Byron Kerr

Comeback fueled by huge at-bat from Jayson Werth

August 19, 2011, 7:50pm

The Nationals trailed the first-place Phillies 4-2 heading into their last at-bats with Ryan Madson and his zero blown saves staring them down from the pitcher's mound. Eight batters later, Ryan Zimmerman crushed a grand slam to complete the stunning turnaround for a 8-4 victory over Philadelphia. So how did the Nationals come back in the ninth against a pitcher as good as Madson? Patience. Former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth set the tone for the big ninth inning by fighting back from...

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Johnson: Desmond in leadoff a "work in progress"

August 19, 2011, 2:11pm

Nationals

Johnson: Desmond in leadoff a "work in progress"

Nationals' manager Davey Johnson believes Ian Desmond in the leadoff spot is a work in progress as they continue to search for the answer to the biggest question mark in the batting order for 2011. Recently, Desmond has hit leadoff the last two games against the Reds and again Friday versus the Phillies. He is 0-for-6 in those two games, the first time he has hit leadoff since a stretch from March 31 to April 14. On Thursday, Desmond induced a walk and laid down a nice 3-4 sacrifice to...

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Gomes parlays big catch, timely hit into victory for Nats

August 18, 2011, 8:06pm

Nationals

Gomes parlays big catch, timely hit into victory for Nats

The Nationals' Jonny Gomes said he had three choices as he watched Joey Votto's blast approach him in left field corner. One, he could watch it drop and Votto would have a double. Two, he could turn and see if the ball ricocheted off the wall and Votto would be standing at second base. Or, three, Gomes could go after the ball and get the out. Gomes took option No. 3, a running catch where the foul line meets the green outfield wall. Gomes caught the ball and collided hard into the padding in...

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Bryce Harper strains right hamstring, will be re-evaluated Friday

August 18, 2011, 6:40pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper strains right hamstring, will be re-evaluated Friday

Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper injured his right hamstring running the bases in the eighth inning Thursday for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators in Akron, Ohio. The Nationals announced Harper suffered a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated Friday. Harper was injured rounding second base in front of a double by Archie Gilbert. Harper was replaced by outfielder Chris Rahl. Harrisburg won the game 4-2 over the Aeros. Harper went 1-for-3 in the game and had walked to lead off the...

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Johnson says Strasburg to Hagerstown again Monday, then Syracuse

August 18, 2011, 2:12pm

Nationals

Johnson says Strasburg to Hagerstown again Monday, then Syracuse

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said right-hander Stephen Strasburg will make his fourth rehab start Monday night in Hagerstown for the Suns against Hickory. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. Johnson said Strasburg would be scheduled to go four innings and maximum of 65 pitches. He also said that Strasburg would then go to Syracuse August 27 and pitch for the Chiefs in his fifth rehab start. Strasburg will throw Friday at Nationals Park. Johnson and Nationals pitching coaches will...

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Hagerstown's Keyes displaying power surge with mammoth home runs

August 18, 2011, 9:43am

Nationals

Hagerstown's Keyes displaying power surge with mammoth home runs

Hagerstown Suns outfielder

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Strasburg pleased with velocity, trying to improve breaking ball command

August 17, 2011, 6:29pm

Nationals

Strasburg pleased with velocity, trying to improve breaking ball command

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg left his fastball up a bit and struggled with his breaking stuff in his third rehab assignment Wednesday night for the Hagerstown Suns against the Lexington Legends at Municipal Stadium. Strasburg finished up with 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, five runs, all earned, two walks, three strikeouts and one wild pitch on 49 pitches, 29 for strikes. Despite getting roughed up early, Strasburg was able to get his velocity in the 96-99...

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Strasburg struggles in third rehab start, allows five runs in Hagerstown

August 17, 2011, 4:25pm

Nationals

Strasburg struggles in third rehab start, allows five runs in Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said last week in Potomac that there would be times where he would get knocked around, that it was all a part of the rehab process. Wednesday night in Hagerstown, in his third rehab start, Strasburg got knocked around, allowing five runs, all earned, with two walks, three strikeouts, one wild pitch in 1 2/3 innings. He threw 49 pitches, 29 for strikes, and was relieved in the second inning after recording the second out. The...

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Nationals' Wang takes another positive step, but where are all the strikeouts?

August 16, 2011, 6:42pm

Nationals

After two starts and 12 runs allowed, there was concern about how far Nationals' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang needed to go to get back to his form from 2006 and 2007. Then came wins over the Chicago Cubs and Tuesday over the Cincinnati Reds, where he surrendered four runs in two starts, showing the potential of Wang in a Nationals uniform. He still has a long ways to go, but to see a positive turn in results, where he was pitching out of bad spots, even without his best stuff, was certainly...

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A glimpse into possible September call ups for the Nationals

August 16, 2011, 3:00pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Davey Johnson talked about the 40-man roster Tuesday and speculated as to some of the possibilities offensively in September the Nationals might bring up to the big club when rosters can be expanded. Johnson mentioned first baseman Chris Marrero and a name we had not heard before, outfielder Corey Brown. Both are on the 40-man roster. Marrero is batting .309 in 117 games, with 14 homers and 67 RBIs. It is about time he gets a chance to face major league pitching. Brown is...

