Meyer cruising against former organization (Nats lose 7-0)

Meyer cruising against former organization (Nats lose 7-0)
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Alex Meyer's career hasn't panned out as originally hoped, but the Nationals drafted the big right-hander in the first round back in 2011 for a reason. And Meyer is showing exactly why tonight - against his former club. Meyer, now pitching for the Angels, has retired the first 12 batters he's faced, baffling one of the most potent lineups in baseball through four perfect innings so far. The Nationals have hit a few balls hard, and Daniel Murphy was robbed of a potential...

Harper turns it up a notch with near-cycle vs. Trout's Angels

Harper turns it up a notch with near-cycle vs. Trout's Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Maybe it was the presence of Mike Trout in the opposing dugout. Maybe it was the knowledge he was getting the next day off. Maybe it was just another ballgame and the opportunity to show off his skills like he does so many other nights. Whatever the case, it was hard to watch Tuesday night's game at Angel Stadium and not believe Bryce Harper was particularly motivated to do something special. And Harper indeed did something special during the Nationals' 4-3 victory. He went...

Game 94 lineups: Nats at Angels

Game 94 lineups: Nats at Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Did you know the Nationals haven't lost a baseball game in 11 days? OK, so that's a bit misleading when you consider four of those days included the All-Star break. Nevertheless, the Nats will carry a six-game winning streak into tonight's contest against the Angels, seeking to sweep this abbreviated, two-game interleague series. They'll attempt to do so without Bryce Harper in the lineup. As both the right fielder and Dusty Baker explained last night, they collectively...

Former Senators broadcaster Bob Wolff passes at 96

Former Senators broadcaster Bob Wolff passes at 96
Remembrance today for the passing of legendary sports broadcaster Bob Wolff, who died Saturday night at 96, his indelible mark left on D.C. baseball broadcasting forever. Wolff was the first Washington Senators radio and television play-by-play announcer beginning in 1947 all the way to 1961 when the club moved to Minnesota. This New York Times obituary talks about the day he went down to interview a random fan in the stands at Griffith Stadium that turned out to be none other than vice...

Trio of newcomers pitch Nationals to tense win over Angels

Trio of newcomers pitch Nationals to tense win over Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Dusty Baker handed the ball to three pitchers during tonight's 4-3 victory over the Angels. Not one was a member of the active roster until 2:30 p.m., each summoned to join this staff at this particular moment in time out of necessity. Edwin Jackson was here because Joe Ross blew out his elbow and suddenly this team with All-Stars anchoring its rotation needed a fifth starter. The 33-year-old journeyman promptly threw seven innings of two-run, three-hit ball to earn his first...

District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen
It was always a matter of when not if the Nationals would make a trade to bolster their bullpen, and it finally happened over the weekend. Byron Kerr and I are back to break down the acquisition of right-hander Ryan Madson and left-hander Sean Doolittle from the A's and the ripple effect on the Nats bullpen on a new episode of the District 34 podcast. Madson and Doolittle both made their Nationals debuts in a 4-3 win over the Angels Tuesday night, with the righty putting together a shutdown...

Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?
When this guest blog was first written, it was about how the injury to Joe Ross would force a trade and that the Nationals may have to consider trading one or more of their so-called untouchable players, outfielder Victor Robles and Erick Fedde. Instead, Washington and Oakland executed their 432nd 11th trade this decade with right-hander Blake Treinen, infielder Sheldon Neuse and left-hander Jesus Luzardo going to the Bay Area and left-hander Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson coming...

Fracture and bone bruise keeping Werth out (Nats win 4-3)

Fracture and bone bruise keeping Werth out (Nats win 4-3)
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Jayson Werth is back with the Nationals, and that part he likes. But he's not back playing with the Nationals, and likely won't be for some time with his left foot still ailing, and that part he does not like. "It's doing better," Werth said this afternoon. "It's just frustrating because this injury, the bone that's injured is crucial for running." The bone that's injured is the first metatarsal, the large bone at the base of his big toe. And in addition to the bone...

No designated closer (yet) between Madson and Doolittle

No designated closer (yet) between Madson and Doolittle
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle are both here, both wearing Nationals uniforms - Madson wearing No. 44, Doolittle wearing No. 62 - and both insist they're ready and available for whatever role Dusty Baker envisions for the newly acquired relievers. What roles exactly will those be? Well, the answer for now is a simple-yet-unsatisfying one: Baker doesn't know. Madson and Doolittle certainly will be pitching late innings for the Nationals, particularly when they hold a lead....

