Josh Land

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Villette"

August 10, 2015, 2:39pm

Susan Slusser is a sports journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle who covers the Oakland A's on the baseball beat, has covered the NBA and is an unequalled fan of the NHL. She is the first woman to be president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. For me, she is a go-to authority of whatever sport or team she is covering. She is a pro and the term "journalist" is not used lightly to describe her work. Susan sat down with me on a recent trip to Oakland to talk about her...

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Marty Niland: Ryan Zimmerman's big weekend and memories of Frank Howard

August 10, 2015, 9:13am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Ryan Zimmerman's big weekend and memories of Frank Howard

If there was a silver lining in last weekend's series loss to the Colorado Rockies, it's that Ryan Zimmerman appears to have fully recovered from the plantar fasciitis that has sidelined him for much of this season. The Nationals first baseman has hit safely in four straight games and seven of his last nine, and driven in runs in seven consecutive games. But in the past week, he's shown that his power is back, crushing three homers, including blasts to center field in back-to-back innings on...

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Andrew Stetka: Recent DFAs tell strange story for Orioles

August 10, 2015, 8:49am

Orioles

The Orioles have gone about constructing and molding their roster in quite a different way this season. For a team that's chasing the Blue Jays and Yankees for the American League East crown, it has looked especially strange. There are a total of eight players from the opening day roster no longer with the team. That number jumps to nine if you include Ryan Webb, who was designated for assignment just before the team's first game. That's over 35 percent of the roster cast off before...

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andrew stetka dariel alvarez gerardo parra guest blogger guestblogger jason garcia junior lake orioles orioles buzz

Ryan Zimmerman on Drew Storen: "He's the least of our worries"

August 10, 2015, 4:55am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman on Drew Storen: "He's the least of our worries"

Drew Storen watched his ERA jump from 1.52 to 2.70 over the weekend after two innings of work. The right-hander blew a three-run lead in the blink of an eye on Friday, surrendering a grand slam to Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez. And then yesterday, Storen loaded the bases in the eighth before DJ LeMahieu bounced a ball through the hole to score the eventual game-winning two runs. "Drew's fine," Ryan Zimmerman said. "To go a whole year without having any sort of rough patch or a couple bad...

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Home not so sweet for Nationals after series loss to lowly Rockies

August 09, 2015, 3:22pm

Nationals

The Nationals blew a prime opportunity to gain ground on the New York Mets by dropping two of three to the lowly Rockies with this afternoon's 6-4 loss. After being swept out of the Big Apple last weekend, the Nats looked to take advantage of seven games in D.C. against the sub .500 Diamondbacks and the Rockies, who live in the basement of the National League West. But the Nationals managed to take only three of the games during the disappointing homestand. The Rays had beaten the Mets earlier...

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chris johnson drew storen featured_sidebar jayson werth matt williams max scherzer nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals2

Rockies score twice on Drew Storen, Nats lose 6-4

August 09, 2015, 9:55am

Nationals

Rockies score twice on Drew Storen, Nats lose 6-4

Carlos Gonzalez ruined the Nationals' night on Friday with his eighth inning grand slam off Drew Storen. In the first inning today, Gonzalez belted a hanging curveball from Max Scherzer deep to right for a two-out solo homer to give the Rockies an early lead. Rockies All-Star Nolan Arenado followed with a base knock to center before Scherzer whiffed Ben Paulsen with a 95 mph heater to end the frame. Rockies left-hander Yohan Flande retired the Nats in order in the bottom of the...

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bryce harper chris johnson max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar jayson werth ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals2

Max Scherzer continues Nats pitching attack; Aaron Barrett to DL (with lineups)

August 09, 2015, 7:28am

Nationals

Max Scherzer continues Nats pitching attack; Aaron Barrett to DL (with lineups)

The Nationals send ace Max Scherzer to the mound looking to claim a series win in the finale this afternoon against the Rockies. Scherzer is aiming for his first win at Nationals Park since throwing his no-hitter against the Pirates on June 20. The right-hander didn't get a decision in the Nats' 5-4 win over Arizona on Tuesday night when he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over six innings. Rockies left-hander Yohan Flande is making just his third start of...

