Byron Kerr

Nats not afraid to increase Fedde's workload in new role

May 10, 2019, 10:27am

LOS ANGELES - Right-hander Erick Fedde is adjusting to his new role with the Nationals after being a starter for most of his first four-plus seasons in pro ball. Fedde, 26, started 67 of the 85 appearances he has made with the Nats in their minor league system since 2015. The 2014 first-round selection from Nevada-Las Vegas rehabbed from Tommy John surgery to get back to a regular starting role in 2016. After building through the minors, Fedde made three starts for the Nats in 2017, and then 11...

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Kendrick locked in, Gomes on Corbin's outing and more

May 09, 2019, 11:55pm

Nationals

Kendrick locked in, Gomes on Corbin's outing and more

LOS ANGELES - The biggest element of the Nationals offense, one the team has been unable to consistently demonstrate for close to 40 games, is a power-hitting bat day in and day out. Juan Soto showed what he could do with the bat in 2018. Anthony Rendon raced out to a hot start this season but was then slowed by the hit by pitch on his elbow in Miami on April 20. Matt Adams has shown flashes of his "Big City" bat, but the injury bug bit this slugger as well courtesy a left shoulder...

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Corbin gem and Kendrick rocket carry Nats to 6-0 win

May 09, 2019, 10:28pm

Nationals

Corbin gem and Kendrick rocket carry Nats to 6-0 win

LOS ANGELES - The Nationals arrived in Chavez Ravine Thursday to begin a four-game set against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers desperate to get their offense going to take pressure off their pitching staff. Mired in a four-game losing streak and fresh off a rough series sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, in which they scored only six total runs, the Nats tallied three runs quickly to set the tone in the opener against the Dodgers. They added three more tack-on runs late to help...

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Parra gets fresh start; Soto, Turner on track to return (Nats win 6-0)

May 09, 2019, 5:51pm

Nationals

Parra gets fresh start; Soto, Turner on track to return (Nats win 6-0)

LOS ANGELES - The Nationals added veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra to their 25-man roster Thursday to look for a spark as the team attempts to dig its way out of a recent slump. Nats manager Davey Martinez said Parra brings a lot of versatility to the field, and swings the bat very well against right-handers. "He's a veteran outfielder that can play all three outfield positions, also plays a little bit of first base," Martinez said. "He gives us another left-handed bat. He'll play against...

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Game 37 lineups: Nats at Dodgers (Parra signed)

May 09, 2019, 5:23am

Nationals

Game 37 lineups: Nats at Dodgers (Parra signed)

LOS ANGELES - The Nationals arrive at Chavez Ravine looking to snap their longest losing streak of the season (four) and having lost 13 of their last 18 games. They are currently eight games under .500 for the first time since September 17, 2011 (71-79). The three-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers was the first sweep versus Milwaukee since May 2011. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-1) allowed six runs, but only three earned, in the game's first two frames of a 7-3 setback. Second baseman...

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Wiseman continues hot streak as Double-A Harrisburg keeps rolling

May 06, 2019, 3:12am

Nationals

Wiseman continues hot streak as Double-A Harrisburg keeps rolling

Right fielder Rhett Wiseman is continuing his amazing run for Double-A Harrisburg. If Juan Soto is out more than 10 days with back spasms, the Nationals might consider finding a way to elevate the former Vanderbilt star. The 24-year-old Wiseman has hit in seven straight games. He is slashing .333/.383/.729 with eight doubles, 10 homers and 24 RBIs. The 10 homers leads the Eastern League by three over Chris Gittens of Trenton and Hunter Owen of Altoona. Wiseman's eight doubles are tied for...

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Soto has MRI for back spasms, results negative

May 02, 2019, 7:52pm

Nationals

Soto has MRI for back spasms, results negative

The Nationals get ready for a three-game set against the first-place Phillies tonight at Citizens Bank Park, hoping one of their most important hitters can return to the lineup. Left fielder Juan Soto has been a late scratch each of the last two games against the Cardinals. After the Nats' 2-1 win Thursday night, manager Davey Martinez said the team sent Soto for an MRI to see what is going on with his back, worried that it might be an oblique injury. "We definitely wanted (to do further...

