Byron Kerr

Zimmermann earns 12th win in all-around fashion

July 01, 2013, 7:47pm

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will remember this one for a while. He tied a career-high with 12 wins. It took him a whole season, and 32 starts, to reach 12 victories in 2012. He set a career-high with three hits in a game, scoring two runs, in a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. The Nationals held off the Brewers 10-5 behind Zimmermann's pitching and hitting. Handed an 8-0 lead, which has been rare for Zimmermann in his young career, he had to fight to hold off a couple of Milwaukee...

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With Harper returning, lineup comes together nicely for Johnson

July 01, 2013, 1:27pm

Nationals

With Harper returning, lineup comes together nicely for Johnson

For the first time it what seems like April, manager Davey Johnson got to put together a lineup that would make his counterpart in the other dugout pause. With the return of left fielder Bryce Harper from the disabled list, Johnson was able to put together one of the better power and contact combinations in quite a while to open the month of July. Denard Span CF Jayson Werth RF Bryce Harper LF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Ian Desmond SS Anthony Rendon 2B Kurt Suzuki C Jordan Zimmermann...

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Left-handed prospect Purke promoted to Potomac

July 01, 2013, 11:20am

Nationals

Left-handed prospect Purke promoted to Potomac

The low Single-A Hagerstown Suns announced that left-hander Matt Purke has been promoted to high Single-A Potomac. Purke made six starts at Hagerstown, going 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA. He had 41 strikeouts to just seven walks, and allowed a total of eight earned runs in 29 innings. His last two starts, in which he went five and six innings, respectively, have been the longest outings of the season. The Nationals have been impressed with the strides Purke has made this past month and a half. The...

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The Bryce Harper effect

July 01, 2013, 5:38am

Nationals

He did it last season when he burst onto the scene in Los Angeles. Now, 14 months later, coming off an injury to his knee this season, which also ironically happened at Dodger Stadium, he is ready to make his "re-debut" with the Nationals back in D.C. tonight. And similar to that April 28, 2012 moment, Bryce Harper will instantly provide a spark for the Nationals, with his presence alone. Judging from Saturday's rehab game for Double-A Harrisburg at Bowie, Harper looks good to...

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Harper after playing nine innings: "I really think I could help the team" (plus audio)

June 29, 2013, 6:26pm

Nationals

Harper after playing nine innings: "I really think I could help the team" (plus audio)

BOWIE, Md. - Left fielder Bryce Harper is anxious. That is the best sign of all that the knee is not bothering him and he is ready to get back with his teammates. On Saturday, he played nine innings for Double-A Harrisburg in what is likely his final rehab game before returning to the Nationals. Harper has been recovering from left knee bursitis since late May. On Saturday night, he faced off against Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, also on a rehab assignment. Harper went 0-for-3 with a...

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Harper completes nine innings in rehab game for first time, likely to return Monday

June 29, 2013, 5:21pm

Nationals

Harper completes nine innings in rehab game for first time, likely to return Monday

BOWIE, Md. - Left fielder Bryce Harper played nine innings in what is likely his final rehab game before returning to the Nationals. Harper has been recovering from left knee bursitis since late May. On Saturday night, he faced off against Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, also on a rehab assignment. Harper went 0-for-3 with a walk, a run and a pair of strikeouts. Bowie won the game 6-4. Harper struck out looking against Chen with a man on first base in the first inning. Leading off the...

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Left-handed prospect Purke allows one hit, strikes out eight for Hagerstown

June 29, 2013, 6:29am

Nationals

Left-handed prospect Purke allows one hit, strikes out eight for Hagerstown

Left-hander Matt Purke had his best outing to date this season for low Single-A Hagerstown Suns Friday night against Lexington. Purke went six innings and allowed one hit, no runs and struck out eight hitters. Lexington scored three in the ninth to come back and win, 3-2, so Purke finished with a no-decision. But that does not hide that Purke has 17 strikeouts in his last 11 innings. In six starts, spanning 29 innings, Purke has 41 strikeouts. He has walked only seven during that span. He...

