Byron Kerr

Detwiler settling into long role, solidifying bullpen

July 31, 2011, 3:52am

It was a crucial moment for the Nationals Saturday against the New York Mets. Starter Yunesky Maya had slightly hurt himself running the base paths after five seamless innings on the hill. In the top of the sixth, with the Nationals clinging to a 3-0 lead, manager Davey Johnson had considered pulling Maya when he saw him come up lame. But Maya convinced Johnson to stay in and got Mets second baseman Justin Turner to fly out to center field for the first out. However, the next two batters,...

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Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"

July 30, 2011, 3:41pm

Nationals

Solis says newest Nats prospect Walters is "textbook player"

The Nationals acquired minor league shortstop Sammy Solis lived in the same dormitory as a freshman with Walters at the University of San Diego, and they spent three seasons as teammates on the Toreros. "Walters is a textbook player," Solis said. "He has got the build, the arm, the speed and the plate presence. Once he gains experience and is able to put it all together, he will be a big leaguer. It would be hard to find someone with better tools than him." The 6-foot-2, 195-lb.,...

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Johnson eyes Triple-A Syracuse to call up top pitching talent

July 29, 2011, 9:22pm

Nationals

Johnson eyes Triple-A Syracuse to call up top pitching talent

Following the Nationals' sixth consecutive loss Friday night, manager Davey Johnson admitted the organization is seriously considering calling up some of its talent from the pitching staff at Triple-A Syracuse. Johnson referenced both starters and relievers that would be available either to replace a struggling pitcher here, or fill a roster spot of a player that was traded. But make no mistake, Johnson was clear that they believe there could be at least two pitchers currently in Triple-A he...

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Despite loss, Johnson impressed with Wang's effort

July 29, 2011, 7:37pm

Nationals

Despite loss, Johnson impressed with Wang's effort

Despite the 8-5 loss to the New York Mets Friday, manager Davey Johnson came away impressed with right-hander Chien-Ming Wang and his debut with the Washington Nationals. What may be more amazing is that we are even talking about Wang pitching again in the major leagues after such a serious shoulder surgery and an extended rehabilitation process. "I thought he threw the ball pertly," Johnson said. "In that first inning, he got the ball up and he (had to face) some good hitters in the...

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Wang struggles early, Mets take advantage over Nationals, 8-5

July 29, 2011, 5:32pm

Nationals

Following major shoulder surgery two years ago, it was a major accomplishment for Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to pitch in a major league game again. In his first game as a National, Wang hit 89 to 93 mph with his fastball, but had difficulty missing bats in the first inning and the New York Mets were quick to take advantage. New York scored four times in the first inning, and with a steady 6 2/3 innings from starter Dillon Gee, were able to hold off the Washington Nationals, 8-5,...

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Wang goes four as Nats trail Mets

July 29, 2011, 4:31pm

Nationals

Nationals' right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang suffered through a taxing first inning as the New York Mets were able to pound out four straight hits and take a 4-0 lead. Then in the fourth, the Mets went to work again with three hits and a fielding error by Danny Espinosa. Pitcher Dillon Gee had an RBI single off of Wang, who left after four innings. The Mets led 6-0. Wang went four innings, allowed six runs (four earned), one walk, two strikeouts and one wild pitch. He threw 60 pitches, 39...

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Mets add to lead against Nationals' Chien-Ming Wang (updated)

July 29, 2011, 3:27pm

Nationals

The New York Mets greeted Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang with big opening inning. The Mets drew a walk and then slapped four straight hits off Wang. Daniel Murphy and Angel Pagan with RBI singles. Jason Bay added an RBI groundout and Lucas Duda a sacrifice fly to score two more runs. Bay's out was the first for Wang after five straight hitters reached base. He also threw a wild pitch during the half inning, firing 24 piches with 14 for strike. Wang was having trouble getting sink...

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Johnson looking for some way to rest overworked bullpen

July 29, 2011, 1:26pm

Nationals

Johnson looking for some way to rest overworked bullpen

Even with the changes recently in the outfield, Nationals manager Davey Johnson was quick to point out that his biggest concern at this moment is the status of the pitching staff. A great deal of focus recently has been on the outfield with the acquisition of left fielder Jonny Gomes from Cincinnati, today's pending option of center fielder Roger Bernadina to Syracuse and various reports that the Nationals were interested in outfielders from other clubs, such as Denard Span and B.J. Upton....

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With Wang reinstated, Bernadina optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

July 29, 2011, 12:57pm

Nationals

With Wang reinstated, Bernadina optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

With right-hander Chien-Ming Wang set to be activated to pitch tonight against the New York Mets tonight, the Nationals will have to make a roster move before first pitch. Outfielder Roger Bernadina was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse prior to first pitch. Manager Davey Johnson said he was impressed with Bernadina's work in D.C. but believes the outfielder has a few things to work on. "I have really liked his enthusiasm," Johnson said. "I have really liked his work. He has been working on...

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Mets-Nationals lineups for Friday

July 29, 2011, 11:59am

Nationals

Here are the starting lineups for tonight's Mets-Nationals game, in which right-hander Chien-Ming Wang makes his first major league start since July 2009. For the Mets: SS - Reyes 2B - Turner 1B - Murphy 3B - Wright CF - Pagan LF - Bay RF - Duda C - Paulino P - Gee For the Nationals: CF - Ankiel 2B - Espinosa 3B - Zimmerman 1B - Morse RF - Werth LF - Nix SS - Desmond C - Ramos P - Wang Roger Bernadina isn't listed on the Nationals' lineup card, and I'll have more on his status shortly....

