Byron Kerr

Matt Williams on Jordan's fever, Espinosa's knee and his relievers

April 27, 2014, 2:15pm

Right-hander Taylor Jordan made it through four innings Sunday but then was pulled from game. The bullpen was unable to keep the game within reach and the Padres defeated the Nationals 4-2. Manager Matt Williams said Jordan had been feeling under the weather since late last night. "He showed up this morning running a fever," Williams said. "I don't know if it was the flu or what. There was some question as to whether he would even start. But we gave him a bag of fluids and he ate something...

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Fister pitches four innings in first rehab start for Potomac (updated with Williams, Fister comments)

April 27, 2014, 10:39am

Nationals

Fister pitches four innings in first rehab start for Potomac (updated with Williams, Fister comments)

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister completed his rehab assignment for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals on Sunday. Fister went four innings, as planned, and threw 59 pitches, 42 for strikes. This was Fister's initial rehab start. He is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a right lat strain. Fister told reporters afterward that he had good location and spring training velocity. A source at the stadium told me Fister "looked pretty good for his first outing." Fister allowed six hits,...

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Nationals get to Ian Kennedy and Padres for early lead (Padres win 4-2)

April 27, 2014, 9:52am

Nationals

The Nationals jumped on Padres starter Ian Kennedy in the first inning. With one out, Anthony Rendon crushed a double off the top of the right-center field wall. Jayson Werth then rocketed a double deep to left-center field and the Nationals led 1-0. Nationals starter Taylor Jordan allowed a single to Chris Denorfia but got the benefit of a 3-6-3 double play to end the top of the first. In the second inning, Danny Espinosa was hit by a pitch on his right knee and stayed down at home plate on...

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Strasburg and Lobaton building chemistry, helping produce success on the hill

April 25, 2014, 8:43pm

Nationals

Strasburg and Lobaton building chemistry, helping produce success on the hill

Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton said it was difficult to get to know Stephen Strasburg early in the season. But now that they have had three or four games working together, they are slowly building chemistry and trust. That bonding played an important role in Strasburg's seven innings of shutout ball in an 11-1 victory over the Padres on Friday night. "First time, it was kind of like I don't know how to go and talk to him in the dugout. He is a quiet guy, he likes to be alone," Lobaton...

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Williams on offense, Desmond and Strasburg in win over Padres

April 25, 2014, 8:10pm

Nationals

Williams on offense, Desmond and Strasburg in win over Padres

Nationals manager Matt Williams said his team's strategy of working to get as many men on base as ppossible was a key an 11-1 victory over San Diego, even if they struggled with runners in scoring position in their Thursday extra-inning loss. "The theme is the same as it always is," Williams said. "We just try to give ourselves as many opportunities as we can. I think Anthony (Rendon) and (Ian) Desmond certainly set the tone tonight. Taking the ball the other way against a left-hander...

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Harper leaves game in fifth with jammed left thumb

April 25, 2014, 5:32pm

Nationals

Harper leaves game in fifth with jammed left thumb

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper appeared to jam his left wrist while sliding into third base on a three-run triple in the third inning against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. MASN television replays showed Harper holding his left wrist and flexing his left hand after the play. He stayed in the game for the fourth inning, but was replaced by Nate McLouth in left field to begin the fifth inning. Harper left the game after going 2-for-2 with a single, a triple, one run scored and a...

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Nationals deliver early on scoring chances (Nats win 11-1)

April 25, 2014, 4:24pm

Nationals

The Nationals had 16 chances with runners in scoring position Thursday in the opening game against the Padres and failed each time. On Friday, the Nationals got base hits on their first two RISP opportunities to provide Stephen Strasburg an early cushion against his hometown team. After a 57-minute rain delay, Strasburg allowed a single by Everth Cabrera to lead off the game. But the right-hander then induced a double play and a fly out to keep San Diego off the board in the top of the...

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Difo making noise for Hagerstown after focused offseason training

April 25, 2014, 4:17pm

Nationals

Difo making noise for Hagerstown after focused offseason training

Low Single-A Hagerstown second baseman Wilmer Difo continues to prove he can hit and get on base. Through 20 games, the 6-foot ,175-lb. Dominican switch-hitter is hitting .315. In 89 at-bats, Difo has 28 hits, 12 runs, seven doubles, two triples, nine stolen bases (caught stealing once) and 15 RBIs. Difo has a .351 on-base percentage for the Suns. Through Thursday, Difo had five multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. Difo has hit in the clutch, as well, batting .390 with runners on base and...

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Williams on Ramos' recovery: "Structurally, everything is really good"

April 25, 2014, 3:42pm

Nationals

Williams on Ramos' recovery: "Structurally, everything is really good"

Nationals manager Matt Williams had an update on catcher Wilson Ramos, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since opening day with a left hamate bone fracture. "Took early BP today, looks good," Williams said. "At this point, it is pain tolerance. Structurally, everything is really good. The bone is removed. The scar is healing. It is not just a skin scar, either - they go in there. There is constant work being done on that. "You loosen it up and then it mats down again overnight...

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Transfer play rule adjusted (updated with player reaction)

April 25, 2014, 9:45am

Nationals

Transfer play rule adjusted (updated with player reaction)

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche got his wish. Major League Baseball announced today that the Playing Rules Committee has adjusted how umpires should apply the official playing rules in plays when a fielder loses possession of a ball attempting to transfer it to this throwing hand. The new interpretation of the transfer play will begin with games tonight. Here is the official announcement of how umpires will enforce the rule according to these standards: "The Committee has determined that...