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I. Rodriguez continues extended rehab from strained oblique; fighting boredom, frustration

August 16, 2011, 2:20pm

Nationals

I. Rodriguez continues extended rehab from strained oblique; fighting boredom, frustration

It has been a frustrating couple of weeks for veteran Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez as he continues to rehab from a right oblique strain suffered in early July. He had a setback last Wednesday in Harrisburg and has been in Washington ever since. Rodriguez played catch with Livan Hernandez on Tuesday and expects to play catch again Wednesday, but there is not a set timetable as to when he will swing a bat again. Rodriguez met with team doctors prior to Tuesday's game against the...

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Rizzo said Purke was willing to make every effort to sign with Nationals

August 15, 2011, 7:32pm

Nationals

There had been a lot of skepticism about TCU left-hander Matt Purke's enthusiasm to return to school in hopes of a bigger deal, and possibly a top selection, in next year's draft. After all, figures such as $6 million and $4 million had been connected to his name in the 2009 draft when he tried to work out a contract with the Texas Rangers. Nationals executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo never got the sense that Purke wanted to return to TCU. This...

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Nationals reportedly sign-fourth rounder Turnbull

August 15, 2011, 5:41pm

Nationals

The Nationals have signed fourth round selection left-hander Kylin Turnbull, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Turnbull is 6-foot-4, 195-lb., and reportedly inked for $325,000, which is $100,000 over the slot. Turnbull attended Santa Barbara Community College and has a 94 mph fastball, going 5-2 with a 2.47 ERA over 80 innings, striking out 92 hitters. He was selected in the 30th-round of the 2010 draft by the Chicago White Sox.

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Strasburg to Hagerstown on Wednesday for third rehab start

August 15, 2011, 4:40pm

Nationals

Strasburg to Hagerstown on Wednesday for third rehab start

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns announced that Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start Wednesday in his third rehab start as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Strasburg is expected to go four innings and throw a maximum of 60 pitches as he continues his road to a healthy return to the Nationals lineup. Friday in Woodbridge, Strasburg fired 33 pitches, 26 for strikes, consistently hitting 98 mph and once touching 99 mph in the second inning. He threw three shutout innings and...

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Potomac starters looking to copycat relievers' success

August 15, 2011, 6:05am

Nationals

Potomac starters looking to copycat relievers' success

The Single-A Potomac Nationals have seen outstanding pitching from their bullpen recently and are looking for their starters to follow suit. Fresh off the boost of Stephen Strasburg's appearance Friday, starter Paul Demny fired eight strong innings Saturday in a 3-2 win. Cameron Selik started off well Sunday before getting into some trouble and falling to 4-9. Sammy Solis is close to returning from elbow soreness while Evan Bronson picked up for Strasburg and helped to guide the P-Nats to a...

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Potomac's Solis to return Monday; Higley slated for Aug. 27

August 14, 2011, 5:23am

Nationals

Potomac's Solis to return Monday; Higley slated for Aug. 27

Potomac Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis threw a bullpen session Friday and everything felt good with his elbow and his throwing arm. Solis thinks he will be activated and start Monday night after missing nearly a week with elbow inflammation. He threw 30 pitches and came away pleased with the session. "Fantastic," Solis said. "Everything was moving good. Velocity was good. It is just coming back after missing five days. You have to get in the rhythm of things and that is what I...

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Bryce Harper walk-off highlights historic night in Nationals' system

August 13, 2011, 6:58am

Nationals

Aug. 12, 2011. A pretty good night in the Nationals' system. Every team, from low Single-A to high Single-A was victorious with the biggest of prospects delivering, from Bryce Harper to Brad Peacock and even Stephen Strasburg. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris was in Woodbridge, Va., to watch Strasburg's performance. He took away a tremendous amount of pride for the organization following a successful night across the board. "Absolutely," Harris said. "Wins and...

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Strasburg on second rehab start: felt more like a "normal game"

August 12, 2011, 5:02pm

Nationals

Strasburg on second rehab start: felt more like a "normal game"

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg looked stronger in his second rehab outing. He threw only 33 pitches, 26 strikes, in three innings of shutout work, allowing just two infield singles, no walks, and striking out five. His fastball was lethal again, consistently hitting 98 mph, and touching 99 mph in the second inning. After catching a grounder and throwing to first to end the third, Strasburg came off to a round of applause from the sold out crowd at Pfitzner...

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Strasburg throws three clean innings, hits 99 mph

August 12, 2011, 3:46pm

Nationals

Strasburg throws three clean innings, hits 99 mph

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was on target again in his second rehab start, this time for the Single-A Potomac Nationals at a sold out Pfitzner Stadium. Strasburg consistently hit 98 mph on the stadium radar gun, and touched 99 mph. He threw just 33 pitches, 26 for strikes, allowed two infield singles and no walks. Strasburg struck out five Pelicans. He needed only eight pitches for a 1-2-3 third frame, striking out two batters in that inning. He struck out the...

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Pregame from Potomac: Stephen Strasburg preparing to pitch

August 12, 2011, 1:40pm

Nationals

Pregame from Potomac: Stephen Strasburg preparing to pitch

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg getting ready for his second rehab assignment with 6,600 expected at a sold-out Pfitzner Stadium. The crowds were lining up at 4 p.m. outside the two main gates here at the stadium in anticipation of seeing the Nationals top pick from two years ago. The sun is bearing down on the field but it is absolutely perfect conditions. Strasburg is scheduled to pitch three innings and throw a maximum of 50 pitches. Strasburg likely will go...