Byron Kerr

Big challenge awaits Suzuki as Braves runners arrive

August 20, 2012, 8:01am

A key match-up in the Braves series is the running game. The Nationals must focus on monitoring the progress of Braves speedsters Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward. The two have combined to steal 50 bases. Bourn has stolen 33 bases this season, which ranks No. 1 in the National League and No. 3 overall in the majors. He has been caught stealing only eight times (an 80.4 percent success rate). So basically, four out of every five times Bourn takes off, he is safe and in scoring...

Tags:

Potomac's Martinson passes 100-run, 100-RBI plateaus

August 18, 2012, 6:49pm

Nationals

Potomac's Martinson passes 100-run, 100-RBI plateaus

The high Single-A Potomac Nationals used the longball to trip up Salem 7-4 on Saturday. Kevin Keyes, Steven Souza Jr. and Jason Martinson connected on homers for the P-Nats, who have erupted for 32 hits in the past two games. Shortstop Martinson continued to add to his milestone of 100 runs and 100 RBIs in the same season, split between low Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac. With the home run Saturday, he now has reached 101 runs and 103 RBIs. He also has 22 homers and 30 stolen bases in 122...

Tags:

brian daubach byron kerr hagerstown jason martinson mark harris nationals potomac frontstory_nationals2

Rendon to D.C. for September call-up? (plus news on Perry, Wang and Pucetas)

August 18, 2012, 3:40pm

Nationals

Rendon to D.C. for September call-up? (plus news on Perry, Wang and Pucetas)

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon spent just nine games with high Single-A Potomac before being called up to Double-A Harrisburg. He has played only four games for the Senators, but with September call-ups just around the corner, manager Davey Johnson was asked about the possibility of Rendon getting some at-bats at the major league level before the season ends. "He hasn't had many at-bats," Johnson said. "I don't know how many games they have left down in Harrisburg. But I know that he...

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr chien-ming wang kevin pucetas nationals ryan perry frontstory_nationals3

Detwiler battles through tough first inning, controls sinker to notch win

August 17, 2012, 7:26pm

Nationals

Detwiler battles through tough first inning, controls sinker to notch win

Friday's start was certainly the measure of how far Ross Detwiler's career has advanced. In the past, two runs, three hits and 23 pitches in the first inning would have been the beginning of the end. In this game it was his sinker. It wasn't sinking. And that caused problems. But Detwiler was able to diagnose that the Mets were realizing they could get hits off his sinker. Without the sink, it was a very hittable pitch. So he went to his fastball more than usual, and tried to cut the zone...

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson nationals ross detwiler frontstory_nationals2

Johnson: Chien-Ming Wang's delivery "cleaner"; minor leaguer suspended

August 17, 2012, 1:14pm

Nationals

Johnson: Chien-Ming Wang's delivery "cleaner"; minor leaguer suspended

Manager Davey Johnson got a good report on rehabbing right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who started Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg. Nursing hip soreness, Wang went 4 2/3 innings, allowed three hits, two runs, both earned, two walks and struck out three. It was the fewest number of earned runs he had allowed in four rehab starts since July 23. Wang was back in the clubhouse Friday and Johnson said the right-hander "said he felt pretty good." "The report I got on him yesterday was his delivery...

Tags:

Michael Albaladejo byron kerr chien-ming wang davey johnson nationals frontstory_nationals2

Alex Meyer transitioning well to new challenge in Potomac

August 17, 2012, 8:30am

Nationals

Alex Meyer transitioning well to new challenge in Potomac

Nationals right-handed prospect Alex Meyer toes the rubber in his sixth start tonight for high Single-A Potomac at Salem. Meyer has gone 2-1 with a 0.93 ERA in five outings so far for the P-Nats, striking out 26 while allowing just 17 hits and three walks in 29 innings. Recently, I got the chance to sit down with Meyer and see how his first season has played out, especially his recent promotion to Potomac from low Single-A Hagerstown. "It has been a transition period," Meyer said. "I...

Tags:

alex meyer byron kerr nationals potomac stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Lombardozzi and Espinosa hot as Desmond nears return

August 16, 2012, 10:40am

Nationals

Lombardozzi and Espinosa hot as Desmond nears return

Nationals infielders Danny Espinosa and Steve Lombardozzi have become quite a pair on defense the last two weeks. They have also delivered at the plate, combining for 34 hits. Espinosa said he doesn't even think twice about Lombardozzi at second base. That is the best compliment he could give to his gifted teammate. "Good, it is comfortable," Espinosa said on "Nats Xtra" recently. "I don't even think about it, actually. You just go out there and you know what he can do. I feel 100...