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Zimmermann felt stuff was good enough to go longer than six innings

April 24, 2014, 8:26pm

Nationals

Zimmermann felt stuff was good enough to go longer than six innings

The Nationals certainly had opportunities in their 4-3 12-inning loss to the Padres on Thursday. It ended on a hard-hit ball by catcher Jose Lobaton that doubled Bryce Harper off of second base. That play was another example of the many missed scoring chances the Nationals had. "That is the game," Lobaton said. "I was trying to do something better after that error. I was trying to get at least a base hit, move the runner. It was a pretty good line drive, he made a nice play, and that was...

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Nationals get aggressive to go up on Padres in third (San Diego wins 4-3 in 12)

April 24, 2014, 3:47pm

Nationals

The Nationals got on the board in the third inning against Padres lefty Eric Stults. Pitcher Jordan Zimmermann got it started with a single past diving shortstop Everth Cabrera and into left field. Denard Span reached on a fielder's choice, erasing Zimmermann at second. Span then stole second and Stults' pickoff throw sailed past the first baseman, allowing Span to go to third. He scored on a towering fly ball to left field off the bat of Anthony Rendon and the Nationals led 1-0. Zimmermann...

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Lobaton working on keeping swing short

April 24, 2014, 2:38pm

Nationals

Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton began Wednesday's ninth-inning rally against the Angels with his first home run of the season, a no-doubter down the right field line and into the Nationals bullpen, cutting the Angels lead to 4-2. The Nationals were able to score three more runs and come back to win 5-4. Lobaton connected on a 0-2 count after starting the night 0-for-3 at the plate. He said more time with Nationals hitting coach Rick Schu helped him to make an important adjustment in his...

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Williams updates Gonzalez, Fister and Hairston

April 24, 2014, 1:07pm

Nationals

Williams updates Gonzalez, Fister and Hairston

Nationals manager Matt Williams updated the recovery of starting right-hander Doug Fister, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a right lat strain. Williams said Fister threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday and "felt good." This means that Fister is on track to make a rehab start Sunday for high Single-A Potomac on Sunday in Woodbridge, Va. The plan is for Fister to go four innings with a 60-pitch limit. Fister would then have one more rehab start and go five innings. All of these...

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Werth and LaRoche recount Nationals' wild ninth-inning rally against Angels

April 23, 2014, 7:27pm

Nationals

Something about these Nationals, they know how to mount a comeback. A lot has not gone their way this season, from injuries to sloppy defense to inconsistent early innings for the pitchers. But Wednesday reminded baseball that this team never stops fighting. Down 4-1 heading into their last at-bat, the Nationals rallied for four runs and shocked the Angels 5-4. The inning got its start as catcher Jose Lobaton connected off of Angels reliever Ernesto Frieri on an 0-2 pitch, slamming a long drive...

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Gonzalez's bat gives Nats first run against Angels (Nats rally to win 5-4)

April 23, 2014, 3:48pm

Nationals

Gonzalez's bat gives Nats first run against Angels (Nats rally to win 5-4)

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez got himself out of a pair of jams early and then contributed with his bat to get his team the early advantage. In the first inning with one away, the Angels got a double from Mike Trout and a single from Albert Pujols. Howie Kendrick walked to load the bases. Gonzalez then got Erick Aybar to ground into an inning-ending double play. Ian Desmond caught Aybar's short blooper and then threw back to second base to double up Pujols. In the second frame, the Angels...

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Williams said starting infield requested more pregame defensive practice

April 23, 2014, 2:08pm

Nationals

Williams said starting infield requested more pregame defensive practice

Something has got to change. If the Nationals have any aspirations of winning the National League East or making an appearance in the postseason, they must play better defense. That means cleaner innings. That means making the play you are supposed to make and not trying to do too much. Shortstop Ian Desmond has had too many errors to begin this season. He would be the first to admit that. But he has also said a few times after games when he had committed an on-field miscue that maybe next time...

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Pujols and Nationals react to historic 500th home run

April 22, 2014, 7:15pm

Nationals

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols crushed a pair of home runs to reach 500 for his career in a 7-2 win over the Nationals on Tuesday night. Pujols hit both home runs off Nationals starter Taylor Jordan. "It was a really good swing, a fastball middle up and obviously, probably the best swing I have taken this year so far," Pujols said. "It came at a good time." Although Jordan thought his pitch on Pujols' 499th home run was a good one, he admitted that he missed his target on Pujols'...

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Pujols hits his 500th career home run, Nats fall 7-2

April 22, 2014, 3:20pm

Nationals

Pujols hits his 500th career home run, Nats fall 7-2

The first inning did not start off well for the Nationals and Taylor Jordan. And again, the defense added to the early deficit. Jordan allowed a double to J.B. Shuck to lead off the game. Mike Trout reached on a throwing error by third baseman Anthony Rendon. With two men on, Albert Pujols stepped to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, Pujols launched a mammoth shot deep over the left field wall for his seventh homer of the season and No. 499 of his career. He is 26th on the all-time list behind Eddie...

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Williams offers updates on Fister, Storen; Barrett returns to majors

April 22, 2014, 2:11pm

Nationals

Williams offers updates on Fister, Storen; Barrett returns to majors

Manager Matt Williams reported that right-hander Doug Fister had another quality simulated game in Florida and could be 15 days away from making his first start for the Nationals. Fister went three innings and tossed 44 pitches. "He felt good with everything," Williams said. "Lots of grounders and reported he felt really good with it. The next step for him is work out down there tomorrow. The plan is for him to be here Thursday and continue to go through his program and get to a rehab start...