The beatdowns continue

The beatdowns continue
Poor Dale Sveum. The Cubs' manager probably wants to pull his hair out right about now. And he doesn't even have any hair. Sveum said that last night's game, a 9-1 throttling by the Nationals, was like men playing against boys. Tonight hasn't been much different. The Nats lead the Cubs 7-2 after 4 1/3 innings and have now put up 27 runs over their last 20 frames. They've scored in three of their four times to the plate tonight. In the one inning they didn't bring a run across, the...

Some interesting stats on Zimmermann plus Burnett, Lannan updates

Some interesting stats on Zimmermann plus Burnett, Lannan updates
Sean Burnett is making slow progress in his rehab from what manager Davey Johnson says is an inflamed nerve in his elbow, but it's progress nonetheless. Burnett is scheduled to play catch Saturday and if all goes well in that session, he could be on track to return as early as Monday. Johnson said that the elbow issue which Burnett has battled since prior to the All-Star break is just a nerve issue and nothing muscular, which is good news. Burnett told me yesterday that he was feeling...

Werth back in lineup, Zimmermann seeking first win since Aug. 9

Werth back in lineup, Zimmermann seeking first win since Aug. 9
After being given Wednesday off, Jayson Werth is back in the Nationals' lineup, leading off tonight's series finale against the Cubs. Jordan Zimmermann is taking the mound, as the Nats shoot for their fifth straight victory. Zimmermann, however, hasn't had the decisions going his way of late. He's been stuck on nine wins since Aug. 9, going 0-2 with a 7.91 ERA over his last four starts. Perhaps he gets on track tonight. For the Nationals: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan...

Danny Espinosa is heating up at the right time

Danny Espinosa is heating up at the right time
A slow offensive start to the season left Danny Espinosa frustrated and "nervous" about being sent down to the minors. He'd stew over poor individual performances, letting his ultra-competitive streak get the better of him at times. He'd watch tape of countless subpar at-bats, critiquing every minor error, likely putting more pressure on himself in the process. Lately, Espinosa has changed his ways. He rarely ever goes into the video room unless it's for an offensive meeting before a...

Even more offensive numbers, notes and quotes

Even more offensive numbers, notes and quotes
There are so many offensive notes and numbers to pass along after what the Nationals have done the last handful of days, I'm not sure I could fit them all in one entry. Let's give it a shot. The Nationals became just the third team in the history of Major League Baseball to hit six home runs in a game on back-to-back nights. The 1996 Dodgers and 2003 Angels need to move over. They've got company. The Nats tied a team record for most homers in a game on Tuesday, then went ahead and tied...

The offensive juggernaut keeps rolling along

The offensive juggernaut keeps rolling along
Last night it was Adam LaRoche (twice), Ian Desmond, Jesus Flores, Tyler Moore and Ryan Zimmerman going yard. Tonight it was Bryce Harper (twice), Roger Bernadina, LaRoche, Desmond and Danny Espinosa. The Nationals have 12 home runs in their last 16 innings. They've scored 20 runs in that same span. Dating back to the win in Miami which snapped their five-game losing streak, the Nats have averaged 7.6 runs per game. Even the guys doing all the offensive damage can't explain what the heck...

Johnson discusses Nats' 9-1 rout of Cubs

Johnson discusses Nats' 9-1 rout of Cubs
The first start of Gio Gonzalez's 2012 season came against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. That day, the lefty went just 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with three walks. Today was a bit different. Sure, it was a different Cubs lineup, one loaded with young guys suiting up for a team which is on pace for a 100-loss season. But Gonzalez was on-point all night tonight, throwing five no-hit innings before allowing a leadoff single to Darwin Barney in the sixth. He finished with seven...

This is getting ridiculous (Nats crush Cubs 9-1)

This is getting ridiculous (Nats crush Cubs 9-1)
A day after hitting six home runs in a game against the Cubs, tying a Nationals team record, the Nats have hit six home runs in a game against the Cubs. It's déjà vu all over again. The Nats have put eight runs up through seven innings and now have 12 homers in their last 15 frames. Are the Nationals this good or are the Cubs this bad? Can it be both? The Nats have hit back-to-back homers twice tonight. Roger Bernadina and Bryce Harper did it in the third and Ian Desmond and...

More home runs for the Nats, more shutout innings for Gonzalez (updated)

More home runs for the Nats, more shutout innings for Gonzalez (updated)
Going back to last night, the Nationals hit nine home runs in a 12-inning span against the Cubs. They hit six jacks last night, two of which came off the bat of Adam LaRoche. They added three more through the first three innings tonight, and have a 5-0 lead on the hapless Cubs. All three homers so far tonight came in the third inning. Roger Bernadina led off the frame with a solo shot to center, his fourth on the season. One pitch later, Bryce Harper banged one off the back wall of the Cubs...

Burnett: "I was putting my team in jeopardy and it wasn't right to them"

Burnett: "I was putting my team in jeopardy and it wasn't right to them"
Up until about two weeks ago, Sean Burnett was putting up career numbers, despite the fact that he had battled tightness in his throwing elbow for a handful of weeks. After an appearance on August 10, Burnett's ERA sat at 1.81, he had a 0.96 WHIP and had become a dominant force in the eighth inning. Over his next eight games, however, Burnett looked like a different pitcher. He posted a 7.50 ERA over six innings, allowing 16 hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two hit-batters in that span....

