Josh Land

Denard Span named finalist for Roberto Clemente Award

September 14, 2015, 4:36pm

PHILADELPHIA - Center fielder Denard Span was named the Washington Nationals' 2015 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet, Major League Baseball announced today. The Roberto Clemente Award pays tribute to the Hall of Famer's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. Span is one of the 30 finalists from each Major League club for the annual award given to the player who best represents the game...

Tags:

Jonathan Papelbon critical of Phillies in return

September 14, 2015, 3:53pm

Nationals

Jonathan Papelbon critical of Phillies in return

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon makes his uncelebrated return to Citizens Bank Park tonight for the first time since the Phillies shipped him to the Nationals just before the trade deadline on July 28. The controversial trade knocked right-hander Drew Storen back into a set-up role to make way for Papelbon to handle the ninth inning. The Nationals have struggled since the move, going just 20-25 and leaving Papelbon with only six opportunities to save games. Papelbon successfully...

Tags:

chris johnson jonathan papelbon matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats slug four homers, outlast Phillies 8-7 in 11 innings

September 14, 2015, 3:13pm

Nationals

Nats slug four homers, outlast Phillies 8-7 in 11 innings

PHILADELPHIA - Anthony Rendon belted the first pitch of the game from Phillies starter Aaron Nola over the left-center field wall. It was Rendon's second leadoff homer of his career and the eighth for the Nationals this season. Update: Ryan Howard smoked a 2-1 fastball from Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann over the wall in right to tie the score in the second. It was the first hit allowed by Zimmermann. Update II: Bryce Harper answered with a two-out solo homer to right in the third. It was...

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson jayson werth jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Nationals game blog: Jordan Zimmermann looks for momentum in stretch run

September 14, 2015, 2:52pm

Nationals

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann heads to the mound tonight looking to collect his 13th win of the season. The Phillies are the lone National League team that Zimmermann has a losing record against, coming in at 6-7 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 career starts. Zimmermann has allowed just three runs over his last three outings, going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA while striking out 15 over 18 2/3 innings. After batting .314 with six homers and 18 RBIs in August, Ian Desmond's bat has cooled down...

Tags:

chris johnson ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar clint robinson frontstory_nationals1

Bryce Harper returns after violent collision (with lineups)

September 14, 2015, 11:34am

Nationals

Bryce Harper returns after violent collision (with lineups)

PHILADELPHIA - Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper returns to the lineup tonight after a brutal collision knocked him out of yesterday's game. Harper ran into Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich while attempting to make a running turn at the bag on his way to third on Jayson Werth's inning-ending groundout. The violent impact left Harper on his back as Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz rushed out to tend to him. Harper left the game for precautionary...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson jordan zimmermann lineups nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals3

Finally healthy, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth heat up

September 14, 2015, 4:41am

Nationals

Finally healthy, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth heat up

After many questioned their pride, the Nationals showed up Sunday, ending a disastrous five-game losing streak with a 5-0 shutout win over the Marlins. Right-hander Max Scherzer led the way, tossing eight scoreless innings to earn his 12th win in his best start since the All-Star break. The Nationals rebounded from a three-hit shutout loss on Saturday to plate five runs on 11 hits yesterday. Anthony Rendon picked up three hits, a walk and an RBI. And batting in the cleanup spot for the second...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Andrew Stetka: Looking back and ahead for O's

September 13, 2015, 7:13pm

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Looking back and ahead for O's

Orioles fans are going through a very strange period right now. After three straight seasons of competitive baseball, including two trips to the postseason, the O's are on the outside looking in this year. At this point, the Birds are just battling to finish with a winning record and stay out of the basement of the American League East. As someone who blogs for Eutaw Street Report, which is all about the fan perspective, I feel a need to get the pulse of a large portion of that fan base at...

Tags:

andrew stetka guest blogger guestblogger orioles orioles buzz

Marty Niland: Nats won't be judged by 2015 failure, but on how they respond

September 13, 2015, 5:06pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats won't be judged by 2015 failure, but on how they respond

It seems like a natural instinct to judge based on failure, especially in baseball. So it might be easy to label the Nationals as a failure for falling short of their own expectations and those of many fans in the 2015 season. But it's often in failure where success is born, and that's how the Nats will ultimately be judged. The Nats set the tone for expectations shortly after signing Max Scherzer, when Bryce Harper asked rhetorically, "Where's my ring?" Pundits and fans quickly followed...

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Commanding all day, Max Scherzer leads Nats to 5-0 win

September 13, 2015, 1:18pm

Nationals

Commanding all day, Max Scherzer leads Nats to 5-0 win

The last time right-hander Max Scherzer won was July 30. The Nationals left Miami that afternoon on their way to New York, holding a three-game division lead. The Mets erased the deficit in the ensuing three days and then proceeded to build a commanding 9 1/2-game lead over the next five weeks. Make no mistake about it, Scherzer's struggles throughout August and into September were near the top of the Nationals' problems. Trying to prevent a sweep and maybe with some pride on the line,...

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson jayson werth matt williams max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Bryce Harper not showing concussion symptoms after violent collision

September 13, 2015, 12:38pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper not showing concussion symptoms after violent collision

The Nationals beat the Marlins 5-0 this afternoon essentially without the services of star outfielder Bryce Harper. Harper left in the first inning after a violent collision with Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich. With two outs and Harper on first, Jayson Werth hit a sharp grounder to Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas, who fired to first baseman Justin Bour to end the inning. Harper was running hard on the play in the event of a miscue. As he turned for third, Dietrich met him at second base....

