Byron Kerr

Roark, Span and Barrett after 7-2 loss to Cubs

July 04, 2014, 11:10am

Right-hander Tanner Roark suffered his sixth loss of the season Friday, 7-2 to the Cubs at Nationals Park. That is the second loss to Chicago in as many starts. Each time, he allowed four runs. "They did what they did last time, base hit me, just got beat," Roark said. He also had a chance to impact the offense when he came up with two men on and no outs in the fifth, but was unable to lay the bunt down. His bunt went foul toward third base on a 3-2 count and he struck out. The Nationals...

Tags:

Werth homer gets Nats going on Fourth of July (Cubs win 7-2)

July 04, 2014, 7:20am

Nationals

Werth homer gets Nats going on Fourth of July (Cubs win 7-2)

The Chicago Cubs were able to strike first against Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark. Chris Coghlan and Justin Ruggiano deposited clean singles onto the Nationals Park outfield grass to open the first. Anthony Rizzo's double-play grounder to Ian Desmond scored Coghlan and the Cubs led 1-0. Bryce Harper, batting second for the first time the week, flew out to left field in the bottom of the first. But the next batter, Jayson Werth, absolutely launched a 3-1 pitch from Jason Hammel deep...

Tags:

byron kerr jayson werth nationals frontstory_nationals1

Williams on Harper hitting second, Zimmerman and the Fourth of July

July 04, 2014, 6:44am

Nationals

Williams on Harper hitting second, Zimmerman and the Fourth of July

Nationals manager Matt Williams explained during pregame Friday the reasoning for placing Bryce Harper near the top of the lineup at the No. 2 spot against the Cubs and right-hander Jason Hammel. "I think it's a question of trying to create a little bit with Bryce at the top of the lineup, especially against a righty," Williams said. "We faced three lefties the last three games. So I wanted to give him some opportunity certainly to drive runs in. The same holds true with Anthony (Rendon)...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr matt williams nationals ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals3

Tony Tarasco on outfielder Michael Taylor: "The kid's a specimen"

July 03, 2014, 12:40pm

Nationals

Tony Tarasco on outfielder Michael Taylor: "The kid's a specimen"

It was September 2010 and the Nationals had decided to move Michael Taylor from shortstop to the outfield. The decision was made and presented to Taylor prior to instructional league workouts. Tony Tarasco, currently the Nationals' first base coach, was then the outfield coordinator for the organization. "We told (Taylor) we thought it was a better place for him to shine and take advantage of his athleticism," Tarasco recalled. "Thought he would grow a lot quicker. He didn't take it too...

Tags:

byron kerr michael taylor nationals tony tarasco frontstory_nationals1 nationals farm report

Desmond, Fister and Clippard break down Nats' 4-3 win over Rockies

July 02, 2014, 6:34pm

Nationals

Desmond, Fister and Clippard break down Nats' 4-3 win over Rockies

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond felt he had hit the ball well enough, but stood at third waiting for the umpires to agree. If it was a homer, it would be the go-ahead run to complete the comeback for the Nationals over the Rockies 4-3. "The way it bounced back hard like that I kind of assumed that it was over," Desmond said. "And the way that (Drew) Stubbs didn't go after it made it a little bit easier. At that point, I am going to get the triple. I thought it was gone, but I wasn't a...

Tags:

byron kerr doug fister ian desmond nationals rafael soriano tyler clippard frontstory_nationals3

Fisters settles down, Werth and Desmond crush homers (Nats win 4-3)

July 02, 2014, 3:05pm

Nationals

Fisters settles down, Werth and Desmond crush homers (Nats win 4-3)

The Rockies have been desperate to get their offense going in this series. They finally were able to deliver a big inning against the Nationals and Doug Fister early in the series finale. Fister got through the first unscathed. But in the second, the Rockies started a rally with singles from Troy Tulowitzki and Corey Dickerson. With two men on in the second, backup catcher Michael McKenry slammed a three-run shot over the left field wall, to give the Rockies a 3-0 lead. It was McKenry's...

Tags:

byron kerr doug fister nationals rockies frontstory_nationals3

Williams has no issue with Harper's comments (first pitch moved to 6:30 p.m.)