Bernadina in center, G. Gonzalez takes mound

Bernadina in center, G. Gonzalez takes mound
As Davey Johnson said, Jayson Werth is getting the night off, shifting the Nationals' outfield alignment. Roger Bernadina starts in center and leads off against the Cubs, making just his seventh start since Aug. 1. Bryce Harper starts in right field. Gio Gonzalez is on the hill, seeking his 18th win one start after a complete-game shutout. For the Nationals: CF Roger Bernadina RF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P...

Chipping away at the magic number, enjoying a special debut

Chipping away at the magic number, enjoying a special debut
The Nationals' lead over the Braves in the NL East is now 7 1/2 games, the highest it's been this season. They're back to 31 games above .500, tying the high-water mark for the year. Their magic number to win the division is 20 with 27 games left on their schedule. By no means are the Nats looking ahead or counting their chickens. But they are starting to realize the end is in sight. You go into the clubhouse postgame and you'll notice the Braves game put up on every TV in sight. During...

Johnson discusses Nats' 11-5 win

Johnson discusses Nats' 11-5 win
The days when the Nationals scored six runs over a five-game span seem so long ago. In reality, it was only a week ago that the offensive skid came to an end. And since then, the bats have come alive in a big way. Tonight, the Nats exploded for 11 runs, 19 hits, six home runs from five different players and 11 extra-base hits. Adam LaRoche had two homers, Ian Desmond had a home run, a double and four RBIs and Danny Espinosa had two doubles as the Nats rolled to a lopsided victory over the...

Double digits and a D.C. record (Nats win a laugher 11-5)

Double digits and a D.C. record (Nats win a laugher 11-5)
The Nationals have hung double digits on the Cubs tonight, putting up 17 hits through seven innings. Nine of those hits have been for extra bases. Five have been home runs. The five homers has set a record for the most home runs ever by a D.C. baseball team in games played in the district. Five different Nats have connected for longballs: Ian Desmond, Jesus Flores, Adam LaRoche, Tyler Moore and Ryan Zimmerman. Backed by those homers, which have plated a total of seven runs, the Nats lead...

Nats do major damage early (it's a party for the home team)

Nats do major damage early (it's a party for the home team)
Chris Rusin wasn't fooling anyone. The Cubs' rookie left-handed starter faced 11 Nationals hitters tonight. He retired just two of them before being pulled from the game. Rusin leaves after surrendering five runs in just an inning plus four batters. He gave up eight hits (including two home runs and four extra-base hits) and walked a batter. Things could have been even worse if Michael Morse hadn't run into an out at third base in the first inning. Replacing Rusin is right-hander Jaye...

Wang activated, Brown back after strong season at Syracuse

Wang activated, Brown back after strong season at Syracuse
The Nationals have officially activated Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-day disabled list, giving manager Davey Johnson yet another option in relief. Wang has been around the Nats the last couple days after making his final rehab start Sept. 1 for Double-A Harrisburg. Realistically, the veteran righty doesn't stand much chance of pitching in meaningful situations, but he could be called on to eat innings at some point. Wang is 2-3 with a 7.61 ERA in seven games (four starts) with the Nats this...

Various odds and ends involving Harper, Morse, Lannan

Various odds and ends involving Harper, Morse, Lannan
Bryce Harper's getting a rare day off today, but it's not due to anything injury-related, manager Davey Johnson said this afternoon. With the Nationals facing a lefty starter, Johnson figured this was a good time to rest one of his normal left-handed-hitting position players. It was either going to be Harper or Adam LaRoche, and Harper ends up being the one who will take a seat today. Johnson said he wants to get his rookie outfielder a bit of a breather while also allowing guys who...

A bunch of lineup changes today (Brown recalled)

A bunch of lineup changes today (Brown recalled)
With the Nationals facing Cubs left-hander Chris Rusin, Bryce Harper will have a seat today. Jayson Werth will play center field, Michael Morse will move over to right and Tyler Moore will play left field and hit seventh. This is Moore's first start since Aug. 26. Morse is back in the lineup after being pulled from yesterday's game in the fourth inning due to what manager Davey Johnson said was a hand injury. Another interesting change to Davey Johnson's lineup is that Ian Desmond will...

Clippard keeps clicking, racking up saves at near-record rate

Clippard keeps clicking, racking up saves at near-record rate
Tyler Clippard had one career save entering this season. He had one career save on May 20, six weeks into the Nationals' 2012 season. Clippard now possesses 31 career saves. And he's showing no signs of slowing down. The 27-year-old righty reached the 30-save mark for the 2012 campaign in yesterday's win over the Cubs. Given how badly Clippard wanted the opportunity to close games in the past and given how important these saves have been with the Nationals making a push towards the...

A winning season? Small potatoes

A winning season? Small potatoes
In past seasons, if the Nationals had reached 82 wins and guaranteed themselves a winning season, it'd have been a cause for celebration. Heck, given where the team finished in 2008 and 2009, you would've thought they'd be popping bottles in the Nats' clubhouse after finally notching that 82nd win. The Nats hadn't topped the 81-win mark since baseball returned to D.C. in 2005, and there hadn't been a winning baseball team in the district since 1969. But this season, reaching that 82nd...