Nationals Park faithful. He started that last game at home and recorded a no-decision in a 5-4 win over the Brewers. Despite falling to the Reds on Saturday, Gonzalez allowed only one run on four hits over seven frames. Against the Phillies with one away in the first, Gonzalez surrendered a hit to Jimmy Rollins but then recorded a pair of outs...

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Williams on Walters' "big potential" in Cleveland, Rizzo on 2011 trade that got him to Nats

July 31, 2014, 2:43pm

Nationals

Williams on Walters' "big potential" in Cleveland, Rizzo on 2011 trade that got him to Nats

The Nationals decided to trade future potential for playoff experience and depth for their infield on Thursday, sending prospect Zach Walters to the Cleveland Indians for veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Manager Matt Williams said Walters thought he was in trouble when his skipper called him into the office early Thursday to deliver the news. "Shocked as anybody else would (be)," Williams said. "I said, 'No,' " when Walters suggested he might have done something wrong. "We've made...

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Williams and Rizzo on acquisition of Cabrera

July 31, 2014, 1:56pm

Nationals

Williams and Rizzo on acquisition of Cabrera

Manager Matt Williams was excited with the news that the Nationals had acquired two-time All-Star infielder Asdrubal Cabrera from the Cleveland Indians. Williams said during pregame availability on Thursday that Cabrera brings to the Nationals postseason experience. "He is a guy that has been in pennant races," Williams said. "He understands that. He understands the pressures of this time of year and getting where you want to go. He'll be a welcome addition for us. We'll plug him in as...

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Matt Williams on the 4-3 win over the Marlins

July 30, 2014, 1:44pm

Nationals

Matt Williams on the 4-3 win over the Marlins

Nationals manager Matt Williams had these thoughts on Drew Storen working out of a jam in the ninth inning to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win at Miami: "Certainly, the (Giancarlo) Stanton homer, and then the ball kind of inside the line at first. But Drew made a pitch when he had to make a pitch. That is all that matters for us." Why didn't Williams use closer Rafael Soriano in that situation? "Well, we decided to give him a couple of days," Williams explained. "Not just...

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Nationals needed early run after two losses in series and got it (Nats win 4-3)

July 30, 2014, 9:05am

Nationals

Fresh off two rough setbacks in Miami, the Nationals wanted nothing more than to get off to a good start in the final game of the three-game set against the Marlins in Miami. They had lost the first two games - a heartbreaking 7-6 comeback loss Monday and a 3-0 shutout Tuesday. The Marlins sent out left-hander Brad Hand, who was 0-3 with an 8.71 ERA in seven games (five starts) against the Nationals. The Nationals got to him early thanks to a Denard Span walk. Anthony Rendon followed with...

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With Zimmerman injury news foreboding, expect Rizzo to make a move

July 30, 2014, 5:45am

Nationals

With Zimmerman injury news foreboding, expect Rizzo to make a move

The Nationals fell to the Marlins 3-0 on Tuesday night. It was their second straight loss and third in four games. The nine-game road trip suddenly reminds us of a recent long trip to San Diego, San Francisco and St. Louis. During that West Coast swing, the Nationals raced out to a 5-2 record to start the road trip. They ended up losing three straight in St. Louis to finish 5-5. Later in Milwaukee, against the first-place Brewers, the Nationals won the first two games of the road trip. They...

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Nationals unable to take advantage of early chance (Marlins win 3-0)

July 29, 2014, 3:50pm

Nationals

Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez appeared to be having trouble controlling his pitches early on tonight against the Nationals. But the Nationals were unable to score a run with men on base in the first and second frames. Alvarez pitched around a walk to Denard Span in the first thanks to a double play ball. In the second inning, the Nationals loaded the bases with no one out. Wilson Ramos walked. Bryce Harper singled and Ian Desmond walked. But Danny Espinosa struck out swinging. Nate...

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Learning from a tough loss in July can pay deeper dividends in September

July 29, 2014, 4:52am

Nationals

Learning from a tough loss in July can pay deeper dividends in September

Losing is never easy. Blowing a 6-0 lead is up there as most upsetting. But falling 7-6 at Miami Monday is actually a good thing for a team that has seen a lot go well in the month of July. It seemed like Rafael Soriano was due. Recently, a few of his best pitches have been up in the zone. He actually lives on the edge in that regard, getting guys to chase at some of those tantalizing offers. Leading 6-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, he had not allowed a run in 11 straight innings...

