nationals

Game 114 lineups: Nats vs. Giants

August 11, 2017, 11:08am

The last meeting between the Nationals and Giants was rather eventful. If you've forgotten, it involved Hunter Strickland, Bryce Harper and a three-year-old beef. That series took place way back on Memorial Day in San Francisco, and a lot has changed since then. So will there be any reason for any carryover this weekend? I've got to think probably not. What good does it do the Nationals, 15 games up in the division and trying to get everybody healthy for October, to instigate...

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Baker doesn't expect fireworks this weekend (game postponed)

August 11, 2017, 1:47pm

Nationals

Baker doesn't expect fireworks this weekend (game postponed)

If you're expecting any fireworks this weekend between the Nationals and Giants, Dusty Baker is cautioning you not to get yourself worked up too much. Yes, the last meeting between these clubs included a brawl. But it's been 2 1/2 months since then, and it really didn't stem from any beef between the Nats and Giants as a whole, but rather from San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland, who three years after serving up two playoff homers to Bryce Harper decided to intentionally drill him with...

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Kintzler, Madson and Doolittle provide unique 1-2-3 punch

August 10, 2017, 7:32pm

Nationals

Kintzler, Madson and Doolittle provide unique 1-2-3 punch

The Nationals were able to put out their newly minted 1-2-3 punch for the final three innings Thursday in a series-clinching 3-2 victory over the Marlins. Brandon Kintzler, Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle held the Marlins scoreless in those three frames, surrendering only two hits with no walks and striking out three. The trio arrived after the Nats had comeback from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the sixth. Brian Goodwin's solo homer in the eighth put the Nats up for good. Those three...

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Two rookie outfielders come through late in Nationals' win

August 10, 2017, 7:51pm

Nationals

The Nationals expect to have a fully healthy lineup within a matter of weeks, with Michael A. Taylor set to return from the disabled list first, then Jayson Werth and Trea Turner following shortly after that. Which means Brian Goodwin is headed back to the bench in the near future, and Andrew Stevenson is likely headed back to the minors (at least until rosters expand in September). As long as both rookie outfielders are here and wearing Nationals uniforms, though, they're going to keep...

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David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

August 10, 2017, 2:25pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

The Nationals have such a commanding lead in the division that it has the same feeling as a losing season. It is like the Nationals are playing out the string, but instead of the season ending with golf outings and vacation, it will become exciting again and the Nationals will be in the playoffs. For now though, the Nationals are playing out the string. I'd say it should be a feeling familiar to Nats fans, but how many really exist that suffered through the 2008 and 2009 seasons? Let alone...

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Goodwin's late blast, bullpen's zeros propel Nats to 3-2 win

August 10, 2017, 5:57pm

Nationals

Goodwin's late blast, bullpen's zeros propel Nats to 3-2 win

Brian Goodwin may have slumped at times, and he may not have been able to duplicate the production the Nationals would have received from Adam Eaton or Michael A. Taylor had either of their top two center fielders been healthy all summer. But where would this team be without its third-stringer, who has more than held down the fort in the absence of others and has delivered more than his share of big hits along the way. Just like he did tonight. Goodwin's leadoff homer in the bottom of the...

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Stanton homer starts off game (Nats win 3-2)

August 10, 2017, 4:13pm

Nationals

Stanton homer starts off game (Nats win 3-2)

Tanner Roark got through the first two innings unscathed. But in the third, Dee Gordon singled. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a two-homer on a 1-1 pitch from Roark. His 39th homer of the year went over the left field wall. The Marlins lead 2-0. The Nationals earned a base hit off the bat of Matt Wieters in in the third but not much else yet against Dan Straily. After three innings, the Marlins lead the Nationals 2-0. Update: The Nats rally in the bottom of the sixth. AdriÃ¡n Sanchez leads...

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Updates on Strasburg, Murphy, Kendrick and Taylor

August 10, 2017, 1:33pm

Nationals

Updates on Strasburg, Murphy, Kendrick and Taylor

Nationals manager Dusty Baker says Daniel Murphy is fine and his quad is doing better, so he has placed the second baseman back in the lineup tonight. They kept him out of the lineup yesterday to be careful. "That's why we took precaution on yesterday's game," Baker said. "It worked out well. You don't want Murph missing too many games but you certainly also don't want him playing injured at this point in time or close, the threat of injury. You never really now, but Murph know his body...

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Game 113 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

August 10, 2017, 11:23am

Nationals

It's too early to actually write about these things, but because you're wondering (and because we're smack dab in the middle of the dog days right now) ... the Nationals' magic number to clinch the NL East is currently 37. Obviously, there's still a long way to go, but that's also a really low number for Aug. 10. The Nats will have a chance to reduce that number to 35 tonight if they beat the Marlins again and take this four-game series from the division's current second-place squad....

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Sanchez delivers as Nats organizational depth shines

August 10, 2017, 4:58am

Nationals

Sanchez delivers as Nats organizational depth shines

One reason why the Nationals have been able to sustain their big lead in the division with all their injuries is the play of all of their call-ups. The depth of the organization has been tested and these call-ups have been able to play close to the level of the starter they replaced. Another case in point Wednesday was the play of second baseman AdriÃ¡n Sanchez. Sanchez went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the No. 2 spot in the order. The Nationals rolled past the Marlins 10-1. Manager Dusty...

