Byron Kerr

If Jackson is No. 4, then Nationals might have four No. 1 starters

June 23, 2012, 7:26pm

Edwin Jackson didn't have his best stuff Saturday night, but the stuff he had was good enough to hold the Orioles hitless for 4 1/3 innings as the Nationals evened the series following a 3-1 victory before 46,298 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. "It was one of those days when you don't have blow-away stuff," Jackson said. "You just have to just go out and pitch. That is pretty much what it was from the time I started throwing the 'pen. I knew what kind of day it was going to be. It is not...

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Nationals exude confidence and stability with Davey Johnson at the helm

June 23, 2012, 2:51pm

Nationals

It has been one year. June 23, 2011, fresh off a hot streak, Jim Riggleman resigned as manager of the Nationals, and Davey Johnson was asked to take over. The Nationals were 38-37. After that day, the team finished 42-44 and have gone 82-72 since Riggleman resigned. Flash forward 365 days. Under the direction of Davey Johnson, the Nationals have gone 40-28 this season and are 80-71 since that stunning Thursday. "It was a very sad day for me," Johnson recollected. "I like Jimmy. I hate to...

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Nationals' Perry, DeRosa, Perez, Maldonado and Moore news

June 23, 2012, 2:02pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Mark DeRosa emailed him and said he "feels great" and would like to return to the roster. Johnson wants DeRosa to spell third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, maybe every once and awhile if he needs to rest his shoulder. Currently, Steve Lombardozzi is the backup for Zimmerman, but has gotten a lot of playing time in the outfield. This is again another opportunity for Tyler Moore to solidify his spot on the roster. The right-handed first baseman starts in left...

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Kimball pitches another shutout inning in rehab stint; Rendon update

June 22, 2012, 7:48pm

Nationals

Kimball pitches another shutout inning in rehab stint; Rendon update

Nationals right-hander Cole Kimball, recovering from major rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder, made another successful rehab appearance, this time at low Single-A Hagerstown. Kimball started for the Suns, going one inning, allowing one hit and no runs and striking out two batters. The Suns started him because there were weather concerns in Hagerstown, and they wanted to make sure Kimball got his work in. No details on his velocity were immediately available, but Kimball threw a...

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Nationals' Zimmerman on hitting struggles: "I want to get out of this"

June 22, 2012, 7:40pm

Nationals

Two trends remained the same Friday at Camden Yards, and both didn't help the Nationals' cause. Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel was close to dominant in twirling eight innings against the Nationals for a Friday night win, and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman continued to struggle at the plate. Zimmerman went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and two groundouts. He has now gone 3-for-27 (.111) in his last seven games. Dating back to June 10, Zimmerman is 5-for-44 (.114). But whether it was Hammel or...

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Johnson believes Desmond is All-Star quality

June 22, 2012, 2:34pm

Nationals

Johnson believes Desmond is All-Star quality

Manager Davey Johnson said he voted for shortstop Ian Desmond as a National League All-Star on his ballot for the Midsummer Classic in Kansas City this July. With all the outstanding shortstops to choose from, does Johnson really think Desmond is deserving? "I do," Johnson said. "He made my ballot, so that should tell you something." His batting average isn't eye-popping, but he has shown good power numbers. His error total is about on pace with last year's 11. His fielding average is...

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Nationals' Burnett and Clippard pose an unstoppable 1-2 punch in win over Rays

June 21, 2012, 8:18pm

Nationals

The quiet assassins, that is what they are. Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard. This is their fourth season together in the same bullpen. That experience with the Nationals, side by side in the bullpen, is now paying dividends. There is something about how they go about their business - quietly, smoothly and efficiently - that shortens every game they pitch in. They seem to play off each other, and the rest of the staff - even the starters - feed off that inner drive. The pair combined to...

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Nationals reliever Cole Kimball to rehab in Hagerstown, DeRosa playing third for P-Nats

June 21, 2012, 2:48pm

Nationals

A club source confirmed that Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball will be reporting to low Single-A Hagerstown on Friday. Kimball had a solid outing with the Gulf Coast League Nationals, going one inning and allowing no runs, one hit and one strikeout on June 19. I visited with several Potomac Nationals today at batting practice in Woodbridge, Va. Shortstop Ricky Hague said he will play short and second with the arrival of shortstop Jason Martinson from Hagerstown. Martinson said he...

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Nationals' Harper and Lombardozzi showcase bat and glove to topple Rays

June 20, 2012, 7:31pm

Nationals

The Nationals' young tandem of left fielder Steve Lombardozzi and center fielder Bryce Harper haven't had that much time to play together in the outfield, but their defensive play and timely early offense was enough to lift the Nationals past Tampa Bay 3-2, snapping a four-game skid. Might be hard to believe the duo has played all of 69 games in the outfield at the major league level, with 63 starts. Harper has made 45 starts this season with 109 putouts, one assist, one double play and four...

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Rays' Maddon advises future players to reconsider signing with Nats

June 20, 2012, 2:08pm

Nationals

Rays' Maddon advises future players to reconsider signing with Nats

The war of words in Pine Tar Gate escalated following Tuesday's incident where Rays reliever and former Nationals pitcher Joel Peralta was ejected for an "excessive amount of a foreign substance in or around his glove", according to the umpiring crew. The umpires were tipped off when Nationals manager Davey Johnson asked that Peralta's glove be checked for pine tar. Apparently, Davey found out through someone in the Nationals dugout that Peralta may have pine tar in his glove, which is...