July 02, 2014, 1:14pm

Nationals

Williams has no issue with Harper's comments (first pitch moved to 6:30 p.m.)

Nationals manager Matt Williams was able to shed more light on what he thought Bryce Harper meant when talking about where he would like to hit in the lineup and what position he would prefer to play. Williams said he understands if Harper would want to hit higher in the lineup than sixth. "With regard to scrutiny regarding the lineup, that's on me," Williams said. "I make the lineup. And that's all that Bryce said. He makes the lineup, I'll play left field, or I'll play center. I'll...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr danny espinosa matt williams nationals frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg and Werth key Nationals' series win over Colorado

July 01, 2014, 7:33pm

Nationals

The Nationals got the all-around performance they wanted from Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday. He almost was able to close out the game, leaving after 7 2/3 innings after he allowed just one run on five hits with eight strikeouts. It was a more consistent outing for Strasburg after three previous starts in which he had allowed 14 earned runs. "I just tried to execute pitches better," Strasburg said. "I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. I think I just wanted to go out there and trust my...

Tags:

byron kerr jayson werth nationals stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Strasburg works with early advantage against Rockies (Nats win 7-1)

July 01, 2014, 3:43pm

Nationals

Strasburg works with early advantage against Rockies (Nats win 7-1)

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, as with any starter, pitches better with a lead. But it really seems to help Strasburg, who has had a tendency of giving up early runs, and then never being able to get into a groove. In his last three starts, Strasburg has allowed 14 earned runs. So having his offense give him an early advantage allows him to not have to worry about the game situation and just throw strikes. But on Tuesday, Strasburg was able to exhale early thanks to control issues...

Tags:

byron kerr nationals rockies stephen strasburg ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals3

Williams on Strasburg's mechanics and Harper's comments

July 01, 2014, 1:22pm

Nationals

Williams on Strasburg's mechanics and Harper's comments

Nationals manager Matt Williams' two main topics Tuesday prior to their game against the Rockies dealt with Stephen Strasburg's mechanics and Bryce Harper's comments. Williams said Strasburg worked on his mechanics during his side session this week following his last start June 25 at Milwaukee. In that game, Strasburg allowed seven runs, all earned, on eight hits with three walks over 4 2/3 innings. The seven runs were the most he has allowed this season and the eight hits were tied for...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr matt williams nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Harper happy to be back on field, and a take on his center field comments

July 01, 2014, 7:16am

Nationals

Harper happy to be back on field, and a take on his center field comments

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was back in the lineup Monday for the first time in 57 games. He contributed with an RBI single, a run scored and some laser-beam outfield throws. It didn't create an out that time, but his throw was Harper-like stunning for its power and force. "I just thought (Justin) Morneau came off a little hot and tried to back-door him and thought it was a good play," Harper said. "Pretty much had him." But many remembered his pregame quote where he didn't...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr nationals frontstory_nationals2

Clubhouse chatter from Harper, Zimmerman, Desmond and Zimmermann after 7-3 win

June 30, 2014, 7:36pm

Nationals

Clubhouse chatter from Harper, Zimmerman, Desmond and Zimmermann after 7-3 win

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper returned to the lineup for the first time since April 25 and contributed an RBI single and a run scored in a 7-3 win over Colorado. He said he was really pumped up when he scored on Ian Desmond's three-run game-changing double in a five-run sixth inning. "I was fired up. I crossed the plate and looked out and Desi yelled," Harper said. "I think having such a deep lineup is huge. One through eight, pick your poison. Because you're gonna get a guy that...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Bryce Harper and the Nationals take the field (Nats win 7-3)

June 30, 2014, 3:22pm

Nationals

It was subtle, but Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper made his presence felt early in his first game back in the lineup since April 25. Harper, who had missed 57 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb, fired a laser beam to first base after Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau connected on a base hit towards him in the first inning. The throw caught Morneau in no man's land, between first and second baseman. Because Jordan Zimmermann was covering home plate, Adam LaRoche had no one to...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr jordan zimmermann nationals frontstory_nationals3

