Mark Zuckerman

Nats expect to finalize deal with top pick Romero today

July 06, 2017, 10:28pm

The Nationals and left-hander Seth Romero are expected to finalize a deal before today's 5 p.m. EDT deadline, ensuring the organization's first-round draft pick can begin his professional career in short order. Romero, the 25th overall selection of last month's draft, has - like many first-round picks - delayed signing until deadline day, but he's expected to come to terms on time, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Terms of Romero's expected deal aren't known, but the...

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After aggravating delay, Nationals lose game and Taylor

July 06, 2017, 10:22pm

Nationals

The 3-hour, 5-minute rain delay - or the 3-hour, 5-minute non-rain delay, a more accurate description - was bad enough and will have long-lasting negative ramifications for the Nationals, who mishandled an admittedly tricky situation. The subsequent 5-2 loss to the Braves that required 3 hours, 10 minutes to play and was completed at 1:20 a.m. didn't help matters, though the result of one game shouldn't have long-lasting ramifications. But then throw the loss of Michael A. Taylor to a...

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Storm's approach delays series opener (Nats lose 5-2)

July 06, 2017, 3:07pm

Nationals

Storm's approach delays series opener (Nats lose 5-2)

The foul lines and batter's boxes had been chalked, the infield dragged. The starting pitchers were beginning to stretch in the outfield. The sky above Nationals Park included a fair amount of blue. Yet the start of tonight's game between the Nationals and Braves has been delayed due to approaching weather, the club announced at 6:40 p.m. There is indeed a line of storms approaching from the southwest, though forecasts show the rain arriving sometime around 8:30 p.m., leaving a window for the...

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Rendon finishes third in Final Vote; Baker explains rotation plan

July 06, 2017, 2:23pm

Nationals

Rendon finishes third in Final Vote; Baker explains rotation plan

Despite a furious push from the Nationals, Anthony Rendon won't be attending the All-Star Game. Rendon finished third out of five National League candidates in this year's All-Star Final Vote, losing out to Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (who earned a ticket to Miami) and Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Marlins first baseman Justin Bour finished fourth and fifth, respectively. The Nationals pulled out all the stops over the last three days in...

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Game 85 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

July 06, 2017, 11:08am

Nationals

Let's cut right to the chase: No, I have no idea if they're going to be able to play tonight's game. As was the case last night, the forecast doesn't look good, maybe even worse. But that doesn't mean the Nationals and Braves won't try to get their series opener in. In other words: Stay tuned. As soon as we know, you'll know. If they do play, it'll be Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nationals, who elected to skip Tanner Roark's spot after last night's rainout and keep Gonzalez, Max...

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Newly acquired Rodriguez pitches ninth in Harrisburg's victory

July 05, 2017, 8:34pm

Nationals

Newly acquired Rodriguez pitches ninth in Harrisburg's victory

Francisco Rodriguez officially became a member of the Nationals organization Wednesday night, pitching an inning of relief for Double-A Harrisburg. Rodriguez, the veteran closer signed to a minor league contract last week after he was released by the Tigers, officially joined the roster at Harrisburg. That was a bit of a surprise, considering he was expected to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse. The Nationals, though, aren't so much worried about the level of competition Rodriguez faces as much as...

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Series finale vs. Mets postponed, no makeup announced

July 05, 2017, 5:00pm

Nationals

Series finale vs. Mets postponed, no makeup announced

The Nationals' series finale against the Mets was postponed when heavy rain converged upon the District shortly before scheduled first pitch and didn't show signs of letting up anytime soon. No makeup date was immediately announced. The two clubs do share a common off-day on Sept. 11, which falls in the middle of a 10-game homestand for the Nationals and the start of a nine-game road trip for the Mets. Otherwise, the teams are scheduled to meet once more in Washington this season: Aug....

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Harper gets day off; Baker explains (start delayed)

July 05, 2017, 2:15pm

Nationals

Harper gets day off; Baker explains (start delayed)

Bryce Harper is not starting tonight's series finale against the Mets. That may disappoint fans who have tickets to this game, but there could've been even more disappointed fans Tuesday because Dusty Baker initially planned to sit Harper for the Nationals' Independence Day game. "It was planned," Baker said. "I was planning on doing it yesterday, but we talked about it and he loves playing on the Fourth of July. It's like his birthday, he said. So I told him I'll give you the next day...

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Game 85 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

July 05, 2017, 11:07am

Nationals

The Nationals are going for a sweep of the Mets tonight, but in order to pull that off they'll need not only to beat Jacob deGrom but to do it without Bryce Harper in their lineup. Harper is getting a rare day off, only his second this season for a reason not involving minor injury or suspension. We'll find out shortly from Dusty Baker if there's anything else going on, but Harper certainly is deserving of getting a breather if that's all it is. Brian Goodwin takes over in right field, with...

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Wednesday morning Nats Q&A

July 04, 2017, 8:44pm

Nationals

Hope everybody out there had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day. I'm curious how Nationals fans feel about the annual 11:05 a.m. game. Seems like it's pretty popular, because it allows folks to both go to the game (or cover it) and still have plenty of time in the afternoon/evening for Fourth of July festivities. The Nats certainly had fun yesterday in trouncing the Mets 11-4. Joe Ross not only got his customary run support, but he pitched one of his best games of the season. And, of...

