Byron Kerr

Gonzalez attacks strike zone, allows one hit to get Nats back on track

April 25, 2013, 7:07pm

Manager Davey Johnson has harped on it the last couple of starts for his top-of-the-rotation guys. Stephen Strasburg and Thursday's starter, Gio Gonzalez, have been unable to consistently get ahead early in at-bats at the start of games. It has ended up hurting their results. They began the season a combined 2-5. Last season, they combined for 36 wins. On Wednesday, Strasburg failed to get a strike on the first pitch in the first frame. The Cardinals put up three runs on three hits and went...

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Rizzo says Rendon has a "calmness" about his play with Nationals

April 25, 2013, 2:37pm

Nationals

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo decided to call up top prospect Anthony Rendon on Saturday night to replace Ryan Zimmerman, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury. Zimmerman attended batting practice and was stretching, but is not hitting yet. Manager Davey Johnson said Zimmerman is still a "couple days behind" Wilson Ramos in their recoveries from injuries, but is still on track to return when the 15 days expire. Rizzo said Rendon will "most likely"...

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Smashing home run a good way for Keyes to start run with P-Nats

April 25, 2013, 2:01pm

Nationals

Smashing home run a good way for Keyes to start run with P-Nats

It has not been the fastest start for Potomac Nationals first baseman Kevin Keyes. But Wednesday's home run at Carolina may change that. His first home run of the season, and 42nd of his minor league career, was a mammoth blast at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. that smashed a light bulb on the outfield light tower. Here is the description from Potomac Nationals Web site: "Keyes' majestic, Ruthian blast was a high-arching drive that collided with a band of bulbs on the left field...

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Strasburg fought himself in first, but then settled in to go seven innings

April 24, 2013, 1:34pm

Nationals

Strasburg fought himself in first, but then settled in to go seven innings

Stephen Strasburg tried not to do it, but he still did. He was trying again to be too perfect. He was being too fine around the plate. He told himself not to pitch that way. But it still happened. In the first inning, the Cardinals were able to put five of their first six batters on. They scored three runs on three hits. It ended up being the difference in a Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Nationals. But after the first inning, Strasburg really settled in. He allowed only two hits the rest of...

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Rodriguez learning to trust all of his pitches and Johnson noticing

April 24, 2013, 8:45am

Nationals

Rodriguez learning to trust all of his pitches and Johnson noticing

Right-hander Henry Rodriguez is starting to put together a few good outings and is gaining the confidence of manager Davey Johnson to put him in for longer stints. Johnson said because of the operation on Rodriguez's elbow last Aug. 31, the rehab prevented the hard thrower from having a full offseason of workouts and games. "He didn't have any winter ball," Johnson said. "He went through that arm operation. It is kind of a trust thing. The more he gets more comfortable and the more he...

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Rizzo on 106.7: "I wouldn't trade this 25-man roster for any other 25-man in the league"

April 24, 2013, 7:54am

Nationals

Rizzo on 106.7: "I wouldn't trade this 25-man roster for any other 25-man in the league"

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo appeared with Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan prior to Wednesday's finale against the Cardinals, getting fans updated on the state of the Nationals. With his team falling to 10-10, Rizzo is not pleased with the start, but believes the Nationals can get on a hot streak, and more than just one. "It is probably mediocre," Rizzo said of the Nationals' record out of the gate. "I'm not satisfied. Davey (Johnson) is not satisfied. There...

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LaRoche's four strikeouts a symbol of Nationals' recent offensive woes

April 23, 2013, 7:07pm

Nationals

The frustration that the Nationals feel as an offense can be summed up in the roughest of nights at the plate for first baseman Adam LaRoche. Four times he faced one of his best friends, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, and four times the right-hander struck out LaRoche. The strikeout in the sixth was the toughest to take with the bases loaded and his team trailing by 2-0. Manager Davey Johnson said maybe it is time to get mad. It is obvious that everyone in this clubhouse is extremely...

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Stammen's consistent outings are backbone of Nationals bullpen

April 23, 2013, 2:24pm

Nationals

Lost in some of the rough outings for the bullpen has been the consistent pitching of right-hander Craig Stammen. More often than not, Stammen has come in during high-pressure situations and delivered. A case in point was Monday night versus St. Louis. Stammen relieved starter Dan Haren, who had allowed a hit by pitch, two singles and walk. Already with a run in, the Cardinals were one big hit away from blowing a close game wide open. But Stammen steadied the inning. With the bases loaded,...

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Desmond thinks Nats made "huge step in the right direction" despite loss

April 22, 2013, 7:13pm

Nationals

Desmond thinks Nats made "huge step in the right direction" despite loss

Monday's 3-2 setback to the Cardinals was the Nationals' second straight loss and seventh in their last 10 games. But shortstop Ian Desmond saw something in the tough defeat, which he believes the team can use to build on for their next game. "We played a much better game," Desmond said. "This was one of our better games of the year. We played good. That one ball just drops in. We are close. That was a good sign." Desmond was up in a critical situation with men on second and third base...

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Rendon excited for debut at Nationals Park

April 22, 2013, 1:56pm

Nationals

Nationals' top prospect Anthony Rendon is excited to make his home debut tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals. The former Rice star was eager to get back on the field after his first game in New York on Sunday. Rendon went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and made a catch error at third base. Today, he returns to the starting lineup, batting sixth and at third base. "It was good," Rendon said. "Good to get the first one out of the way. I don't think you can do any worse. You can't go...