Harper glad to be back, but thinks Zimmerman should be playing left field

June 30, 2014, 1:14pm

Nationals

Harper glad to be back, but thinks Zimmerman should be playing left field

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is back for the first time since April 25. Harper is batting sixth and playing left field. With his team in first place on June 30, Harper is enjoying where the Nationals are as he returns from a torn ligament in his left thumb. "They played well when I was gone," Harper said. "Be able to come back and enjoy this team and enjoy being out there. It's going to be a lot fun. I am excited (to) get back out there and play and see where we are and have some...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr matt williams nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Morrow on Taylor: "I think he will be a future starter and possible All-Star for the Nationals"

June 30, 2014, 6:05am

Nationals

Double-A Harrisburg Senators center fielder Michael Taylor continues a very impressive season at the plate to go a long with spectacular defense. A high-ranking American League scout told me Taylor has all the tools defensively to play in the majors right now. On Sunday's "Nats Insider" heard on 106.7 The Fan, PennLive.com and Harrisburg Patriot-News Senators beat reporter Geoff Morrow told me Taylor's defense is unlike any he has ever seen come through the Nationals organization. "I...

Tags:

byron kerr michael taylor nationals farm report geoff morrow frontstory_nationals3

Harper crushes three home runs on road back to D.C.

June 28, 2014, 5:37pm

Nationals

Harper crushes three home runs on road back to D.C.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper slammed three homers in his fifth rehab game as Double-A Harrisburg defeated Akron 10-4. Harper has been recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb. Harper hit two of the homers off of Akron right-handed starter Duke von Schamann in the third and fifth innings. The other was a three-run shot in the eighth. Four of his RBIs on Saturday night came with two outs. He finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBIs. He also was caught stealing once...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr lucas giolito nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1 nationals farm report

Bryce Harper plays center field again, has two RBIs for Harrisburg

June 27, 2014, 6:08pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper plays center field again, has two RBIs for Harrisburg

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 1-for-2 with two RBIs in Double-A Harrisburg's 4-3 win at Akron. He has now completed four minor league rehab games as he recovers from a surgery to repair torn ligament in his left thumb. It was an eventful night for Harper on the basepaths. He stole two bases and was caught stealing in a rundown that allowed Michael A. Taylor to score the game's first run. Harper also earned a pair of walks. Harper batted third and played center field. He told us at...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr nationals nationals farm report frontstory_nationals2

Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 with a double for Harrisburg

June 26, 2014, 1:09pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 with a double for Harrisburg

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been added to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators roster as he continues to rehab from thumb ligament surgery. Harrisburg plays at Akron tonight. Harper's brother Bryan Harper is a left-handed reliever for the Senators. So Bryce is reunited with his brother at least for the weekend on a professional team. Harper has gone 3-for-4 in two games with high Single-A Potomac, hitting a three-run homer in the second contest. After that game, Harper did not confirm...

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr nationals frontstory_nationals2

Strasburg looks to complete sweep in Milwaukee (Brewers win 9-2)

June 25, 2014, 10:33am

Nationals

Strasburg looks to complete sweep in Milwaukee (Brewers win 9-2)

The Nationals have recently done an excellent job of getting off to good starts on road trips against first place teams. Two weeks ago, after winning a series in San Diego, the Nationals took on a then 42-21 San Francisco team and won three straight games. This week, facing a 47-30 Milwaukee team, the Nationals won the first two games of the series and held the Brewers to two runs in those games. On Tuesday night, the Nationals won what felt like one of their more significant gut-check...

Tags:

brewers byron kerr nationals frontfeatured_nationals stephen strasburg

Harper "felt great" after three-run homer, Ramos drives in two for Potomac

June 24, 2014, 3:51pm

Nationals

Harper "felt great" after three-run homer, Ramos drives in two for Potomac

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper slammed a three-run homer in his second game of the rehab process on Tuesday for Single-A Potomac Nationals. Harper went 2-for-3 with a single, homer, walk, scored a run and drove in four. In his final at-bat, facing Salem right-hander Kyle Kraus, Harper crushed a 3-1 pitch over the right center field fence for a three-run shot to give Potomac a 10-0 lead in the fifth inning. "It felt really good," Harper said. "Trying to go up there...