Josh Land

Bryce Harper not impressed by Zack Greinke, strike zone

July 19, 2015, 2:52pm

Don't count Bryce Harper as one of the many impressed by Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, who blanked the Nationals for eight frames this afternoon to extend his scoreless streak to 43 2/3 innings. "For me, I don't think he was very tough," Harper said. "He's a great pitcher, he does what he does, but when you're getting six inches off the plate, it's pretty tough to face him." Harper clearly wasn't happy with the inconsistently wide strike zone home plate umpire Bill Miller was...

Tags:

Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

July 19, 2015, 1:21pm

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Trade winds may not fill O's sails

We're entering that portion of the baseball season where things start to get crazy. The non-waiver trading deadline is less than two weeks away, and teams are really starting to decide where they stand and whether or not they have what it takes to make a move. For the Orioles, this decision comes with many tentacles. The O's are a team looking to build off three straight winning seasons, which included the first division title since 1997. The problem is that the team still has a few glaring...

Tags:

andrew stetka guest blogger guestblogger orioles orioles buzz trade deadline

Zack Greinke dominates Nationals in Dodgers' 5-0 win

July 19, 2015, 10:18am

Nationals

Nationals ace Max Scherzer found himself in an early jam in the first inning. After blowing three straight fastballs by Joc Pederson to start the game, Scherzer was tagged for back-to-back singles to right by Howie Kendrick and Adrian Gonzalez. Two batters later, Scherzer walked Yasmani Grandal on four pitches to load the bases with two outs. But, the right-hander battled back to strike out Yasiel Puig swinging on a heater to end the threat. Scherzer's free pass to Grandal ended a 39 2/3...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson ian desmond max scherzer nationals nationals pastime zack greinke featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nats Star Wars Day: May the Force be with you

July 19, 2015, 9:43am

Nationals

Nats Star Wars Day: May the Force be with you

In honor of Nats Star Wars Day, shouldn't the players be trading in bats for lightsabers? If that was the case, we might hear Matt Williams yelling, "I've got a bad feeling about this!" from the dugout. While the Nationals will be looking to figure out Zack Greinke this afternoon, fans will be looking on dressed as Yoda, C-3PO, Han Solo and more at Nats Park. Check out the photos and tweets below for a closer look at a galaxy far, far away ... Happy #NatsStarWarsDay! May the force be with...

Tags:

nationals nationals buzz nats star wars day olivia witherite star wars day

Denard Span receives cortisone injections in back, "revving it up" soon

July 19, 2015, 9:09am

Nationals

Denard Span receives cortisone injections in back, "revving it up" soon

Denard Span started some light physical exercises after receiving cortisone injections in his back last Monday. "Just running, jogging on a treadmill and playing catch," Span said. "The back feels pretty good. We're getting there." With rehab assignments under way or getting started for Jayson Werth (fractured left wrist), Anthony Rendon (left quad strain) and Ryan Zimmerman (left foot plantar fasciitis), Span's plans to return to game action for the Nationals haven't been revealed yet,...

Tags:

chris johnson denard span featured_sidebar nationals frontstory_nationals2

Rendon: "I guess it's just not my year health-wise"; Espinosa returns

July 19, 2015, 8:38am

Nationals

Rendon: "I guess it's just not my year health-wise"; Espinosa returns

Anthony Rendon saw his first game action in nearly a month last night when he began a minor league rehab assignment at Single-A Potomac. The Nationals decided to start Rendon at third base so it would be easier on his strained left quad, which landed him on the 15-day disabled list on June 25. The 25-year-old went 2-for-2, smacking a double in the first inning and legging out an infield single in the third before exiting the game. "It's only been three innings in, but (for) the most part it...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson danny espinosa nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar

Today's Dodgers-Nationals lineup, plus Zimmerman rehab news

July 19, 2015, 7:24am

Nationals

The focus in today's series finale against the Dodgers is rightfully on the pitchers. Today's impressive matchup pits National League ERA leader Zack Greinke of the Dodgers against Nationals ace Max Scherzer in a battle of right-handers. But the batters will have a say in whether either pitcher is successful, so here are today's lineups: For the Dodgers:CF Joc Pederson2B Howie Kendrick1B Adrian GonzalezLF Andre EthierC Yasmani GrandalRF Yasiel Puig3B Alberto CallaspoSS Jimmy RollinsRHP Zack...