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Turner starts full throwing, almost cleared for swinging bat

August 10, 2017, 2:16pm

Nationals

Turner starts full throwing, almost cleared for swinging bat

Trea Turner was out at his familiar shortstop position this afternoon, fielding grounders and making throws across the diamond for the first time since an errant fastball fractured his wrist six weeks ago He's been running nearly nonstop the entire time he's been on the disabled list. All that's left for Turner to do is swing a bat, and that should be happening in the very near future after the Nationals leadoff man was cleared to begin rotational weight-lifting with right hand. "That...

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Kendrick winning over Nats with professional approach at plate

August 09, 2017, 7:55pm

Nationals

Kendrick winning over Nats with professional approach at plate

There are few compliments one ballplayer can heap on another more telling than to refer to him as a "professional hitter." It sounds silly, but that's the kind of designation that is reserved for only a select few, those who consistently produce the kind of quality at-bats that impress even the best this game has to offer. So when Dusty Baker referred to Howie Kendrick last night by that term, you knew he meant it as the highest compliment. "He knows how to hit," the Nationals manager...

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MASN and COX hosting Social Media Weekend August 12-13 at The Bullpen

August 10, 2017, 6:43am

Nationals

MASN and COX hosting Social Media Weekend August 12-13 at The Bullpen

This Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, MASN and COX will be hosting Social Media Weekend at The Bullpen next to Nationals Park! Fans will have the opportunity to collect unique Nationals prizes at both the MASN and COX booths, and can try their swinging luck at the Cox Virtual Home Run Derby! Think you can hit a homer? Try your luck! The Cox Virtual Home Run Derby is available prior to each game Saturday and Sunday. For updates on the event and how to win prizes, be sure to RSVP on...

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Zimmerman hits two homers, sets RBI record in 10-1 win

August 09, 2017, 7:20pm

Nationals

Zimmerman hits two homers, sets RBI record in 10-1 win

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman started off the season well at the plate, hitting .330 with 19 homers in the first half of the season. But his average has declined each month since the beginning of April: .420, .319, .283 to .234 in July. August continued that trend as he went 2-for-23 (.087) prior to Wednesday night's game against the Marlins. But then Wednesday, Zimmerman reminded everyone of how he can turn that trend on its head with one swing, or four. Against Miami, Zimmerman tallied a...

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Gonzalez's dream season continues, on and off the field

August 09, 2017, 7:32pm

Nationals

Gonzalez's dream season continues, on and off the field

Some athletes try to compartmentalize their professional lives and their personal lives, making sure not to let one impact the other. Gio Gonzalez just decides to embrace it all and enjoy both to the fullest, even if they sometimes intersect. For the veteran left-hander, there was no way to separate the two this week, not with everything he experienced. Nine days ago, he nearly threw a no-hitter in Miami, on the night the Marlins were memorializing JosÃ© FernÃ¡ndez on what would have been...

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Zimmerman sets franchise RBI record (Nats win 10-1)

August 09, 2017, 3:47pm

Nationals

Zimmerman sets franchise RBI record (Nats win 10-1)

Ryan Zimmerman crushed a solo homer off of Marlins starter Adam Conley to lead off the second inning. His 25th homer of the season was also his 906th career RBI, which sets the all-time Nats/Expos franchise record. The previous record was held by former Expos third baseman Tim Wallach, who is currently the Marlins bench coach. Howie Kendrick and Wilmer Difo added back-to-back singles with two outs in the inning. But Nats starter Gio Gonzalez struck out. Gonzalez has allowed three hits and even...

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Nationals cruise to 10-1 victory behind Gonzalez, Zimmerman

August 09, 2017, 6:07pm

Nationals

An altered pitching schedule due to the birth of his son over the weekend did nothing to throw Gio Gonzalez out of whack. The left-hander was back on the mound tonight and dominated the Marlins just as he did nine days earlier in his near-no-hitter. This time, he tossed seven innings of one-run ball, leading the Nationals to a 10-1 victory on a night in which they did just about everything right. Ryan Zimmerman led the Nats' offensive barrage against Miami's pitching staff with one of the...

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Werth upbeat his return is close, begins running tomorrow

August 09, 2017, 1:59pm

Nationals

Werth upbeat his return is close, begins running tomorrow

Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth has been engaging in batting practice to start this homestand against the Marlins. He was seen taking swings last week during batting practice at Marlins Park, and that continued here at Nats Park. Werth has been on the disabled list since June 4 with a contusion that turned out to be a broken bone in his left foot. He has missed 57 games. Today he participated in a simulated game during early afternoon workouts, with right-hander Stephen Strasburg throwing...

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Strasburg throws simulated game, says rehab start is next

August 09, 2017, 2:01pm

Nationals

Strasburg throws simulated game, says rehab start is next

Stephen Strasburg took a key step in his return to the mound for the Nationals this afternoon by throwing a simulated game, the most significant test the right-hander has put his elbow through since going on the disabled list 2 1/2 weeks ago. Strasburg said he threw 57 pitches over four simulated "innings," facing two batters (teammates Jayson Werth and Andrew Stevenson), and emerged with no concerns about the state of his elbow. "It feels really good," he said. "I'm definitely happy with...

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Game 112 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

August 09, 2017, 11:09am

Nationals

When last we saw Gio Gonzalez on the mound, he was carrying a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth at Marlins Park before Dee Gordon broke it up on an emotional night in Miami. Since then, Gonzalez has left the Nationals for a few days for the birth of his second son, Gabriel, and now he returns to the mound for his first appearance in nine days. And the opponent ... will be the Marlins again. As we saw last night with Vance Worley and A.J. Cole, the advantage doesn't necessarily change from...