Goodwin on his comfort zone, Baker on Difo's progress

Goodwin on his comfort zone, Baker on Difo's progress
CINCINNATI - If you've looked at Brian Goodwin in the past couple of weeks and thought he looked a lot more comfortable as the Nationals' leadoff hitter and center fielder, you're probably right. Pressed into service atop the lineup and in his natural position when Michael A. Taylor went down with a right oblique strain that has been slow to heal, the 26-year-old Goodwin has found a comfort zone. Goodwin originally picked up more playing time when left fielder Jayson Werth fouled a ball off...

Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race
Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 46-49 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.337/.457/.714 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.291 with 39 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (14 HR, 56 RBIs), RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (2.35 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 18: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jesse Chavez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2 July 19: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 10:07 p.m.,...

Game 93 lineups: Nats at Angels

Game 93 lineups: Nats at Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Nationals have made only two previous trips to Angel Stadium in their history, and boy were they eventful. In 2005, Frank Robinson (with some help from Jose Guillen) fought Mike Scioscia. In 2011, Davey Johnson returned to a big league dugout for the first time in a decade. Now, in 2017, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson officially join the Nats, and Edwin Jackson officially rejoins the Nats after five years away. The club announced its flurry of roster moves this afternoon....

Eventful night in Anaheim ahead for ever-changing Nationals

Eventful night in Anaheim ahead for ever-changing Nationals
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Hello from Orange County, home of Disneyland, reality TV stars and - for a quick two nights - the ever-changing Washington Nationals. Fresh off a four-game sweep in Cincinnati, the Nats have made their way west for the second and third legs of a strange road trip to open the season's second half. They'll play two against the Angels, then fly to Phoenix for three with the Diamondbacks before finally heading home for the first time in a long time. There are going to be no...

Nationals select right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson

Nationals select right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson
The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and designated right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner for assignment. Additionally, the Nationals activated left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle and right-handed pitcher Ryan Madson, acquired Sunday from the Oakland Athletics. Right-handers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made...

Thoughts on the Nationals' blockbuster bullpen trade

Thoughts on the Nationals' blockbuster bullpen trade
We knew it was coming, there wasn't any question about that. We only didn't know when it was coming, whether the Nationals would be able to strike a big deal to address their bullpen early in the summer or whether they would have to wait until the final flurry at the July 31 trade deadline to fix the most glaring hole on their roster. So when it did happen Sunday, it was both surprising and completely predictable, all at the same time. Of course Mike Rizzo and Billy Beane were going to...

Anthony Rendon wins Washington Nationals Heart and Hustle Award

Anthony Rendon wins Washington Nationals Heart and Hustle Award
Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce Anthony Rendon as the Washington Nationals 2017 Heart and Hustle Award winner. This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is also the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. "We are proud to present this award to...

Nationals continue home run barrage (Nats win 6-1)

Nationals continue home run barrage (Nats win 6-1)
CINCINNATI - Well, that didn't take long. Three batters into the game, the Nationals had a 3-0 lead over the Reds courtesy of a Bryce Harper home run. Brian Goodwin doubled, Stephen Drew singled and Harper crushed his 23rd homer of the season over the wall in right field. The blast extended Harper's hitting streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 20 games. Reds right-hander Scott Feldman's next pitch, to Ryan Zimmerman, was deposited into the seats in left for a solo homer. It was...

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon named National League Player of the Week

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon named National League Player of the Week
After opening the second half of the season going 7-for-11 (.636) with a double, three homers, three walks and four runs scored, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Rendon hit safely in all three games following the All-Star break and moreover, he reached base safely in 10 of his 14 plate appearances from Friday through Sunday. On July 15 at Cincinnati, Rendon went 3-for-3...

Baker on roster move, Taylor, bullpen makeup and more

Baker on roster move, Taylor, bullpen makeup and more
CINCINNATI - Dusty Baker knows who his starting pitcher will be for tomorrow's series opener in Anaheim. He's just not ready to make an announcement yet. "It's the same as yesterday: I can't tell you yet," Baker said before Monday's series finale against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. "There's an update. Same as yesterday." However, general manager Mike Rizzo, in an interview this morning on MLB Network Radio on XM, said that right-hander Edwin Jackson would get the call for...

Gio Gonzalez discusses July 27th Uncork for A Cause with MASN's Dan Kolko

Gio Gonzalez discusses July 27th Uncork for A Cause with MASN's Dan Kolko
Last month, Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez sat down with MASN's Dan Kolko to discuss his upcoming Uncork for a Cause charity event on July 27, and what it means to be in a position to give back to his hometown. Uncork for a Cause is an opportunity for professional athletes and celebrities to continue to be community leaders and to support charities that are close to their hearts. Originally established by TAG sports, the event is a one-of-a-kind experience with a fantastic selection of food...