Byron Kerr

Espinosa's value highest is now, staying with the Nationals

July 23, 2014, 5:19am

It seems like any time the trade deadline talk comes up relating to the Nationals, inevitably Danny Espinosa's name comes up in the conversation. Especially when Bryce Harper returned to the lineup June 30, Espinosa was relegated to the bench for spot duty in the late innings on defense or a pinch-hit appearance here and there. General manager Mike Rizzo has fielded calls from prospective teams in search of an infielder like Espinosa. A switch-hitter with outstanding defensive skills could...

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Rockies get to Zimmermann for early lead (LaRoche homers, Nats lead 7-4)

July 22, 2014, 5:25pm

Nationals

Rockies get to Zimmermann for early lead (LaRoche homers, Nats lead 7-4)

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann battled through the first inning against the Rockies, and despite allowing two hits, was able to come through it unscathed. Unfortunately, the Rockies were able to get a couple of more hits in the second inning to take their first lead of the series. Ben Paulsen doubled, and one batter later, DJ LeMahieu smacked a triple down the right field line to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. Ian Desmond has a base hit for the Nationals, but Bryce Harper was thrown...

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Starters keep game scoreless early (Desmond 5-for-5 in 7-2 win)

July 21, 2014, 5:34pm

Nationals

Starters keep game scoreless early (Desmond 5-for-5 in 7-2 win)

The Nationals looked to settle in against the Rockies' Franklin Morales, who was making his first start against the D.C. club after five previous relief appearances. And the third inning was the time. Especially against a reliever-turned-starter, who you would expect would run out of ways to get you out. But Morales was up to the task. With one out in the third, Denard Span walked and Anthony Rendon hit into a fielder's choice. Jayson Werth then singled to right to put two men with two outs....

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Werth on the anatomy of a walk-off win and looking down the road

July 21, 2014, 2:34am

Nationals

Werth on the anatomy of a walk-off win and looking down the road

That one play, really that one at-bat, made the game. Bottom of the ninth, Anthony Rendon at first base, two outs. Brewers reliever Rob Wooten was on the cusp of getting out of the inning. He had relied on his slider and curveball to get to two outs and had made it difficult for any Nationals to get a good swing. But veteran Jayson Werth is known for waiting out pitchers. He makes them come to him. He waited for Wooten to throw a strike. And he couldn't early in the at-bat. A mixture of...

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Zimmerman, Werth and bullpen find a way to beat the Brewers 5-4 (updated)

July 20, 2014, 1:59pm

Nationals

Zimmerman, Werth and bullpen find a way to beat the Brewers 5-4 (updated)

The Nationals battled with the Brewers all day, finally ending it on a Jayson Werth double that scored Anthony Rendon all the way from first base in the bottom of the ninth for a 5-4 victory. The up-and-down affair had both teams with leads. The Nationals led 1-0. Milwaukee went up 2-1 and then 3-1. The Nationals tied it on a Ryan Zimmerman two-run shot in the fourth. They went ahead 4-3 on a wild pitch. The Brewers scored a run in the top of the ninth on a Rickie Weeks base hit to even the...

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Gonzalez fights through jam in second unscathed (Nats walk off with 5-4 win)

July 20, 2014, 10:15am

Nationals

Gonzalez fights through jam in second unscathed (Nats walk off with 5-4 win)

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has been able to go long into games in his last three starts, totaling 21 2/3 innings. While averaging seven innings in those games, he has allowed the bullpen to enjoy short work and keep it fresh. Gonzalez will look to do that again Sunday against the Brewers. The Nationals are 3-0 in three games Gonzalez has started against Milwaukee. In the first inning, he allowed only a Ryan Braun single and stolen base. But in the second, he battled out of a huge jam to keep...

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Nationals help Roark early and he does the rest

July 19, 2014, 7:09pm

Nationals

Doesn't matter if you start Tanner Roark after 10 days off, four days, five days or spot duty. He always seems to deliver. On Thursday, Gio Gonzalez could not get back to D.C. because of a flight cancellation. Manager Matt Williams moved Roark up to Saturday and he quickly adapted. The Nationals scored five runs in the first inning Saturday and Roark went seven innings in an 8-3 dispatch of the Brewers. Roark said he is getting great movement on his slider because he has adjusted the way he...