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Harrisburg manager Lecroy on Harper: "He looked good"

June 27, 2013, 6:31pm

Nationals

Harrisburg manager Lecroy on Harper: "He looked good"

BOWIE, Md. -- Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper appears ready to return to the big league club as he rehabs from bursitis in his left knee. Harper played left field for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday night in the 11-6 Senators win over the Bowie Baysox. It was his third rehab game of the week. He was supposed to play nine innings. If a regular game averages nine innings in three hours, Harper almost got that much work in time alone. Harper had four plate appearances in the first five...

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Taylor Jordan's "funky" arm action has ability to deceive hitters

June 27, 2013, 4:15pm

Nationals

Taylor Jordan's "funky" arm action has ability to deceive hitters

BOWIE, Md. - Right-hander Taylor Jordan appears to be the choice for Saturday's Nationals game at the New York Mets, the next opening where the team needs a starter. Jordan has been more than impressive at the Double-A level with Harrisburg, going 7-0 with a 0.83 ERA in eight starts. He has two shutouts and two complete games with 43 strikeouts to nine walks in 54 innings. There are many reasons for his success at this level, from his obvious plus stuff to his unique delivery to his...

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Bryce Harper with two-run triple, walk in first two trips to plate at Bowie (updated twice)

June 27, 2013, 4:00pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper with two-run triple, walk in first two trips to plate at Bowie (updated twice)

BOWIE, Md. - Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has continued to look ready to return to the big league club as he rehabs from bursitis in his left knee. Harper walked in the first inning against the Bowie pitcher Devin Jones. He scored from first on a Justin Bloxom double one batter later to give Double-A Harrisburg a 1-0 lead. In the second inning, Harper tripled to just left of center field. The ball rolled past the defender, scoring two runs as Harrisburg upped its advantage to 3-0....

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Johnson: Rendon is "a good-looking young hitter"

June 26, 2013, 7:02pm

Nationals

Johnson: Rendon is "a good-looking young hitter"

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon is enjoying his second opportunity of the season back with the big club. On Wednesday, Rendon smacked a double and two singles while scoring a run in a 3-for-4 night, helping the Nationals edge the Diamondbacks 3-2. Rendon looks right at home in the batter's box. "That is where I feel most comfortable," Rendon said. "That is what I have been doing my whole life. I like to hit." Manager Davey Johnson said Rendon does not act like a rookie in the...

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Johnson, Zimmerman on 3-2 victory over D-backs (with Harper update)

June 26, 2013, 6:36pm

Nationals

Johnson, Zimmerman on 3-2 victory over D-backs (with Harper update)

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the early matchup between starter Jordan Zimmermann and Arizona second baseman Aaron Hill was a battle that helped the Diamondbacks score first. Hill walked in front of Paul Goldschmidt, who slapped a run-scoring single to give the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 advantage. "We had a really tough at-bat with Hill, an 11-pitch or 12-pitch at-bat," Johnson said. "But (Zimmermann) misses so many bats. He just kind of settled down. He used all of his pitches...

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Diamondbacks jump out early vs. Zimmermann (Nats win 3-2)

June 26, 2013, 3:41pm

Nationals

Diamondbacks jump out early vs. Zimmermann (Nats win 3-2)

Arizona came out swinging in the first inning against Nationals ace Jordan Zimmermann, scoring two runs. Paul Goldschmidt smacked a RBI double and Martin Prado added an run-scoring single. Then quickly in the bottom of the first, Anthony Rendon started things with a single followed by a Ryan Zimmerman run-scoring double to cut the Diamondbacks lead to 2-1. Update: The Nationals tied the game in the fourth inning on a solo shot by Tyler Moore, his third homer of the season. Then in the fifth,...