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Strasburg and Doolittle weave pitching gem in 2-1 win over Cards

May 02, 2019, 7:31pm

Nationals

Strasburg and Doolittle weave pitching gem in 2-1 win over Cards

Seven starts into the 2019 season, Stephen Strasburg has been the most consistent starter for the Nationals. His last three outings have been exceptional, allowing only three runs in 21 2/3 innings. Strasburg put together another gem Thursday night against the Cardinals, winning 2-1 after both teams waited through a rain delay lasting 2 hours, 32 minutes. He struck out nine to reach 29 punchouts in his last three starts. The right-hander has struck out nine or more batters in four starts this...

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Nats fire Lilliquist, name Menhart pitching coach

May 02, 2019, 7:09pm

Nationals

Nats fire Lilliquist, name Menhart pitching coach

It has been a theme that has plagued the Nationals since the beginning of the season. With the bullpen underperforming and getting off to a rough start, the club searched for answers. Then when the starting pitching wasn't getting the results that were expected from what was considered a strength, it felt like something had to give. On Thursday night, the Nationals avoided the sweep over Cardinals 2-1 behind another consistent performance from Stephen Strasburg. But after the game, general...

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Strasburg's health critical to Nats' hopes (Nats win 2-1)

May 02, 2019, 1:43pm

Nationals

Strasburg's health critical to Nats' hopes (Nats win 2-1)

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is on another nice streak, having allowed only two earned runs over 15 innings in his last two starts. He has done a nice job of using his fastball, changeup and curveball to strike out batters. Nationals manager Davey Martinez has noticed that Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki are not afraid to call for three or four changeups in a row if they believe that will confuse hitters. "I think a lot of has to do with Suzuki and Gomes," Martinez said. "He trusts the catchers...

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Pregame notes on Soto, Turner, Kieboom, more (6:30 p.m. start expected)

May 02, 2019, 11:00am

Nationals

Pregame notes on Soto, Turner, Kieboom, more (6:30 p.m. start expected)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Juan Soto is ready to go today against the Cardinals in the series finale after being a late scratch last night prior to game three due to back spasms. "He's in the lineup. He's good to go," Martinez said. "It's good to have him back in there. He said he didn't feel anything really. I think he just cramped up. We don't want to take a chance." Martinez said the training staff was concerned it was something worse when Soto was hurt during batting...

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Game 30 lineups: Nats vs. Cards (Soto scratched again)

May 02, 2019, 5:13am

Nationals

Game 30 lineups: Nats vs. Cards (Soto scratched again)

The Nationals look to salvage the final game of their four-game series with the Cardinals today before they set out on a rigorous 10-game, three-city road trip starting Friday in Philadelphia. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (2-1, 3.82 ERA) needs eight strikeouts to reach the 1,500-strikeout plateau. Strasburg is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA in six starts against St. Louis in his career with 43 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. He has not faced the Cards since 2016. In his last two starts, Strasburg has...

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Scherzer rebounds nicely after tough first inning

May 01, 2019, 7:43pm

Nationals

Scherzer rebounds nicely after tough first inning

This has been an unusual start to the season for right-hander Max Scherzer. Scherzer fell to 1-4 as the Cardinals dropped the Nationals 5-1 Wednesday night despite seven innings of work and only three runs allowed. JosÃ© MartÃnez's two-run single highlighted the Cards' early three-run outburst in the first that set the tone. Scherzer allowed three runs in that inning, then fired six shutout frames to keep his club within striking distance. In the opening inning, his defense did not help,...

