Pete Kerzel

Williams expects Rendon to return Tuesday

June 09, 2014, 4:51pm

Anthony Rendon inched closer Monday to a return to the Nationals lineup. The third baseman hasn't played since Friday night, when he took a Carlos Quentin grounder off his right hand, forcing his removal from the game. X-rays showed no fracture, but the hand has been swollen and tender. Rendon swung in the cage yesterday, but still reported some soreness, especially around the thumb area. That put off his return at least one more day and led to today's try with the bat. "It's a little bit...

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Nats meet up with old friend Morse in San Francisco

June 09, 2014, 4:40pm

Nationals

Nats meet up with old friend Morse in San Francisco

The Nationals reacquainted themselves with an old friend at AT&T Park on Monday, and there's no question that Michael Morse - the slugging first baseman/outfielder who was one of the most popular players on the Nats' 2012 playoff team - is also a big hit in San Francisco. The "May the Morse Be With You" t-shirts distributed by Hunter Pence and worn by his new teammates are one clue. The presence of Morse's old D.C. anthem, A-ha's "Take on Me," over the loudspeakers later tonight...

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Zimmermann's gem lands Nationals in three-way tie for division lead

June 08, 2014, 4:03pm

Nationals

There's a three-way tie atop the National League East tonight, and the Nationals (32-29) can thank right-hander Jordan Zimmermann for delivering a dominating effort Sunday to help them into that trio with the Braves (32-29) and Marlins (33-30). Zimmermann struck out a career-high 12 in a 6-0 whitewashing of the Padres that provided the Nats with their third consecutive series victory. It was Zimmermann's third career shutout and sixth career complete game, a worthy springboard into a...

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Desmond goes deep for 3-0 Nats lead (Zimmermann fans 12 in gem)

June 08, 2014, 12:38pm

Nationals

Desmond goes deep for 3-0 Nats lead (Zimmermann fans 12 in gem)

The Nationals took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning at Petco Park on Sunday afternoon, parlaying a hustle double by Denard Span and a stolen base into a run-scoring groundout by Kevin Frandsen. In the second, Ian Desmond homered for the second straight game, again blasting a ball over the wall in center field for his team-leading 13th homer. It scored Ryan Zimmerman, who had led off the frame with a single. Three runs isn't a windfall, but it's a nice early cushion for right-hander Jordan...

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Nats hope to get Rendon back Sunday, will wait on Gonzalez

June 07, 2014, 4:49pm

Nationals

Nats hope to get Rendon back Sunday, will wait on Gonzalez

The Nationals are hopeful that third baseman Anthony Rendon will return to the lineup Sunday after missing one game following his removal from Friday night's contest after taking a Carlos Quentin grounder off his right hand. But the Nats will wait a little longer for left-hander Gio Gonzalez to be activated off the disabled list. He'll get one more minor league rehabilitation start after being battered around in an outing for high Single-A Potomac on Friday night. Manager Matt Williams told...

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A few thoughts about Zimmerman in left field

June 03, 2014, 12:34pm

Nationals

A few thoughts about Zimmerman in left field

As much as I'm happy to have Ryan Zimmerman back with the Nationals after an extended stay on the disabled list with a fractured right thumb, I can't get on board with the team's decision to turn its former All-Star third baseman into a utlility man who will play a little third base, a little first base and a little left field. I think it's a little - well, more than a little - strange. For the record, I certainly understand what the Nats are doing. Manager Matt Williams and general manager...

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Hearing from Fister, LaRoche and Rendon after Nats' rout of Rangers

May 31, 2014, 12:44pm

Nationals

Hearing from Fister, LaRoche and Rendon after Nats' rout of Rangers

The seeds for Saturday's 10-2 shellacking of the Texas Rangers were sewn on Friday afternoon, when Nationals right-hander Doug Fister made a guest appearance as the position players gathered to pore over an American League opponent they rarely face. Fister was there to discuss the approach he'd employ with each Rangers hitter in hopes that understanding his pitch sequences and tendencies would help his fielders better position themselves for what might happen when bat hit ball. "You get a...

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Rendon stakes Fister to 1-0 lead in first (Nats win 10-2)

May 31, 2014, 8:32am

Nationals

Rendon stakes Fister to 1-0 lead in first (Nats win 10-2)

Well, that didn't take long. But it could have been more. Anthony Rendon lined a 2-2 pitch from Nick Tepesch over the fence in left, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead over the Rangers in the first inning. While the Nats will gladly take offense in any shape or form, it's frustrating that the blast could have given them a 2-0 edge. Denard Span drew a leadoff walk in the first, but drew immediate attention from Tepesch, who seemed determined to keep the speedster at first base. To the tune of...

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Zimmerman heading to left field for P-Nats

May 31, 2014, 6:47am

Nationals

Zimmerman heading to left field for P-Nats

All the talk about Ryan Zimmerman playing left field is about to move from conjecture to reality. Nationals manager Matt Williams said this morning that Zimmerman's minor league rehabilitation assignment with high Single-A Potomac will continue this evening with the veteran scheduled to play in left field for five innings. The P-Nats host Salem at Pfitzner Stadium at 6:35 p.m. "The plan is he'll play five innings tonight on defense," Williams said."He had four at-bats last night DH-wise,...

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Orioles reinstate Davis from paternity list, option Clevenger to Triple-A

May 27, 2014, 1:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated infielder Chris Davis from the Paternity List and optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk. Davis, 28, has batted .260 with seven homers and 25 RBI in 35 games for the Orioles. Clevenger, 28, has batted .243/.300/.378 in 24 games for the Orioles this season.

