Pete Kerzel

Harper's homer puts Nats, Strasburg ahead 5-3 (Nats win 7-3)

March 25, 2014, 10:15am

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 7, Mets 3 Recap: Right-hander Stephen Strasburg gave up three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, walked two and struck out seven. Bryce Harper hit his second spring homer, a towering three-run shot that glanced off a flagpole in left-center, and Ryan Zimmerman also went deep. Need to know: The Nats' starting eight (minus the pitcher) played the entire game, a sure sign that spring training is nearing an end. On deck: Wednesday, at Cardinals in...

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Orioles announce lineup for celebrity softball game at April 6 All-American Family Day and Concert

March 25, 2014, 6:13am

Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles announced the "home team" lineup for a celebrity softball game versus a "visitors" team of military veterans scheduled for Sunday, April 6 at Ed Smith Stadium. The game will be part of a full day of free activities at the All-American Family Day & Concert, featuring a performance by Grammy Award-winning band America. The event is part of the Orioles' "Arts in the Ballpark" series and the Legacy of Valor campaign. "The Orioles are proud to field an enthusiastic...

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Orioles claim Adams off waivers, De La Cruz designated for assignment

March 22, 2014, 3:19pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder David Adams off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. To make room for Adams on the 40-man roster, left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz has been designated for assignment. Adams, 27, appeared in 43 games for the New York Yankees in 2013, batting .193/.252/.286 with two homers and 13 RBI. Adams made 38 starts for the Yankees in 2013, including 29 at third base, where he posted a .985 fielding percentage. In 412 minor league games over six...

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After losing a clubhouse friend, O'Day looks to find old magic vs. lefty hitters

March 22, 2014, 8:21am

Orioles

After losing a clubhouse friend, O'Day looks to find old magic vs. lefty hitters

For the last two seasons, Darren O'Day has been a rock in the Orioles bullpen. Dependable, reliable and talented. Over those two years, he is a combined 12-4 with an ERA of 2.23. During that time, he has averaged 8.9 strikeouts per every nine innings with just 2.0 walks. But last season - when he went 5-3 with a 2.18 ERA - one area stood out on his stat sheet and that was his numbers against left-handed hitters. In 2012 for the Orioles, lefty batters hit just .207 with an OPS of .664...

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Orioles announce "Operation Orange" rallies for fans

March 21, 2014, 8:15am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced dates for two "Operation Orange" rallies to generate fan excitement as the team prepares to open the 2014 season. The rallies will include ticket giveaways, trivia and raffles for Orioles-themed gear and other promotional items. The first "Operation Orange" rally will be held at Dempsey's Brew Pub and Restaurant on Wednesday, March 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Operation Orange rally crew, the Oriole Bird, Orioles PA Announcer Ryan Wagner and former Orioles...

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What's up with Adrian Nieto in Arizona? (Roark update)

March 18, 2014, 6:36am

Nationals

What's up with Adrian Nieto in Arizona? (Roark update)

MELBOURNE, Fla. - You'll notice a change in dateline for today's entry. The Nationals have reached the 32nd day of spring training, and are enjoying their first off-day of camp. How off are they? There's not even a pithy motivational quote from Matt Williams on this morning's lineup sheet. In fact, there's no lineup sheet at all. The collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association mandates that each team receive two days...

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Who will prevail in fifth starter competition?

March 17, 2014, 6:27pm

Nationals

Who will prevail in fifth starter competition?

VIERA, Fla. - So it's down to three pitchers vying for the fifth starter's spot after Matt Williams announced Monday that left-hander Ross Detwiler, the presumed No. 5 heading into camp, would open the season as a multifaceted reliever. Which of the remaining competitors, all right-handers, do you like? Is it the promise of Taylor Jordan, who sometimes looks equal to the task and at other times appears in need of more seasoning? Is it Tanner Roark, who did nothing last season but win and...

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Nats deal Koyie Hill to Phillies

March 17, 2014, 12:25pm

Nationals

LAKELAND, Fla. - This morning, the Nationals reassigned catcher Koyie Hill to minor league camp. This afternoon, they sent Hill out of the organization, trading him to the Phillies in exchange for cash or a player to be named. MLB.com was first to report the deal. The 35-year-old Hill, signed Feb. 5 to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league camp, batted .385 (5-for-13) with three RBIs in 10 Grapefruit League games. But when the Nats traded for Tampa Bay catcher Jose Lobaton...

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Returning to Nats, Carroll has an eye on his future

March 17, 2014, 11:29am

Nationals

Returning to Nats, Carroll has an eye on his future

VIERA, Fla. - If 12 years in the big leagues have taught Jamey Carroll anything, it's that in the game of baseball, the little things are big. Sometimes it's noticing a pattern of how an opposing pitcher works you as a hitter. Maybe it's spying that an outfielder is favoring his arm a little, and that he might be ripe for trying to take an extra base. Or just anticipating how a game might play out and when he might be needed as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner or defensive replacement. All of...

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Williams on Fister, Souza, Solis

March 17, 2014, 11:18am

Nationals

LAKELAND, Fla. - Rain continues to pelt the tarp at Joker Marchant Stadium, and fans hadn't been notified that the game was canceled when media members met with Nationals manager Matt Williams outside the visiting clubhouse. The first clue: equipment backs being loaded up to return to Viera. The second clue: when reliever Jerry Blevins started a parade of players dressed in street clothes heading for the parking lot for the (hopefully) 90-minute drive back to Space Coast Stadium. Williams...

