Byron Kerr

Hagerstown lineup with Zimmerman and Harper

June 05, 2011, 11:11am

Here is today's lineup for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns against Greensboro at 4 p.m. from Municipal Stadium for Ryan Zimmerman's first rehab assignment after abdominal surgery: Hagerstown Suns (34-22 Overall, 14-13 Home) Blake Kelso SS Adrian Sanchez 2B Ryan Zimmerman 3B Bryce Harper RF David Freitas C Randolph Oduber LF Jason Martinson DH Brett Newsome 1B Michael Taylor CF Starting Pitcher: RHP A.J. Cole (0-4, 3.38)

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Nationals draft preview: Prep OF Bubba Starling

June 04, 2011, 4:27pm

Nationals

There has been a lot of talk over the past few years regarding the Nationals building up their minor league system by stocking it with pitchers. After all, pitching has taken a front seat in the major leagues the past few seasons and you can never have enough good pitchers as bargaining chips when you are looking for a certain position player to get you over the hump. But then there are those pure athletes or can't-miss prospects on the offensive side you have to take a look at. The Nationals...

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Nationals have no answers for D-backs' Collmenter, 4-0

June 03, 2011, 8:54pm

Nationals

The Nationals' three-game winning streak has come to an end, thanks to a 4-0 victory Friday night by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Washington managed just three hits off Arizona right-hander Josh Collmenter, while Michael Morse, the team's hottest hitter, went 0-for-4, including striking out for the game's final at-bat. It was the first time Morse had been held hitless in 12 games. Johnny and Phil ask Jim Riggleman his thoughts on the Nats' 4-0 loss to the Diamondbacks Nationals right-hander...

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Nationals draft preview: UCLA RHP Trevor Bauer

June 03, 2011, 10:31am

Nationals

The Nationals could very well have their shot at not one, but two front-line UCLA right-handed starters Monday in the draft. The hard-throwing Gerrit Cole that we previewed Thursday, and right-hander Trevor Bauer. What is the difference between the two? Cole may throw a little harder, but Bauer makes more hitters miss, according to Jim Callis, executive editor for Baseball America. He sees good things from both choices, but thinks Bauer might be the better long-term choice. "(Bauer's...

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Nationals draft preview: UCLA righty Gerrit Cole

June 02, 2011, 12:32pm

Nationals

The Nationals have picks No.6, No. 23 and No. 34 to begin Monday's First-Year Player Draft and, according to Baseball America's updated mock draft, could get the most highly touted pitcher in college baseball in 2011. This year's draft appears to be top heavy, strewn with power pitchers with collegiate experience in big time programs, such as Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen, who will most likely be taken at No. 3 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. A pair of UCLA right-handers could be...

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Nix sensed the ball could be coming his way in series clincher over Phillies

June 01, 2011, 1:20pm

Nationals

Nix sensed the ball could be coming his way in series clincher over Phillies

Nationals left fielder Laynce Nix had a feeling it would happen. He had seen this scenario come up in a game before. Playing in left field, you have to be ready to make a play on every pitch. Nix says when Phillies pinch-hitter Domonic Brown stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, his team hanging on to a 2-1 advantage, he sensed the ball could be coming to him. "It was right after a pitching change," Nix said. "It is easy to sort of get on your heels and not be ready. But...

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Nix's homer, diving catch beat Phillies 2-1

June 01, 2011, 11:37am

Nationals

Nix's homer, diving catch beat Phillies 2-1

Laynce Nix hit the go-ahead home run and made a sprawling catch in left field that saved multiple runs to preserve the Nationals' hard-fought 2-1 win over the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies before 24,495 at Nationals Park on Wednesday. Left-hander John Lannan (3-5) notched his first career win over the Phillies in 14 starts, spinning 5 1/3 innings, scattering four hits and allowing one unearned run. He struck out one and walked three for his first win since April 20. Drew Storen...

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Prospect Hague has "good throwing day" in Florida

June 01, 2011, 9:04am

Nationals

Prospect Hague has "good throwing day" in Florida

Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Rick Hague played in only four games this season before going down with a shoulder injury. The Nationals have high hopes for the young Rice University product, but want to be careful with his shoulder before they return him to Woodbridge, Va. Hague is currently in Viera, Fla., rehabbing during extended spring training. Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber updated Hague's status with some positive news. Garber said Tuesday was a "good throwing day"...

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Rizzo will move Harper from Hagerstown, just not yet

June 01, 2011, 8:48am

Nationals

Rizzo will move Harper from Hagerstown, just not yet

Although he has slowed down a bit at the plate recently (.222 in his last 10 games, but 4-for-6 in his last two games) after a scorching few weeks, No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper continues to progress very well for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Harper is batting .331 through 50 games with 14 doubles, 11 homers and 36 RBIs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is happy with what he sees from Harper and his situation in Hagerstown. "His development is obviously a focal point for us,"...

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With two more HRs against Phils, could Espinosa be a power hitter for the Nationals?

May 31, 2011, 7:41pm

Nationals

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa feels like he might have something going here. With a pair of homers Tuesday night in a 10-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Espinosa now has the team lead and a career-high 10 home runs on the season. Espinosa has hit the three total round trippers in the series against pitchers named Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. And with four homers in the past five games, Espinosa senses he is in a groove at the plate. It is no fluke. Last season, Espinosa...

