Byron Kerr

Did Gonzo just buy some more PT?

June 29, 2010, 8:42pm

Maybe it is time to give Gonzalez a few more games. Alberto Gonzalez went 4-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the first place Atlanta Braves and played a solid overall game to help the Nats snap a five-game skid. Gonzalez is a quality second baseman in the field. He works hard every day in batting practice and fielding drills and that translates to the field. With Ian Desmond struggling on defense, manager Jim Riggleman went with Cristian Guzman back at his familiar shortstop...

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Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

June 29, 2010, 9:14am

Nationals

Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

Craig Stammen is back with the Nationals for tonight's matchup in game two at Turner Field against the first place Atlanta Braves. Stammen talked to me recently about the demotion in early June and what he has concentrated on to get back to the big leagues. "It wasn't like I was throwing the ball badly. I had really good stuff almost every time I went out. Just didn't execute and was overthrowing a little bit and not really trusting myself as much as I should. I can't really...

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Zimmermann to pitch July 3 for P-Nats

June 28, 2010, 11:08am

Nationals

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann continues to rehab with no setbacks in Florida and told me today he is scheduled to pitch for the Potomac Nationals against the Wilmington Blue Rocks, July 3 at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. Zimmermann threw another simulated game today in Florida that went very well, tossing three innings and 50 pitches. "My velocity on my fastball was very good, I think it came in at 94 miles per hour." Zimmermann is absolutely thrilled he will finally be able to...

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Glanville on Strasburg: "He has an aura about him"

June 27, 2010, 7:40pm

Nationals

Glanville on Strasburg: "He has an aura about him"

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg makes his fifth start of his career tonight in Atlanta before another nationally televised audience. Strasburg has been close to unstoppable in his first four outings, going 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA, and setting a major league record with 41 strikeouts. It seems that almost every pitcher he has faced in his first 20 days has brought their "A" game and you would expect nothing less than the same from veteran Tim Hudson. This will also be a chance for the...

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Detwiler next start pushed back

June 27, 2010, 2:17pm

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators left-hander Ross Detwiler had his next start pushed back to Thursday against Trenton. Detwiler missed his most recent opportunity to get extra treatment for back spasms but told me he is good to go for Thursday. He has not started since June 18 at Bowie when he went four innings. He expects to go longer in this upcoming start, looking to get extended to 75 pitches, and is hopeful he is that much closer to getting back to the Nats. His hip is feeling better and he feels...

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A rare off night for Clippard

June 25, 2010, 8:28pm

Nationals

It is almost amazing to think the Nats would need seven pitchers on Friday night when they led 6-0 after four innings and even 6-3 after seven full. That was the case in a stunning 7-6 loss to the Orioles that has to rank as one of the most disappointing of the season. Four huge fielding errors, two by Cristian Guzman and two in the same inning by Ian Desmond did not make it easy for the Nats pitchers to get out of innings. Slowly, the Orioles chipped away with three runs in the...

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Detwiler next start slated for Tuesday at Portland

June 25, 2010, 6:28pm

Nationals

Detwiler next start slated for Tuesday at Portland

Lefthander Ross Detwiler told me he is scheduled to make his next start for Harrisburg Tuesday night at the Portland Sea Dogs. Ross is hoping to go 70 to 75 pitches in his 4th start in the minors. Detwiler has started two games for the Sens, going 7.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, one earned run, one walk and two strikeouts. He has a 1.17 ERA with Harrisburg. He also had one rehab start in Potomac, going three innings, allowing no runs on 40 pitches. Detwiler's combined stats in three...

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When will the Nats go to a fifth starter?

June 24, 2010, 8:42pm

Nationals

When will the Nats go to a fifth starter?

Nationals reliever Joel Peralta is excited about the opportunity to get to pitch at the Major League level again and certainly seems ready for the challenge. While at Syracuse, Peralta dominated at throwing strikes and getting the first batter he faced out. Peralta got the first man out 20 of the 26 chances at Triple-A. It continued Tuesday night in his first Nats appearance when he induced a double play off the bat of the Royals Jose Guillen. The 5'11", 195-pound right-hander from the...

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Strasburg will be an All-Star for years to come, but maybe not in '10

June 23, 2010, 3:02am

Nationals

Strasburg will be an All-Star for years to come, but maybe not in '10

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has made a huge impact on the 2010 season in his first three starts for Washington. He has won two games and given his team a chance to win all three. He has set a major league record for most strikeouts to start a career, surpassing J.R. Richard of the Houston Astros. So, why wouldn't Strasburg be an All-Star or at least get heavy consideration? It's the manager's decision who will pitch in the mid-summer classic, and Charlie Manuel of the N.L. East...

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Chambers expects Harper to sign before deadline

June 22, 2010, 8:55am

Nationals

Chambers expects Harper to sign before deadline

Bryce Harper's college coach, Tim Chambers, the new baseball coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, told me today he does not think the negotiations between Scott Boras and the Washington Nationals to sign Bryce will take all summer. Chambers told me it is his opinion that the talks "won't drag out all summer" and that Harper wants to get started with his professional career sooner rather than later. He feels talks will heat up in the next few weeks or so. Bryce is taking a few...

