Byron Kerr

Roark did his job Monday, left with the lead

April 22, 2014, 5:09am

Right-hander Tanner Roark did everything he could possibly do to keep the Nationals in the game and continue his home dominance. Roark went 6 2/3 innings and scattered seven hits, allowing no runs with two walks, one intentional, and five strikeouts. He was a workhorse with 105 pitches, 63 for strikes. There is something about Roark at Nationals Park. He has allowed one earned run in 26 innings at home for a 0.35 ERA. Roark said the home numbers are good, of course, but more important to him is...

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Desmond and Clippard on what went wrong in the eighth inning

April 21, 2014, 7:42pm

Nationals

Desmond and Clippard on what went wrong in the eighth inning

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond committed two errors in the Angels' decisive four-run rally in the eighth inning, leading to a 4-2 loss Monday night. Desmond's first error occurred when he bobbled a grounder near the bag at second which allowed Albert Pujols to reach base. With two outs, pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez slapped a game-changing three-run double, and Desmond picked up another error on an errant throw. "I feel bad, obviously, but what are going to do? keep on playing, I guess,"...

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Starting pitchers controlling game early (Angels win 4-2)

April 21, 2014, 4:04pm

Nationals

Starting pitchers controlling game early (Angels win 4-2)

The Nationals' Tanner Roark struck out three of the first four batters he faced in tonight's opening game of their three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels got a pair of hits in the second and a walk, but Roark worked out of that with a strikeout of Angels starter Garrett Richards to end the inning. In the third, J.B. Shuck was originally called out at first on a grounder to second as he dove for the bag. The Angels requested a video replay review and the call was overturned....

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Harper and Trout understand hyped matchup, but focus is on winning

April 21, 2014, 2:35pm

Nationals

Harper and Trout understand hyped matchup, but focus is on winning

With the arrival of the Los Angeles Angels in D.C. comes the much anticipated matchup between 22-year-old Mike Trout and 21-year-old Bryce Harper. Trout was the 25th overall selection in 2009, while Harper arrived as the first overall pick in 2010. They have been linked because they are both considered power-hitting phenoms and are the faces of the next batch of young superstars to play in the majors. But Harper was not going to buy into the hype prior to Monday's first game of a three-game...

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McLouth walk a key at-bat in walk-off winner for Nationals

April 21, 2014, 6:19am

Nationals

Outfielder Nate McLouth came up in the bottom of the ninth with two men on and one out against Cardinals reliever Seth Maness on Sunday. The Cardinals and Nationals were tied at 2-2. He played a key role in the series, salvaging a 3-2 walk-off winner for D.C. Maness started with three straight sinkers against McLouth, hoping to get him to bite. But McLouth hung in there, didn't swing, and got the count to 3-0. Then, Maness switched up his strategy. He threw a four-seam fastball for a called...

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Span, Strasburg, Harper and Werth react after walk-off win over Cardinals

April 20, 2014, 2:51pm

Nationals

Span, Strasburg, Harper and Werth react after walk-off win over Cardinals

The Nationals' comeback to beat the Cardinals 3-2 on a Denard Span sacrifice fly in the ninth gave them their sixth come-from-behind win this season. They split the four-game set with St. Louis, improving to 5-1 in series finales. The Nats left 17 men on base, but managed to come away with the victory. Span spoke about his at-bat against right-hander Seth Maness in the ninth with the bases loaded, one out and the game tied 2-2. The Cards played an extra man in the infield for Span's...

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Cardinals get to Nats in second inning again (Nats walk off with 3-2 win)

April 20, 2014, 10:01am

Nationals

Cardinals get to Nats in second inning again (Nats walk off with 3-2 win)

The Cardinals' hottest hitter connected with a big hit to start the second inning against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg to open the scoring. Matt Adams' double led off the second frame, and was followed by a Yadier Molina single. Strasburg got back in the inning by getting Jhonny Peralta to ground into a double play, but Adams scored from third to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. After a Mark Ellis single, Peter Bourjos struck out to end the threat. Bryce Harper started Sunday, the...

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Harper, teammates react to Williams' decision to pull him from game

April 19, 2014, 12:46pm

Nationals

Harper, teammates react to Williams' decision to pull him from game

A somber Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper reacted to manager Matt Williams' decision to take him out of the game for not running to first base on a grounder back to the pitcher. "I respect what he did and it is part of the game," Harper said after the Nats' 4-3 loss to the Cardinals. Harper led off the sixth inning with a comebacker to starting pitcher Lance Lynn, who threw to Matt Adams at first base for the first out of the inning. Harper peeled off toward the home dugout before...

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Early throwing error opens door for Cardinals rally (Nats fall 4-3)

April 19, 2014, 9:28am

Nationals

Early throwing error opens door for Cardinals rally (Nats fall 4-3)

An early fielding mistake hurt the Nationals again. In the top of the second with one out, Allen Craig walked. Jhonny Peralta grounded to third base and Anthony Rendon attempted to get Craig at second and start a double play. But his throw to second baseman Danny Espinosa was offline and both runners were safe. Rendon was charged with his first error of the season. It was the league-leading 20th error committed by the Nationals this season. Tony Cruz followed with a two-run single, and the...

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Span says "it feels good" to be back, returns to lineup after concussion

April 19, 2014, 8:05am

Nationals

Span says "it feels good" to be back, returns to lineup after concussion

Nationals center fielder Denard Span returns to the lineup today against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was activated off the seven-day disabled list after suffering a concussion in a game against the Atlanta Braves on April 11. Span played two rehab games for low Single-A Hagerstown and suffered no setbacks. "It feels good," Span said. "A couple of days in Hagerstown definitely gets my appreciation for being here up a few notches and I am ready to go. "Felt good. I didn't see many strikes....