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Updates on Harper, Ramos, Garcia and Zimmerman

June 26, 2013, 2:08pm

Nationals

Updates on Harper, Ramos, Garcia and Zimmerman

Nationals manager Davey Johnson did not get a full report on outfielder Bryce Harper's first rehab game. Harper had a double, a walk, a run scored and ran the bases hard. Johnson knew that Harper was not going to take it easy, even playing only three innings. "I knew he was going to do that," Johnson said. "Have you ever seen him jog to first? He hits a gapper, you think he is going to stop at first? No, he was going to try to hit and go to second." General manager Mike Rizzo said they...

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Nationals lineup vs. Arizona for Game 2

June 26, 2013, 11:27am

Nationals

The Nationals look for a series win tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman back in the lineup. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann goes for the Nationals. Zimmermann is 10-3 with a 2.26 ERA. Arizona counters with left-hander Wade Miley, who is 4-6 with a 4.70 ERA. The Diamondbacks are 41-35 and have won four of their last six games. Martin Prado has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games against the Nationals. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 2B Anthony Rendon...

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Could LaRoche's power display be precursor to offensive burst? (with pitching note)

June 26, 2013, 7:37am

Nationals

Could LaRoche's power display be precursor to offensive burst? (with pitching note)

It was a changeup. All he was trying to do was get the ball in the air to get the runner home from third. The results were quite different. First baseman Adam LaRoche's three-run shot lifted the Nationals to a 5-0 advantage early versus the Diamondbacks last night. That kind of rush of offense, and runs for Gio Gonzalez, had been rare so far this season. LaRoche said the fact that he was able to really crank it was a welcome change from his recent at-bats. "I am starting to feel better,"...

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Bryce Harper 1-for-1 with a double, walk in Potomac rehab return (updated)

June 25, 2013, 7:47pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper 1-for-1 with a double, walk in Potomac rehab return (updated)

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper went 1-for-1 with a double, walk and run scored in the high Single-A Potomac Nationals' 7-5 win over Myrtle Beach. It was Harper's first rehab game and first professional game since May 26 when he was placed on the disabled list with bursitis in his left knee. Harper did not have to make any plays in the outfield. One ground-rule double went over his head. However, a team source at the game said he was able to show a burst of speed before the ball hopped...

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Johnson's thoughts on Gonzalez, Werth and offense in 7-5 victory

June 25, 2013, 7:40pm

Nationals

Johnson's thoughts on Gonzalez, Werth and offense in 7-5 victory

The Nationals held on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 on Tuesday in the first game of their three-game series at Nationals Park. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez went 6 1/3 innings, allowing only two runs for his first win since May 5. Manager Davey Johnson said the 90-degree game-time temperature might have taxed his starter a bit, but Gonzalez did a nice job fighting through. "Gio was fine (on) a pretty hot night," Johnson said. "He pitched good. He was still throwing pretty good when I...

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Pitchers' battle early between Nationals and Diamondbacks (Nats win 7-5)

June 25, 2013, 3:41pm

Nationals

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed a base hit in each of the first two frames against Arizona, but was able to pitch out of it. In the first, it was a double for Willie Bloomquist, but then Gonzalez retired three straight. It got more interesting in the second, with Martin Prado at second base and with two away, A.J. Pollock had a sharp single up the middle. Center fielder Denard Span gathered it up and fired to catcher Kurt Suzuki, who tagged out Prado at home plate to end the...

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Haren's MRI comes back clean

June 25, 2013, 2:52pm

Nationals

Right-hander Dan Haren said he underwent treatment, which included a cortisone shot, on his shoulder today as he began his stint on the 15-day disabled list. Haren said he also underwent an MRI that showed only inflammation, and his shoulder was clean otherwise. Some players might appreciate the time to rest on the DL and get better. Haren is the exact opposite. "I hate being on the disabled list, absolutely hate it," Haren said. "I feel just like not part of the team. I want to be out...