Dan Kolko

Nats waiting on Flores, Brown searching for first big league hit

July 23, 2012, 2:33pm

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Tonight marks the third straight game that Jesus Flores will watch from the bench, with rookie catcher Sandy Leon taking over behind the plate. Leon's major league tenure has gotten off to a nice start, as he's hitting .385 in 13 at-bats. But the Nationals are looking forward to getting Flores back in the starting lineup once his back tightness has subsided. Manager Davey Johnson said today that he'll still play things carefully with Flores, wanting to make sure that the...

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Flores out of lineup for third straight game

July 23, 2012, 12:05pm

Nationals

Flores out of lineup for third straight game

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals have posted their lineup for tonight's 7:10 p.m. game against the Mets at Citi Field, and Jesus Flores isn't in it - or behind the plate - for a third straight game. Sandy Leon will catch Jordan Zimmermann tonight. Here are tonight's lineups: For the Nationals: 2B - Steve Lombardozzi RF - Bryce Harper 3B - Ryan Zimmerman LF - Michael Morse 1B - Adam LaRoche SS - Danny Espinosa CF - Roger Bernadina C - Sandy Leon P - Jordan Zimmermann For the Mets: SS -...

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Brown officially recalled, Braves making things interesting (updated)

July 23, 2012, 11:38am

Nationals

Brown officially recalled, Braves making things interesting (updated)

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals have made it official, placing Ian Desmond on the 15-day disabled list with what they're calling a left oblique strain and recalling outfielder Corey Brown from Triple-A Syracuse. Desmond's DL stint is retroactive to July 22, the day after his last game played. Chien-Ming Wang will make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg tonight, which will be his third outing since landing on the DL with a hip strain. Meanwhile, the Braves made the first big pre-trade...

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Another big loss, another chance to overcome

July 23, 2012, 5:48am

Nationals

Another big loss, another chance to overcome

So far this season, the Nationals have seen their opening day catcher, shortstop, third baseman, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder land on the disabled list. Their closer missed over half the season. Their top pinch hitter is still on the DL. Multiple relievers have missed time. Their projected fifth starter has suffered two separate injuries. Three backup catchers have been placed on the disabled list, all within two weeks of getting brought up to the big leagues. "I know a lot...

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A satisfying split

July 22, 2012, 3:07pm

Nationals

In Davey Johnson's eyes, today was "bittersweet." The Nationals lost Ian Desmond for at least a couple of weeks with a torn left oblique. They also dominated the Braves, notching a 9-2 win over their NL East rivals. That gave them a big series split and allowed them to retake a 3 1/2-game lead in the division. If you're going to lose your All-Star shortstop, you might as well do some damage to your top division contender, as well. "We didn't want them to come into our house and leaving...

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Desmond heads to DL with torn left oblique (updated)

July 22, 2012, 1:51pm

Nationals

Desmond heads to DL with torn left oblique (updated)

The Nationals had hoped that Ian Desmond would be able to battle through a lingering oblique injury and continue playing, providing pop in the middle of their order as well as his usual dazzling defense. That won't happen. An MRI this morning revealed a tear in Desmond's left oblique, and the All-Star shortstop will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, manager Davey Johnson said after today's game. "I was a little concerned (last night) and this morning when he said it felt like...

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An offensive explosion in the first (Nats roll to 9-2 win)

July 22, 2012, 10:17am

Nationals

An offensive explosion in the first (Nats roll to 9-2 win)

I had a feeling the Nationals might put up a big number today, given the momentum they gained last night and the fact they're facing Braves starter Jair Jurrjens this afternoon - a guy they have crushed in recent years. I just didn't know that big number would come in the first inning. The Nationals put up a four-spot in the first, with Ryan Zimmerman's two-run homer to right-center serving as the big blow. Danny Espinosa also added a two-out RBI double, and Roger Bernadina plated...

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Despite nagging oblique, Desmond unlikely to land on disabled list

July 22, 2012, 8:35am

Nationals

Despite nagging oblique, Desmond unlikely to land on disabled list

The Nationals will continue to take things day-to-day with Ian Desmond, who is out of the lineup today because of a strained oblique. Manager Davey Johnson said the disabled list is not currently an option for Desmond, despite the fact that the shortstop has been battling the oblique injury for over a month. "Don't really wanna go there," Johnson said. Desmond was out of the starting lineup for five straight days coming into this series, but he started Friday as well as both games of...

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Desmond, Flores out of Nats lineup, Harper in right field

July 22, 2012, 6:41am

Nationals

Desmond, Flores out of Nats lineup, Harper in right field

Ian Desmond (oblique) and Jesus Flores (back) will get to rest what ails them, as both at least start today's series finale against the Braves on the bench. Bryce Harper (left ankle), on the other hand, is in the Nationals' lineup, starting in right field. Danny Espinosa starts at short in Desmond's place while Sandy Leon will catch for Ross Detwiler. For the Nationals: 2B Steve Lombardozzi RF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman LF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche SS Danny Espinosa CF Roger...

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Looking back and looking ahead

July 22, 2012, 5:55am

Nationals

If you were among the group which felt that the Nationals should trade for a starting pitcher to fill out their rotation once Stephen Strasburg is shut down, did last night's performance by John Lannan do anything to change your mind? Lannan delivered a statement outing against the Braves, reminding Nats fans, and possibly GM Mike Rizzo, that despite the lefty's somewhat inflated numbers at Triple-A Syracuse this season, he's still a major league pitcher. This is a guy who was the...

