Byron Kerr

Teammates, manager glad Gonzalez can officially put Biogenesis queries behind him

August 05, 2013, 1:55pm

Nationals teammates and manager Davey Johnson all are glad that left-hander Gio Gonzalez finally gets the recognition from Major League Baseball that he was not a part of the Biogenesis scandal. Today's announcement by Commissioner Bud Selig suspended thirteen more players, including Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, for their admitted use of performance enhancing drugs. The last paragraph of the statement released by Major League Baseball today read: "Major League Baseball's...

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This and that

August 04, 2013, 5:31pm

Nationals

It has come to this in the season for the Nationals where they have to sweep the Braves in the first series of the homestand starting Monday at Nationals Park. Ideally, a 3-2 road trip with a split in Detroit and at least two out of three in Milwaukee would have been good. That didn't happen with the two game sweep at the hands of Detroit to begin the road trip. Their best chance was Stephen Strasburg's start Tuesday night. The game was tied 1-1 in the sixth before Alex Avila changed that...

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Ohlendorf to DL, Xavier Cedeno returns to Nats; will Karns soon get another shot?

August 03, 2013, 6:00pm

Nationals

Ohlendorf to DL, Xavier Cedeno returns to Nats; will Karns soon get another shot?

Right-hander Taylor Jordan has tossed a combined 125 2/3 innings in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. 35 1/3 of those innings have come at the major league level, where it appears he is there to stay. With starter Ross Detwiler likely done for the season with a herniated disc and a Jordan shutdown six starts away, who will the Nationals choose to be the fifth starter in the rotation? Ross Ohlendorf appeared to be the answer as a starting candidate. But Sunday he was placed on the...

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LaRoche uses Werth's bat to break slump with win in Milwaukee

August 03, 2013, 5:18pm

Nationals

LaRoche uses Werth's bat to break slump with win in Milwaukee

Maybe Jayson Werth needs to order more of his bats from his manufacturer to hand out to his teammates. Adam LaRoche would certainly request one. Werth had two hits and LaRoche cranked a solo homer as the Nationals guaranteed a series win over the Brewers with a 3-0 win on Saturday. Werth left the game in the sixth inning. Manager Davey Johnson said on MASN's "Nats Xtra" that Werth injured his groin again. Johnson does not believe it is serious. Werth will not play Sunday and Johnson is...

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Harper walks the talk with home run and two RBIs in Nationals' 4-1 win at Milwaukee

August 02, 2013, 8:30pm

Nationals

It did not take long for Bryce Harper to back up his comments from Wednesday's postgame. Friday night in Milwaukee, Harper crushed his 16th homer of the season, a solo shot off of Brewers reliever Burke Bradenhop in the sixth inning, in the Nationals' 4-1 victory at Miller Park. The Nationals left fielder described what he saw from Badenhop for the game-changing homer. "I was trying to go up there and make something happen," Harper said on MASN's 'Nats Xtra.' "J-Dub (Jayson Werth)...

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Zimmermann pitching in his home state against Brewers (Nats win 4-1)

August 02, 2013, 4:40pm

Nationals

Zimmermann pitching in his home state against Brewers (Nats win 4-1)

The Nationals are looking to get off to a quick start against the Brewers on Friday night at Miller Park. The Nationals have lost the first game in six straight series dating back to July 8. Washington won the first game of the series against Milwaukee and San Diego at Nationals Park to begin the month of July. Tom Gorzelanny made quick work of the Nationals in the first, getting Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman 1-2-3. Gorzelanny and Jordan Zimmermann are quick workers, so the...

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Nats and Brewers lineups for opener of series in Milwaukee

August 02, 2013, 7:49am

Nationals

Nats and Brewers lineups for opener of series in Milwaukee

The Nationals open another big series on the road at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. Wisconsin native right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will oppose former Nationals left-hander Tom Gorzelanny. The Nationals need to play well in this series and gain some momentum before returning home to begin a home stand against the first-place Atlanta Braves. For the Nats LF Bryce Harper 2B Anthony Rendon 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond CF Denard Span C Wilson...

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Top prospect Giolito tosses four shutout innings in sixth start for GCL Nats

August 01, 2013, 8:08pm

Nationals

Top prospect Giolito tosses four shutout innings in sixth start for GCL Nats

Right-hander Lucas Giolito had a very good outing for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals, tossing four shutout innings and striking out four, walking none and allowing only two hits. This outing came after a couple of starts were he allowed five runs in a total of 3 1/3 innings. Giolito is now 0-1, with a 4.26 ERA. The GCL Nats won the game 10-3 over the GCL Cardinals and are 30-6 in the East division. It was the first time Giolito had allowed no runs in a road start in three...

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A.J. Cole making progress after two wins to begin Double-A career

August 01, 2013, 8:27am

Nationals

A.J. Cole making progress after two wins to begin Double-A career

Right-hander A.J. Cole has now had two positive starts in a row for Double-A Harrisburg. Cole went six innings in a 5-3 Senators win at Trenton. Cole allowed four hits, one unearned run, three walks struck out six for his second straight win. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris is happy with Cole and his progress at Double-A. "Absolutely, he has gone up there and competed very well," Harris said. "He has thrown a lot of strikes and been very aggressive. We are very pleased...

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GCL Nats dominating competition early in Florida

July 31, 2013, 11:06am

Nationals

GCL Nats dominating competition early in Florida

The rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals are off to a league-best 28-6 (.824) record in the East division this summer. The Nats have won 11 of their last 12 games and are 11 games ahead of the GCL Cardinals in first place. The roster is a mixture of young talent from the U.S., Dominican Republic and elsewhere, college kids and players out of high school. They were placed on the roster out of extended spring training and have bonded quickly, becoming a cohesive unit that has dominated the...

