Byron Kerr

Johnson: Harper out for Sunday, hopeful to join team in New York

September 07, 2013, 7:03pm

Manager Davey Johnson said during his news conference following the Nationals' 9-2 win over the Marlins that left fielder Bryce Harper aggravated his hip injury during batting practice and will go to see team physician Dr. Wiemi Douoguih. Johnson said it is likely Harper will join the team in New York if the hip is not seriously injured. Harper was scratched just prior to first pitch after injuring the hip in batting practice. "He aggravated hitting, swinging," Johnson said on MASN's...

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Denard Span returns to Nats lineup against Marlins (Harper scratched)

September 07, 2013, 12:35pm

Nationals

Denard Span returns to Nats lineup against Marlins (Harper scratched)

Denard Span returns to the Nationals lineup tonight after missing the opener against the Marlins due to groin tightness. The Nationals give Tanner Roark the ball for his first major league start as they look to even the series following Friday's 7-0 setback. Update: Bryce Harper has been scratched from the Nats lineup with Tyler Moore replacing him in left. For the Nats CF Denard Span 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond C Wilson Ramos LF Tyler Moore 2B...

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Harrisburg, Hagerstown seek playoff clinchers, Potomac opens Mills Cup finals

September 07, 2013, 7:09am

Nationals

Harrisburg, Hagerstown seek playoff clinchers, Potomac opens Mills Cup finals

Several Nationals farm teams are playing big postseason contests this evening. Double-A Harrisburg dropped the Erie SeaWolves 4-1 in Game 3 of the best-of-five Western Division championship series in the Eastern League Friday. Nathan Karns fired seven shutout innings for the win. Game 4 is tonight at 7 p.m. at Metro Bank Park. The Senators advance to the finals with a series-clinching victory tonight. High Single-A Potomac opens the Mills Cup championship tonight in Woodbridge, Va., against...

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Johnson's thoughts on shutout loss in Miami: "We can't afford to be losing"

September 06, 2013, 6:15pm

Nationals

Johnson's thoughts on shutout loss in Miami: "We can't afford to be losing"

Nationals right-hander Dan Haren struggled from the start Friday night, allowing the first four batters to reach base. Rookie Jose Fernandez allowed just one hit in seven innings for the Marlins. The result was a 7-0 Miami win at a time of year when the Nationals are desperate for wins in every game they play. Manager Davey Johnson was impressed by the Marlins' young rookie starter. "He really used all his pitches," Johnson said on MASN's "Nats Xtra." "He was really attacking our...

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Haren off to slow start (Nats fall 7-0)

September 06, 2013, 3:22pm

Nationals

The Nationals looking to make some noise this weekend in Miami. To do that, it's important for a good start at Marlins Park. So far, it hasn't been a good start for Dan Haren. The Marlins scored three in the first inning and lead 3-0. Giancarlo Stanton started the scoring with a two-run single and Placido Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Christian Yelich. Haren has thrown 22 pitches, 13 for strikes. But he's behind early. The right-hander has shown a...

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Harper returns for Nats-Marlins opener (Span scratched, Brown in)

September 06, 2013, 12:06pm

Nationals

Harper returns for Nats-Marlins opener (Span scratched, Brown in)

Here are the lineups for tonight's series opener in Miami between the Nationals and Marlins. Dan Haren will take on rookie sensation Jose Fernandez, who was named National League Rookie of the Month for July and August. Bryce Harper returns to the starting lineup after getting Wednesday off due to a sore hip. for the Nationals: Denard Span CF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Bryce Harper LF Jayson Werth RF Ian Desmond SS Adam LaRoche 1B Wilson Ramos C Steve Lombardozzi 2B Dan Haren P For the...

