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Martinez on big series, Eaton, ElÃas, Doolittle and more

September 05, 2019, 2:18pm

ATLANTA - The Nationals have looked forward to this series for a while now, even if they would not admit it out loud. The four-game series against the first-place Braves is upon them. But Nationals manager Davey Martinez said his team is repeating the mantra that it cannot get ahead of itself even with only 23 games remaining. "Trea (Turner) talked about it yesterday - just control today, win today," Martinez said. "Go 1-0 today and go from there." But with the National League East deficit...

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Braves notch early rally against Strasburg (Nats fall 4-2)

September 05, 2019, 4:26pm

Nationals

Braves notch early rally against Strasburg (Nats fall 4-2)

ATLANTA - The Braves took advantage of some well-placed base hits and timely base running in the first off right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Ronald AcuÃ±a Jr. singled on a line drive to left field. The speedster moved to second base on a steal. Ozzie Albies then dropped in a perfectly placed bloop double into shallow left field to score AcuÃ±a with the first run of the game. Freddie Freeman singled to left field to score Albies and suddenly it was 2-0 Braves. Left-hander Max Fried's...

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As season heads into home stretch, Braves don't look so invincible

August 18, 2019, 9:22pm

Nationals

As season heads into home stretch, Braves don't look so invincible

On June 10, the Atlanta Braves beat Pittsburgh 13-7 to move into a first-place tie in the National League East. They built a six-game lead by the All-Star break and on July 15, their lead was 7 1/2 games, largest of the season. A second consecutive division title seemed inevitable. Now, as baseball enters the final six weeks, the Braves face a new reality: They aren't the same dominating team that went 20-8 in June. They aren't the team that's playing the best. Although they beat the Dodgers...

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Nats' new relievers better than Braves' additions since Aug. 1

August 17, 2019, 3:53am

Nationals

Nats' new relievers better than Braves' additions since Aug. 1

The Nationals and Braves both attempted to improve their bullpens at the July 31 trade deadline. So far, the Nats have gotten the better end of the deals. Even without Roenis ElÃas for most of the last three weeks due to injury, the additions of Hunter Strickland and Daniel Hudson have outshone the Braves acquisitions of Chris Martin, Mark Melancon and Shane Greene. In Friday night's nail-biting 2-1 Nationals win over the Brewers, Hudson and Strickland bridged shutout seventh and eighth...

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Mets' resurgence adds plot twist to wild card scenarios

August 07, 2019, 12:49pm

Nationals

Mets' resurgence adds plot twist to wild card scenarios

On July 12, the first day after the All-Star break, the New York Mets lost 8-4 to Miami and their record dropped to 40-51, making them a team that most thought would hit the trade market as a seller as the July 31 deadline arrived. Pitchers Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard were going to be on the move. That would give the Mets a chance to make up for the disastrous offseason acquisitions of Robinson CanÃ³, who wasn't hitting and is on the injured list, and closer Edwin DÃaz, who...

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SÃ¡nchez's new strategy against Braves backfires

July 31, 2019, 5:22pm

Nationals

SÃ¡nchez's new strategy against Braves backfires

AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez delivered a 1-2-3 first inning, striking out Ronald AcuÃ±a Jr. to begin the game. Then he retired the dangerous Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman on fly balls to center field. But the next two innings the Braves put together consecutive base hits starting with Adam Duvall's solo homer in the second. AcuÃ±a and Albies dropped in back-to-back doubles to score another run in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Johan Camargo, Mike Soroka and AcuÃ±a smacked...

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Doolittle blames pitch execution for late homer, Nats fall in extras

July 31, 2019, 12:52pm

Nationals

Doolittle blames pitch execution for late homer, Nats fall in extras

Nationals closer Sean Doolittle has allowed two solo homers in his last two appearances. The homer given up to the Braves pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson on Friday night didn't hurt as much because the Nats were up by four runs and won the game 6-3. But the margin for error was much different Wednesday afternoon. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the 10th inning, Doolittle (6-3) surrendered a no-doubt solo homer over the center field wall to Braves slugger Josh Donaldson. Donaldson's...

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Game 108 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

July 30, 2019, 4:29pm

Nationals

The Nationals still have a shot at a series win today as they turn to former Braves starter AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez to work his magic. SÃ¡nchez has won six games in a row dating back to May 29 when he fired six shutout innings of one-hit ball in Atlanta. He struck out seven and walked only one for his first win of the season. The six-game streak is the second longest win streak of his career.sanchez SÃ¡nchez is 2-0 with 3.71 ERA in three starts (17 innings) against the Braves this season, with...

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Adams can pinch-hit, Zimmerman swings in cage (Nats fall 5-4 in 10)

July 31, 2019, 7:36am

Nationals

Adams can pinch-hit, Zimmerman swings in cage (Nats fall 5-4 in 10)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said injured right-hander Jeremy Hellickson is in West Palm Beach, Fla., conducting sim games this week as he recovers a right shoulder strain. He's been on the shelf for 61 games. "He's down in spring training (facility)," Martinez said. "Today was his day (for sim game). Today I think he threw a sim game. Then he's scheduled to throw another one possibly this weekend." Martinez believes there is a possibility that Hellickson's next step would be minor...

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Fedde focuses on pitch efficiency (Nats lose 11-8)

July 30, 2019, 1:43pm

Nationals

Fedde focuses on pitch efficiency (Nats lose 11-8)

Right-hander Erick Fedde embarks on his first career start against the Braves tonight. On July 24, Fedde went four innings, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks in the Nats' 3-2 win over the Rockies. He had to throw 79 pitches. In his previous start at Baltimore, the Nats monitored his pitch count and Fedde did well: 66 pitches over six innings. Tonight marks his ninth start of the season. "He's pitched well," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "I like to...