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bryce harper chris johnson max scherzer nationals nationals pastime aaron barrett frontstory_nationals2

Still buzzing about Stephen Strasburg

August 09, 2015, 5:42am

Nationals

It's a shame that injuries made us wait until August 8 to see the best of Stephen Strasburg this season. The right-hander missed nearly two months, or approximately nine valuable starts, with two separate trips to the disabled list, not to mention a few other nagging discomforts he tried to but was never really able to pitch through. After last night's dazzling 12-strikeout, three-hit lockdown, Colorado had to be wishing Strasburg's rehab lasted just a bit longer. "It was top-shelf stuff,"...

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bryce harper chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Stephen Strasburg blows away Rockies in Nats' 6-1 win

August 08, 2015, 7:40pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg blows away Rockies in Nats' 6-1 win

The Nationals may have found their secret weapon for the playoff run and he has a familiar face. Stephen Strasburg reintroduced himself to the season with his a 12-strikeout domination of the Rockies in the Nationals' 6-1 win. Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon welcomed Strasburg back with a leadoff double in the first, but then the tall right-hander went to work. He finished the frame by whiffing All-Star Nolan Arenado with one of his knee-buckling curveballs. Strasburg pounded the zone...

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bryce harper chris johnson nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar matt williams

MASNsports.com hosts live video chats with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams

August 08, 2015, 4:30pm

Nationals

MASNsports.com hosts live video chats with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams

We know you see interviews with Anthony Rendon, Dan Kolko and Matt Williams day-in and day-out, but we wanted to give you the chance to ask the questions and get a better look at their lives off the baseball diamond. Fans submitted their questions for the Nationals guys using #AskRendon, #AskKolko and #AskMatt on Twitter. Then, Chris Johnson hosted a live video chat broadcasted on MASNsports.com with the three of them on Friday afternoon. Watch all the fun in the videos below. Watch live...

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ally bittner anthony rendon chris johnson dan kolko matt williams nationals nationals buzz

Stephen Strasburg strikes out 12, Nats win 6-1

August 08, 2015, 3:46pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg strikes out 12, Nats win 6-1

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon welcomed Stephen Strasburg back from the disabled list with a leadoff double in the first. No worries though as Strasburg retired the next three Rockies in order, stranding Blackmon after whiffing National League RBI leader Nolan Arenado on a filthy curveball. Strasburg threw 12 pitches in the opening frame, reaching 98 mph with the heater. In the second, Strasburg added two more strikeouts in a perfect inning. Clint Robinson picked up the Nationals first...

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bryce harper chris johnson clint robinson ian desmond nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg wilson ramos featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Denard Span suffers setback

August 08, 2015, 2:26pm

Nationals

Denard Span traveled to New York one week ago to test out his ailing back with workouts at Citi Field. After taking his first swings in over three weeks, Span told reporters it was time to "put the rubber to the road and see where I'm at and test it out ... just rev it up." But Span wasn't able to make his scheduled live batting practice session at Nationals Park on Friday afternoon. "He's had a setback," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "It just hasn't been progressing the way he...

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Rendon moves to third, Espinosa starts at second with Escobar out (with lineups)

August 08, 2015, 12:35pm

Nationals

Rendon moves to third, Espinosa starts at second with Escobar out (with lineups)

The Nationals can't seem to catch a break. Once again, they will play without once of their most effective hitters with Yunel Escobar sick. "Yunel is feeling terrible," manager Matt Williams said. "He's been feeling bad for a couple days. Today is the worst day." Anthony Rendon will make his seventh start of the season at third base while Danny Espinosa plays second. Espinosa sparked the Nats offense early last night, scoring in the first after ripping a double down the left field...