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Destin Hood's overall game lifting P-Nats during second-half run

July 28, 2011, 9:38am

Nationals

Destin Hood's overall game lifting P-Nats during second-half run

Single-A Potomac Nationals left fielder Destin Hood has played well both offensively and defensively so far this season. His name is always mentioned when the conversation turns to the top prospects in the organization, and for good reason. Hood combines top speed and excellent hands with good contact at the plate. The P-Nats have started the second half with a nice run as they look to defend their Mills Cup title in September, and Hood has been a major part of that surge. Hood has made good...

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Johnson shakes up lineup for game two against Florida

July 27, 2011, 2:00pm

Nationals

Johnson shakes up lineup for game two against Florida

In a three-game skid and following a listless performance in their 11-2 loss to the Marlins in the opener, manager Davey Johnson shook up the lineup for game two. Johnson benched starters Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond, Wilson Ramos and Roger Bernadina. He inserted Jerry Hairston Jr., Alex Cora, Jesus Flores and Rick Ankiel into the starting nine, shifting Laynce Nix to right field. Johnson will have Hairston leading off, followed by Cora, Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, Nix, Danny Espinosa,...

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Bryce Harper cranks first Double-A home run in Harrisburg win

July 27, 2011, 9:37am

Nationals

Bryce Harper cranks first Double-A home run in Harrisburg win

BOWIE, Md. - Eerily similar to Monday's matchup against Bowie's Zach Britton, Baysox left-hander Mike Ballard was cruising along until Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper ignited a game-changing rally in the seventh inning. Harper crushed his first home run in Double-A, a solo shot to deep right-center field, leading Double-A Harrisburg to a 6-3 victory over the Bowie Baysox before 3,763 at Prince George's stadium. The home run Wednesday marked the fourth extra base hit in the past...

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Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway

July 27, 2011, 8:56am

Nationals

Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway

BOWIE, Md. - Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper has gone 1-for-2 with a single and a stolen base in a pair of plate appearances Wednesday afternoon at Prince George's Stadium. Harper's base hit was the first off of Former University of Virginia left-hander Mike Ballard of the Bowie Baysox. He stole base in that inning but Ballard got out of it with a strikeout in the second inning. Harper faced Ballard again in the fourth and worked a 3-0 count and thought an outside pitch was ball four...

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Tyler Moore best example of prospect depth at first base

July 27, 2011, 8:43am

Nationals

Tyler Moore best example of prospect depth at first base

BOWIE, Md. - Harrisburg Senators first baseman Tyler Moore loves this time of year. July and August seem to be the months that the 24-year old out of Mississippi State heats up at the plate. In 2010, Moore shook off a slow start to crank out 31 homers and 111 RBIs for the Single-A Potomac Nationals. This season, the 16th-round selection in the 2008 draft has been more consistent than not. Coming off that Player of the Year honor last season, Moore is batting .273 with a league-leading 24...

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Harrisburg's lineup against Bowie

July 27, 2011, 6:34am

Nationals

BOWIE, Md. - Double-A Harrisburg's lineup against the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium in series finale. Each team has won a game in the three-game set. Josh Johnson 2B Leonard Davis RF Chris Rahl CF Tyler Moore DH Bryce Harper LF Tim Pahuta 1B Devin Ivany C Stephen King 3B Chris McConnell SS LHP Oliver Perez (2-2, 3.75) vs. Bowie's LHP Mike Ballard (6-0, 290)

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Marlins send Nationals into last place with 11-2 setback

July 26, 2011, 5:27pm

Nationals

The Florida Marlins continued their dominance over the Washington Nationals with an 11-2 victory Tuesday in the series opener before 24,650 at Nationals Park. The loss sent the Nationals into last place in the National League East for the first time since June 15. The Marlins' Omar Infante triple and run in the first, and Logan Morrison's two-run blast off of Nationals' starter Jordan Zimmermann in the third, set the tone early as the Fish bolted out to a 4-0 lead. In the fifth, Greg Dobbs...

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Bryce Harper getting defensive in left field for Harrisburg

July 26, 2011, 2:07pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper getting defensive in left field for Harrisburg

Much has been written concerning Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper's hitting, with the 14 homers and 46 RBIs in Single-A Hagerstown and a mild start in Double-A Harrisburg at the plate. Recently, Harper has started to get something going in the batter's box with three doubles in the last two games, including a pair of extra base hits in the same inning against Orioles' lefty Zach Britton Monday night in Bowie, Md. But he is also starting to show off his defensive capabilities as well....

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Bryce Harper's two doubles bookend big inning as Harrisburg wins 13-2

July 25, 2011, 5:41pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper's two doubles bookend big inning as Harrisburg wins 13-2

BOWIE, Md. - Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper delivered a pair of doubles to bookend the biggest inning of the season for the Senators, an eight-run outburst in the fifth inning, as Double-A Harrisburg cruised past the Bowie Baysox 13-2 before 6,375 Monday night in Bowie. Harper, playing his closest professional game to date to his future home at Nationals Park, smacked two doubles off of Orioles' hurler Zach Britton in the worst loss of the season for Bowie. The Baysox's previous...

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Slight adjustment in approach lifts Bryce Harper out of slump

July 25, 2011, 5:12pm

Nationals

Slight adjustment in approach lifts Bryce Harper out of slump

BOWIE, Md. -- With two doubles off of a pitcher who made 18 starts with the Baltimore Orioles, and three doubles in a seven at-bat span, the Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper continues to hit the ball hard, and now is getting some of the positive results he saw during the first two months at Single-A Hagerstown. Harrisburg Senators hitting coach Troy Gingrich said they have worked with Harper on his approach, but he was still making good contact, even during the rough patch around the...