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

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

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

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

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

Riggleman will not tinker with lineup
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

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

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

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

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

Zimmermann sighting at Nats Park
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

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

Wilkie closer to Nats call
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...
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P-Nats' Bronson makes steady progress

P-Nats' Bronson makes steady progress
Potomac Nationals left handed pitcher Evan Bronson is coming off one of his best starts of the year Thursday against Lynchburg. Bronson went 5.1 innings, scattering five hits, allowing no runs, no walks and striking out three batters. 23-year old Bronson is a 6-3 195-pound lefthander out of Trinity College was selected in the 29th round of the 2009 draft. Last season, Bronson was 3-0 with an 0.55 ERA for Vermont and was named a mid-season All-Star. I caught up with the Midlothian, VA...
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Rizzo "optimistic" a deal will be made with Bryce Harper

Rizzo "optimistic" a deal will be made with Bryce Harper
In Cleveland, I got the opportunity to speak with Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo regarding this year's #1 first-year player selection, catcher/outfielder Bryce Harper. Mike, having worked with agent Scott Boras while signing Stephen Strasburg last season, does that give you a leg up in the negotiations with Bryce Harper this year? "Each case with each individual and each representative is unique. We are not going to put any timetables on it. We feel with Bryce like we did with...
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Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K

Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K
Stephen Strasburg had to face adversity of a different kind Sunday and pulled through with his second professional victory. Strasburg had trouble with his landing foot on the mound at Progressive Field, the same spot where Indians starter David Huff (2-8) was also landing, Over time, and according to the grounds crew I spoke to, it happens more often during day games because of the humidity, the clay gave way and Strasburg started to slip. Even with those troubles, Strasburg was effective,...
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Carmona befuddles Nats 7-1

Carmona befuddles Nats 7-1
Fausto Carmona dominated the Nationals Saturday with his power sinker and won for the first time in exactly one month, a complete game three-hitter, 7-1 at Progressive Field. It was his second complete game in his past three starts. Willie Harris says Carmona had the sinker and changeup working to perfection. How dominant? The Nationals left no men on base. Carmona faced only one batter over the minimum. "He was pretty good. He was nasty. He had the sinker working and had a really good...
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Strasburg II: Cleveland expects close to 30K

Strasburg II: Cleveland expects close to 30K
The Indians media relations report they have sold more than 10,000 tickets than usual for Sunday's series finale with Nats rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg taking on David Huff. The Tribe are expecting 28,000 to 30,000 for Sunday's game at Progressive Field, which would almost double their normal gate. Indians are averaging a little over 15,000 per game at home. There also has been an additional 50 media credential requests which means the press box is expected to be filled to capacity. ...
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Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe

Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe
Cleveland, OH -- Nats 2B Adam Kennedy made a bad throw to second base and Cristian Guzman in the bottom of the 1st inning for his 2nd error of the series and 8th error of the season in 58 games. The Indians scored a batter later on a sacrifice fly to take the lead 1-0 in the 1st. Jim Riggleman had said before the game he wanted to get Willie Harris and Kennedy at-bats so they can remain consistent in the field. Ian Desmond gets the the night off, but available for pinch hitting and...
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Kearns' payback - Indians drop Nats 7-2

Kearns' payback - Indians drop Nats 7-2
The Indians beat the Nationals 7-2 Friday night at Progressive Field behind a dramatic 2 home run 4 RBI performance by their former teammate. Austin Kearns blasted a 3-run shot in the 1st inning that quickly erased an early Nats lead. Then in his second at-bat, Kearns lauched another Luis Atilano (5-3) pitch over the left center field wall for a 4-1 Tribe advantage. Jake Westbrook (4-3) befuddled the Nats after they started the game with three consecutive base hits, going seven and...
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Kearns stings former team early on with 2 HRs

Kearns stings former team early on with 2 HRs
Former Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns is getting some early revenge against his old mates. Kearns smacked a 3-run HR off of Luis Atilano in the 1st inning, giving the Tribe a 3-1 advantage. Then, in the 4th inning, Kearns got a hold of another one, a solo shot to deep left center and the Indians led 4-1. It was home run #s 6 and 7 on the year for Kearns and marked the first time since June 4, 2006 he went deep twice in the same game. His average now up to .311. the only regular Tribe...
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