Byron Kerr

Middle lineup offense will always be key to Nats' resurgence

May 16, 2013, 9:05pm

The Nationals' offense came alive in the first game of their series in San Diego. Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper crushed home runs, while Steve Lombardozzi and Ryan Zimmerman offered clutch hits in a 6-2 victory over the Padres. It was just the third time in the past seven games that the Nationals had scored at least six runs, all wins. LaRoche now has a 13-game hit streak, the longest of his career. He has home runs in back-to-back games. To see Harper return after Monday's scary collision...

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Strasburg comfortable and cool in hometown win over Padres

May 16, 2013, 8:11pm

Nationals

Strasburg comfortable and cool in hometown win over Padres

Returning to his comfort zone, right-hander Stephen Strasburg was consistent in his first start in his hometown of San Diego. He notched the win with another first - the first time he finished eight innings in a major league start - as the Nationals snapped a modest two-game skid with a 6-2 win over the Padres. Strasburg (2-5) allowed just two runs over those eight innings, only one of which was earned. "I think the last time I did it was 2009 in college," Strasburg told MASN's Julie...

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Strasburg steady early against the Padres (Nats win 6-2)

May 16, 2013, 7:01pm

Nationals

Strasburg steady early against the Padres (Nats win 6-2)

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg got behind a couple of hitters early on, but looks to be focused and is gradually locating his fastball very well in the series opener against the Padres. Padres right-hander Edinson Volquez walked three of the first five batters he faced, but the Nationals could not score in first three innings. The Nationals' best chance early was in the second inning when Volquez was wild again, walking Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche to begin the frame. But...

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Men's Journal hands out kudos to Ben's Chili Bowl at Nats Park

May 16, 2013, 2:47pm

Nationals

Men's Journal hands out kudos to Ben's Chili Bowl at Nats Park

In the Men's Journal's latest weekly online newsletter, the magazine listed major league baseball's best stadium food. Nationals Park's Ben's Chili Bowl stands were cited as not to be missed while at a game in D.C. The quick capsule on Ben's chili mentions the eight-pound Strasburger, but prefers the gut-bombing chili dog as the specialty to grab. Make sure to bring along some antacid to any Nationals game for the seventh-inning stretch...

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Wilson Ramos lands on DL again, Solano returns

May 16, 2013, 2:41pm

Nationals

Wilson Ramos lands on DL again, Solano returns

Catcher Wilson Ramos has a left hamstring strain, so he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, according to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a team press release today. Ramos had just returned from the disabled list April 29 after missing most of April with the same hamstring injury. Jhonatan Solano has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Solano went 1-for-6 in his first stint with the Nationals this season and hit .167 (8-for-48) with two...

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Harper back in Nats lineup versus Padres

May 16, 2013, 1:07pm

Nationals

Harper back in Nats lineup versus Padres

The Nationals begin a four-game set in San Diego against the Padres tonight with Stephen Strasburg (1-5, 3.10 ERA) making his hometown debut. The Padres counter with right-hander Edinson Volquez (3-3, 5.15). Bryce Harper returns to Nationals lineup for first time since Monday. Carlos Quentin is not in the Padres lineup. The Nationals are 1-2 on their 10-game West Coast road trip and have lost four of their last five. The Padres have won nine of their last 10 at home and have won 13 of their...

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Strasburg's high school coach: "He just wants to win"

May 16, 2013, 11:18am

Nationals

Strasburg's high school coach: "He just wants to win"

Back in his home town of San Diego, seeking his first win since April 1, right-hander Stephen Strasburg should shine like no other time this season. Strasburg will be surrounded by family and friends, including his high school baseball coach, Scott Hopgood, who will be in attendance for the first time at one of the right-hander's major league starts. What a better place than Petco Park for Strasburg to showcase his talents? That is certainly what Padres fans had hoped for back when it was...

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Werth on hamstring after rehab game: "Step in the right direction"

May 15, 2013, 5:56pm

Nationals

Werth on hamstring after rehab game: "Step in the right direction"

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Right fielder Jayson Werth completed the first game of his rehab from an injured hamstring Wednesday for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium. Werth made the most of the four innings he played, going 1-for-2, getting in a rundown on the base paths that enabled a run to score and throwing a runner out at home plate from right field. But the biggest concern on this night was a true-game situation test of his tight hamstring, which has kept him out of the...

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Taylor Jordan off to good start following promotion to Double-A

May 15, 2013, 10:43am

Nationals

Taylor Jordan off to good start following promotion to Double-A

Right-hander Taylor Jordan was promoted last week from the high Single-A Potomac Nationals to the Double-A Harrisburg and did well in his first game with the Senators. The 24-year-old Jordan made his Harrisburg debut Sunday with four innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits, no runs, one walk and three strikeouts. In seven minor league starts this season, Jordan has gone 2-1 with a 1.12 ERA in seven starts, with 32 strikeouts and seven walks. Nationals director of player development Doug...

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Can something be done to improve safety of outfield walls?

May 14, 2013, 9:29am

Nationals

Can something be done to improve safety of outfield walls?

It was difficult to watch the replays of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper crashing into the outfield wall and fence at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, and then to see him go down to the ground. The jammed shoulder and 11 stitches under his chin are an example of how hard he went into the wall, and what the phenom will do to try to record an out at all costs. It is important for Harper to be careful in those situations, but it also a part of his go-all-out mentality, which is one of the...

