Byron Kerr

Antonelli added to International League All-Star team

July 11, 2011, 5:53pm

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs second baseman Matt Antonelli began the season with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators and played just four games before being promoted. He has not missed a beat at the next level, batting .308 at Triple-A. This week, Antonelli was named to the International League All-Star squad alongside teammate and pitcher Tom Milone in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game from Salt Lake City, Utah. The pair are the lone Syracuse players so honored this season. Antonelli's overall...

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VanAllen is major part of first-place Senators' relief corps

July 10, 2011, 2:53pm

Nationals

VanAllen is major part of first-place Senators' relief corps

It is an extremely noteworthy accomplishment for the franchise to see five All-Star invites for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Even prior to the arrival of heralded No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper, the Senators were 13 games above .500 and cruising along in the western division of the Eastern League. Harrisburg stands at 53-36 at the All-Star break, with a 5Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â½-game lead over Richmond atop the division. The Senators begin the second half of the season with a seven-game...

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Prospect Ramirez sees bat wake up just in time for Potomac to get going

July 09, 2011, 6:24pm

Nationals

Prospect Ramirez sees bat wake up just in time for Potomac to get going

Single-A Potomac Nationals outfielder J.P. Ramirez crushed his first career grand slam this week as he continues to swing a hot bat with the second half of the Carolina League season underway. You will remember this is the time of year the P-Nats got on an incredible roll last season en route to their second Mills Cup championship in three seasons. The team raced out to 7-6 start to begin the final three months of the season and Ramirez is one of the reasons for that success. The...

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Mattheus makes rare early appearance, fights for five outs

July 08, 2011, 7:03pm

Nationals

Mattheus makes rare early appearance, fights for five outs

It certainly was not the situation Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus expected so early in Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. His teammate, Nationals starter John Lannan, had gone down after getting hit in the face on a single up the middle by the Rockies' Ty Wigginton. Lannan left the game immediately with assistance from trainer Lee Kuntz. But as a reliever, you are expected to go in the game at any point when your team needs you. Lannan was out after 3 and 1/3 innings, diagnosed...

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Kimball's surgery set for Wednesday in New York

July 08, 2011, 4:01pm

Nationals

Kimball's surgery set for Wednesday in New York

Nationals right-handed relief pitcher Cole Kimball is scheduled to undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder Wednesday in New York, performed by Dr. David Altchek. Kimball said it will be a full year of rehabilitation and he hopes to be back to 100 percent during the All-Star break in 2012. Kimball was called up May 14 and pitched very well in 12 appearances, going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. He had 11 strikeouts and 11 walks with only three earned runs allowed. The 11 walks were...

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Johnson looking to alter Sean Burnett's role in bullpen

July 08, 2011, 1:17pm

Nationals

Johnson looking to alter Sean Burnett's role in bullpen

As he had said before, Nationals manager Davey Johnson has complete confidence in left-hander Sean Burnett, despite his recent struggles. Thursday, Burnett allowed a game-tying two-run shot to the Cubs' Carlos Pena after inheriting a man on first with the Nationals leading 8-6 in the seventh inning. Burnett has now allowed four earned runs and seven hits in his last four appearances, and was pretty hard on himself last night, saying he has been struggling with all of his pitches since the...

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Burnett says a bad slider brought the Cubs back

July 07, 2011, 8:11pm

Nationals

Burnett says a bad slider brought the Cubs back

Left-hander Sean Burnett said it was his slider that the Cubs' Carlos Pena turned on and tied the game up at 8-8 in the seventh. It was a major turning point in the series finale that Chicago trailed 8-0, coming all the way back to stun the Nationals, 10-9. Burnett said the location of the slider was not where he wanted it to end up and Pena took advantage. Sean Burnett talks about giving up a home run in the Nats' 10-9 loss to the Cubs "It was a badly executed slider," Burnett said....

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Rodriguez likely headed to disabled list with strained oblique

July 07, 2011, 7:43pm

Nationals

Rodriguez likely headed to disabled list with strained oblique

Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez suffered a strained right oblique during batting practice Thursday against the Chicago Cub, and the injury is likely to send the veteran backstop on the 15-day disabled list. "Those things happen just like this and got me today," Rodriguez said. "I have never experienced this kind of injury. It never happens to me. We will see what happens tomorrow. We will take it day to day. If tomorrow is not better, (then) we will need a catcher." Rodriguez said...

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Slaten strengthening arm as rehab from elbow injury continues

July 07, 2011, 3:05pm

Nationals

Slaten strengthening arm as rehab from elbow injury continues

Nationals left-handed reliever Doug Slaten has been on the disabled list since June 4 with a left elbow injury. Recently, he has started throwing again. Slaten said he has been building up arm strength and throwing from short distances, but has yet to throw off the mound. "It is speeding up as of late," Slaten said. "So that is a good sign. "I am just throwing, building up arm strength again. I feel like it is there. I definitely need to build up some more strength. But getting on the...

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Martis controlling games, on pitching hot streak for Harrisburg

July 07, 2011, 9:00am

Nationals

Martis controlling games, on pitching hot streak for Harrisburg

Right-hander Shairon Martis continued a hot streak of consistent pitching for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, showing the form that got him time most recently with the Nationals in 2009. The difference now is how well he is controlling games, dropping his ERA from 5.25 to 2.68. Martis went seven strong innings in notching the victory as the Senators dispatched the Erie SeaWolves, 4-3 at Metro Bank Park. Manager Tony Beasley said Martis was good because he set the tone early with his best...