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals

Max Scherzer dominates Marlins in 5-0 win (Bryce Harper injured)

September 13, 2015, 9:40am

Nationals

Max Scherzer dominates Marlins in 5-0 win (Bryce Harper injured)

The Nationals suffered yet another injury moments after the start of today's game. Anthony Rendon singled to lead off the game. After Marlins starter Brad Hand struck out Yunel Escobar, Bryce Harper grounded to shortstop Miguel Rojas, who forced Rendon at second. On Jayson Werth's ensuing grounder, Rojas fired to first baseman Justin Bour to end the inning. Harper was running hard to second on the play and collided with Derek Dietrich as he rounded the bag. The nasty collision left Harper on...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals game blog: Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon look to avoid sweep

September 13, 2015, 9:16am

Nationals

After dropping the first two in Miami, the Nationals stand at just 30-41 on the road this season. If they maintain their current .422 winning percentage away from Nationals Park, it would be Washington's lowest road mark since 2010 when they went 28-53 (.346). After excelling in the leadoff spot, Jayson Werth makes his second straight start batting cleanup. The 36-year-old picked up a walk in the first inning last night to extend his on-base streak to 21 games, the second longest in his...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson jayson werth max scherzer nationals nationals park frontstory_nationals1

Nationals recall right-hander Erik Davis and infielder Wilmer Difo

September 13, 2015, 8:42am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Erik Davis and infielder Wilmer Difo from Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Davis, 28, returns to the Major Leagues for the first time since 2013, making his recovery this season from April, 2014, Tommy John surgery. The right-handed reliever, who made his MLB debut June 2, 2013 at Atlanta and appeared in 10 games for the Nationals that year, was 1-2 with a...

Tags:

Nationals Nationals News Release

Max Scherzer aims for a strong finish (with lineups)

September 13, 2015, 7:32am

Nationals

Max Scherzer aims for a strong finish (with lineups)

It's hard to believe that right-hander Max Scherzer will go for his first win since way back on July 30 when he takes the mound at Marlins Park this afternoon. That was also the last time Scherzer displayed real dominance, blanking Miami over seven innings while fanning six as the Nationals held on for a 1-0 victory. Scherzer has struggled mightily since, going 0-3 with an unfathomable 6.08 ERA in his last seven starts. Over the rough stretch, Scherzer has been tagged for 11 home runs. The...

Tags:

chris johnson max scherzer nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Matt Williams on Bryce Harper: "The secret to his success is patience"

September 13, 2015, 7:29am

Nationals

Matt Williams on Bryce Harper: "The secret to his success is patience"

Bryce Harper has experienced a rough two nights in Miami. He did everything possible to will the Nationals to victory on Wednesday night at home - smacking two homers and a double and scoring all three runs - but it wasn't enough to catch the Mets in the 5-3 loss. On Friday night in Miami, Harper went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk. The 22-year-old collected one of the two hits the Nats managed off Marlins ace Jose Fernandez last night, but then he was quickly doubled up at first...

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson joe ross matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

With season fading away, Nats don't show much fight in 2-0 shutout loss

September 12, 2015, 6:30pm

Nationals

With season fading away, Nats don't show much fight in 2-0 shutout loss

The math says they're still alive, but the play on the field hasn't offered much proof over the past two days. The Nationals mustered just three hits and had only five baserunners, suffering their fifth straight loss in a 2-0 shutout at the hands of the Marlins. Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez figured to make it tough on the Nationals. The 23-year-old entered the game 15-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 24 career starts at home. Anthony Rendon gave the Nats some early promise, leading off the game...

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats drop fifth straight, manage only three hits in 2-0 shutout loss

September 12, 2015, 4:25pm

Nationals

Nats drop fifth straight, manage only three hits in 2-0 shutout loss

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark rolled through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. Three singles, a walk and a hit batter in the frame led to the Marlins' first run. With runners at the corners and one out, J.T. Realmuto ripped a line drive single to right, scoring Christian Yelich. An infield base hit from Ichiro Suzuki loaded the bases, but Roark was able to get Miguel Rojas to ground out to prevent any further damage. The Nationals only managed three...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson ian desmond nationals nationals pastime tanner roark frontstory_nationals1

Nationals game blog: Short-handed Nats look to end losing skid

September 12, 2015, 2:58pm

Nationals

For the second time in the last three games, the Nationals go to battle without two of their top hitters in the lineup. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman will miss his fourth consecutive contest with a sore left oblique that he injured during an at-bat against the Braves last weekend. Third baseman Yunel Escobar, who went 2-for-4 and scored the Nationals' only run last night, was a late scratch tonight with a stomach bug. Escobar missed Wednesday's finale with the Mets after his fever spiked to...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson danny espinosa jayson werth nationals nationals pastime tanner roark yunel escobar frontstory_nationals1

Drew Storen breaks thumb in frustration (Rizzo and Williams react)

September 12, 2015, 2:18pm

Nationals

Drew Storen breaks thumb in frustration (Rizzo and Williams react)

Nationals manager Matt Williams revealed before tonight's game in Miami that right-hander Drew Storen has a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb, according to MASN's Dan Kolko. Storen reportedly injured his throwing hand slamming his locker shut in the Nationals clubhouse following the 5-3 loss to the Mets on Wednesday night. Williams called on Storen to face Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes with one on and one out and the game tied in the eighth. Storen hung a slider and Cespedes demolished...

Tags:

chris johnson drew storen matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Bryce Harper set to tussle with Jose Fernandez (Escobar scratched with bug)

September 12, 2015, 12:06pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper set to tussle with Jose Fernandez (Escobar scratched with bug)

Bryce Harper looks today to rebound from a tough Friday night at the plate. The 22-year-old slugger went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Otherwise, Harper has torched Miami this season, slashing .310/.423/.762 with six homers, 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. "Bryce has had a fantastic year for us," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "He had a couple opportunities (last night) and it didn't happen for him. But we'll try to give him...