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With extra pitch and extra stamina, Ross enjoying a resurgence

July 04, 2017, 11:52am

Nationals

With extra pitch and extra stamina, Ross enjoying a resurgence

It has happened quietly, and it hasn't garnered the kind of attention afforded other members of the Nationals rotation ... or the members of their lineup who seem to explode for double-digit runs every time he takes the mound. But one of the most encouraging developments of the last month, from the Nationals' perspective, has been the re-emergence of Joe Ross as something more than a No. 5 starter. It's still a work-in-progress, and the right-hander still needs to show this over a longer...

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Nats provide Ross with big support again in 11-4 win over Mets

July 04, 2017, 10:23am

Nationals

Nats provide Ross with big support again in 11-4 win over Mets

Nobody brings out the best from the Nationals lineup like Joe Ross. Even though he doesn't throw a single pitch to any of its members. With Ross on the mound, the Nationals seem to turn what already is one of the most potent offensive groups in the majors into something otherworldy. And it happened again today, even with Dusty Baker sitting a bunch of his regulars for the early Independence Day game on South Capitol Street. A lineup anchored around Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and lesser names...

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Early Fourth of July fireworks at Nationals Park (Nats win 11-4)

July 04, 2017, 8:40am

Nationals

The big show is later tonight on the National Mall, but there already have been some early fireworks on South Capitol Street today. (Sorry, I believe I was legally obligated to make that hacky joke.) The Mets have launched two home runs off Joe Ross, including JosÃ© Reyes' shot down the right field line on the day's third pitch. The Nationals have scored a pair of runs themselves, but took the more traditional tact of manufacturing those. Reyes pounced on Ross' 0-2 fastball, sending it...

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Werth rehabbing in West Palm Beach, will join affiliate soon

July 04, 2017, 6:37am

Nationals

Werth rehabbing in West Palm Beach, will join affiliate soon

Jayson Werth has progressed in his recovery from a badly bruised foot, heading to West Palm Beach, Fla., to work out with the Nationals' Gulf Coast League club. Werth has been out since fouling a pitch off the inside of his left foot June 3 in Oakland, unable to even put weight on the foot for several weeks. He finally was able to start baseball activities last week, playing catch and jogging before games at Nationals Park. Now he's working out at the Nationals' spring training complex, and...

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Game 84 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

July 04, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Good morning to you from the nation's capital, where the Nationals and Mets will celebrate the national pastime with the traditional 11:05 a.m. Independence Day ballgame. The early start time always catches visiting teams and media by surprise, but I've always found this to be a cool tradition, and I sense fans like it as well. What better way to spend your Fourth of July than with baseball early and plenty of time afterward for barbeques and fireworks? The Nats and Mets will be a bit...

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On Harper's homers, Taylor's table-setting and the Mets

July 02, 2017, 8:52pm

Nationals

On Harper's homers, Taylor's table-setting and the Mets

ST. LOUIS - More thoughts on Sunday night's 7-2 Nationals victory at Busch Stadium before heading home ... * Does any major league hitter enjoy playing on the big stage more than Bryce Harper? We've seen Harper go bonkers on opening day. We've seen him come through on Independence Day. We've seen him launch towering home runs in the postseason. And we saw him show off in front of a national television audience Sunday night. Harper homered in each of his first two at-bats, twice connecting...

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With another gem on big stage, Scherzer earns elite praise

July 02, 2017, 8:30pm

Nationals

With another gem on big stage, Scherzer earns elite praise

ST. LOUIS - Dusty Baker, in his five decades in baseball, has seen enough pitchers to be able to compile a short list of the very best of the best. He rattled off some of the names that came to mind tonight: Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, J.R. Richard, Clayton Kershaw. And Max Scherzer, who a bit earlier had wrapped up yet another of his utterly dominant starts, shutting out the Cardinals over seven innings to carry the Nationals to a 7-2 victory on Sunday Night Baseball. "Guys like...

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All-Stars Scherzer and Harper carry Nationals to 7-2 victory

July 02, 2017, 7:05pm

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer are the Nationals' two brightest stars, and on the day each earned the fifth All-Star selection of his career, each shone bright on the national stage. Harper clobbered two early home runs and Scherzer tossed seven scoreless innings to carry the Nationals to a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals in tonight's nationally televised ballgame and avoid a weekend sweep at Busch Stadium. It was a classic performance on the big stage for both All-Stars, with...

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Harper homers twice, Scherzer piles up strikeouts (Nats win 7-2)

July 02, 2017, 5:12pm

Nationals

Harper homers twice, Scherzer piles up strikeouts (Nats win 7-2)

ST. LOUIS - Bryce Harper learned this afternoon he had received the most All-Star votes of any player in baseball, and now tonight is showing everybody why that was the case. Max Scherzer learned this afternoon he had received his fifth consecutive All-Star selection, and now tonight he is showing everybody why he deserves to start the Midsummer Classic. Harper has homered in each of his first two at-bats, providing the largest chunk of offense needed to supply the Nationals an early 5-0 lead...

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Nationals get five All-Stars, club record three starters

July 02, 2017, 3:46pm

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - There was a time, not all that long ago, when the thought of the Nationals having three players voted into the starting lineup of the All-Star Game was laughable. Even when they had talented players, the Nationals never had the kind of fan base in D.C. or the overall recognition of baseball fans around the world to merit the kind of overwhelming support needed to win All-Star voting. So pause for a moment right now and appreciate this fact: Three members (at least) of the National...