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Martinez plays to bullpen's strength for game-clinching hold

July 30, 2019, 3:46am

Nationals

Martinez plays to bullpen's strength for game-clinching hold

Prior to tomorrow's trade deadline, Nationals manager Davey Martinez's vision of how to hold a late lead is a seventh, eighth and ninth inning that falls to Wander Suero, Fernando Rodney and Sean Doolittle. To begin a very important series against the Atlanta Braves, Martinez had the strengths of his 'pen well rested. Rodney and Doolittle both had not pitched for four days. Doolittle had been off since last week's doubleheader Wednesday against the Rockies. So in a game in which the...

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Corbin's slider on target again versus Braves

July 29, 2019, 7:42pm

Nationals

Corbin's slider on target again versus Braves

Patrick Corbin had his slider on target again Monday night, and when it mattered most against a very good opponent, he delivered big time strikeouts. The Nationals southpaw struck out eight batters and allowed only five hits and two runs over six innings, derailing what could have been a huge fourth frame in dropping the first-place Atlanta Braves 6-3. "I felt really good," Corbin said. "I thought we mixed up well to a very good-hitting team, minimized mistakes. I thought we stayed out of...

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Adams available to pinch-hit, Nationals DFA Miller (Nats win 6-3)

July 29, 2019, 2:08pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Davey Martinez had some cautiously optimistic news on the status of Matt Adams. The first baseman had to leave the game after getting hit by a pitch on the outside near the lateral longitudinal arch of his right foot. "He had a CT scan today - came back negative," Martinez said. "He's good. It's a contusion. He's getting treated right now. Hoping that he's available to pinch-hit today for the game." With Max Scherzer being placed on the injured list, Martinez confirmed...

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Game 106 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

July 29, 2019, 11:26am

Nationals

The Nationals wrap up their long homestand with their biggest series to date against the first-place Atlanta Braves. The Nats' deficit in the National League East is 5 1/2 games with 10 contests remaining in the regular season against Atlanta. Following Wednesday's series finale, the Nats embark on a nine-game road trip to Arizona, San Francisco and New York. The Nats and the Braves are each 30-23 at home. Atlanta's advantage comes on the road, where the Braves are 32-21 and the Nats...

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Nationals now focus on "big series" in Atlanta starting tonight

July 18, 2019, 4:02am

Nationals

The Nationals have 14 games remaining against the first-place Braves, who hold a 6 1/2-game lead in the National League East. But the Nats are only five games back in the loss column following Wednesday's 9-2 loss at Baltimore. Tonight they embark on a critical four-game set at SunTrust Park. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (11-4, 3.46 ERA) takes on right-hander Julio Teheran (5-6, 3.71) in the series opener. All four games begin after 7 p.m. Assembled media spoke to Nationals manager Davey...

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Braves may lead NL East, but can they sustain extended run of success

June 23, 2019, 1:46pm

Nationals

Braves may lead NL East, but can they sustain extended run of success

After a 4-3 extra-inning win Sunday, the Braves lead the Nationals by 8 Â½ games in the National League East. So why does it seem the Nationals have the advantage as the season's second half approaches? It's because the Nationals have a more reliable rotation. The Braves have been white-hot during June, but they are doing it with an offense that averages more than seven runs a game. Teams that win by pounding other teams with runs find that difficult to sustain. On the other hand, the...

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Updates on Robles, Ross, Rosenthal and Voth

June 22, 2019, 8:36pm

Nationals

Updates on Robles, Ross, Rosenthal and Voth

Nationals manager Davey Martinez had no second update on Victor Robles after the center fielder left Saturday night's game due to symptoms of dehydration. Robles left in the second inning of the Braves' 13-9 comeback victory. Nationals starter AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez watched as Robles dropped down on one knee behind him in the top of the second during a Nick Markakis at-bat. "I don't know what's going on back there at that moment, but, you know, just figure out after," SÃ¡nchez said. "It...

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Bullpen blows big lead at home as Nationals lose 13-9 (updated)

June 22, 2019, 6:54pm

Nationals

The Nationals could not hold a lead against the first-place Atlanta Braves on Saturday in an all-too-familiar scene reminiscent of April or early May, falling 13-9 in shocking fashion. The Nats allowed 5-1, 8-4 and 9-8 leads evaporate, mostly thanks to their bullpen, which had seemed to regain its footing in June. But the 'pen suddenly retreated to its previous beleaguered state with a disastrous seventh and eighth inning. The Braves scored nine runs in the final three frames to prevent the...

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Riley gets to Strasburg early (Nats win 4-3)

June 21, 2019, 4:04pm

Nationals

Riley gets to Strasburg early (Nats win 4-3)

The Braves got on the board early against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Josh Donaldson walked to lead off the second inning. With one out, Austin Riley belted a two-run homer over the left-center field to give Atlanta the lead. Riley connected on a 93.6 mph two-seam fastball for his 12th homer of the season. Braves left-hander Dallas Keuchel, making his 2019 debut, allowed leadoff singles to Trea Turner and Brian Dozier in the first and second innings, respectively, but no...

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Phillies made their move, but so did rest of NL East

March 25, 2019, 1:33pm

Nationals

Phillies made their move, but so did rest of NL East

The offseason for the National League East was a steady stream of reinforcements, making it the most competitive division of Major League Baseball's six. Four teams have a chance to win the crown. The biggest offseason splash was the Phillies' trade for catcher J.T. Realmuto. But that was only until halfway through spring training, when they signed free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. So, how will the Nationals be without Harper, 26, the 2015 NL MVP? And, do the Phillies have enough in their...