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Walters' power display big part of his call-up to Nationals

September 06, 2013, 9:33am

Nationals

Shortstop Zach Walters is getting his shot to play with the Nationals in September thanks to a career-high season in power numbers at Triple-A Syracuse. Walters smacked 29 homers and drove in 77 in 134 games. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris talked about why Walters was able to ramp up his slugging numbers in 2013. "We are excited about the power display," Harris said. "He made a significant adjustment that allowed his strength and leverage and quickness in his swing...

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Exclusive: Nationals' instructional league roster

September 05, 2013, 10:15am

Nationals

The Nationals begin instructional league workouts Sept. 14 featuring a talented roster of prospects from around the organization. MASNsports.com has learned the roster includes pitchers A.J. Cole, Lucas Giolito, Jake Johansen, Robbie Ray, Austin Voth and Wander Suero. Catcher Spencer Kieboom returns from injury, plus Jason Martinson, Billy Burns, Isaac Ballou, Hayden Jennings and Michael Taylor highlight an impressive list of top talent. The players report to Viera, Fla., training facility...

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Potomac's marathon win another example of team's resiliency

September 05, 2013, 10:01am

Nationals

Potomac's marathon win another example of team's resiliency

Wednesday's opening playoff win is another example of the resiliency displayed by the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. The P-Nats were down 1-0 until the bottom of the ninth and held the Hillcats scoreless for 11 innings before pulling out a 2-1, 14-inning win in a crispy four hours and 30 minutes from Pfitzner Stadium. Randolph Oduber and Michael Taylor provided the game-changing RBI singles, both with two outs in the ninth and 14th innings, respectively. The bullpen did not allow a run...

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Taylor's clutch base hit in 14th gives Potomac 2-1 win over Lynchburg

September 04, 2013, 8:51pm

Nationals

Taylor's clutch base hit in 14th gives Potomac 2-1 win over Lynchburg

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - The high Single-A Potomac Nationals edged the Lynchburg Hillcats 2-1 in 14 innings, grabbing the first game in the Carolina League Northern Division playoffs' best-of-three series. Michael Taylor's clean single to left scored the winning run from third base to give the P-Nats Game 1 of the series. The P-Nats can sweep the series with a victory Thursday night. "I was just trying to put the bat on the ball," Taylor said. "I struggled a little bit earlier in the day. I was...

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GCL All-Star team lists five Nationals

September 04, 2013, 5:57pm

Nationals

The Gulf Coast League announced its All-Star team Wednesday, and five Nationals were honored on the squad. The GCL Nats manager Patrick Anderson, Manager of the Year, led his team to a league-record 49 wins and the championship banner. The GCL Nats' .845 winning percentage is the best domestic winning percentage by a team in minor league history. The 1992 Dominican Summer League Blue Jays East team went 68-2 (.971) but lost in the playoffs. Third baseman Drew Ward hit .292 and was in the...

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Garcia rehabbing in Potomac during "frustrating" season

September 04, 2013, 5:42pm

Nationals

Garcia rehabbing in Potomac during "frustrating" season

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Right-hander Christian Garcia will continue his rehab assignment this week with the high Single-A Potomac Nationals during their Carolina League Northern Division playoff series against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Garcia has missed the entire season with a partial tear of a ligament in the wrist and forearm, and later, a pulled hamstring. He said he will pitch one inning Friday for the P-Nats. If the best-of-three series is completed prior to Friday and the P-Nats advance,...

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Potomac's Michael Taylor honored as Player of the Week again

September 04, 2013, 11:31am

Nationals

Potomac's Michael Taylor honored as Player of the Week again

Potomac Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor has been honored as the Carolina League Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season, which ended Monday. It is the third time this season Taylor received the citation. Other P-Nats honored this season include current Double-A Harrisburg Senators shortstop Jason Martinson (twice), right-handers Taylor Hill and A.J. Cole (twice), as well as right-hander Blake Schwartz. Schwartz is scheduled as the Game 2 starter tomorrow night in the...