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anthony rendon chris johnson danny espinosa nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg yunel escobar clint robinson frontstory_nationals2

Nationals reinstate Stephen Strasburg, place Dan Uggla on disabled list

August 08, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

The Nationals welcome Stephen Strasburg back to the mound tonight. The right-hander was reinstated after landing on the 15-day disabled list back on July 5. Strasburg strained his left oblique the day before in the fourth inning of a start against the Giants. The Nationals look for Strasburg to regain the form he showed before the setback. The 27-year-old was 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA while striking out 18 and walking four across 15 1/3 innings in his prior three starts leading up to his DL stint. To...

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chris johnson dan uggla featured_sidebar nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Nats looking for boost from Stephen Strasburg's return

August 08, 2015, 6:43am

Nationals

Nats looking for boost from Stephen Strasburg's return

The Nationals need a dominant and healthy Stephen Strasburg to return to the mound tonight and remain in the rotation until the final out of the year. Bothered by injuries since spring training and derailed twice by lengthy stints on the disabled list, Strasburg is set to make just his 14th start of the season tonight against the Rockies. Strasburg emerged from his first trip to the DL displaying confidence and command with all of his pitches. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 15...

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chris johnson jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg drew storen featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats stunned after Drew Storen bombed for late grand slam

August 07, 2015, 8:08pm

Nationals

Nats stunned after Drew Storen bombed for late grand slam

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made a controversial decision to acquire closer Jonathan Papelbon 10 days ago. The move, before the non-waiver trade deadline, knocked Drew Storen back to the eighth inning, despite his 29 saves. There was a need for backend of the bullpen help coupled with concerns with Storen's mental makeup in October based on postseason mishaps in 2012 and 2014. Storen bristled at the demotion but accepted his new role, dominating in five no-hit shutout appearances....

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Drew Storen surrenders grand slam, Nats lose 5-4

August 07, 2015, 3:41pm

Nationals

Drew Storen surrenders grand slam, Nats lose 5-4

The Nationals jumped out to an early lead sparked by Danny Espinosa in the first. Espinosa ripped a double down the left field line and then took third when Kyle Parker misplayed the ball. Bryce Harper followed with a groundout to second which scored Espinosa easily. It was Harper's 69th RBI, placing him fifth in the National League. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has yielded one hit with one strikeout through two scoreless frames. Update: Harper led off with a single in the fourth. Rockies...

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bryce harper danny espinosa jordan zimmermann michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals2

Doug Fister reacts after demotion to bullpen

August 07, 2015, 2:44pm

Nationals

Doug Fister reacts after demotion to bullpen

After struggling through most of the season as a starter, right-hander Doug Fister learned yesterday he'll spend the remainder of the season pitching out of the Nationals bullpen. "It's not the most fun message to go across," Fister said. "But you've gotta have a positive outlook on it and stay with it. It's one of those situations where it's not something you want to do, but I'm here to help the team win. That's what it comes down to, that's the bottom line. What I need to do is go...

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Anthony Rendon gets day off to start series against Rockies (with lineups)

August 07, 2015, 12:13pm

Nationals

Anthony Rendon gets day off to start series against Rockies (with lineups)

Anthony Rendon will get the day off in the series opener against the Rockies at Nationals Park. Danny Espinosa will start at second base for the Nationals after having started for Ian Desmond at shortstop two days ago. In just 30 games with the Nats this season, Rendon is hitting .279 after going 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in last night's win. Espinosa is batting .246 on the season and is hitless in his last three appearances. But Espinosa is hitting .267 with nine home runs and...

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anthony rendon chris johnson danny espinosa jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals2

Patrick Reddington: Opposing batters paying price of Drew Storen's role change

August 07, 2015, 6:28am

Nationals

Patrick Reddington: Opposing batters paying price of Drew Storen's role change

Drew Storen faltered some in Thursday afternoon's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He walked a batter. It was his first walk in seven appearances and 28 at-bats. Washington's 27-year-old set-up man stranded the runner he put on, but snapped a streak of consecutive batters set down at 19. What's wrong with Drew? Nothing. Nothing at all. Though he gave up the walk, Storen did go on to complete another scoreless inning of work, extending his streak of scoreless appearances to 14 for 13 1/3...