Tags:

byron kerr danny espinosa davey johnson ian desmond nationals steve lombardozzi frontstory_nationals1

Potomac's Ray struggles early in loss, but team maintains drive

August 15, 2012, 6:42pm

Nationals

Potomac's Ray struggles early in loss, but team maintains drive

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Potomac Nationals left-hander Robbie Ray had his shortest outing of the season Wednesday in a 9-1 loss to Wilmington. Ray managed to get only two of the first eight batters out as the Blue Rocks scored seven runs in the first inning. Ironically, before the game manager Brian Rupp said one rocky inning had been the southpaw's undoing recently. Unfortunately, that inning was the first frame on Wednesday afternoon at Pfitzner Stadium. "He has been pretty good," Rupp said....

Tags:

brian rupp byron kerr nationals potomac robbie ray frontstory_nationals3

Under new rules, Rendon eligible to play in Arizona Fall League

August 14, 2012, 12:43pm

Nationals

Under new rules, Rendon eligible to play in Arizona Fall League

The Nationals announced Tuesday that top infield prospect Anthony Rendon has been promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. In years past, players had to be on the Double-A roster by Aug. 1 to be eligible to participate in the Arizona Fall League. But under new roster guidelines, teams can send seven players to the AFL. The seven appointments can include two low Single-A or first-year draft picks signed by July 13, two high-A players and three Double-A or higher participants. Further, a team is...

Tags:

alex meyer anthony rendon byron kerr nationals jason martinson matt skole nathan karns salt river rafters frontstory_nationals2

Beasley: Perez "fun player to watch" in Syracuse outfield

August 14, 2012, 8:13am

Nationals

Beasley: Perez "fun player to watch" in Syracuse outfield

Center field prospect Eury Perez continues to excel at Triple-A Syracuse since his call-up from Double-A Harrisburg. Perez has played 25 games and is hitting .330 with a .374 on-base percentage for the Chiefs. Syracuse manager Tony Beasley said they have liked what they have seen from the speedy outfielder in his first month with the squad. "He has been doing a nice job," Beasley said. "He definitely hasn't been overwhelmed offensively. He is a good hitter. He has done a good job hitting...

Tags:

byron kerr eury perez nationals syracuse tony beasley frontstory_nationals3

Rendon promoted to Double-A Harrisburg (updated)

August 14, 2012, 5:59am

Nationals

Rendon promoted to Double-A Harrisburg (updated)

A Nationals source has confirmed that third baseman Anthony Rendon has been promoted from high Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old Rendon was Washington's first pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, taken sixth overall. He was rated Baseball America's 19th best prospect heading into the 2012 season. Rendon was informed of the promotion after the P-Nats' 4-3 home loss to Wilmington on Monday night, a game in which he went 2-for-4 while serving as the designated...

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr frontstory_nationals1 nationals

Prospect Meyer building on consistent starts at Potomac

August 13, 2012, 9:56am

Nationals

Prospect Meyer building on consistent starts at Potomac

Right-hander Alex Meyer was bumped to high Single-A Potomac on July 20 and has become even more consistent than he was at low Single-A Hagerstown. On Sunday, Meyer went six innings again, striking out seven hitters, allowing one earned run with no walks. He threw 87 pitches, 56 for strikes, in a loss, but that was because the offense was unable to score a run. A team source reports Meyer has "good fastball command and is getting ahead of every hitter. The changeup is improving. His curveball...

Tags:

alex meyer byron kerr frontstory_nationals3

Hip soreness puts Wang's season in jeopardy; Garcia possible call-up?

August 13, 2012, 3:24am

Nationals

Hip soreness puts Wang's season in jeopardy; Garcia possible call-up?

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang has been removed from the Double-A Harrisburg roster and remains on the disabled list. He has reportedly continued to have issues with hip soreness, so his minor league injury rehabilitation assignment has been halted. He left his start four days ago after just 4 2/3 innings when the hip issue returned. Now that he is no longer on the 30-day rehab clock, he can remain on the disabled list. He has allowed 13 runs and 23 hits in his last three rehab starts for...