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Detwiler headed to 'pen; Roark, Jordan, Young in mix for fifth starter

March 17, 2014, 10:56am

Nationals

Detwiler headed to 'pen; Roark, Jordan, Young in mix for fifth starter

LAKELAND, Fla. - The competition to be the fifth starter in the Nationals rotation took an unexpected turn today, when manager Matt Williams announced that left-hander Ross Detwiler would start the season in the bullpen. That leaves three right-handers - Tanner Roark, Taylor Jordan and Chris Young - battling for the last spot in the rotation, the manager said. "We've asked Ross to start our season in the bullpen," Williams said after the Nationals' scheduled game against the Tigers was...

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McCatty on Fister's start: "He had no complaints" (rain delay update)

March 17, 2014, 9:08am

Nationals

McCatty on Fister's start: "He had no complaints" (rain delay update)

LAKELAND, Fla. - Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty and manager Matt Williams delayed their departure for today's game against the Tigers in order to watch right-hander Doug Fister throw two innings in a minor league game. McCatty liked what he saw, but wasn't ready to slot the right-hander, who is progressing in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, for his first regular season start. "It was fine," McCatty said. "He gave up a hit on a curveball, but he hasn't thrown that...

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Souza, Perez, Solis among six cuts from Nats camp

March 17, 2014, 6:41am

Nationals

Souza, Perez, Solis among six cuts from Nats camp

LAKELAND, Fla. - Greetings from Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Nationals are supposed to play the Tigers today at 1:05 p.m. I say "supposed" because the weather radar is showing a large multi-colored blob of precipitation closing in on us, and the tarp is covering the field. The forecast calls for morning thunderstorms followed by scattered afternoon thunderstorms with damaging winds, conditions not necessarily conducive to exhibition play. But we'll forge on. It's nothing like the snow...

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Zimmerman gets start at DH against Tigers (plus Tigers lineup)

March 17, 2014, 5:46am

Nationals

Zimmerman gets start at DH against Tigers (plus Tigers lineup)

VIERA, Fla. - Many of the Nationals' starters will be making the trip to Lakeland this afternoon to play the Tigers. Right-hander Tanner Roark will take the mound for the Nats. Ryan Zimmerman, who saw time at first base yesterday, will serve as the Nats' designated hitter. Here is the Nats lineup for the game against the Tigers: CF Denard Span SS Ian Desmond DH Ryan Zimmerman LF Bryce Harper 2B Danny Espinosa 1B Tyler Moore 3B Zach Walters RF Jeff Kobernus C Jhonatan Solano RHP...

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Dissecting responsibility for a stolen base allowed

March 16, 2014, 2:00pm

Nationals

Dissecting responsibility for a stolen base allowed

VIERA, Fla. - When an opposing baserunner steals against the Nationals, who's at fault? Sometimes it's the pitcher, who didn't do enough to hold the runner on, disrupt his attempt to swipe a bag or get the ball quickly enough to the plate. Sometimes it's the catcher, who didn't uncork a strong enough throw to nab him. And sometimes no one's at fault - even when you execute properly, the guy trying to steal may execute a little better. All three situations were apparent to an extent in...

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Williams on replay challenge, Zimmerman at first, Fister's next step

March 16, 2014, 1:11pm

Nationals

Williams on replay challenge, Zimmerman at first, Fister's next step

VIERA, Fla. - When Matt Williams strolled out of the first base dugout in the seventh inning of Sunday's game to challenge a safe call by first base umpire Gary Cederstrom, the Nationals manager knew that the initial call was correct. So why did he endure a 1:56 replay review to confirm what he already knew? "At some point during the game, you have to practice and we want to work the process as much as we can. ... It wouldn't be right for us to go through the whole game and not use one if...

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Hearing from Zimmermann and Zimmerman

March 16, 2014, 11:40am

Nationals

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann had one of those days. He battled with his command, fought a gusty wind and the opposing catcher didn't believe Zimmermann when the pitcher told him that he was bunting with two outs and requested a fat pitch over the middle of the plate. That was Zimmermann's fourth spring start in a nutshell. He threw 44 of his 66 pitches for strikes, gave up his first run of the spring and still managed to adroitly work around four singles in four...

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WIlliams requests replay review, call upheld

March 16, 2014, 10:55am

Nationals

WIlliams requests replay review, call upheld

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams just challenged a call by first base umpire Gary Cederstrom, and was unsuccessful. With two down in the seventh, Ezequiel Carrera singled to left, but left fielder Bryce Harper fielded the ball and threw behind the runner at first, firing a strike to first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Carrera appeared to get back to the bag ahead of Zimmerman's tag, but Williams strolled out of the dugout and requested the video replay to be reviewed. After review...

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Zimmermann yields first run of spring, but limits damage (Nats lose 2-1)

March 16, 2014, 9:23am

Nationals

Zimmermann yields first run of spring, but limits damage (Nats lose 2-1)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Tigers 2, Nationals 1 Recap: Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann allowed his first run of the season during a four-inning stint in a match-up against Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Zimmermann yielded four hits, hit a batter and fanned four, and his spring ERA now stands at 0.69. Need to know: Zimmermann became the first pitcher to bat this spring, and was under orders from Nats manager Matt Williams to bunt with two outs in the third, even though he was hecked after...

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Zimmerman at third base for home game of split-squad series (with Nats lineups)

March 16, 2014, 6:17am

Nationals

Zimmerman at third base for home game of split-squad series (with Nats lineups)

VIERA, Fla. - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman took early grounders this morning and declared himself fit enough to play the field in the home half of a pair of split-squad games this afternoon. That one, against Justin Verlander and the Tigers, airs on MASN HD beginning at 1 p.m.; the other game is in Kissimmee against the Astros at the same time. Zimmerman will hit fifth and man third base. "Everything feels good," said Zimmerman, whose appearance as a designated hitter yesterday was his...