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Hearing from Rendon, Storen, Desmond and Gonzalez after win over Cardinals

April 18, 2014, 6:51pm

Nationals

Hearing from Rendon, Storen, Desmond and Gonzalez after win over Cardinals

Several Nationals played key roles in Friday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals. Third baseman Anthony Rendon hit a solo shot to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead. He talked about the win and the curveball that Michael Wacha threw him, which resulted in the first run of the game. "It was a good win. Obviously, they are a tremendous team. They got the best of us in the past. We are trying to change that," Rendon said. "He has a pretty big curveball. I think he left a little bit up. I was just...

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Rendon's solo blast gives Nationals early advantage (Span update, Nats win 3-1)

April 18, 2014, 3:47pm

Nationals

Third baseman Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals their first lead and first run of the series with a solo homer in the third inning. Rendon went after the first pitch, a curveball, from Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha and launched it into the St. Louis bullpen, well over the wall in left-center. It was Rendon's third homer of the season and the Nationals lead 1-0. Nats left-hander Gio Gonzalez held St. Louis scoreless for the first three innings. The Cardinals got men on first and second...

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Ramos takes five swings, hits five balls as recovery continues

April 18, 2014, 2:00pm

Nationals

Ramos takes five swings, hits five balls as recovery continues

Catcher Wilson Ramos met with reporters pregame Friday to give an update on the rehab process for his hamate fracture in his left hand. Ramos had surgery and got the stitches taken out last Monday. He has begun an intensive strengthening regimen to build the left wrist and hand back to full strength. He has been on the disabled list since April 1 after feeling pain in his hand and wrist during opening day at-bats in New York. "Right now, starting working out with my hand," Ramos said. "My...

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Williams and Jordan react after 8-0 loss to Cardinals

April 17, 2014, 7:13pm

Nationals

Williams and Jordan react after 8-0 loss to Cardinals

Manager Matt Williams declined to comment on what he told the Nationals following their 8-0 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night at Nationals Park. "I am not answering that question. That is for me and my team and no one else's business," Williams said. But Williams left no doubt as to his impressions of his team's sloppy play. The Nats committed four errors and now lead the National League with 20, managing only two hits in being shut out for the first time this season. "Regarding the...

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Rough start for Nats in opener vs. Cards (St. Louis wins 8-0)

April 17, 2014, 3:17pm

Nationals

Rough start for Nats in opener vs. Cards (St. Louis wins 8-0)

It's been a shaky start for the Nationals, who trail 3-0. Matt Carpenter reached first base in the top of the first when shortstop Ian Desmond bobbled a grounder right to him. Kolten Wong was safe with a single when Taylor Jordan could not get the ball out of his glove in time for the toss to first baseman Adam LaRoche. With two men on, Matt Holliday's RBI double made it 1-0. Matt Adams followed with a run-scoring grounder and Yadier Molina slapped a RBI single to left. Suddenly, it was 3-0...

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Williams and Espinosa respect Cardinals, but it's more about the Nats

April 17, 2014, 2:26pm

Nationals

Williams and Espinosa respect Cardinals, but it's more about the Nats

Nationals manager Matt Williams has respect for the Cardinals as they begin a four-game series at Nationals Park, with both teams at 9-6. They have a lot in common, with great starting pitching and timely hitting. But is Williams intimidated by playing them because the Nats' record early this season against better teams? Not necessarily. "They play the game really well," Williams said. "They do a lot of things really well. It starts with their rotation. They have got one of the best...

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Williams updates Fister's simulated game and Harper's quad

April 17, 2014, 1:38pm

Nationals

Williams updates Fister's simulated game and Harper's quad

Manager Matt Williams had some positive news on the recovery of right-hander Doug Fister, who has been on the disabled list with a right lat strain since the beginning of the season Williams reported Fister tossed two innings and 28 pitches today in a simulated game in extended spring training in Viera, Fla. "Felt good about it," Williams said. "Reports are his second inning was better than his first inning, which is a good sign and so the plan is he will be on normal rest, five-day type...

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Walters delivers game's biggest hit against familiar foe

April 17, 2014, 3:36am

Nationals

Walters delivers game's biggest hit against familiar foe

Baseball is a small world. With apologies to Kevin Bacon, call it six degrees of separation on the diamond. Nationals pinch-hitter Zach Walters crushed a slider off of Marlins reliever Mike Dunn to give the Nats their first lead of Wednesday's game. The Nationals end up winning 6-3 after trailing 3-0. Dunn and Walters attended the same high school, Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas. "All I got to say is I won't be invited to the Christmas party this year," Walters told MASN's Dan...

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Rendon staying healthy and delivering big hits for Nationals

April 16, 2014, 3:36am

Nationals

Remember during draft time when all the naysayers complained about Anthony Rendon and his ability to stay healthy? I do too, and I asked a professional who was there. He recollected what the apprehension was for Rendon when the Nationals selected him in 2011. Jim Callis was the executive editor for Baseball America back then. He is now the senior writer for MLBpipeline.com "He had two right ankle injuries I thought were fluky in college and thought he was the best guy in that 2011 draft,"...

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Pair of walk off winners down on the Nats farm

April 15, 2014, 3:21am

Nationals

Pair of walk off winners down on the Nats farm

There was plenty of walk-off excitement in Woodbridge. Recently called up third baseman Khayyan Norfork scored the winning run on a Carolina double play attempt as the P-Nats downed Carolina 6-5. With the game knotted at 5-5, Norfork was hit by a pitch to start the rally. He went to second on Oscar Tejeda's groundout. Kevin Keyes was then intentionally walked by Carolina's Louis Head (0-1). Brandon Miller's hard grounder to shortstop Erik Gonzalez was thrown to second baseman Torsten Boss to...