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Report: Proposal for minor league stadium in Fredericksburg

May 14, 2013, 4:12am

Nationals

Report: Proposal for minor league stadium in Fredericksburg

The low Single-A Hagerstown Suns, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Nationals, have worked for years to try to get a new facility built in their city to replace the aging Municipal Stadium. But site after site has run into issues with financing or voter disinterest, and other sites in Warrenton, Va., and Fredericksburg, Va., have been rumored as possible replacements. Yesterday's Free-Lance Star in Fredericksburg reports the city would be "ideal" for a minor league team, based on...

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Demny and Rendon sweep Eastern League player of week honors

May 13, 2013, 11:06am

Nationals

Demny and Rendon sweep Eastern League player of week honors

One player has been on fire since his return from the Washington Nationals. The other threw eight of the nine innings of a no-hitter. This week the Eastern League took notice. The Double-A Eastern League announced that right-hander Paul Demny has been named Pitcher of the Week and third baseman Anthony Rendon is the Player of the Week for May 6 -12. Rendon used his time with the Nationals as a springboard to his return to Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year old Rendon batted .500 (12-for-24)...

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Suzuki on rough ninth-inning throwing error and subsequent ejection

May 12, 2013, 1:38pm

Nationals

Suzuki on rough ninth-inning throwing error and subsequent ejection

The last inning was not exactly how catcher Kurt Suzuki wanted it to go. A double steal attempt by the Cubs was set up Alfonso Soriano racing to third base in the top of the ninth of a 1-1 game. Suzuki's throw to third base hit Welington Castillo's bat. The ball rolled into foul territory, which allowed Soriano to score the go-ahead run. Later, a called third strike and subsequent argument with home plate umpire John Tumpane got him tossed. Who could have thought the Nationals appeared...

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Potomac's Cole using nice mix of pitches to get results

May 12, 2013, 10:07am

Nationals

Potomac's Cole using nice mix of pitches to get results

Right-hander A.J. Cole has now allowed just one earned run in his last two starts following a no-decision Saturday with the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. Last week, Cole was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for his six innings of shutout baseball versus Myrtle Beach. Then on Saturday, Cole spun five innings, surrendering just one run on five hits with three walks, one hit batter and seven strikeouts. Overall, Cole is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in seven starts with 41 strikeouts and nine...

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Another throwing error has Zimmerman facing questions about shoulder again

May 11, 2013, 4:20pm

Nationals

Another throwing error has Zimmerman facing questions about shoulder again

The Nationals' 8-2 loss to the Cubs Saturday was difficult to take on a couple of levels. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg unraveled following a throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman with two outs in the fifth. It was Zimmerman's sixth error of the season. In the seventh, Zimmerman allowed a hard-hit grounder by Alfonso Soriano to get past him at third base into left field. That was Zimmerman's second error of the game and seventh of the season. But the first error is the one that will be...

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Johnson: Bullpen gaining momentum with roles more defined

May 11, 2013, 12:06pm

Nationals

Johnson: Bullpen gaining momentum with roles more defined

Manager Davey Johnson believes the Nationals bullpen is starting to feel more comfortable with its roles and that has contributed to its success the past few weeks. The bullpen has been pretty consistent since April 15, going 2-1 with seven saves and a 1.93 ERA in 23 games, allowing just 12 earned runs in that span. Johnson said rearranging the responsibilities took some time to jell. But that wasn't because the pitchers had lost the belief they could get the job done to start the...

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Detwiler survives early extra base hits to post win over Cubs

May 10, 2013, 7:00pm

Nationals

Detwiler survives early extra base hits to post win over Cubs

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler allowed six doubles Friday night. The Cubs scored two runs early in the game. But Detwiler also tossed 6 2/3 innings, did not allow a walk, struck out two and surrendered just those two runs. Detwiler got early run support and ended up with the victory in a 7-3 decision. "It was terrible on my part for those two runs," Detwiler said. "I came back out and gave up another run to tie the game. That is something that I got to get better at. Our offense...

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Kobernus did not get shot this time, but his versatility is making statement

May 10, 2013, 4:26pm

Nationals

Kobernus did not get shot this time, but his versatility is making statement

Triple-A Syracuse second baseman Jeff Kobernus has had an outstanding start to his 2013 campaign, getting in the conversation about a possible callup to the Nationals. In the end, at least this time, the Nationals decided to go with Eury Perez while Jayson Werth is on the disabled list with an injured hamstring. But that does not take away from what the hot-hitting Kobernus has displayed this season or from his emerging versatility. The 24-year-old Kobernus was hitting .371 through Thursday...

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Eury Perez not in lineup tonight for Syracuse, could replace Werth

May 10, 2013, 1:46pm

Nationals

Eury Perez not in lineup tonight for Syracuse, could replace Werth

Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced before Friday's game against the Cubs that outfielder Jayson Werth had a setback in his recovery from a sore hamstring and if placed on the disabled list, it is likely that either infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus or outfielder Eury Perez will get the call up. Both have been scorching the baseball. Perez has an eight-game hitting streak and Kobernus has just one hit in his past six games. Kobernus, who is listed as a second baseman, has played...

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Nationals not making statement by beating Tigers, just playing good baseball

May 09, 2013, 4:13pm

Nationals

MLB Network ran a story before the Tigers-Nationals series began on the matchup as a possible World Series preview. On paper, both teams have very strong starting pitching and power bats in their lineup. The Nationals were able to win both games of the short two-game series, taking the finale Thursday, 5-4. The Tigers' Victor Martinez was only able to pinch-hit in each game because of the use of pitchers in the batting lineup under National League rules. Jayson Werth was out with a sore...