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Rendon hopes run of walks are a positive step forward

May 25, 2014, 2:37pm

Nationals

Rendon hopes run of walks are a positive step forward

Anthony Rendon has drawn 17 walks this season, and eight of them have come in his past seven games. Though his batting average has dipped from .311 on May 1 to .258 after Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Pirates, the more frequent free passes are an encouraging sign for a hitter who was viewed as a walk machine in college and the minors. "I don't think he's being any more selective now than he has been in the last year-plus," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "He's a good hitter. He...

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Fister reluctantly plays role of stopper for Nats

May 25, 2014, 2:18pm

Nationals

Fister reluctantly plays role of stopper for Nats

The Nationals wanted to end a season-high four-game losing streak, and needed a good game from right-hander Doug Fister in order to accomplish that goal. But that doesn't make Fister the team's stopper. He said as much after working 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball as the Nats salvaged the final game of a four-game series in Pittsburgh with a 5-2 win over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. "That's the mentality we come in every day with," said Fister, who allowed six hits, walked none and...

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Nats grab quick 2-0 lead over Pirates (Nats win 5-2)

May 25, 2014, 9:52am

Nationals

Nats grab quick 2-0 lead over Pirates (Nats win 5-2)

Doug Fister will take the mound today with a 2-0 lead, after the Nationals picked up a couple of runs early against Pirates lefty Francisco Liriano. Not all of the offense was, well, a result of the Nats' bats, but for a team struggling to score runs, who's going to complain? Denard Span started things off with a leadoff double and Anthony Rendon worked a walk. After Jayson Werth struck out, the Nats got a break when Adam LaRoche hit what normally would have been a double play ball into the...

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Pirates have no answer for Strasburg early (Pirates rally for 3-2 win)

May 24, 2014, 4:01pm

Nationals

Pirates have no answer for Strasburg early (Pirates rally for 3-2 win)

The first inning has been a bugaboo for Stephen Strasburg this season, but he got through the first against the Pirates in 1-2-3 fashion, then followed up with a six-pitch second inning, getting an inning-ending 6-3 double play off the bat of Pedro Alvarez after hitting Russell Martin with a pitch. In his first 10 starts of the season, opposing batters battered Strasburg for a .383 average and he posted a 7.20 ERA in the first inning. Second innings have been better: a .222 batting average...

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Nats turn to Strasburg to avoid falling below .500 (with lineups)

May 24, 2014, 10:49am

Nationals

Nats turn to Strasburg to avoid falling below .500 (with lineups)

There's something about the prospect of Stephen Strasburg facing the Pittsburgh Pirates that gets Nationals fans downright giddy. Who could forget the hard-throwing right-hander's uber-hyped major league debut on June 8, 2010, when Strasburg fanned 14 Pirates in front of a sellout "Strasmas" crowd at Nationals Park. Yep, that 14-strikeout performance in his first big league game still stands as Straburg's career high in strikeouts. Who better to turn to when you've lost three straight and...

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Pirates grab early 2-0 lead in second (Nats lose 4-3)

May 23, 2014, 4:05pm

Nationals

Pirates grab early 2-0 lead in second (Nats lose 4-3)

So much for the notion that facing a pitcher who hadn't won in 14 starts would somehow be the cure for the Nationals' offensive woes. Charlie Morton, who came into the game 0-7 in his last 14 starts, has a 2-0 lead after two innings. The Pirates got to Nats righty Jordan Zimmermann in the second, when Ike Davis singled and Russell Martin doubled to put runners on second and third with none out. Pedro Alvarez struck out and Starling Marte grounded out to score a run before Zimmermann plated...

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Gonzalez's throw day pushed back, LaRoche inches closer to activation

May 23, 2014, 1:45pm

Nationals

Gonzalez's throw day pushed back, LaRoche inches closer to activation

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez's progression toward a throwing program hit a small bump in the road Friday, when left shoulder stiffness scrapped his plans to throw. Nationals manager Matt Williams didn't seem too concerned with the setback, telling reporters who expressed concern before his team's game at PNC Park against the Pirates, "It's only a day." "He's a little stiff still, so he'll continue his rehab program and we'll look to push him back a day as far as his throwing program...

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Orioles announce 2014 military appreciation efforts

May 20, 2014, 8:18am

Orioles

With Memorial Day Weekend approaching, the Orioles are proud to announce their efforts to honor members of our armed forces. The club is fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated military personnel throughout the region, and grateful for all of those who risk their lives each day for our country. Again this season, the club is offering a variety of season-long programs and special days that offer support for and recognition of military members and their families. MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION...

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Hide your Lean Cuisines from Stephen Strasburg

May 19, 2014, 6:02am

Nationals

Hide your Lean Cuisines from Stephen Strasburg

Why should Bryce Harper have all the fun? ESPN today unveiled a new "This is SportsCenter" commercial featuring Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg. Like most of the network's spots, it has a humorous bent, placing usually stoic Strasburg in the ESPN cafeteria while anchor Bram Weinstein rifles through the refrigerator searching for his Lean Cuisine. What happened to Weinstein's glazed turkey tenderloins (words I never thought I would type when I got into this crazy business back in the...

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Desmond's homer pulls Nats into 1-1 tie (Nats win 6-3)

May 18, 2014, 10:20am

Nationals

Desmond's homer pulls Nats into 1-1 tie (Nats win 6-3)

Ian Desmond led off the bottom of the second inning with a homer to left, pulling the Nationals into a 1-1 tie with the Mets. Those early-season plate woes may finally be turning for the Nats shortstop. In his last seven games, Desmond is 8-for-23 (.348) with a triple, three homers and eight RBIs. That kind of punch comes in handy when you're missing the likes of Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper. The Mets took a 1-0 lead against Jordan Zimmermann in the top of the inning. Lucas...