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Nationals take big lead, chase Garza in first (Nats win 8-3)

July 19, 2014, 3:51pm

Nationals

The Nationals took it to Brewers starter Matt Garza in the first inning. Denard Span singled and Jayson Werth doubled. Following a walk to Adam LaRoche, Ryan Zimmerman provided a two-run single to give the Nationals a 2-0 lead. After another Garza walk, this one to Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond's infield single scored LaRoche and the Nationals' advantage was 3-0. Wilson Ramos then delivered a two-run single and the Nationals lead increased to 5-0. Garza was lifted for former Nationals...

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Williams on Zimmermann, Fister and the trade deadline

July 19, 2014, 1:12pm

Nationals

Williams on Zimmermann, Fister and the trade deadline

Nationals manager Matt Williams reported during Saturday's pregame that right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is on target to start Tuesday night in Denver against the Rockies. Zimmermann left the July 11 game at Philadelphia with a right biceps cramp. "He's good to go. He had a good bullpen today," Williams said. "All indications are he's set to go on Tuesday unless he feels something after, but we don't think he's going to." Even with Zimmermann recovering from what the MRI diagnosed as a...

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Strasburg relies on Storen to help with building back velocity after surgery

July 18, 2014, 7:19pm

Nationals

Strasburg relies on Storen to help with building back velocity after surgery

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg took the 4-2 loss Friday night against the Brewers. Two early home runs by Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis set the tone. But a two-out walk turned into a huge play in the game. It came in the third, with Milwaukee already leading 2-0. Strasburg had set down Kyle Lohse and Carlos Gomez to begin the inning. But it only took four pitches to get Gennett on base. Ryan Braun followed with a double. Aramis Ramirez then blooped a single down the right field line that...

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Gennett and Davis connect off Strasburg again (Nats lose 4-2)

July 18, 2014, 3:43pm

Nationals

Gennett and Davis connect off Strasburg again (Nats lose 4-2)

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg allowed a grand slam to Scooter Gennett and another home run to Khris Davis on June 25 in a 9-2 Brewers victory over the Nationals. Fast forward to July 18, Strasburg allowed early home runs to Gennett and Davis and the Brewers lead 2-0 over the Nationals after 1 1/2 innings. The Brewers can hit home runs. Six of their starting nine had nine or more home runs this season before first pitch. Now Gennett has eight. The Nationals got called for a peculiar out in...

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Nationals agree to terms with right-hander Erick Fedde

July 18, 2014, 1:16pm

Nationals

The Nationals announced today that the club agreed to terms with right-hander Erick Fedde, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. The 21-year-old Fedde is a 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior out of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He was the Mountain West pitcher of the year and underwent Tommy John surgery in early June. He went 8-2 with a 1.76 ERA (15 earned runs in 76 2/3 innings) and 82 strikeouts in 11 starts for the Rebels. UNLV baseball coach Tim Chambers told me...

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Zimmermann looks good for Tuesday, Roark bumped up to Saturday night

July 18, 2014, 12:45pm

Nationals

Zimmermann looks good for Tuesday, Roark bumped up to Saturday night

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will start Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies in Denver if everything goes well during his throwing this week. Zimmermann left last Friday's game at Philadelphia in the fourth inning with a right biceps cramp. An MRI revealed a biceps strain. He was not place on the disabled list. Zimmermann threw from 100 feet yesterday and will throw longer yardage today. Manager Matt Williams confirmed that Zimmermann is good to go and outlined this week's...

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Harris on Giolito and his Futures Game experience

July 16, 2014, 2:14pm

Nationals

Harris on Giolito and his Futures Game experience

I got some more insight from Team USA hitting coach Mark Harris, who got to work with and watch Nationals prospects Michael Taylor and Lucas Giolito play Sunday in the All-Star Futures Game. Team USA beat team World 3-2 at Target Field in Minneapolis. Harris, the hitting coach at Double-A Harrisburg, had this to say about Taylor's season. Giolito did give up a home run in the game, but he also was able to work through his pitches, get his fastball to 97 mph and gain experience in a big game at...

