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Harper's patient approach has returned (plus lineups)

July 05, 2012, 11:42am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Harper's patient approach has returned (plus lineups)

When Bryce Harper first got brought up to the big leagues, it was his patience at the plate which impressed me maybe more than anything else. Yes, he was athletic and had a smooth swing and played the game hard. But we knew he'd bring all that to the table. We didn't know that the 19-year-old with massive power and a desire to prove he was a big leaguer would be able to lay off tough pitches out of the zone and wait for something over the fat part of the plate. A couple weeks ago, however,...

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Johnson talks after Nats' 9-4 win

July 04, 2012, 12:00pm

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Following today's game, Davey Johnson found his team 15 games above .500, matching their season-high. That gave him plenty to smile about while meeting with reporters. But Johnson isn't satisfied yet. Not by a longshot. His team is now 47-32 on the season, but he's already picked out his next goal - 20 games above .500. "I like to go by fives," Johnson said. "We got to 15 before and we dropped back. I like to progress. The next number I like to get is 20 games over. I always go by...

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Another offensive explosion nets Nats 9-4 win

July 04, 2012, 10:21am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Another offensive explosion nets Nats 9-4 win

Remember that scene in "When Harry Met Sally," when Meg Ryan is slapping the table and the random lady nearby turns to the waitress and says, "I'll have what she's having"? The rest of the league wants whatever the Nationals have been having over their last eight games. Was that a bit of a reach? OK, my bad. Since last Tuesday, the Nats have averaged 8.6 runs per game, which is remarkable, given they hadn't scored eight runs in any of their 25 contests prior to this streak...

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Jackson settles down, and the laser show continues (and continues)

July 04, 2012, 8:45am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Jackson settles down, and the laser show continues (and continues)

For whatever reason, Edwin Jackson stinks it up in the first inning nearly every time he takes the mound. Then, almost without fail, he gets into a groove and dominates the rest of the way out. That pattern has held true today, as Jackson gave up three Giants runs in the first inning, putting the Nationals in an early 3-0 hole. He has settled into a groove since then, however, facing just one over the minimum from innings 2-4. Jackson now has 9.56 ERA in the first inning this season, and a...

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Your Fourth of July lineups

July 04, 2012, 5:35am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

The Nationals will wear their normal red hats for this afternoon's 11:05 a.m. start, with a patriotic twist: The curly W will be camouflage. Trust me when I say that the special July 4 hats look pretty sweet. Happy Fourth of July to everyone out there. Hope your BBQs are fun, the fireworks shine brightly tonight and we get some good baseball this morning, even if it's far too early for me to be at the stadium. I'll be hitting up the press box coffee machine quite a few times over the...

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Nats smack around a two-time Cy Young award winner (Nats win 9-3)

July 03, 2012, 3:53pm

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Nats smack around a two-time Cy Young award winner (Nats win 9-3)

It wasn't that long ago that Tim Lincecum was without question one of the top two or three pitchers in baseball. The Giants righty won the National League Cy Young award in 2008 and 2009 and made the All-Star Game each of the last four years. This season has been a little different for Lincecum. He entered today with a 5.60 ERA, and that number has only risen tonight. Lincecum has allowed five runs on eight hits through just three innings. Ian Desmond has two of those hits, including a...

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Nats lineup vs. Lincecum (with Giants lineup added)

July 03, 2012, 11:07am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Nats lineup vs. Lincecum (with Giants lineup added)

The Nationals will square off against the Giants and starter Tim Lincecum tonight. Lincecum is 3-8 with a 5.60 ERA this season, but has put up quality starts his last two times out. He delivered seven shutout innings his last start, which came against the Dodgers. Here's Davey Johnson's lineup for tonight: LF Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jesus Flores P Jordan Zimmermann For the Giants: RF...

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Some shocking Zimmermann numbers

July 03, 2012, 9:49am

Dan Kolko

Nationals

Believe it or not, Jordan Zimmermann has only one win at Nationals Park since last year's All-Star break. One win. In 11 starts. This despite posting a 3.13 ERA during those 11 outings at home. Zimmermann's last home win came on Aug. 18, 2011. In his eight home starts since, he has an 0-4 record and has received 10 runs of offensive support while in the game. Despite all the talk about the Nationals' two All-Star starters (Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez), Zimmermann currently leads...

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Nationals interested in Mike Cameron and Greg Dobbs, among others

December 14, 2011, 4:52pm

Byron Kerr

Nationals

The bench for each major league team is a major part of a team's long-term success through the ups and downs of a rigorous 162-game season. Many times, if you make the right choices for your bench this time of year, it can reap short-term return if you trade them at the trading deadline for future prospects. Jerry Hairston Jr., made a big splash with the Milwaukee Brewers deep into the playoffs last season after the Nationals traded him for minor leaguer Erik Komatsu. Last week, the...