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Mesa Solar Sox are Nationals' entry in 2013 Arizona Fall League

July 30, 2013, 11:47am

Nationals

The organization and staff assignments have been made for the 2013 Arizona Fall League. Nationals farmhands will play alongside prospects from the Cubs, Tigers, Angels and Athletics as the Mesa Solar Sox in the six-team league. Their home stadium will be Hohokam Stadium and the Solar Sox are in the East Division. Bill Richardson from the Angels is Mesa's manager. Mike Maroth from the Tigers will be the pitching coach. Troy Gingrich from Triple-A Syracuse will be the Solar Sox's hitting...

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In house, Brown one option for left-handed bat in Nationals search

July 29, 2013, 11:20am

Nationals

Commentator and former Nationals general manager Jim Bowden tweeted on Sunday that the Nationals are looking for a left-handed bat off the bench, but that they wouldn't be spending too much or trading big prospect chips to acquire one. Nationals continue search for LH Bench Bat....not expected to make a major deal— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) July 28, 2013 If the Nationals cannot find another left-handed bat for the bench, they do have outfielder Corey Brown available at Triple-A...

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Jordan finally rewarded with first major league win

July 28, 2013, 2:03pm

Nationals

Jordan finally rewarded with first major league win

Although he didn't get a game ball yet, right-hander Taylor Jordan pitched well enough in his sixth major league start to earn his first big league victory. Jordan was asked who he was going to give the game ball to after the Nationals crushed the Mets 14-1. He said he hadn't procured a game ball yet. At least he didn't think he had one, as he looked into his locker at baseballs from other games. "The ball? I don't have one," Jordan said. "Oh, do I have one? No, these are just...

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Rizzo: Jordan will get opportunity to compete for 2014 starting role

July 28, 2013, 7:49am

Nationals

Rizzo: Jordan will get opportunity to compete for 2014 starting role

Right-hander Taylor Jordan deserves a win today. He has been solid in every start so far in the majors, but has an 0-3 record. This will be his sixth start of his major league career. Nationals general Mike Rizzo was asked if Jordan would be on the same 160-inning limit that Stephen Strasburg was in his recovery from Tommy John. "We have parameters in mind for Taylor Jordan," Rizzo said. "When we feel he is done pitching, we will shut him down." Rizzo also said Jordan will get the...

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Span on his first Nats homer: "Hopefully, it will happen more often than once a year"

July 27, 2013, 3:40pm

Nationals

Span on his first Nats homer: "Hopefully, it will happen more often than once a year"

Center fielder Denard Span finally did it: hit his first homer in a Nationals uniform, his first homer since October of last year while with the Twins. "Felt good to get the monkey off my back," Span smiled. "It hasn't taken this long to hit a home run in a while, probably since A ball. But it felt good. "It has been a long season for me offensively. Just felt good to get one over the wall. My home trot was definitely a little rusty." Left fielder Bryce Harper, who hit a two-run shot...

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Updates on Cole, Garcia and Moore

July 27, 2013, 2:11pm

Nationals

Right-hander A.J. Cole had an outstanding Double-A debut Thursday for Harrisburg. Cole tossed seven innings in a 2-1 Senators win at Portland. Cole allowed three hits, one run, a solo homer, one walk and struck out six batters. After a one-out single in the first, Cole ran off 11 straight outs. A club source reported that Cole "threw the ball very well. He had above average fastball command. His changeup was effective and he sprinkled in the curveball nicely." It has already been a big...

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McCatty details changes Nats want to see in Storen's delivery

July 27, 2013, 10:14am

Nationals

McCatty details changes Nats want to see in Storen's delivery

Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty gave some insight on what wants Triple-A Syracuse pitching coach Greg Booker and minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams to work on with Drew Storen as the right-hander works on several mechanical issues in his attempt to get back to the nationals. Storen was optioned to Syracuse following Friday's doubleheader against the Mets. McCatty spoke with Storen after he received the news and described as a tough, but thorough sitdown. McCatty was asked...

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Zimmermann on the two pitches to Murphy that wound up home runs

July 26, 2013, 1:48pm

Nationals

Zimmermann on the two pitches to Murphy that wound up home runs

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann thought he was pitching better than his line indicated. Zimmermann (12-6) lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks, eight strikeouts and two home runs - his third straight loss. The two sliders that Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy unloaded upon were the ones remembered from this loss, at least early on, before it got real ugly in an 11-0 rout. In the first, Murphy hit a slider off the second-level advertising banner above section...

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Nats face early deficit in opener against the Mets (Nationals lose 11-0)

July 26, 2013, 9:50am

Nationals

Welcome to Nationals Park on a partly sunny Friday afternoon. The first game of the day/night doubleheader features right-hander Jordan Zimmermann against the Mets right-hander Jenrry Mejia. The first game was rescheduled from the June 6 rainout here at Nationals Park. Mejia comes off the 60-day disabled list to make his first appearance of the season. He is the 26th man on the Mets roster today, and has battled elbow tendon inflammation since March 22. He was 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in six minor...

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Johnson on Knorr's decision to pull Soriano in favor of Krol in ninth frame

July 26, 2013, 9:13am

Nationals

Johnson on Knorr's decision to pull Soriano in favor of Krol in ninth frame

Nationals manager Davey Johnson was able to speak to the media today for the first time since he was ejected from Thursday's 9-7 win over the Pirates. Randy Knorr spoke postgame because Johnson was not available. Johnson was asked if he agreed with the decision by Knorr to pull closer Rafael Soriano in the ninth after he struggled to get outs, allowing two hits and two walks. "Yeah, I mean, (that is) sometimes what you do," Johnson said. "You go with what you are seeing. I was watching...