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Clay surged to best season of career following promotion to Syracuse

September 03, 2013, 11:53am

Nationals

Clay surged to best season of career following promotion to Syracuse

Right-hander Caleb Clay surged to the end of the season for Triple-A Syracuse. He began the season for Double-A Harrisburg and finished well with the Chiefs, making 13 starts at each stop. Clay finished 11-5 with a 2.96 ERA in 27 combined games, 26 of them starts. He had 110 strikeouts and 31 walks, allowing just 52 earned runs in 158 1/3 innings. The last 10 games, Clay went 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA, 36 strikeouts and nine walks allowed. Clay surrendered three earned runs or less in all 10...

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Double-A Harrisburg begins playoffs at Erie on Sept. 4

September 02, 2013, 3:54pm

Nationals

Double-A Harrisburg begins playoffs at Erie on Sept. 4

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators are the 2013 Western Division regular season champions after their 1-0 victory at Richmond on Monday at The Diamond. Jeff Howell smacked an RBI single in the sixth and Rob Gilliam and four relievers shut out the Flying Squirrels. Harrisburg finished 77-65, won eight of its last 10 games and was 40-30 on the road. The regular season title was the Senators' first since 2011 and their fourth such title since the Eastern League started a two-division format in...

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Harper on sacrifice bunt that ignited game-winning rally

September 01, 2013, 8:56pm

Nationals

Harper on sacrifice bunt that ignited game-winning rally

Center fielder Bryce Harper, known for power and big hits at crucial times, came up with a stellar bunt with two men on during the Nationals' decisive three-run rally in the eighth inning Sunday night versus the Mets. Down 5-2, the Nationals rallied to score four runs in a 6-5 comeback victory. So was Harper bunting for a base hit? Bunting to get the two runners over? Did he decide to bunt on his own? "No, he was doing it on his own," said manager Davey Johnson. "I didn't think it was...

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Gulf Coast Nationals wrap up historic season with title

September 01, 2013, 2:10pm

Nationals

The Gulf Coast League Nationals defeated the GCL Red Sox 7-2 today to capture the GCL championship in Fort Myers, Fla. Third baseman Drew Ward was 2-5 with a double and an RBI. Right-hander Wander Suero got the start and struck out seven batters in five innings to notch the win. The GCL Nats had the best regular season record in Gulf Coast League history, going 49-9 for a .845 winning percentage. It was also the best winning percentage for any rookie league team dating back to the 1979...

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Nationals picked the wrong time for an 11-3 loss

August 31, 2013, 7:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals have a very thin line of opportunity to grab the final wild card spot in the National League. A loss this time of year can be devastating, but two losses in a row to the Mets with the second loss an 11-3 setback? It is one of those losses. The Mets put the game away early against starter Dan Haren, scoring two runs in the second and six runs in the third. Haren (8-12) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits and seven runs. The Mets had one span where nine of 12 hitters...

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Johnson believes minor league system one year away from complete depth

August 31, 2013, 2:30pm

Nationals

Johnson believes minor league system one year away from complete depth

Four of the Nationals' minor league affiliates are headed to the postseason thanks to very competitive seasons with some talented prospects. The rookie level Gulf Coast League Nationals are already in the postseason. Low Single-A Hagerstown, high Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg also are headed to the playoffs. Minor leagues are all about development of prospects, team personnel will always tell you. But manager Davey Johnson said winning is a good thing, regardless of the level. He...

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Zimmerman doesn't regret throw that led to Mets' winning run

August 30, 2013, 6:48pm

Nationals

Zimmerman doesn't regret throw that led to Mets' winning run

The Mets beat the Nationals 3-2 Friday night, thanks, in part, to a critical base hit by Andrew Brown in the eighth inning. With two outs and a man on second, Brown's liner down to third base was fielded in foul territory by Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who whirled and fired to Adam LaRoche at first base. LaRoche had to come off first base to make the play and then bobbled it a bit. Daniel Murphy, who started the play on second base, never stopped running and slid safely into home...