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Bryce Harper three singles and RBI as Senators win, 4-3

July 06, 2011, 5:32pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper three singles and RBI as Senators win, 4-3

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Senators left fielder Bryce Harper displayed some diversity and creativity in his offensive game Wednesday, as Double-A Harrisburg edged the Erie SeaWolves 4-3, before 3,052 at Metro Bank Park. Many fans have gotten used to the 32 extra base hits Harper produced at Single-A Hagerstown. But in his third game at the Double-A level, Harper showed how he is growing into a complete baseball player by adding facets to his hitting. Harper stroked three singles, the first one for an...

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Harrisburg lineup is in; Bryce Harper batting sixth again

July 06, 2011, 2:52pm

Nationals

Harrisburg lineup is in; Bryce Harper batting sixth again

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Double-A Senators lineup is in for tonight's game versus the Erie Seawolves. It is a beautiful night for baseball, the sun setting in a hazy sky, with little or no wind, and 91 degrees at Metro Bank Park. Here is Tony Beasley's lineup for Harrisburg tonight: Josh Johnson SS Adam Fox 2B Bill Rhinehart DH Tyler Moore 1B Chris Rahl CF Bryce Harper LF Archie Gilbert RF Devin Ivany C Stephen King 3B Right-hander Shairon Martis (5-3, 2.82 ERA) vs. RHP Brooks Brown (4-3,...

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Prospect Tyler Moore on Bryce Harper in Double-A: "I am glad he is here"

July 06, 2011, 2:37pm

Nationals

Prospect Tyler Moore on Bryce Harper in Double-A: "I am glad he is here"

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper is well into his first week playing left field for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. In his first game, Harper had a pair of singles. In his second contest, he threw out two runners from left field trying to stretch singles into doubles. The transition for Harper from low Single-A to Double-A is in its infancy on the field, and his new teammates are smoothing that change out for the young star in the clubhouse. His teammates have...

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Solis nets victory with "awesome" debut in Potomac

July 05, 2011, 7:47pm

Nationals

Solis nets victory with "awesome" debut in Potomac

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Left-hander Sammy Solis took another step forward with a quality debut for the Single-A Potomac Nationals in a 12-3 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Pfitzner Stadium. You could hear the smack of Sandy Leon's catcher's mitt when Solis' fastball would smoke in there, and he worked the mound at an up tempo, but controlled pace. Solis went six innings, scattering seven hits, with three runs, one walk, one home run and five strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 57 for...

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Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

July 05, 2011, 8:56am

Nationals

Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

The Nationals announced that left-hander Sammy Solis has been promoted to the Single-A Potomac Nationals and will make his first Carolina League start tonight at home against Wilmington. Solis went 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in seven starts for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, recording a victory in his last game June 30 versus Lakewood. He also put up 40 strikeouts to 12 walks. Solis was hoping to begin his professional career with Potomac, but was slowed by a couple of injuries and had to spend more...

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Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

July 05, 2011, 4:51am

Nationals

Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

Syracuse Chiefs left-handed starter Tom Milone has been named International League Pitcher of the Week after going 14 1/3 innings in two starts and allowing only one run. Milone said the last few weeks have been going smoothly on the mound. "I can't complain," Milone said. "I am throwing the ball well. Everything is working with all four pitches. I am throwing strikes, which is good. I am not giving out free passes." Milone is indeed throwing strikes, which are turning into strikeouts....

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Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

July 04, 2011, 6:55pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in his Double-A debut Monday night with Harrisburg, as the Senators cruised past Erie SeaWolves 8-1. Derek Norris and Bill Rhinehart each hit a pair of home runs and Brad Peacock won his 10th game, going six innings, allowing a single run and striking out nine. Harper singled to center field in the first inning off of Erie starter Jamie Johnson. He popped out to third base to lead off the third inning. Harper led...

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Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

July 04, 2011, 2:05pm

Nationals

Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

Laynce Nix could get the start at first base Tuesday with Matt Stairs and Michael Morse ailing, manager Davey Johnson announced after Monday's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Stairs replaced Morse, who sat out today's game with an arm contusion. Johnson said Stairs then banged up his bad knee running down the line on a foul ball into the stands, and was replaced by Nix. So Nix was inserted into the lineup for the first time this season at first base. It was the first time in his career...

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Nationals make sure Harper will be comfortable in Harrisburg

July 04, 2011, 10:04am

Nationals

No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper will be in good hands again in Double-A Harrisburg as he was in Hagerstown, said Nationals' Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo on 106.7 The Fan. Harper will play mostly in left field in Harrisburg, according to Rizzo. He said that the coaching staff was one of the reasons the organization felt comfortable in selecting Double-A Harrisburg as the next destination for Harper. But, regardless of the coaching staff, the plan...

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Top Nationals prospect Bryce Harper promoted to Harrisburg Senators

July 04, 2011, 6:10am

Nationals

The Nationals' No. 1 prospect, Bryce Harper, has been promoted from the Single-A Hagerstown Suns to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, according to general manager Mike Rizzo. "We feel that he's had plenty of time at the Single-A level. ... He's dominated it pretty well," Rizzo said on "The Extended Pregame Show" on 106.7 The Fan. Rizzo said Harper will report to Harrisburg tonight, and will be available for tonight's 7 p.m. game against Erie. The 18-year-old Harper hit .318 with...