Byron Kerr

Bryce Harper's two doubles highlight eight-run fifth inning for Harrisburg

July 25, 2011, 4:38pm

BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper crushed two doubles off of Bowie's Zach Britton, and bases-clearing extra base hits from Stephen King and Bill Rhinehart, lifted the Harrisburg Senators to an 8-1 advantage midway through Monday's game at Prince George's Stadium. With Britton seemingly cruising and up 1-0, Harper led off the fifth inning with a double off the left center field wall. Three batters later, King delivered a three-run triple and the Senators led 3-1. Later...

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Bryce Harper: "quicker game, quicker guys" at Double-A level

July 25, 2011, 3:18pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper: "quicker game, quicker guys" at Double-A level

BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper spoke with reporters before the opening game of the Harrisburg Senators' series against Bowie on Monday and talked about fighting through his recent struggles at the plate. Recently, Harper fought through a 1-for-25 streak to collect five hits in his last 18 at-bats. He said before the game that he can definitely see the difference in talent between low Single-A and Double-A pitchers. "A lot better pitching," Harper said. "Guys...

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Tarp is off the field, Harrisburg at Bowie on schedule (updated)

July 25, 2011, 12:35pm

Nationals

Tarp is off the field, Harrisburg at Bowie on schedule (updated)

BOWIE, Md. - Standing by for game one of the three game set at Prince George's Stadium, with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators preparing to take on the Bowie Baysox. Left-hander Zach Britton, looking to return to the Orioles, goes for the Baysox against the Senators' right-hander Tanner Roark (4-7, 6.29), who is looking to snap a five-game losing skid It was absolutely pouring from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The tarp has been on the field and batting practice is cancelled. Currently (4:30...

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Peacock serves notice with bounceback win in second Triple-A start

July 25, 2011, 9:34am

Nationals

Peacock serves notice with bounceback win in second Triple-A start

Syracuse Chiefs right-hander Brad Peacock could really feel the difference in his pitching from his Triple-A debut to his second start Friday. In his first chance at Triple-A, he allowed seven runs, including a three-run homer. But July 22, he came in with his fastball hitting the spots and rolled to a five-inning victory in which he allowed only one run. "I needed that one," Peacock said. "I made some stupid pitches in that first game. Their catcher got me at 2-0. I laid one in there...

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Rehab completed, Wang to start Friday for Nationals

July 24, 2011, 7:56pm

Nationals

In what was his last rehab start, right-hander Chien Ming-Wang struggled Sunday in his first loss in six minor league rehab assignments. Wang allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings, the big hit a three-run home run by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Gustavo Molina. The Nationals reported Wang will start Friday night against the New York Mets. He otherwise dominated with a 2-1 record and a 3.14 ERA in six games with 17 strikeouts and four walks. Harrisburg left-hander Evan Bronson...

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Lefty Bronson will go tonight for Harrisburg following rain out

July 23, 2011, 7:37am

Nationals

Lefty Bronson will go tonight for Harrisburg following rain out

The Washington Nationals have announced that left-hander Evan Bronson has been called up to make his Double-A debut for Harrisburg in tonight's Game Two of a doubleheader at Richmond. The game will be the back end of a pair of seven-inning affairs. Saturday night's Game Two was rained out so Shairon Martis will pitch tonight's first contest, followed by Bronson's debut. Bronson has worked between a starting role and the bullpen all season for Single-A Potomac. He has seven starts this...

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Hand injury slows Gilbert's fantastic season with Senators

July 22, 2011, 10:41am

Nationals

Hand injury slows Gilbert's fantastic season with Senators

Archie Gilbert has landed on the disabled list with a sore right hand, pausing momentarily what has been a very consistent season at the plate for the talented Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder. Infielder Sean Nicol has been promoted from Single-A Hagerstown to Harrisburg and veteran pitcher Matt Chico has been released. Gilbert has been in the Red Sox, White Sox and Athletics organizations in recent campaigns. He signed as free agent with the Nationals after playing for Double-A...