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Clippard does his job, puts out fire in fifth inning (AL wins 5-3)

July 15, 2014, 6:47pm

Nationals

Clippard does his job, puts out fire in fifth inning (AL wins 5-3)

Nationals right-hander Tyler Clippard got his chance to pitch in his second All-Star Game in the fifth inning tonight at Target Field in Minneapolis. He was able to put out a fire started by Cardinals right-hander Pat Neshek. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Neshek allowed a run-scoring double by Mike Trout that scored former Nationals prospect and current Athletics catcher Derek Norris and gave the American League a one-run lead. Clippard relieved Neshek and recorded two outs...

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Harris: Taylor "putting the ball in play," raises average 60 points

July 15, 2014, 4:40am

Nationals

Harris: Taylor "putting the ball in play," raises average 60 points

Double-A Harrisburg Senators center fielder Michael Taylor has made big steps this season at the plate. Taylor is batting .323 through 88 games with 110 hits. Last season, he hit .263. He has 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 27 stolen bases and 54 RBIs. Last season for high Single-A Potomac, he had 10 homers in 133 games. Harrisburg batting coach Mark Harris, who has worked with Taylor for a few seasons on his approach and swing, was the hitting coach for Team USA at the Futures Game on...

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Zimmermann getting critical rest as the All-Star break commences

July 14, 2014, 11:44am

Nationals

Zimmermann getting critical rest as the All-Star break commences

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann avoided the 15-day disabled list after a MRI revealed only a right biceps strain. It was very good news for a Nationals starting rotation which has weathered a couple of storms early this season to be one of the most dominant staffs in the major leagues. Right-hander Doug Fister (lat strain) missed a great deal of the beginning of the season and recovered to post an 8-2 record with a 2.90 ERA in 12 starts. There is really no way to understate Fister's...

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Taylor notches base hit, Giolito a blown save but U.S. Futures win 3-2

July 13, 2014, 4:22pm

Nationals

Taylor notches base hit, Giolito a blown save but U.S. Futures win 3-2

Team USA defeated Team World 3-2 on Rangers prospect Joey Gallo's two-run homer in the All-Star Futures Game from Target Field in Minneapolis on Sunday. Double-A Harrisburg center fielder Michael Taylor went 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts. Low Single-A Hagerstown right-hander Lucas Giolito surrendered a two-run shot to Puerto Rican shortstop Javier Baez, a top Cubs prospect, that gave the World team a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. But Gallo then connected on a dramatic two-run...

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Official: Tyler Clippard added to NL All-Star Game roster (Nats win 10-3)

July 13, 2014, 9:45am

Nationals

Official: Tyler Clippard added to NL All-Star Game roster (Nats win 10-3)

Looks like Tyler Clippard will need to book an airplane ticket to Minneapolis. The Nationals reliever has been added to the All-Star Game roster for the National League, according to a tweet from Ken Rosenthal. Source: #Nationals' Clippard being added to NL All-Star team.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 13, 2014 Clippard has a 2.03 ERA in 40 innings this season with the Nationals. This is the second All-Star invite for Clippard, who pitched in the 2011 Midsummer Classic and...

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Souza, Laffey making waves as they cruise to Triple-A All-Star Game

July 12, 2014, 5:42am

Nationals

Souza, Laffey making waves as they cruise to Triple-A All-Star Game

There is hot. And then there is Steven Souza Jr. Somebody please cast him in the "Fantastic Four: Part II" as the Human Torch. The Nats Twitter world (thanks @jimatwitt) talks about him a lot and his statistics don't lie. In the last 10 games at Triple-A Syracuse, Souza is hitting .475 (19-for-40) with six doubles, one triple, two homers, six stolen bases and 14 RBIs. For the season, Souza is hitting .371 in 72 games with 20 doubles, two triples, 21 stolen bases, 13 homers and 60 RBIs. He...