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Nats get back on track with 5-2 win (Lannan optioned)

July 21, 2012, 6:02pm

Nationals

Nats get back on track with 5-2 win (Lannan optioned)

In the big picture, this game means just as much as any of the other 17 that the Nationals and Braves will play this season. It's still July. There are still 70 games remaining in the regular season. The Nats will meet the Braves seven more times after today. But from a momentum standpoint, this 5-2 Nationals win was a nice one for Davey Johnson's team to secure. Instead of going into tomorrow's series finale with Atlanta with a chance of being swept in four straight, the Nats will have a...

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Lannan starts slow, then settles down (Werth update, game update)

July 21, 2012, 4:36pm

Nationals

Lannan starts slow, then settles down (Werth update, game update)

You can't really blame John Lannan if he was a little emotionally charged up in the first inning of tonight's ballgame. This is his first major league start of the season after the Nationals optioned him to Triple-A the day before opening day in a surprise move. He's been stuck riding buses and pitching to sparse crowds since, and hasn't been on the mound in a regular season game at Nats Park since Sept. 16, 2011. So when Lannan allowed two runs in the first inning, giving up three hits...

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Final quotes on the afternoon contest (Harper not in lineup for nightcap)

July 21, 2012, 1:59pm

Nationals

Final quotes on the afternoon contest (Harper not in lineup for nightcap)

Given what happened last night and what's still to come tonight, Edwin Jackson knew what he needed to do in Game 1 of the Nationals' doubleheader with the Braves. "Days like we had last night, it's pretty important that as a starter the next day, you can go as deep as you can to save the bullpen," Jackson said. "Those guys worked hard last night and they battled a lot. It was just one of those things where you want to come out today and you definitely want to go deep in the game." He...

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Tests reveal Harper's ankle bruised, not broken (plus Rodriguez note)

July 21, 2012, 1:18pm

Nationals

Tests reveal Harper's ankle bruised, not broken (plus Rodriguez note)

Despite the 4-0 loss to the Braves in Game 1 of today's doubleheader, the Nationals got some good news when they found out Bryce Harper's left ankle was merely bruised and not broken. Tests revealed that Harper has a contusion on the left ankle, which comes as a result of a fouled bunt in the rookie outfielder's first-inning plate appearance. The ball drilled Harper on the inner part of his ankle, and even though he remained in the game and played center field in the second inning, manager...

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Just what the doctor ordered (Nats drop opener 4-0)

July 21, 2012, 10:55am

Nationals

Just what the doctor ordered (Nats drop opener 4-0)

After yesterday's 11-inning slopfest in which the Nationals used five relievers, they needed Edwin Jackson to eat innings and give them a chance to win Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Eat innings - check. Give the Nats a chance to win - check. Jackson has worked six fantastic frames so far today, allowing just one run on four hits. The righty has struck out eight and has benefited from a fantastic slider which has left Braves hitters flailing all afternoon. Unfortunately for Jackson and...

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Harper exits after fouling ball off left ankle (with update)

July 21, 2012, 10:07am

Nationals

Harper exits after fouling ball off left ankle (with update)

Bryce Harper has been taken out of the first game of today's doubleheader after bunting a ball off the inside of his left ankle in the bottom of the first inning. The Nationals rookie outfielder limped around in obvious pain and dropped to a knee before getting attended to by a trainer. Harper remained in the game at the time, finishing his at-bat despite the fact he was noticeably hobbling. He struck out swinging at a Ben Sheets curveball just a pitch after the foul bunt. Harper played...

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Pregame thoughts from the skipper, plus lineups

July 21, 2012, 8:06am

Nationals

Pregame thoughts from the skipper, plus lineups

Davey Johnson says he didn't sleep too well last night. He was left thinking about the game that got away. The Nationals' skipper came in to the park this morning and ran two miles on the treadmill. He says he took two minutes off his time. "I punished myself," Johnson said. "I tried to wipe out some memory banks and create some new brain cells in my head. I hope it works." Everyone will technically be available in the Nationals' bullpen today, Johnson said, but he'd like to stay...

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Trying to put it in the rear-view (Nady DFA)

July 21, 2012, 5:38am

Nationals

Trying to put it in the rear-view (Nady DFA)

Good thing the Nationals will play 18 innings today. Plenty of chances to get last night's stinker out of their minds. With Davey Johnson using five relievers yesterday, he'll likely have a bit of a tough time navigating his way through today's doubleheader. Surprisingly, Johnson said he could use Drew Storen again today for a third straight day, and he'll have a rested Craig Stammen, Ryan Mattheus and Henry Rodriguez. Still, he'll have to bring his managerial A-game today to try and...

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Zimmerman, Strasburg discuss tough 11-inning loss

July 20, 2012, 9:30pm

Nationals

Zimmerman, Strasburg discuss tough 11-inning loss

Catcher Jesus Flores left tonight's game in the seventh inning with a stiff back. He said after the game that he should be fine for tomorrow's doubleheader. Also, Xavier Nady's rehab stint ended today with a 1-for-3 performance at Single-A Potomac. There's no official word from the Nationals yet, but it sounds like the team is planning on designating Nady for assignment. Now back to the shocking nine-run blown lead ... The game lasted 4 hours, 21 minutes. It saw the Braves come all the...

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Johnson blames himself for blown nine-run lead

July 20, 2012, 8:42pm

Nationals

Johnson blames himself for blown nine-run lead

Tonight was the largest blown lead in Nationals/Expos history. And Davey Johnson is putting it squarely on his own shoulders. "It was probably, arguably the worst game I've ever managed in my life," said the Nationals' skipper, who has managed 16 seasons in the majors. "I've never lost a nine-run lead when it was my part of the game to handle the pitching. It'll be hard for me to sleep. I had a worse night than the guys did. It was a tough loss. But it was just one loss." It was just...