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Johnson likes idea of Harper staying in Hagerstown for a while

May 31, 2011, 5:21pm

Nationals

Johnson likes idea of Harper staying in Hagerstown for a while

Nationals senior advisor to the general manager Davey Johnson has been working diligently on next week's First-Year Player Draft and watching a lot of baseball at low Single-A Hagerstown this season. Johnson will attend this year's draft and put in his two cents' worth in on players the Nationals might consider. Washington holds picks No. 6, 23 and 34 to start the June 6 draft. Meanwhile, Johnson said the Suns have a very talented squad up and down the roster and the pitching has been...

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Zimmerman scheduled to play first game in Florida on Wednesday

May 31, 2011, 1:27pm

Nationals

Zimmerman scheduled to play first game in Florida on Wednesday

The Nationals have confirmed that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be playing in his first game at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., on Wednesday. Zimmerman continues rehabilitation from abdominal surgery in early May. The original timetable had Zimmerman, who has been sidelined since April 9, returning in mid to late June. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said today that Zimmerman is progressing. "The one thing that was not coming along as quickly as some other stuff about his...

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Solis hits 95 mph in season debut for Suns

May 30, 2011, 5:11pm

Nationals

Solis hits 95 mph in season debut for Suns

Nationals prospect left-hander Sammy Solis pulled off a solid debut for 2011 with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at Kannapolis Intimidators on Monday. Solis went four and 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, three walks and four hits. He allowed only one hit until the fifth inning, giving up three runs and getting a no decision. Solis said the start went well but he ran out of gas in that fifth inning. He threw 87 pitches and was sitting between 92 and 95 miles per hour on his fastball, so that...

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Solis pumped for first start of season for Hagerstown

May 27, 2011, 8:09pm

Nationals

Solis pumped for first start of season for Hagerstown

After battling through a couple of injuries that extended his spring training into late May, Nationals 2010 second-round selection left-hander Sammy Solis is ready to make his season debut today for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at the Kannapolis Intimidators. Solis pitched 5 1/3 innings last week in Viera, Fla., throwing 84 pitches. He anticipates a 90-pitch cap today. "My arm feels strong," Solis said. "Florida was great. I got my work in that I needed to get done. I am excited to be...

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Morse and Lannan lift Nats out of losing skid

May 27, 2011, 7:45pm

Nationals

Morse and Lannan lift Nats out of losing skid

Once again, a Nationals starter was cruising along, and once again, the offense had provided a little support. This time, the Nationals got to the ninth inning, hanging on to a 1-0 lead behind a solo homer from Danny Espinosa and masterful pitching from John Lannan. With their closer on the hill, it looked like the Nationals would pull this one out and end their week-long skid. Then, Jason Bartlett connected on his first home run in 247 at-bats, this one on the first pitch off of Drew...

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Gorzelanny to DL; could Maya be called for Sunday?

May 27, 2011, 7:03pm

Nationals

Gorzelanny to DL; could Maya be called for Sunday?

The Nationals announced after tonight's game that left-hander Tom Gorzelanny has been placed in the 15-day disabled list due to left elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 24. The Nationals did not announce a corresponding roster move. The announcement is expected early Saturday when the player arrives. Gorzelanny was scheduled to start Sunday's afternoon finale against the Padres. Syracuse right-hander Yunesky Maya was scheduled to start for the Chiefs on Sunday and could...

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Michael Morse walk-off homer stuns Padres

May 27, 2011, 5:56pm

Nationals

Michael Morse walk-off homer stuns Padres

Michael Morse slammed the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth from reliever Mike Adams into the left field bullpen to lift the Nationals to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres before 21,024 at Nationals Park. Morse has now hit a home run in four consecutive games, and the solo shot was the first walk-off winner of his career. Danny Espinosa hit his first solo homer of the season, and seventh overall (a career-high) to give Washington a 1-0 advantage through five innings. Michael Morse...

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Selik determined to succeed at Single-A Potomac

May 27, 2011, 5:30pm

Nationals

Selik determined to succeed at Single-A Potomac

Single-A Potomac Nationals right-handed starter Cameron Selik has already been through a lot in his career, and he is only a 23-year-old. He underwent Tommy John surgery before he earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas. So, you can see how Selik has already had his resiliency tested, and has shown how determined he is to keep pushing towards his goal. Selik started the year at low Single-A Hagerstown and rolled through the South Atlantic League. He went 3-0 in five starts with a...

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Espinosa puts Nats on top, Lannan in nice groove

May 27, 2011, 4:58pm

Nationals

Espinosa puts Nats on top, Lannan in nice groove

Second baseman Danny Espinosa crushed a home run to left on a 1-1 pitch off Padres' starter Clayton Richard leading off the bottom of the fifth, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was only the Nationals' third hit off of Richard and the seventh homer on the season for Espinosa, a new career-high. It was the first homer this season for Espinosa with nobody on base. Each of his other six round trippers have been multi-run HRs. John Lannan has allowed only one hit through five innings with...

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Lannan off to good start; play resumed after rain delay

May 27, 2011, 3:50pm

Nationals

Lannan off to good start; play resumed after rain delay

Nationals southpaw John Lannan did not allow a base runner through three innings Friday night. He set down the Padres in order 1-through-9. Jayson Werth and Roger Bernadina have base hits off of Padres' starter Clayton Richard, but Washington could not score a run. Lannan struck out Chris Denorfia to begin the top of the fourth, and with Jason Bartlett batting, play was stopped. The rain delay lasted 47 minutes. Lannan was able to get out of the inning, despite allowing his first base...