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Jacobsen making name for himself close to home

June 21, 2010, 8:00pm

Nationals

Jacobsen making name for himself close to home

This Potomac Nationals third baseman wears #11, and his dad is a General in the United States Air Force, but 25-year-old Robby Jacobsen is making a name for himself in Woodbridge with his outstanding play. Jacobsen is truly a homegrown talent. The 6'1", 205-pounder was drafted by the Nats in 2006 and went to school, played baseball and is now an offseason volunteer coach at George Mason University. Robby's father, Kevin J. Jacobsen, is a general in the United States Air Force and in...

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Detwiler shows more improvement, wants to refine curve

June 20, 2010, 8:35am

Nationals

Detwiler shows more improvement, wants to refine curve

Harrisburg Senators left-handed starter Ross Detwiler had another positive start as he continues rehab from a right hip injury. But he told me there is still some work he wants to improve on. Detwiler went 4 innings, scattering six hits, allowing no earned runs, 1 walk and two strikeouts against Bowie Friday night. He has a 1.17 ERA through two starts, 8 strikeouts, 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. "I felt better than my last outing," Detwiler said. "My changeup was working well. I am getting a...

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Riggleman will not tinker with lineup

June 20, 2010, 8:10am

Nationals

Despite the current five-game losing streak in which the team has managed just 11 runs, including only a single run scored in the past 19 innings, Nats manager Jim Riggleman does not think shaking up the lineup is the solution to recent offensive woes. "I have played around there with Nyjer (Morgan) in the 1 and 2, (Cristian) Guzman in the 1 and 2, (Ryan) Zimmerman and (Adam) Dunn in the 3 and 4. That is about the extent of it. When (Mike) Morse is in there, he may hit seventh. When Pudge...

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Stammen happy to get so close to a no-no

June 20, 2010, 6:55am

Nationals

Stammen happy to get so close to a no-no

Syracuse Chiefs starter Craig Stammen is still remembering what could have been Friday night when he came within one out and two strikes of a no-hitter. Stammen beat the Gwinnett Braves 5-0 in a seven-inning game, allowing only a two-out base hit to Josh Anderson. "He was terrific. He got groundball outs like we have seen before and was in total control," said Chiefs play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti of Stammen's performance. Of Stammen's 21 outs, 12 were ground balls. Stammen told...

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J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose

June 18, 2010, 7:21pm

Nationals

J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose

Nationals starter J.D. Martin (0-2, 4.19) given the task today to snap the team's 4-game losing skid fresh off one of his toughest outings of the season. Martin went 7 and 2/3rds at Cleveland last Saturday night, but got roughed up in the second inning, allowing four runs off five hits, including a two-run double by Carlos Santana. "When I get in trouble in games is just when I am missing my spots and eaving the ball up. So I need to focus on keeping the ball down and locating my...

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Strasburg adds to record book, but Nats fall in extras

June 18, 2010, 7:10pm

Nationals

Strasburg adds to record book, but Nats fall in extras

Despite Chicago's 2-1 win over the Nationals in 11 innings, Stephen Strasburg continues to make his changes to the record books. Strasburg surpassed former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard for most strikeouts in his first three games in the big leagues when he struck out Alexei Ramirez in the fifth inning. Richard's record was 29 in 1971. It was Strasburg's 30th strikeout in a span of 17 innings. It was also Strasburg's 8th strikeout in the game. Officially through three starts,...

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Zimmermann hopes to rehab in Potomac early July

June 18, 2010, 12:43pm

Nationals

Zimmermann hopes to rehab in Potomac early July

Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmermann pitched off the mound Friday at Nationals Park, going two innings and 35 pitches as he continues recovery from Tommy John surgery conducted last year. "It was definitely nice to get out of Florida. The heat was killing me. It felt good to get back on the mound and be in this atmosphere again is nice." Jordan used his entire repertoire and threw at top velocity. "I have been throwing 100 percent for awhile now. I haven't had a setback, knock on...

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Zimmermann sighting at Nats Park

June 18, 2010, 11:25am

Nationals

Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmermann threw off the mound today before batting practice in his first appearance at Nats Park in quite some time. Zimmermann is recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery and is ahead of schedule for his return. He pitched a couple of dozen pitches to Nats hitters. It looked as if he was throwing at full strength with no problems. More later...

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Strasburg mania reaches well outside 202

June 17, 2010, 11:57am

Nationals

Strasburg mania reaches well outside 202

With Stephen Strasburg preparing for his third major league start tonight at Nationals Park, it is not lost on anyone outside the D.C. metro area that Strasburg mania is reaching all over the baseball world and into other sports. Kentucky guard and soon-to-be-No. 1 selection in the NBA draft, John Wall, noticed Strasburg in his visit to Washington. "I saw the debut of Strasburg; it was a big-time debut. The 14 strikeouts means a lot. He got pied in the face. It (was) pretty big." In...

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Wilkie closer to Nats call

June 17, 2010, 5:16am

Nationals

Syracuse Chiefs right-hander Josh Wilkie gets another rare start tonight against Gwinnett in Georgia. He has been very impressive for the Chiefs this season. In 23 games, the George Washington University product has a 2-3 record with a 1.95 ERA, 29 strikeouts and only 11 walks, with just 7 earned runs allowed. More amazing for the 6-2, 190 pound rightie is he hasn't allowed an earned run in 9 of his last 10 appearances, including the start June 8. He pitched well last week against...