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Soto scratched, Cards get to Scherzer in first (Nats fall 5-1)

May 01, 2019, 4:00pm

Nationals

Soto scratched, Cards get to Scherzer in first (Nats fall 5-1)

The Nationals scratched left fielder Juan Soto from the lineup with back spasms about an hour prior to first pitch against the Cardinals. Michael A. Taylor took over center field, Adam Eaton played left field and Victor Robles was in right field. The Cardinals did not waste any time getting on the board against Nationals ace Max Scherzer. After recording the first out, Scherzer allowed singles to Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong. Marcell Ozuna then dropped a double into right field after Robles...

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May day: Nats looking to add runs in middle innings

May 01, 2019, 1:54pm

Nationals

May day: Nats looking to add runs in middle innings

Manager Davey Martinez mentioned Tuesday night after a 3-2 loss that the month of April is finally over and May 1 is upon the Nationals. Today in preparing for their third game of the series against the Cardinals, Martinez emphasized more the importance of this game after two losses in the series and five losses in their last six games. "You prepare yourself every day to play, whether it's April or May going to come out and play," Martinez said. "The month is over. Here we go, May 1, we got...

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Harrisburg wins again to improve to 21-4

April 30, 2019, 8:29pm

Nationals

Harrisburg wins again to improve to 21-4

Double-A Harrisburg added to their record-setting start to the season with a 3-1 victory over Reading, thanks to seven strong innings from right-hander Sterling Sharp. Sharp allowed one run on four hits and recorded one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, 64 for strikes, and at one point he retired 11 straight batters. Rhett Wiseman homered for the first time since April 15. His bat has been electric to start the season, to the tune of a 1.121 OPS and a .321 average. He has seven...

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SÃ¡nchez happy with outing except for two costly walks in 3-2 setback

April 30, 2019, 7:21pm

Nationals

SÃ¡nchez happy with outing except for two costly walks in 3-2 setback

Right-hander AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez appeared to be well on his way to his first victory with the Nationals until the fourth inning Tuesday night. The Cardinals scored three runs on three hits with the benefit of two walks in that frame. That was all they would need as they erased an early 2-0 deficit to come back and beat the Nats 3-2. SÃ¡nchez worked five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and a season-high seven strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, 60 for strikes, striking...

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Eaton and Robles hit back-to-back homers (Nats lose 3-2)

April 30, 2019, 4:04pm

Nationals

Eaton and Robles hit back-to-back homers (Nats lose 3-2)

Nationals right-hander AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez is seeking his first win with his new team. After starting the season 0-3, SÃ¡nchez faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday night. He was lights-out deceptive in the first three frames, allowing one hit and striking out six. In the bottom of the third, Adam Eaton and Victor Robles connected on back-to-back solo homer off of Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright. For Eaton it was on a first pitch and was his second homer of the season. Robles...

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Jennings wants to pitch every day; Fedde's key role still undecided

April 30, 2019, 2:16pm

Nationals

Jennings wants to pitch every day; Fedde's key role still undecided

With Anthony Rendon moving to the injured list, the Nationals purchased the contract of veteran southpaw reliever Dan Jennings from Double-A Harrisburg. Jennings had a 4-5 record with a 3.22 ERA in 72 appearances last season with Milwaukee. The Senators were in Reading, Pa., when Jennings was told he had to get to D.C. "After the game they told me, then it became a scramble to get here," Jennings said. "I took an Uber here from Reading. I think the guy was a little surprised when he picked...

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Rendon to injured list, Nats purchase contract of Jennings

April 30, 2019, 11:03am

Nationals

Rendon to injured list, Nats purchase contract of Jennings

The Nationals finally had to give up on hoping Anthony Rendon could quickly get back from a left elbow injury. The Nats placed Rendon on the 10-day injured list with a left elbow contusion on Tuesday prior to their second game against the Cardinals. The team has purchased the contract of left-hander Dan Jennings from Double-A Harrisburg to add depth to the bullpen. To make room for Jennings on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-hander Austin Adams for assignment. Rendon's status is...