Byron Kerr

Knorr believes Nationals' team chemistry key component to postseason drive

September 21, 2012, 1:32pm

Team chemistry in baseball can be an undervalued commodity. Take the Los Angeles Dodgers. They can pretty much put an All-Star lineup on the field every night. Players like Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez. You look down that Dodgers lineup and gasp. It is filled with on-base guys, home run hitters, powerful pitchers and battle-tested postseason players. But the one thing this talented crew does not possess? It has not worked together from spring training,...

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Detwiler continues to build on his starts with playoffs ahead

September 20, 2012, 7:10pm

Nationals

Detwiler continues to build on his starts with playoffs ahead

Left-hander Ross Detwiler became the fourth Nationals pitcher to win at least 10 games this season, twirling six innings and allowing just one run in a 4-1 playoff-clinching win at Nationals Park. Detwiler did not allow a hit through three innings, allowed a solo homer to Mark Ellis in the fourth, but then only two other singles to improve to 10-6. At one point, he threw his fastball 13 out of 15 pitches, and 43 times on the night. He walked just one hitter to lead off the sixth, which could...

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Cole Kimball added to Arizona Fall League roster

September 20, 2012, 9:05am

Nationals

Cole Kimball added to Arizona Fall League roster

The Nationals have confirmed that right-handed power reliever Cole Kimball has been added to their Arizona Fall League affiliate, the Salt River Rafters, which begins play October 9. Kimball appears on the active roster of the Rafters here. Kimball has fully recovered from right rotator cuff surgery, which ended his season in July 2011. This will be Kimball's second tour in the Arizona Fall League, making the splash there in 2010. He has since recovered from shoulder surgery that forced him...

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This and that as Nationals pile up club records during magical season

September 20, 2012, 6:56am

Nationals

When the Nationals defeated the Dodgers, 3-1, in Game 1 of their doubleheader, they reached a club record of 90 wins on the season with 14 games left in the regular season. The Nationals now have 45 wins at home and on the road this season. The 45 wins at home are a new club record, as they won 44 games at home in 2011. Nationals Park has become a true home-field advantage; the Nationals are 89-64 (.582) there since beginning of 2011. Even in 2010, the home-field advantage was apparent as...

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Chien-Ming Wang settles in after wild pitch to go 2 1/3 innings

September 19, 2012, 7:39pm

Nationals

Chien-Ming Wang settles in after wild pitch to go 2 1/3 innings

In his first appearance with the Nationals since June 30, right-hander Chien-Ming Wang fought back from a first offering wild pitch to go 2 1/3 innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Game 2 of a doubleheader. The Nationals eventually lost the game 7-6. He had been active since September 4, when he returned from a lengthy rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg. Wang had allowed 12 total runs in his final two minor league appearances. But Wednesday, manager Davey Johnson said Wang...

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Johnson wants right-hander for Sunday; believes Zimmermann still throwing "very good"

September 19, 2012, 10:13am

Nationals

Johnson wants right-hander for Sunday; believes Zimmermann still throwing "very good"

Right-handers Craig Stammen and Chien-Ming Wang are the likely candidates to get a spot start on Sunday, according to manager Davey Johnson. Johnson does not want any of his regular starting rotation to have to come back on three days rest and prefers a right-hander against the Brewers' power-hitting lineup. He has not made his selection yet, wanting to wait to see how his bullpen is taxed here in the Dodgers series. "It depends on these next couple of games," Johnson said. "It could be...

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Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league

September 19, 2012, 7:40am

Nationals

Souza excels in full season, ready to make noise at instructional league

Right-hand hitting outfielder Steven Souza, Jr., took a big step forward in 2012, putting together a full season that displayed his power and skill on the baseball diamond. With a .290 average, 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 70 games at low Single-A Hagerstown, Souza earned a promotion back to high Single-A Potomac and kept on going. He finished the year with a combined .297 average in 97 games, with 23 homers, 85 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Although Souza missed some time with various injuries to...

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With rainout Tuesday, Johnson could turn to bullpen for spot start Sunday

September 18, 2012, 1:51pm

Nationals

With rainout Tuesday, Johnson could turn to bullpen for spot start Sunday

With Tuesday's opener against the Dodgers postponed until Wednesday, manager Davey Johnson will have to make an adjustment in his starting rotation later on in the week. According to Johnson, Wednesday's starters will be Jordan Zimmermann for the 4:05 p.m. start and John Lannan for the second game. With no days off the rest of the regular season, that leaves an opening down the line for Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Zach Duke, Craig Stammen, Tom Gorzelanny and Chien-Ming...

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Daubach: Nationals' Karns was the "best pitcher in our league"

September 17, 2012, 6:10pm

Nationals

Only two months into this minor league season, I heard rave reviews from a couple of well placed sources about the progress of right-hander Nathan Karns. Finally healthy, after recovering from shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the 2010 season, Karns rolled through the 2012 season and earned Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. He made a quick jump from low Single-A Hagerstown to high Single-A Potomac early in the season. And the Nationals didn't just pick Karns because he had a...

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Daubach: Instructional league focused on fundamentals during first workouts

September 16, 2012, 8:56pm

Nationals

Daubach: Instructional league focused on fundamentals during first workouts

Instructional league workouts have begun for close to four dozen prospects in the Nationals organization. Low Single-A Hagerstown manager Brian Daubach is one of the 20 or so coaches that are working to get the players ready for their first game September 22. Daubach said instructional league workouts in Viera, Fla., are organized very similar to the way spring training is set up, with a lot of hands-on specialized teaching going on in each area. "We are working on a lot of the fundamental...