Tags:

chris johnson nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman

Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke featured in rubber match showdown

July 19, 2015, 5:53am

Nationals

Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke featured in rubber match showdown

Yesterday's improbable late-inning homer by Matt den Dekker, followed by a more expected yet scintillating performance from Clayton Kershaw, sets up a rubber match showdown this afternoon between Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, the National League's All-Star starter. "We've got one of our best going (today) against one of their best and we got a chance to take the series," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. Kershaw, the three-time NL Cy Young winner,...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson clayton kershaw doug fister matt williams max scherzer nationals nationals pastime zack greinke featured_sidebar

Bryce Harper on Clayton Kershaw: "Sometimes you gotta tip your cap and laugh"

July 18, 2015, 4:04pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper on Clayton Kershaw: "Sometimes you gotta tip your cap and laugh"

After completing the first game of the series with a late-inning win in dramatic fashion, the Nationals ran into a buzzsaw in the second as the Dodgers won 4-2. Reigning National League MVP Clayton Kershaw struck out a season-best 14 batters without a allowing a run or a walk. The Nationals managed only three hits against the dominant left-hander. "Unfortunately, I've seen that way too much," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "He's a pretty good pitcher. He establishes strikes and then...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson clayton kershaw matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats get late homer from Harper, but too much Kershaw leads to 4-2 loss

July 18, 2015, 12:53pm

Nationals

Nats get late homer from Harper, but too much Kershaw leads to 4-2 loss

Three consecutive singles to start the second inning from Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier and Yasiel Puig resulted in the Dodgers' first run against Nationals starter Doug Fister. Fister has yielded one run on five hits with one walk and one strikeout through three innings. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw has struck out four of the first seven batters he has faced. Clint Robinson collected the Nationals' lone hit on a single up the middle in the second. Update: Fister ran into difficulty with...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson clayton kershaw clint robinson doug fister jose lobaton nationals nationals pastime frontfeatured_nationals

Matt den Dekker provides the power in Nats' 5-3 win (with lineups)

July 18, 2015, 12:18pm

Nationals

Matt den Dekker provides the power in Nats' 5-3 win (with lineups)

Seldom-used Nationals outfielder Matt den Dekker smacked a two-run pinch-hit homer with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Dodgers 5-3. "I was just ready to be aggressive early," den Dekker said. "Coming off the bench, you gotta be in there and ready to go so that's what I did. I just got a pitch over the plate and got the barrel on it." After a faulty circuit breaker blew out a bank of lights at Nationals Park last night, the Dodgers and Nationals resumed play this afternoon...

Tags:

chris johnson matt den dekker matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats win 5-3 behind Matt den Dekker's two-run homer

July 18, 2015, 10:34am

Nationals

Nats win 5-3 behind Matt den Dekker's two-run homer

After pitching the fifth inning before the game was suspended last night, Tanner Roark retuned to the mound this afternoon to start the sixth. Adrian Gonzalez blasted a one-out solo shot to left off Roark to tie the game. It was Gonzalez's second homer of the game and 20th on the season. Gonzalez has driven all three runs for the Dodgers in the game. Dodgers right-hander Chin-Hui Tsao retired the Nationals in order in the bottom of the inning. Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett took over in...

Tags:

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

Matt Williams planning to send Tanner Roark back to the mound when game resumes

July 18, 2015, 9:18am

Nationals

Matt Williams planning to send Tanner Roark back to the mound when game resumes

Nationals manager Matt Williams plans to send right-hander Tanner Roark back to the mound to start the sixth inning when the Nationals and Dodgers resume the first game of the series at 2:05 p.m. Roark breezed through the fifth inning last night, retiring the Dodgers in order before the lights went out at Nationals Park for the third and final time, forcing umpires to suspend the game. "As it sits right now, Tanner will go back out," Williams said. "He threw seven pitches last night, so...

