With consistent at-bats, Goodwin displaying power stroke

With consistent at-bats, Goodwin displaying power stroke
Brian Goodwin went 3-for-4 with two homers and two walks as the Nationals dropped the Reds 6-5 in 10 innings. His biggest hit might have been the single with two outs in the 10th that got Trea Turner to third base to continue what turned out to be the game-deciding inning. Bryce Harper followed with a RBI single to win it for the Nats, who notched their 19th comeback win of the season. Goodwin's two solo shots came in the first and seventh innings of his first multi-homer game in the majors....

Harper's clutch hit propels Nats to 6-5 win in 10 innings

Harper's clutch hit propels Nats to 6-5 win in 10 innings
The Nationals waited 10 innings to produce their first hit with a man in scoring position all night. The wait was worth it. Bryce Harper's laser of a single to the warning track in right field brought home Trea Turner from third base and gave the Nationals a 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Reds to cap a night that included plenty of frustrating moments but ended in jubilation for the home team. The Nationals had been 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position throughout the game, squandering...

Difo starts as Taylor continues to nurse undisclosed injury

Difo starts as Taylor continues to nurse undisclosed injury
Wilmer Difo will make his first start in center field tonight in the series opener against the Reds, due to the undisclosed injury to Michael A. Taylor. As in Miami, manager Dusty Baker did not give any further details as to why Taylor is out of the lineup again. "I told you the other day he was hurting," Baker said. "He feels better today. Just didn't feel it was worth a chance in him going back to where he was. We will see. They'll work on him during the course of the game. Might be able...

Solís close to returning from DL, Werth and Glover need more time

Solís close to returning from DL, Werth and Glover need more time
The Nationals hoped they'd have Jayson Werth and Koda Glover back by now. Turns out the player closest to returning from the disabled list is Sammy Solís. Solís has made four rehab appearances for Triple-A Syracuse, including back-to-back games earlier this week, and appears to be on the verge of rejoining the Nationals bullpen. "Sammy Solis is getting close," manager Dusty Baker said this afternoon. "He's getting very close." The left-hander has been on the DL since April 19 with...

Game 73 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

Game 73 lineups: Nats vs. Reds
And we're back on South Capitol Street, where the Nationals return home for the better part of the last stretch of the season's first half. They are scheduled to play each of the next 17 days before the All-Star break, but 14 of those games will take place right here at Nationals Park, a welcome relief. It begins tonight with the opener of a weekend series against the rebuilding Reds, who come in having lost 11 of 12. Cincinnati actually has a good lineup and a decent bullpen, but its...

P-Nats in All-Star game; Stevenson, Solís shine for Chiefs

P-Nats in All-Star game; Stevenson, Solís shine for Chiefs
The North All-Stars defeated the South All-Stars 2-0 at the Carolina League All-Star Game Tuesday in Salem, Va. MVP third baseman Michael Chavis delivered a two-run double in the first inning to account for all the scoring. Catcher Taylor Gushue went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and one man left on base. But Gushue made a huge defensive play when he caught left fielder Straw attempting to steal in he opening frame. Left fielder Victor Robles also went 0-for-2 batting in the No. 7 hole. Third...

Nationals recall infielder Wilmer Difo

Nationals recall infielder Wilmer Difo
The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Wilmer Difo on Friday and optioned right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Difo, 23, returns to the Nationals after a 10-day stint with Triple-A Syracuse in which he played in 10 games and was 7-for-40 (.175) with two doubles, an RBI and five walks. A member of the Nationals' Opening Day 25-man roster, Difo is hitting .184 (16-for-87) with...

Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds

Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds
Manager: Bryan Price (4th season) Record: 30-41 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (.306/.419/.601 with 20 HR, 53 RBIs), LF Adam Duvall (.277 with 16 HR, 48 RBIs), RF Scott Schebler (20 HR, 39 RBIs), RHP Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.20 ERA), RHP Raisel Iglesias (1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2016) Pitching probables: June 23: RHP Luis Castillo vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 24: RHP Homer Bailey vs. RHP Joe Ross, 4:05...

David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities

David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities
The 2017 Nationals are a confusing team to follow. They are a combination of the best run-producing team in baseball, a huge division lead, a strong top of the rotation and one of the worst bullpens ever constructed. That last one gets most of the attention and it needs to be addressed, but it is not the Nationals' only weakness heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The bullpen is the obvious area of concern and it's where the Nationals focus will be, but it will also be where...

After 20 games in 20 days, finally a break for weary Nationals

After 20 games in 20 days, finally a break for weary Nationals
MIAMI - It began nearly three weeks ago in Oakland, with Bryce Harper serving his suspension, Jayson Werth and Koda Glover healthy, the Nationals coming off a sweep in San Francisco and the NBA Finals just getting underway next door. It finally ended yesterday afternoon in Miami, with Max Scherzer losing a no-hitter (and the game) in the bottom of the eighth, Anthony Rendon returning to the lineup after suffering a neck stinger and Ryan Raburn (who wasn't even on the roster at the beginning of...