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Second wild card team makes rush for playoffs intriguing for Nationals

September 16, 2012, 4:37am

Nationals

Based on last year's playoff format, the Atlanta Braves would be the only wild card team and the Nationals would know what to expect once October rolls around. Of course, the Nationals still need to maintain first place for that scenario to play out. The Nats will have 10 of their remaining 16 games at home after Sunday. Sunday is a big game, even if it doesn't mean the Nationals' lead will be relinquished, and they could use a win after two hard fought, one-run losses at Turner...

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Prospects Miller, Keyes and others work on new positions as instructional workouts commence

September 15, 2012, 5:13am

Nationals

Prospects Miller, Keyes and others work on new positions as instructional workouts commence

Instructional workouts begin today in Viera, Fla., with dozens of the Nationals prospects on hand to work on several aspects of their games. Players will work on refining their skills, glove work, plate organization and fielding techniques. Also, just like first baseman Tyler Moore getting his first chance to work in the outfield last season, some players will work out at different positions to add versatility to their games. Second baseman Justin Miller will work behind the plate after...

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Congrats, top seed - now hit the road

September 14, 2012, 3:19am

Nationals

With the Nationals maintaining first place in the National League East and beginning a big division match-up tonight in Atlanta, the Nats have to feel good about having an 8 1/2-game lead over the Braves. Even if the Braves sweep the Nationals this weekend, the Nats will still have a 5 1/2-game lead. The wild card race has become very exciting with St. Louis and Atlanta still leading, but Milwaukee and Philadelphia joining Pittsburgh in the battle for the final slot. Oh, did I mention Arizona...

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Teaching Nationals' Tyler Moore left field last season paying huge dividends now

September 12, 2012, 6:56pm

Nationals

This and that as the Nationals earned their 89th win of the season in a 2-0 win at New York against the Mets: Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Pretty amazing to think Tyler Moore had played first base his entire career and had two games in left field at Triple-A Syracuse before being promoted to the Nationals. Now with Michael Morse laboring with a sprained wrist, Moore's play in left field, and that forward thinking the franchise had to work him in the outfield at instructional league last season, are paying...

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Dickey: Nats have "the best lineup I have faced"

September 12, 2012, 4:05am

Nationals

Dickey: Nats have "the best lineup I have faced"

The Nationals got back on track in New York, winning another series, and beating a pitcher who had been unbeatable most of the season. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, lost for just fifth time in his last 29 starts, allowing a game-changing two-run homer to pinch-hitter Tyler Moore, and the Nationals went on to win 5-3. Dickey, who allowed only three runs in seven innings, said he has not seen anyone else hit like the Nationals have this season. "That is the best lineup I have faced," Dickey...

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Nationals set instructional league roster and schedule

September 11, 2012, 11:24am

Nationals

The Nationals have set their roster for instructional league competition, which will originate from their Viera, Fla., training facility, and begins this weekend. The report date is Sept. 14 with the first workout set for Sept. 15. The first game on the 14-game schedule is Sept. 22 on the road against the Mets. The last game is Oct. 10 against the Astros. As we first reported, third baseman Matt Skole and right-hander Aaron Barrett will begin their offseason in Florida and then leave for...

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When is power too much of a good thing?

September 11, 2012, 7:10am

Nationals

After Monday's three-homer offensive attack in a 5-1 win over the Mets, the Nationals have now hit 33 homers in their last 13 games and an incredible 27 homers in the month of September. That is 11 more than Milwaukee for best in the National League. The Nationals have 168 homers on the season, second only to the Brewers (177) in the National League, and better than Cincinnati (163), Pittsburgh (149) and Colorado (148). Looking down the starting nine, the top seven have displayed legitimate...

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Nationals sending Skole and Barrett to Arizona Fall League

September 10, 2012, 9:28am

Nationals

The Nationals have added third baseman Matt Skole and right-handed pitcher Aaron Barrett to their Arizona Fall League team, the Salt River Rafters, per a club source with knowledge of the situation. Skole and Barrett will still attend instructional league workouts, which begin September 15, in Viera, Fla., before they travel to Scottsdale, Ariz., for the AFL season. Skole was named the Nationals' minor league Player of the Year last week after hitting 27 homers and 104 RBIs for low Single-A...

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Despite Sunday loss, Nationals' homestand one for the ages

September 10, 2012, 5:39am

Nationals

The Nationals lost 8-0 to the Miami Marlins on Sunday, but the 11-game homestand was a rousing success and will be an example of another major step in their most memorable season to date. The Nats went 8-3, sweeping Chicago Cubs, getting three of four against the Cardinals and one from the Marlins. Starting Monday, the Nationals have a 5 1/2-game lead over the Braves. The Nats match up with their final regular season series with Atlanta this weekend at Turner Field. But back to an amazing...

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Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

September 08, 2012, 3:37pm

Nationals

Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

Right-hander Nathan Karns is most thankful to be able to complete a full season with the Nationals organization. Karns missed 2010 because of shoulder surgery and half of the 2011 season rehabbing from the surgery. Karns, who was honored Friday as the minor league Pitcher of the Year within the organization, said being healthy this season will really important to advancement of his career. "To have a full season and stay healthy was an accomplishment for me," Karns said. "I have to thank...