Josh Land

MASN airing special on baseball's return to D.C. tonight (updated with rebroadcast dates)

April 14, 2015, 9:04am

If a full evening of programming centering on Nationals baseball sounds like paradise, you're in luck. Not only will fans have the opportunity to watch full coverage of tonight's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park beginning at 5:30 p.m., but once "Nats Xtra" postgame wraps up, MASN will air "National Pastime: Baseball's Return to Washington," an hour-long special in celebration of the club's 10th anniversary. Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the Nats' first opening day, in...

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Matt Kremnitzer: Should fans be concerned about the Webb trade?

April 14, 2015, 5:59am

Orioles

Matt Kremnitzer: Should fans be concerned about the Webb trade?

Last week, the Orioles were finally able to deal Ryan Webb, shipping him to the Dodgers along with catcher Brian Ward and the team's competitive balance draft pick (No. 74 overall) in exchange for right-handed reliever Ben Rowen and catcher Chris O'Brien. The Dodgers agreed to pick up the tab on the rest of Webb's $2.75 million contract, and then yesterday, they released him. The clear takeaway for the Dodgers is this: They really wanted the Orioles' draft pick and the extra draft pool...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Despite issues in field and at plate, Nats should come around

April 14, 2015, 5:01am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Despite issues in field and at plate, Nats should come around

The Nationals have played seven games so far and have an unimpressive record of 2-5. When everyone is excited for baseball season to begin and expectations are so high that this team could win the division and even go to the World Series, it's disappointing that there have been so many sloppy plays and bad losses. However, there are also bright spots that people may not be noticing. Let's start by looking at what's going wrong, because that's what people are talking about. If Ian Desmond...

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No panic for Werth after loss in return

April 13, 2015, 5:33pm

Nationals

BOSTON - Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth was 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his first game of the season after missing most of spring training while recovering from right shoulder surgery. "I was trying to think of historically on opening day how I fare," Werth said. "I might have to look it up, but this is kind of standard opening day for me. Usually my timing's a little bit off and what have you. But I feel good physically." Werth hadn't played more than seven innings in any of his...

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Defensively challenged Nats can't execute under pressure

April 13, 2015, 4:32pm

Nationals

Defensively challenged Nats can't execute under pressure

BOSTON - In the last 103 years, plenty of Hall of Fame managers have sat in the same office in the bowels of historic Fenway Park having just watched the Red Sox defeat their team. Few couldn't have been as frustrated as Nationals manager Matt Williams was after seeing his ballclub fall 9-4 in the fashion they did in Boston's home opener. "About as bad as you can get," said Williams. "It's tough to win ballgames when you can't catch the baseball. It's gotta get better than that." Only...

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Horrendous defense leads to early exit for Zimmermann (Red Sox win 9-4)

April 13, 2015, 12:48pm

Nationals

Horrendous defense leads to early exit for Zimmermann (Red Sox win 9-4)

BOSTON - The pageantry of opening day at Fenway Park included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft entering the field through the Green Monster each carrying a Lombardi Trophy hoisted above their shoulders. Moments later, Brady would skip the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox star David Ortiz. The game began with Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor striking out for his 11th time in 26 at-bats. Third baseman Yunel Escobar then reached...

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Bryce Harper excited to have Jayson Werth back for special day at Fenway

April 13, 2015, 10:48am

Nationals

Bryce Harper excited to have Jayson Werth back for special day at Fenway

BOSTON - It's safe to say Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper is feeling good about friend and teammate Jayson Werth returning to start in left field at Fenway Park today. "Definitely, we're excited about it. I am," said Harper. "Being able to have him back in the lineup is gonna help us hugely. I'm very excited - I think we all are - to get him back. He's one of our leaders on this team, so we definitely need him and the way he plays and everything he's about." Werth, who was...

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Werth hitting cleanup in return to Nationals

April 13, 2015, 8:00am

Nationals

BOSTON - Left fielder Jayson Werth will hit cleanup in his return to the Nationals. Manager Matt Williams slotted Werth, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list this morning, into the fourth spot in the lineup for today's afternoon game at Fenway Park against the Red Sox. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has hit cleanup in each of the Nationals' previous six games this season, drops to fifth in the lineup. He is struggling, starting the season 3-for-26 (.130). Clint Robinson's...

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Werth's return gives Williams options in the lineup

April 13, 2015, 6:14am

Nationals

Werth's return gives Williams options in the lineup

BOSTON - Jayson Werth has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and is expected to be in uniform and in left field when the Nationals play in the season's first game at Fenway Park later this afternoon. Werth rejoined his team in Philadelphia last night in time for a disco ball celebration in the team clubhouse after the Nats' second win. He had been targeting today as a return date since his January surgery to repair his right shoulder, which was initially injured while making a...

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Opposite dugout: Yankees hope rotation can catch up to solid bats, bullpen

April 13, 2015, 5:40am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: Yankees hope rotation can catch up to solid bats, bullpen

Manager: Joe Girardi, eighth year Record: 2-4 Last 10 games: 2-4 Who to watch: DH Alex Rodriguez (.300/.417/.550, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBIs); 1B Mark Teixeira (.222/.375/.611, 2 HR, 3 RBIs); RHP Michael Pineda (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.167 WHIP); LHP CC Sabathia (0-1, 6.35 ERA, 1.412 WHIP) Season series vs. O's (2014): 6-13, 57 runs scored, 91 runs allowed Pitching probables April 13: RHP Michael Pineda vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN2 April 14: LHP CC Sabathia vs. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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Opposite dugout: Well-rounded Red Sox welcome Nats to Fenway for home opener

April 13, 2015, 5:27am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Well-rounded Red Sox welcome Nats to Fenway for home opener

Manager: John Farrell, third year Record: 4-2 Last 10 games: 4-2 Who to watch: LF Hanley Ramirez (.320/.333/.680, 3 HR, 7 RBIs); SS Xander Bogaerts (.407/.467/.519, 2 XBH, 2 SB, 6 RBIs); RHP Rick Porcello (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.333 WHIP); RHP Justin Masterson (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 0.833 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2014): DNP since 2012 Pitching probables April 13: RHP Rick Porcello vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 3 p.m., MASN April 14: RHP Justin Masterson vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 6 p.m., MASN April 15:...