Friday morning Nats Q&A

Friday morning Nats Q&A
The Nationals just enjoyed their first day off in three weeks and now prepare to play 17 more games in 17 days before the All-Star break. And if the season's first 2 3/4 months are any indication, this last stretch of the first half should end up being quite interesting. Before they get back to work tonight against the Reds, though, let's take some time this morning to delve into whatever topics are currently on your mind. Bullpen? (Obviously.) The bottom of the eighth inning of Wednesday's...

District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case

District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case
After 20 games in 20 straight days, the Nationals are finally enjoying a well-deserved off-day today at home. Before starting a 17-day stretch of games leading up the All-Star break, the Nats are happy to be in the comfort of their own homes in D.C. after going 4-3 on their latest road trip. And what an interesting road trip that was for Byron Kerr and I to discuss on this episode of the District 34 podcast. After taking three of four from the Mets in New York, the Nationals flew down to Miami...

From no-hitter to no-win, Nats try to process gut-wrenching loss

From no-hitter to no-win, Nats try to process gut-wrenching loss
MIAMI - When it was over, once they had a few minutes to let it sink in and let their understandably simmering emotions cool down a bit, the Nationals were left to ponder a simple question: How did that just happen? How did the story of today's series finale at Marlins Park transform from Max Scherzer authoring what sure looked to everyone like the third no-hitter of his illustrious career into a 2-1 loss, in the blink of an eye? Seriously, how did that just happen? "I thought something could...

Scherzer loses no-hitter, then game, in agonizing fashion

Scherzer loses no-hitter, then game, in agonizing fashion
MIAMI - The list is one of the most exclusive in baseball history, with a bunch of names instantly recognizable even to casual fans. Only four men have ever thrown three career no-hitters in the modern era: Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Cy Young and Bob Feller. And Max Scherzer came oh so close to becoming the fifth. Before, in staggering and sudden fashion, taking the hardest-luck loss of his career. After seeing his latest no-hit bid broken up on an infield single with one out in the bottom of...

Answers to a few questions from around the major leagues

Answers to a few questions from around the major leagues
Q: Is the American League East going to be a five-team race all season? A: Yes and that's because every team has virtually the same flaw. The Red Sox have an offense that doesn't need home runs - they've scored seven runs in a game six times without a home run - and a strong bullpen, but pitchers Rick Porcello and David Price still have to be consistent. ... The Yankees have the second-best run production in the AL, but CC Sabathia is on the disabled list and Masahiro Tanaka is a mess, so...

"Game of Thrones" Night coming to Nats Park

"Game of Thrones" Night coming to Nats Park
"Winter is Coming" on Friday, June 23, as the Nationals host the Reds at Nationals Park. It is "Game of Thrones" Night in D.C., and the first 20,000 fans who arrive will receive a Nats-themed "Game of Thrones" T-shirt. There will also be an authentic Iron Throne in the park that fans can sit on and act like they rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The Nationals organization has also hidden 10 dragon eggs throughout the D.C. metro area. Inside each egg, there are special instructions on...

Scherzer trying to do something special again (Nats lose 2-1)

Scherzer trying to do something special again (Nats lose 2-1)
MIAMI - Max Scherzer is doing it again. "It" can mean several things for the Nationals ace, so we'll have to specify in this particular instance. Through three innings, Scherzer has not yet surrendered a hit. He also has seven strikeouts, allowing only one ball to be put into play that traveled past the pitcher's mound. Suffice it to say, he has laid the foundation for yet another special start. Scherzer has carved up the Miami lineup in this afternoon's early series finale at Marlins...

Nationals to celebrate second annual "Play Ball Weekend" as part of league-wide support of youth participation in baseball & softball

Nationals to celebrate second annual "Play Ball Weekend" as part of league-wide support of youth participation in baseball & softball
All Nationals players to wear special PLAY BALL attire this weekend, including t-shirt during batting practice and patch on uniforms in-game The Washington Nationals will celebrate the second annual 'PLAY BALL WEEKEND,' a league-wide effort by MLB, all 30 MLB Clubs and Minor League Baseball to engage young baseball and softball fans and commemorate the continued support of youth participation. The initiative officially launched June 3rd and 4th in ballparks around the Major Leagues, with the...

Taylor scratched from lineup, but Rendon returns

Taylor scratched from lineup, but Rendon returns
MIAMI - The Nationals wrap up their 20-games-in-20-days stretch this afternoon, and not a moment too soon for a club that sorely needs a day off because of all the players they have dealing with soreness. Michael A. Taylor was added to that list today, scratched from manager Dusty Baker's original lineup due to an unspecified injury. "He's a little injured," Baker said. "Quite a few guys are kind of ailing, injured. We've played a lot of ball in a lot of days. We knew yesterday he was a...

Game 72 lineups: Nats at Marlins (update: Taylor out)

Game 72 lineups: Nats at Marlins (update: Taylor out)
MIAMI - Good morning from Marlins Park, where everyone is making a quick turnaround from last night's game, with a 12:10 p.m. matinee on hand this afternoon. It's only two hours to gametime, and the Nationals are only now just arriving at the park, with no batting practice planned. It's "show-and-go," as the kids say. The Nationals will have Anthony Rendon back in the lineup after the third baseman missed 1 1/2 games with a neck stinger. That's obviously positive news, given the uncertain...