Tags:

byron kerr chien-ming wang christian garcia nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Michael Gonzalez bridges gap, fights through eighth to help hold win

August 11, 2012, 7:52pm

Nationals

Michael Gonzalez bridges gap, fights through eighth to help hold win

Speaking with left-hander Sean Burnett last week, I asked him if it was surprising that the Nationals carry three southpaws in their bullpen. Burnett said, "Our left-handers can get both lefties and righties out. We are not just lefty specialists. I think (Michael) Gonzalez has been a huge part of the bullpen and saves my arm. (Tom) Gorzelanny eats up innings, too. We got some valuable lefties out there." Fast forward to Saturday night, and manager Davey Johnson goes to Gonzalez to get...

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson michael gonzalez nationals sean burnett tyler clippard frontstory_nationals2

Upon further review, Nationals have really gotten to those Phillies

August 11, 2012, 7:47am

Nationals

The Nationals have become a machine. Rolling through the National League, they have amassed 70 wins, the first team in the majors to do so. With Jayson Werth back in the lineup and Michael Morse swinging the hottest of bats, the Nationals have added consistent offense to what has been the best pitching in the league for the first 100 games. And then there are the Phillies. Wait a minute, you mean, and then there are the Braves. Absolutely, the Braves are also humming along. They have...

Tags:

byron kerr jayson werth michael morse nationals phillies featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Beasley: Syracuse's Christian Garcia is like having Strasburg in the bullpen

August 10, 2012, 11:31am

Nationals

Beasley: Syracuse's Christian Garcia is like having Strasburg in the bullpen

The amazing statistic almost defies reality. One earned run allowed in 19 appearances. In a span of 23 1/3 innings, the right-hander has allowed one earned run. He has not allowed a run since June. While in the Yankees organization, he underwent Tommy John surgery...twice - in 2006 and in 2010. And he can throw his fastball consistently from 95-97 mph. Right-hander Christian Garcia has been tearing up the International League. The 27 year old has been through a lot, but now with Triple-A...

Tags:

byron kerr christian garcia nationals syracuse tony beasley frontstory_nationals1

Nationals' schedule turns in their favor after San Francisco (with notes)

August 09, 2012, 8:50pm

Nationals

After the Nationals finish this 10-game, three-city tour, they will have 27 regular season home games left and 17 on the road. Put another way, the Nationals will have 27 of their final 44 regular season games at Nationals Park. That will be big as they drive to control the NL East. The home schedule includes visits from the Dodgers, Cardinals and Phillies to end the regular season. With 37 road wins, the Nationals have the most road victories of any major league team. Next closest? Try...

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr jordan zimmermann michael morse nationals roger bernadina frontstory_nationals3

Syracuse's Rivero realizing the time is now, hits stride at plate

August 09, 2012, 8:08am

Nationals

Syracuse's Rivero realizing the time is now, hits stride at plate

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs third baseman Carlos Rivero is hitting his stride at just the right time. These next two months are critical to Rivero's career. Out of options and only 24 years old, Rivero is close to getting his shot, either with the Nationals or with another team next season. And sensing the importance, Rivero is not shying away from the challenge but relishing it. Syracuse manager Tony Beasley has seen the 6-foot-3, 215 lb., Rivero find his rhythm at the dish. The last 10...

Tags:

byron kerr carlos rivero michael morse nationals tony beasley tyler moore frontstory_nationals3

Five Auburn players invited to NY-Penn All-Star game

August 08, 2012, 6:45pm

Nationals

Five Auburn players invited to NY-Penn All-Star game

Several Single-A Auburn Doubleday players have had great starts to their seasons with five of them being rewarded with invites to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game. The game is August 14 at Mahoning Valley. The five invitees are right fielder Wander Ramos, left fielder Estarlin Martinez, first baseman Shawn Pleffner, shortstop Wes Schill and catcher Craig Manuel, according to Auburn manager Gary Cathcart. Pleffner, a 26th rounder in 2011 and born in Washington, D.C., is hitting .322 in...

Tags:

byron kerr nationals frontstory_nationals3

Chris Marrero could return to Syracuse lineup in one week (updated)

August 08, 2012, 8:19am

Nationals

Chris Marrero could return to Syracuse lineup in one week (updated)

Good news this week for Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs first baseman Chris Marrero, who has been slowed the last month as he recovers from an offseason torn hamstring. Manager Tony Beasley said Marrero has made big progress the last few weeks. "He has been running the bases," Beasley said. "He will run them again (today). He has been taking batting practice. He is feeling pretty good right now. We anticipate him back in probably (five) days or so. He will probably go and get some A-Bs...