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Club source: Nationals right-hander Chris Young to start for Syracuse Tuesday

April 22, 2013, 11:21am

Nationals

Veteran right-hander Chris Young will report to Triple-A Syracuse and start for the Chiefs Tuesday night, according to a club source. Young has been pitching in extended spring training after being re-signed to a minor league deal with the Nationals on April 4. Young went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts over 16 innings, striking out nine and walking seven. He has pitched eight seasons in the majors with Texas, San Diego and the New York Mets, compiling a 53-43 record with a 3.79 ERA. From...

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Rendon's ripple effects, plus notes on Oduber and Karns

April 21, 2013, 5:48pm

Nationals

Rendon's ripple effects, plus notes on Oduber and Karns

The promotion of third baseman Anthony Rendon from Double-A Harrisburg is a great opportunity for the organization's top prospect. The two weeks on the disabled list will give Ryan Zimmerman a chance to rest his tender hamstring. It also might be a good time for Zimmerman to work with coaches, especially infield coordinator Jeff Garber, to deconstruct and reconstruct his post-surgery throwing motion from third base. I would imagine this type of concentration on his throwing motion would take...

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Top prospect Anthony Rendon promoted to Nationals

April 20, 2013, 3:11pm

Nationals

Nationals top prospect Anthony Rendon has been recalled from the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been placed on disabled list, according to a tweet from the Nationals. The 22-year-old Rendon, a third baseman, is hitting .292 (14-for-48) with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs in 14 games with Harrisburg. He has continued to display his amazing hitting ability as the organization has worked him at a couple of different infield spots to help groom his...

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Another early miscue gets Strasburg and Nationals off on wrong foot

April 20, 2013, 3:42am

Nationals

For the second straight start, a key early fielding miscue allowed an opponent to put up multiple runs against Stephen Strasburg. Against the Braves on April 13, no score, two outs, top of the third. Atlanta's Justin Upton reaches on a throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman. Evan Gattis crushes a two-run homer. Braves win 3-1. Then last night, first batter of the game, no outs, top of the first. Mets Jordany Valdespin grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond is booted. The fielding error allows Valdespin...

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Strasburg allows two homers, Mets hold Nationals to four hits (Mets win 7-1)

April 19, 2013, 3:47pm

Nationals

The Mets grabbed the early lead on Stephen Strasburg in the first inning. Ian Desmond committed his sixth error of the season on a Jordany Valdespin grounder. Later, a Strasburg wild pitch scored a run and John Buck had a two-out RBI single. Buck already has 20 RBIs early in the season. The Mets led 2-0 after one inning. The Nationals were unable to record a base hit against Matt Harvey in first two innings. Update: Strasburg and Harvey are in a pitcher's duel through five innings. The first...

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Zimmerman, Espinosa out as Nats face Mets

April 19, 2013, 11:13am

Nationals

Zimmerman, Espinosa out as Nats face Mets

The Nationals continue their road trip after a day off Thursday. Tonight it is the beginning of 17 games in 17 days with game one against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The pitching matchup features a gem with right-hander Stephen Strasburg (1-2, 2.95 ERA) facing right-hander Matt Harvey (3-0, 0.82 ERA). The big news is Ryan Zimmerman is out of the lineup. Manager Davey Johnson had talked about Zimmerman's sore hamstring after Wednesday's win over Miami. Second baseman Danny Espinosa is...

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Nationals update minor league standouts for month of April (plus injury updates)

April 18, 2013, 10:09am

Nationals

A good start for Harper. That is left-hander Bryan Harper, who is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three games for low Single-A Hagerstown. From April 6-14, Harper pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendering only one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. He is the only left-handed reliever in the 'pen for pitching coach Franklin Bravo's Suns. Update: Suns left-handers Brett Mooneyham and Harper have both been placed on the disabled list. Right-handers Cody Davis and Christopher McKenzie have...

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Matt Skole to miss three to four months following Tommy John surgery

April 17, 2013, 3:30pm

Nationals

Matt Skole to miss three to four months following Tommy John surgery

First baseman/outfielder Matt Skole, the Nationals' fourth-ranked prospect, is expected to miss three to four months after undergoing successful Tommy John surgery, general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters in Miami. Skole was injured on a freak play at first base in a game with Double-A Harrisburg last week when his non-throwing arm was hit by a runner. He fractured his wrist on the play. A second examination revealed the torn ligament (UCL) in his left arm. He had surgery early...

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Rendon off to hot start for Double-A Harrisburg

April 17, 2013, 10:04am

Nationals

Rendon off to hot start for Double-A Harrisburg

Double-A Harrisburg Senators third baseman Anthony Rendon is continuing to prove how good a hitter he is when healthy and given the chance to play multiple games. Through 13 games, Rendon is hitting .311 (14-for-45) with eight runs, four doubles, two homers and seven RBIs. He had a 4-for-4 game at Altoona on Sunday, with two doubles. Rendon has had multi-hit games in three of his last six games. He has also walked 12 times, and his on-base percentage is up to .467. His on-base plus slugging...

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Martinson earns Carolina League Player of the Week honors

April 16, 2013, 12:51pm

Nationals

Martinson earns Carolina League Player of the Week honors

Many around minor league baseball, and scouts I talk to, believe high Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Jason Martinson deserves to be playing in Double-A. This week he demonstrated he certainly deserves attention for his play at Potomac, earning Carolina League Player of the Week honors. Martinson started the season hitting .303 (10-for-33), with a .429 on-base percentage and a .788 slugging percentage through nine games. The 24-year-old Texas State product had a pair of doubles, one...