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Nationals make Eovaldi work in first (Marlins come back for 7-6 stunner)

July 28, 2014, 3:35pm

Nationals

The Nationals did not waste any time getting on the board against Marlins right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. In the first, following a Denard Span pop out, Anthony Rendon singled and went to second on a Jayson Werth walk. After a wild pitch, runners were on second and third base. Adam LaRoche followed with a line drive out to deep center, which scored Rendon from third, and the Nationals led 1-0. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was able to get the Marlins down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first. He...

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Nats have played better on the road, but what about Zimmerman injury?

July 28, 2014, 5:34am

Nationals

Nats have played better on the road, but what about Zimmerman injury?

The Nationals have done well on long road trips that commenced after June 1. It's another mark of a team with depth, timely hitting and quality pitching. Following Sunday's 4-2 win at Cincinnati, the Nationals have now won or tied the first two series of multi-city road trips three times since the beginning of June. From June 6 through 15, they traveled to San Diego (2-1), San Francisco (3-1) and St. Louis (0-3). They won five of the first seven games in that extended trip before the three...

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With right-handers on the schedule, it's time to play Walters

July 26, 2014, 6:56pm

Nationals

With right-handers on the schedule, it's time to play Walters

With more indications that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be out for most of the rest of the summer, the Nationals have a few days until the trade deadline to make a decision. Should they go out and add a bat or stand pat? Should it be an infielder with experience or another solid bench bat? Could they possibly, as Ray Knight told us on "Nats Xtra" the other night, consider a blockbuster deal to acquire Chase Utley from the Phillies? Did you see all the scouts at the Phillies game Saturday...

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Roark and Simon in rematch of May 21 battle (Nats win 4-1)

July 25, 2014, 3:26pm

Nationals

Roark and Simon in rematch of May 21 battle (Nats win 4-1)

The Nationals managed only a Denard Span home run in their last meeting with Reds right-hander Alfredo Simon. In the first inning Friday night, the Nationals managed an Anthony Rendon single and Jayson Werth was hit by a pitch. With one out, the Nationals had men on first and second. But Adam LaRoche struck out and Ian Desmond grounded out to second. But at least they made Simon work in that first inning. Simon, who had been a reliever for most of his career, is starting exclusively this...

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Bullpen's success due to solid contributions from one to seven

July 25, 2014, 7:12am

Nationals

Bullpen's success due to solid contributions from one to seven

It is amazing to think about how productive the bullpen has been this season for the Nationals. Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano have been very efficient in the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Soriano is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA with 23 saves this season. Storen is 2-1 with a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings. Clippard is 6-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 42 innings. What is truly amazing is the trio's recent ability to close out games. Soriano did have one hiccup, but these numbers are nothing short...

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Rendon's extra-base capability an important asset for Nationals

July 24, 2014, 6:27am

Nationals

One main reason the Nationals have been able to get on a roll since late June has been their ability to compile extra-base hits on offense. The Nationals have gone 11-6 in July and 14-6 since June 28. The offense has averaged 5.24 runs per game in the past 17 games, totaling 89 runs. The Nats are enjoying a stretch of 23 consecutive games with at least one double dating to June 25. Third baseman Anthony Rendon has done a nice job of compiling extra base hits himself during the team's...

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Rockies tee off on Strasburg early (Nats lose 6-4)

July 23, 2014, 11:51am

Nationals

Rockies tee off on Strasburg early (Nats lose 6-4)

The Nationals were able to grab the lead in the first inning thanks to a fielding mistake. With Denard Span on base after a single, Scott Hairston's grounder to DJ LeMahieu was mishandled on a force attempt. The throwing error allowed Span to score all the way from first and the Nationals led 1-0. But in the bottom of the first, the Rockies teed off on Stephen Strasburg. Josh Rutledge and Corey Dickerson connected on back-to-back doubles and it was 1-1. Ben Paulsen added a run-scoring...