Tags:

chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime tanner roark featured_sidebar

Anthony Rendon begins minor league rehab assignment tonight

July 18, 2015, 8:35am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon begins minor league rehab assignment tonight

The Nationals will take another step on the road to recovery tonight as infielder Anthony Rendon joins right fielder Jayson Werth on a rehabiliation assignment at Single-A Potomac. "As they have it right now, I believe they're both hitting two-three in (Potomac's) lineup today," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. Rendon hasn't played since June 24 after landing on the 15-day disabled list with a left quad strain. He missed the first 53 games of the season after battling a sprained left...

Tags:

anthony rendon chris johnson jayson werth matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Lights out on Zimmermann, pitching decisions for Williams today (with Nats' statement)

July 18, 2015, 4:59am

Nationals

Lights out on Zimmermann, pitching decisions for Williams today (with Nats' statement)

The Nationals and Dodgers will resume last night's suspended game today at 2:05 p.m. It will pick up at the start of the sixth inning with the Nationals holding a 3-2 lead. It is uncertain whether Tanner Roark will return to the mound to start the sixth. Roark needed just seven pitches to retire the Dodgers in order in the fifth after relieving starter Jordan Zimmermann, who was unable to continue after the initial 1 hour, 22 minute power outage delay. "I just played catch and then I shut it...

Tags:

chris johnson jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals pastime tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Power outage suspends play with Nats leading 3-2, game to resume tomorrow

July 17, 2015, 7:58pm

Nationals

Power outage suspends play with Nats leading 3-2, game to resume tomorrow

A power outage at Nationals Park provided an embarrassing and frustrating situation tonight. A bank of lights high above the third base line went dark, causing lengthy delays in the fourth and fifth innings and then eventually forcing a suspension of the game with the Nationals leading 3-2 before the start of the sixth. The two teams will pick up where they left off when the game resumes at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday. "Just unforeseen circumstances," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "You...

Tags:

chris johnson jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals park nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Nationals vs. Dodgers Suspended Game Information

July 17, 2015, 7:39pm

Nationals

Due to a power failure at Nationals Park this evening, Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers has been suspended. The game will resume on Saturday, July 18th at 2:05 PM. The second game will begin at 4:05 PM or twenty minutes after the conclusion of the first game, whichever is later. Tickets from Friday night's game are not valid for either game on Saturday. However, fans with tickets to Friday's game will be able to exchange them for a future game in 2015, subject to...

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Umpires suspend game after power failure at Nats Park (updated schedule)

July 17, 2015, 4:31pm

Nationals

Umpires suspend game after power failure at Nats Park (updated schedule)

Yunel Escobar delivered the Nationals' first hit of the night when he doubled down the left field line with one out in the third. Danny Espinosa followed with a slow roller. Dodgers starter Mike Bolsinger fielded it but then stumbled while making the throw to first. Espinosa was safe and Escobar advanced to third as Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, along with the team trainer, came out to check on Bolsinger, who remained in the game. Bryce Harper followed with a groundout that easily scored...

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson danny espinosa jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar frontstory_nationals3

Matt Williams explains decision to hold Max Scherzer until Sunday

July 17, 2015, 3:12pm

Nationals

Matt Williams explains decision to hold Max Scherzer until Sunday

Most expected Nationals manager Matt Williams to send Max Scherzer to the mound tonight against the Dodgers to set the tone for the second half of the season. But Williams opted to hold Scherzer until Sunday, where the ace will square off with Dodgers right-hander Zack Grienke in a whale of a pitching matchup. Williams explained his reasons for giving Scherzer the extra rest earlier. "His workload has been pretty immense as compared to what he's used to," Williams said. "Certainly pitch...

Tags:

chris johnson max scherzer nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Stephen Strasburg begins throwing, Matt Williams hints at rehab plan

July 17, 2015, 2:38pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg begins throwing, Matt Williams hints at rehab plan

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw on flat ground yesterday and today without experiencing pain in his left side, according to Nationals manager Matt Williams. "We'll look to a bullpen (session) in the next four to five days, probably, and see where he's at," Williams said. "But a good sign for him the last couple." Strasburg was cruising through his July 4 start against the Giants when he suffered a strained left oblique in the fourth inning. The next day, the right-hander landed on...