Soriano makes his debut today, Ramos behind the plate (with lineups)

Soriano makes his debut today, Ramos behind the plate (with lineups)
VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson used yesterday's off-day the same way many of use spend our days away from the job: He got stuff done around the house. Johnson went back to his home in the Orlando area and took care of a couple "dangerous jobs," including replacing a handful of light bulbs that were 24 feet off the ground. He got through the tasks just fine, then took a playful jab at Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who broke his leg while skydiving yesterday. "I...
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Ramos update and other pregame notes (with lineups)

Ramos update and other pregame notes (with lineups)
JUPITER, Fla. - After getting examined by medical director Dr. Wiemi Douoguih this morning, catcher Wilson Ramos has been cleared to take part in some sliding drills back at the Nationals' complex at Space Coast Stadium, according to manager Davey Johnson. This will mark the first time sliding for Ramos since undergoing surgery to repair a torn right ACL and meniscus last summer. Ramos typically tucks his right leg when he slides, which has him a little worried about how the knee will...
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Young pleased with first live BP (plus Mets, Nats lineups)

Young pleased with first live BP (plus Mets, Nats lineups)
VIERA, Fla. - Because shoulder issues have plagued Chris Young for much of the last few years, it's been a while since he's had a normal spring training. Yesterday, Young took the mound on one of the side fields at the Nationals complex and threw his first live batting practice since signing a minor league deal with the team last week. That's something that he hasn't been able to do this early in spring in recent years, but it was a nice first step toward the veteran right-hander getting...
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Pregame notes on Zimmerman, Ramos, Kimball (plus lineups)

Pregame notes on Zimmerman, Ramos, Kimball (plus lineups)
VIERA, Fla. - The Marlins have arrived at Space Coast Stadium, and after all the roster turnover that team underwent this offseason, Davey Johnson doesn't really know exactly what he's looking at. "I'm still trying to learn their names," Johnson said. "And I'm not even sure what position the names are going in." The Marlins will have Donovan Solano starting at second base today -he's the brother of Jhonatan Solano, a catcher in the Nationals' system. Other than that, there are very...
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Nats hoping to play through the drops, plus lineups

Nats hoping to play through the drops, plus lineups
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The tarp is on the field here at Champion Stadium at ESPN's Wide World of Sports, and the skies have opened up. They're calling for some pretty heavy showers here this afternoon and I've even heard rumblings of a tornado watch, but the Nationals are really hoping to get today's contest in, largely because they want to get Ross Detwiler into a game. Detwiler is scheduled to leave the Nats on March 4 to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. He'll get a...
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No changes in Nats lineup for Game 5

No changes in Nats lineup for Game 5
The Nationals have announced their lineup for the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series, and it's the same one that's faced the Cardinals throughout the series. Well, save for the starting pitcher - Gio Gonzalez, in this case. For the Nationals against the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright: RF - Jayson Werth CF - Bryce Harper 3B - Ryan Zimmerman 1B - Adam LaRoche LF - Michael Morse SS - Ian Desmond 2B - Danny Espinosa C - Kurt Suzuki P - Gio Gonzalez It's already pretty chilly...
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Lineup remains the same, Zimmermann available in relief

Lineup remains the same, Zimmermann available in relief
The Nationals' lineup will remain the same for today's must-win Game 4 of the best-of-five National League Division Series. Davey Johnson will not make tweaks to his batting order today, despite Danny Espinosa's struggles and the offense's recent issues driving in runs. "Going right with what we had yesterday," Johnson said. "Going to have a little better outcome." Jordan Zimmermann will be available in relief today if Ross Detwiler falters or is unable to work deep into the game....
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Nats, Cards lineups for NLDS Game 3

Nats, Cards lineups for NLDS Game 3
Today's Nationals and Cardinals lineups look exactly the same as the ones we saw in the first two games of the National League Division Series - with the exception, of course, of new pitchers. The Nationals will send Edwin Jackson to the mound for Game 3. He'll oppose Cardinals righty Chris Carpenter, who made only three regular season starts this season but is the franchise's all-time leader in postseason wins. For the Nats: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam...
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Nats, Cards stick with same lineups, save for pitchers

Nats, Cards stick with same lineups, save for pitchers
ST. LOUIS - Except for the pitchers, the lineups for today's Game 2 of the best-of-five National League Division Series at Busch Stadium are exactly the same as those from Game 1. Here's the Nationals batting order that will face St. Louis' Jaime Garcia: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Jordan Zimmermann Zimmermann will face this lineup from the Cardinals: CF Jon Jay RF Carlos Beltran LF...
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Familiar lineup for NLDS Game 1 at St. Louis