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Ryan Zimmerman shines across the diamond

April 13, 2015, 5:05am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman shines across the diamond

BOSTON - For a fraction of a second late yesterday afternoon, it appeared like the Nationals would blow a two-run 10th-inning lead. The Phillies had men at first and second with two outs and one run having already crossed the plate. Cesar Hernandez hit a sharp ground ball that surely looked to be heading to right field until Nats first baseman Ryan Zimmerman dove to his right and gloved the ball. He quickly popped up and tossed to closer Drew Storen, who hurried to cover the bag and just beat...

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Marty Niland: Three reasons Nats fans should remain optimistic

April 13, 2015, 4:59am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Three reasons Nats fans should remain optimistic

Repeat after me: "It's still early. ... It's a marathon, not a sprint. ... Nobody ever won a pennant in April. ... Three of our best hitters haven't played yet." Can we think of any other worn-out clichÃ©s to perk up the spirits of Nationals fans expecting more after a 2-4 first week? There are probably plenty. Quite a few have appeared on Nats message boards and discussion groups this year, almost as many as the number of posts pointing out mistakes the Washington fielders, hitters,...

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Andrew Stetka: Reflecting on Ubaldo Jimenez's strong start

April 13, 2015, 4:51am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Reflecting on Ubaldo Jimenez's strong start

The strongest start of the first five games of the season by an Orioles starter was turned in by the most unlikely of sources. Ubaldo Jimenez tossed an absolute gem of a game on Saturday night in a 7-1 win over the Blue Jays. He gave the Orioles everything they wanted. It's exactly the kind of performance they expected when they signed him to a big contract before last season. We've been watching Jimenez develop some new tendencies while on the mound since last September, and it seems to be...

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Scherzer "as advertised" in second dominant start

April 12, 2015, 3:35pm

Nationals

Scherzer "as advertised" in second dominant start

PHILADELPHIA - It would be hard to ask for much more than what right-hander Max Scherzer has given the Nationals through his first two starts this season. Even without his A-game today, Scherzer held the Phillies to one run on six hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, over six innings in today's 4-3 victory. "My fastball command was kind of inconsistent today, but I thought I had good command of all my off-speed pitches," said Scherzer. "Changeup, cutter, slider, curveball - I felt...

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Werth rejoins Nats and will travel to Boston, plus positive news on Span and Rendon

April 12, 2015, 2:31pm

Nationals

Werth rejoins Nats and will travel to Boston, plus positive news on Span and Rendon

PHILADELPHIA - Outfielder Jayson Werth returned to the Nationals clubhouse Sunday after completing a three-game rehab stint at Single-A Potomac. Nats manager Matt Williams confirmed that Werth will travel with the team to Boston tonight but was not ready to say whether he'll be in the lineup tomorrow at Fenway Park. "Well, we'll see," said Williams. "We'll see how he wakes up tomorrow. Today he's good, so we'll make that determination in the morning." Werth is eligible to play after...

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Escobar, Robinson help Nats avoid sweep (Nats win 4-3 in 10)

April 12, 2015, 9:54am

Nationals

Escobar, Robinson help Nats avoid sweep (Nats win 4-3 in 10)

PHILADELPHIA - Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper hit an opposite-field rocket off Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan in the first that just cleared the wall in left. The solo homer is Harper's second of the season. The Nats have now hit three homers in the first inning through six games this season. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman and center fielder Michael A. Taylor are the others to deliver early bombs. Nats starter Max Scherzer walked Phillies left fielder Ben Revere to start the game, but...

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Max Scherzer aims to stop Nats losing streak (with lineups)

April 12, 2015, 7:45am

Nationals

Max Scherzer aims to stop Nats losing streak (with lineups)

PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Max Scherzer heads to the mound this afternoon to try to stop the Nationals' three-game losing streak. Despite taking the hard-luck loss in his outing on opening day, Scherzer was brilliant, pitching 7 2/3 innings and allowing three unearned runs on just four hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts. Lefty Clint Robinson gets his second start of the season in left field with the Phillies' starting journeyman, right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, on the mound. Robinson...

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Not to confuse you, but Danny Espinosa switches back

April 12, 2015, 5:25am

Nationals

Not to confuse you, but Danny Espinosa switches back

PHILADELPHIA - It appears that infielder Danny Espinosa is returning to switch-hitting. Espinosa's first two at-bats of the season resulted in groundball outs from the right side of the plate against Phillies lefty Cole Hamels. But when Espinosa's turn came to lead off the eighth against right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, he stepped into the left side of the batter's box. The debate over whether Espinosa should be a switch-hitter has been going on in the Nationals organization for a few years. His...

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Struggling offense, bullpen problems lead to three-game losing streak

April 11, 2015, 8:41pm

Nationals

Struggling offense, bullpen problems lead to three-game losing streak

PHILADELPHIA - For the third time in the first five games, the Nationals blew a lead and it cost them the game, as they fell 3-2 in 10 innings to the Phillies on Saturday night. Clinging to a 2-0 lead, Nationals manager Matt Williams called on right-hander Blake Treinen to start the eighth inning. The Phillies banged four straight hits off Treinen that led to two runs. The two teams went to extra innings knotted at 2-2 until Phillies rookie center fielder Odubel Herrera smacked a double off...