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Aggression on the hill biggest difference for Smoker this season

July 21, 2011, 12:10pm

Nationals

Aggression on the hill biggest difference for Smoker this season

Left-handed reliever Josh Smoker continues on a tear with the Single-A Potomac Nationals, keeping opponents off the base paths and not allowing runs. His ERA continues to dive with each successive scoreless inning, now reading 1.75 ERA. His velocity has even hit an astounding 97 mph. The Calhoun, Ga., native has allowed only one run in his past 10 appearances. But with any good relief pitcher, you also have to find your way out of jams that you are placed in and ones that you bring on...

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Early aggression: Werth connects with three extra base hits in Houston finale

July 20, 2011, 4:13pm

Nationals

Early aggression: Werth connects with three extra base hits in Houston finale

Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth had his best offensive game in almost a month in Wednesday's finale against the Houston Astros. Werth went 3-for-5 with two doubles and the Nats' only offense, a two-run homer, that erased an early deficit and got the team eventually to extra innings, before Houston won it, 3-2 in 11. Manager Davey Johnson said he believes Werth's aggressiveness has helped him start to get out of his recent struggles and it paid dividends in the rubber match at...

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Bryce Harper not in lineup today for Harrisburg, just a "day off"

July 20, 2011, 7:53am

Nationals

Bryce Harper not in lineup today for Harrisburg, just a "day off"

Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper is not in the starting lineup for the Harrisburg Senators' afternoon game today at home versus Bowie. Harper was a late game defensive replacement in left field, and walked in his only plate appearance. Harper has been scuffling recently at the plate, going 1-for-25 since July 6. He is batting .171 for the Senators, with no extra-base hits. He has six hits in his first 35 at-bats over 10 games at the Double-A level. Harper has struck out eight times and...

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P-Nats' Olbrychowski makes move from bullpen to starter; gains momentum

July 19, 2011, 1:05pm

Nationals

P-Nats' Olbrychowski makes move from bullpen to starter; gains momentum

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander Adam Olbrychowski found himself in a jam and it was only the first inning. He could not get his first pitch over for a strike. With one out, he gave up a triple to Lynchburg shortstop Andrelton Simmons. But Olbrychowski did not panic, he settled down and got the two outs. Second inning, same trouble, the 6-foot-3 Olbrychowski left a ball up and catcher Christian Bethancourt cracked a double and then went to third on a wild pitch. This...

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Marrero's steady progress at first base paying dividends in Syracuse

July 18, 2011, 6:37pm

Nationals

Marrero's steady progress at first base paying dividends in Syracuse

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs were rained out Monday, so this is a good opportunity to check out first baseman Chris Marrero as he continues to swing a hot bat. Marrero is batting .305 through 91 games, with 20 doubles, nine homers and 49 RBIs. He has hit 44 homers in the last two and a half seasons and increased his average from .284 in 2009 to .294 in 2010 and now to .305. Nationals hitting instructor Rick Schu told me on "Nats Insider on 106.7 FM" that he spent eight games with Marrero...

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Solano responding as everyday catcher in Syracuse

July 17, 2011, 5:47pm

Nationals

Solano responding as everyday catcher in Syracuse

With the promotion of Jesus Flores to the big leagues, the door opened for catcher Jhonatan Solano to get every day work with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, and he has responded. Before Sunday, he had hit safely in eight of his last nine games, including three multi-hit games. The right-handed-hitting Solano is batting .315 in his last 41 games with six doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs. Nationals hitting instructor Rick Schu told me Sunday on "Nats Insider on 106.7 FM" that Solano has been...