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Gonzalez's advice fueled Detwiler to quicker tempo in shutout relief

June 19, 2012, 8:16pm

Nationals

Gonzalez's advice fueled Detwiler to quicker tempo in shutout relief

The Nationals have more left-handers in their bullpen than right-handers. The southpaws: Sean Burnett, Ross Detwiler, Michael Gonzalez and Tom Gorzelanny build a bond as many left-handers do, comparing pitches and game strategies. Detwiler came into a tough situation Tuesday. With starter Chien-Ming Wang struggling from the first three batters on, Detwiler and Gonzalez got the feeling they could be called upon earlier than usual. Although Detwiler has been a starter for most of his career,...

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Ryan knows Ryan: Nationals' Mattheus believes Perry's transition to starter will be smooth one

June 19, 2012, 2:00pm

Nationals

Right-hander Ryan Perry is now with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators as he prepares to transition from reliever to starter. The 6-foot-4, 213 lb. pitcher will make his professional debut as a starter Saturday night at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Perry is slated to pitch three innings, or to a limited pitch count, as he makes his initial attempt pitching as a starter. This will be the first time Perry has started at this level, having made 15 starts in his 62 games over three seasons at...

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Nationals' Chris Marrero reports to Triple-A Syracuse

June 19, 2012, 8:22am

Nationals

It is obvious that Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero is feeling better and his torn hamstring is not giving him any trouble as he quickly moves up the ranks of the franchise's minor league system. A club source confirmed that Marrero has completed his rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg and has reported to Triple-A Syracuse. Marrero already made quick stops at Single-A Hagerstown and Potomac. He originally tore his hamstring in winter ball, has also battled back from a slight shoulder...

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Nationals confirm trio of promotions, Perry to move to starter

June 18, 2012, 9:51am

Nationals

Nationals director of player development Doug Harris has confirmed that infielders Justin Bloxom, Zach Walters and Jason Martinson have been promoted. Bloxom and Walters are moving to Double-A Harrisburg and Martinson heads to high Single-A Potomac. Bloxom has hit .259 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, while Walters has connected for a .269 average with five homers and 24 RBIs. Harris also announced that right-hander Ryan Perry will make the transition from reliever to starter and the Nationals...

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GCL Nationals open season today, full roster; Perez, Hood rehab updates

June 18, 2012, 8:43am

Nationals

The Gulf Coast League Nationals, directed by new manager Tripp Keister, open play today against the GCL Marlins. Right-hander Adam Carr and left-hander Josh Smoker are on rehab assignments with the GCL Nats. Double-A Harrisburg outfielder Eury Perez (oblique) is also listed on the roster on a rehab assignment with the GCL club. Meanwhile, a club source confirmed Harrisburg outfielder Destin Hood (wrist) will join short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays on a rehab assignment for Tuesday's...

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LaRoche after sweep by Yankees: "We got some work to do"

June 17, 2012, 6:32pm

Nationals Orioles

LaRoche after sweep by Yankees: "We got some work to do"

The Nationals rolled back into town after sweeping six in a row on the road. With the Yankees arriving just as hot, there was anticipation the Nats had a chance to make a statement. This statement would not just be to the mid-Atlantic region, but to the nation, if they could compete and beat the team that usually sets the tone for all of Major League Baseball. The Nationals competed for sure, but came up short, scoring just six runs in the series and falling in all three games. Panic time?...

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Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return

June 17, 2012, 9:35am

Nationals

Storen confirms he's on track for All-Star break return

Right-hander Drew Storen is still on track to return by the All-Star break. Storen has been recovering from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip. He said he would actually like to get back into a few games while the team is at home, right before the break in mid-July, maybe against the Giants or Rockies from July 3-8. Storen said he is still in the building process to get back to being game-ready. He said the adrenaline level for a bullpen session is different from a game in spring training...

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Nationals Adam LaRoche tells Bryce Harper to "shake it off" after five-strikeout outing

June 16, 2012, 3:01pm

Nationals

It was a particularly rough afternoon at the plate for Bryce Harper. The talented rookie struck out five times against the Yankees in a 5-3, 14-inning loss before a sellout crowd of 41,287 at Nationals Park. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte used his slider to subdue Harper with three consecutive strikeouts. In his final pair of strikeouts, the frustration started to show as Harper had plenty to say to home plate umpire Tim Timmons. In the field, Harper did not miss a beat. He played masterful...

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Bullpen updates on Mattheus, Storen and Rodriguez

June 16, 2012, 7:57am

Nationals

Bullpen updates on Mattheus, Storen and Rodriguez

Nationals right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus said everything went well with his foot in his latest rehab game at Double-A Harrisburg. He is feeling no complications as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Mattheus threw 26 pitches of scoreless ball over one inning. A club source on hand said Mattheus "looked great." Mattheus told me he will have two more rehab assignments on back-to-back days to see how the foot reacts to a pair of games in a row. If everything goes as...

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Nationals' early chances loom large in late stumble against Yankees

June 15, 2012, 7:39pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been playing good baseball. Tonight, they faced a team playing just as well. When you face a team like the Yankees, it takes more than good starting pitching to win. For six innings, the Nats were in this thing, down 2-1. But a four-run seventh inning decided it, and the Yankees cruised 7-2, with five runs in the final three frames. One way the outcome could have been different would have been if the Nationals had taken advantage of chances they had early against Yankees...