Familiar lineup for NLDS Game 1 at St. Louis
ST. LOUIS - The Nationals have posted their lineup for Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series against the Cardinals. It looks pretty familiar. RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Gio Gonzalez Here is the Cardinals lineup that will face Gonzalez: CF Jon Jay RF Carlos Beltran LF Matt Holliday 1B Allen Craig C Yadier Molina 3B David Freese 2B Daniel Descalso SS Pete Kozma P Adam...
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Nats lineup for Game 162

Nats lineup for Game 162
The bulk of the Nationals' regulars are back in the starting lineup, while the two that started yesterday - Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche - are taking a seat for today's regular season finale. The Nats have a magic number of one to clinch the top seed in the National League, giving them home-field advantage through the playoffs and setting them up to play the wild card play-in winner. If they win today against the Phillies or the Reds lose to the Cardinals tonight, the Nationals will get...
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How's this for a post-clinch Nats lineup?

How's this for a post-clinch Nats lineup?
Davey Johnson got hit with a champagne shower three times last night. After he got dried off from the first attack, Adam LaRoche ambushed Johnson and soaked him again. Johnson may not have loved it, but he took it in stride. "He got me good," Johnson said. Then, rookie reliever Christian Garcia, a guy battling for a spot on the postseason roster, was gutsy enough to soak his 69-year-old skipper yet again. "'Son, that's a no-no,' " Johnson recalled himself saying, chuckling as he...
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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base tonight against Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Chris Davis stays in right field and bats third. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Wei-Yin Chen LHP
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Suzuki gets 10th straight start

Suzuki gets 10th straight start
Kurt Suzuki has told manager Davey Johnson in the past that he has no problem starting every single game. Until the Nationals clinch the NL East title, Johnson is taking Suzuki up on his offer. Suzuki's getting the start behind the plate for the 10th straight day, a very lengthy streak for a catcher. In the last nine games, Suzuki is batting .294 with a home run and seven RBIs, so Johnson doesn't want to go away from the hot hand. He'll stick with Suzuki until the Nats are able to lock up...
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Lineups for series finale against Cards

Lineups for series finale against Cards
ST. LOUIS - The Nationals just posted the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals. With a win today, Washington will clinch the NL East. For the Nationals: Jayson Werth RF Bryce Harper CF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Michael Morse LF Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Kurt Suzuki C Ross Detwiler P For the Cardinals: John Jay CF Carlos Beltran RF Matt Holliday LF Allen Craig 1B Yadier Molina C David Freese 3B Daniel Descalso 2B Pete Kozma SS Lance Lynn P
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Lineups and Steve Johnson update

Lineups and Steve Johnson update
Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today for the home regular-season finale against the Red Sox. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Joe Saunders LHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Ross RF Gomez 1B Valencia 3B Lavarnway C Nava LF Ciriaco DH Iglesias SS Stewart RHP Steve Johnson said his right foot is much better today after being hit by Dustin...
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Various notes and lineups from St. Louis

Various notes and lineups from St. Louis
ST. LOUIS - Hello from good old Missouri, and more specifically, the press box at Busch Stadium. The Gateway Arch is currently staring me right in the face as I look out on this field for the first time in person. It's a nice park, and I'm looking forward to experiencing the St. Louis baseball atmosphere I've heard so much about. And I'm serious when I say I've heard a ton about how great the in-game environment is here. These St. Louis fans better step their game up tonight and make...
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Wieters not catching tonight (updated)

Wieters not catching tonight (updated)
Taylor Teagarden will be behind the plate for tonight's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Matt Wieters became a father for the first time today at 5:11 a.m. The clubhouse isn't open to the media yet, so I don't know whether he's at the ballpark and sleeping on a couch. I'll pass along an update later. Wieters is 5-for-7 with four doubles lifetime against Red Sox starter Aaron Cook. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Mark...
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This, that and tonight's lineups

This, that and tonight's lineups
PHILADELPHIA - In New York, R.A. Dickey is in line for his 20th win of the season, which would tie him with Gio Gonzalez for the most in the majors. Dickey notched 13 strikeouts through 7 2/3 innings of work, allowing three runs. The NL Cy Young race between Gonzalez, Dickey and Braves closer Craig Kimbrel looks like it'll come down to the wire. Gonzalez will have a chance to bolster his chances tonight when he faces the Phillies in the series finale between these two teams. The Reds beat...
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Espinosa out of Nats' lineup

Espinosa out of Nats' lineup
PHILADELPHIA - A day after Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that all hands would be on deck until the Nationals clinched the division, Danny Espinosa is out of the lineup. Espinosa got a cortisone shot in his aching shoulder last Monday and has played in all eight games (with seven starts) since then, batting .348 with two RBIs and three doubles. His production has returned, and Espinosa told me yesterday that his shoulder was feeling fine. That all makes it a bit surprising that he's...
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