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Peacock falls in Triple-A debut; Solis wins; Wang update

July 16, 2011, 6:17pm

Nationals

Peacock falls in Triple-A debut; Solis wins; Wang update

Right-hander Brad Peacock took the loss in his debut for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs on Saturday night. He got roughed up a bit in the first inning against Lehigh Valley, allowing two homers, one a three-run shot, in a five-run initial frame. Lehigh Valley won the game 8-6. Peacock was left in and made it to the fifth inning. He posted zeroes in innings two through four. He then allowed a one-out single, hit a batter and was replaced. Zech Zinicola later gave up a three-run home run....

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Hector Nelo clocked in mid-90s, leads talented Potomac bullpen

July 15, 2011, 5:43pm

Nationals

Hector Nelo clocked in mid-90s, leads talented Potomac bullpen

Nationals prospect reliever Patrick Lehman was rolling early on this season and quickly got his promotion to Double-A Harrisburg. So, as is the case all the time in minor league baseball, when a player advances, an opportunity is made available to allow another top prospect a shot to shine in the organization. With a vacancy in the closer role, the Potomac Nationals have turned to right-hander Hector Nelo, and he has delivered. In his last 10 games prior to Friday's outing, Nelo went 1-0...

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Peacock focused on job at hand, earning promotion to Syracuse

July 14, 2011, 1:38pm

Nationals

Peacock focused on job at hand, earning promotion to Syracuse

Right-hander Brad Peacock capped off a whirlwind week with a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. Peacock started the week in the XM All-Star Futures Game, was invited to the Eastern League All-Star Game and then got the call to the Chiefs. The Miami, Fla., native went 10-2 with a career-low 2.01 ERA in 16 games (14 starts) for Double-A Harrisburg, including a career-high 129 strikeouts and 23 walks. The numbers are even more gaudy when you just show his starting statistics: In 14...

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Wang to now pitch Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg

July 13, 2011, 3:09pm

Nationals

Wang to now pitch Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg

Nationals right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang will now make his fourth rehab start on Thursday for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, confirmed a team source. Wang was scheduled to pitch Wednesday night for the Single-A Potomac Nationals, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Woodbridge, Va. Wang has looked very good so far as he recovers from a right shoulder surgery in July 2009. Wang has gone 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings, allowing two earned runs, two walks and...

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Rhinehart and Gilbert with base hits as West rolls in All-Star game

July 13, 2011, 11:58am

Nationals

Rhinehart and Gilbert with base hits as West rolls in All-Star game

Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder Bill Rhinehart, who smacked a double and scored a run in the Eastern League All-Star Game for the West, finished the first half of the season on a surge. The Western All-Stars beat the Eastern All-Stars 8-3 on Wednesday in Manchester, N.H. Rhinehart has gone 8-for-18 the last five games, including three straight multi-hit games. He has crushed six homers in the last 10 games, with a .394 average during that run. Overall, the former Arizona Wildcat has...

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Prospect Moore excelling at next level after historic Potomac season

July 12, 2011, 11:38am

Nationals

Prospect Moore excelling at next level after historic Potomac season

Double-A Harrisburg Senators first baseman Tyler Moore has continued his solid play all season, seeking to match his defense with the power he displayed last season on the way to the Carolina League Player of the Year honor. No one will forget his amazing run in 2010, where he ended up with 31 homers and 111 RBIs, leading the Single-A Potomac Nationals to the Mills Cup championship title. This season Moore is batting .254 with 23 doubles, four triples, 18 homers and 58 RBIs in 87 games. His...

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Wang set for fourth rehab start Wednesday at Potomac

July 12, 2011, 3:18am

Nationals

Wang set for fourth rehab start Wednesday at Potomac

Nationals right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang will make his fourth rehab start Wednesday for the Single-A Potomac Nationals against the Kinston Indians at 7:05 p.m. in Woodbridge, Va. Wang has looked very good so far as he recovers from right shoulder surgery in July 2009. Wang has gone 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings, allowing two earned runs and two walks and striking out seven batters. He has not allowed a run in his last nine innings of work. He last pitched for the New York Yankees...