nationals

Game 61 lineups: Nats vs. Rangers

June 09, 2017, 8:39pm

If the Nationals want to square their weekend interleague series with the Rangers - and give themselves a chance to win the three-game set after dropping Friday night's opener - they'll need left-hander Gio Gonzalez to do the heavy lifting. Gonzalez (5-1, 3.03 ERA) is enjoying a renaissance season, but he's fallen off a bit after a stellar April that saw him work at least six innings in all five of his starts and post a 3-0 record with a 1.62 ERA. When the calendar flipped to April, Gonzalez...

Comments

Tags:

gio gonzalez lineups nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel rangers frontstory_nationals3

Roark struggles, defense falters and Nats pay price in 5-2 loss

June 09, 2017, 7:19pm

Nationals

Roark struggles, defense falters and Nats pay price in 5-2 loss

As losses go - especially for a team that's been streaking and putting together so many impressive wins - Friday's 5-2 defeat to the Rangers was out of character for the Nationals. Tanner Roark flirted with danger through six innings and a batter, allowing 11 hits and stranding 10 baserunners. His defense betrayed him, with two errors contributing to three unearned runs - or the difference in the game. By their own admission, the Nationals didn't look like themselves. If it was second-day...

Comments

Tags:

daniel murphy dusty baker nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals hitters appreciate stretch of deep starts by pitchers

June 09, 2017, 1:13pm

Nationals

Deep starts are especially welcome over the course of a long season because they keep relievers fresh and allow manager Dusty Baker to set up his bullpen for maximum effect. When starting pitchers work into the sixth and seventh innings - or beyond - Baker is able to play the match-up game with his bullpen arms and take some of the pressure off rookie closer Koda Glover. But the recent run of strong starting performances has had another effect. In addition to creating a pass-the-baton scenario...

Comments

Tags:

daniel murphy dusty baker joe blanton matt wieters nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel featured_sidebar gio gonzalez joe ross max scherzer stephen strasburg tanner roark frontstory_nationals3

Rangers get to Roark early (Nats fall 5-2)

June 09, 2017, 4:01pm

Nationals

Rangers get to Roark early (Nats fall 5-2)

If the Nationals are going to prevail in the first game of their weekend interleague series against the Rangers, they're going to have to come from behind. Texas leads 1-0 after three innings, parlaying three consecutive singles in the third inning off Tanner Roark into the early edge. Elvis Andrus led off the inning with an infield hit to short, moved to third on Nomar Mazara's single to right and scored on Jonathan Lucroy's single to center. Roark got Rougned Odor to hit into a 4-6-3...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Game 60 lineups: Rangers at Nats

June 09, 2017, 6:27am

Nationals

At first blush, tonight's opener of an interleague series between the Rangers and Nationals looks like a classic mismatch. Washington has won eight of 10 games, while Texas, which has dropped 11 of 14, is straggling along at five games under .500 and trying to avoid falling into the American League West basement. Well, we all know games aren't played on paper, and the Rangers are just the kind of pesky foe that can turn what looks to be a surefire win into a trap game. It wouldn't be...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel tanner roark anthony rendon bryce harper daniel murphy ryan zimmerman trea turner frontstory_nationals3

Trea Turner uses speed to create runs as Nats get home win

June 09, 2017, 3:53am

Nationals

Trea Turner uses speed to create runs as Nats get home win

When some of his usual starters are not in the lineup, Nationals manager Dusty Baker likes to see his club manufacture runs to ignite the offense. Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon had a day of rest for Thursday's makeup matchup against the Orioles. And really, Zimmerman said it this week: In order to be successful against playoff teams, which would be teams like the Dodgers and the Orioles, who are above .500, they can't just home run their way through each game and win. They...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper byron kerr dusty baker nationals ryan zimmerman stephen drew trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Opposite dugout: Closer crashing, but Rangers still have the horses to make a run

June 08, 2017, 8:37pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Closer crashing, but Rangers still have the horses to make a run

Manager: Jeff Banister (3rd year) Record: 27-32 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: SS Elvis Andrus (.302/.345/.466, 15 doubles, 14 stolen bases), RF Nomar Mazara (.288/.352/.462, 38 RBIs), 3B Joey Gallo (.200/.300/.516, 17 home runs), LF Delino DeShields (.289/.352/.352, 10 stolen bases), RHP Matt Bush (2.49 ERA, six saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-2 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 9: RHP Andrew Cashner vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 10: LHP MartÃn PÃ©rez...

Comments

Tags:

doug miller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout rangers frontstory_nationals3

Ross calm in striking out the Orioles in 6-1 bounceback win

June 08, 2017, 7:28pm

Nationals Orioles

Ross calm in striking out the Orioles in 6-1 bounceback win

Joe Ross had put together a couple of rough starts heading into Thursday's makeup game at home against the Orioles. The right-hander flew home before the team did Wednesday, arriving at noon local time in D.C. He got his rest and came out focused in a solid 6-1 victory over the Orioles. Michael A. Taylor and Stephen Drew combined for three hits and four RBIs, and Trea Turner went 3-for-4 with two runs and matching a club record with three stolen bases as the Nationals evened the season series...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker nationals orioles featured_sidebar matt wieters frontstory_nationals3

David Huzzard: Looking ahead to free agency after 2018 season

June 08, 2017, 6:33pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Looking ahead to free agency after 2018 season

There is a lot of talk about where Bryce Harper will land when he becomes a free agent after the 2018 season. There is also a lot of discussion of who else is available and if a Golden State Warriors-like super team could be formed in Major League Baseball. It is perfectly possible. Daniel Murphy and Harper are scheduled to be free agents from the Nats, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson will both be free agents at third base, Charlie Blackmon and Adam Jones will join Harper as available...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper daniel murphy david huzzard guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Orioles start eight-game road trip with makeup in D.C.

June 07, 2017, 10:16pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Orioles start eight-game road trip with makeup in D.C.

Manager: Buck Showalter (8th season) Record: 31-26 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Jonathan Schoop (.292 with 10 HR, 31 RBIs), RF Mark Trumbo (.264 with 8 HR, 29 RBIs), CF Adam Jones (.259 with 11 HR, 28 RBIs), RHP Alec Asher (2-3, 3.62 ERA), RHP Brad Brach (3.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 11 saves), RHP Mychal Givens (2.70 ERA, 10 holds) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: June 8: RHP Alec Asher vs. RHP Joe Ross, 7:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Orioles: Before the Orioles head up to New...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout orioles

Taylor's double highlights big first inning (Nats win 6-1)

June 08, 2017, 3:43pm

Nationals

Taylor's double highlights big first inning (Nats win 6-1)

A very positive first inning for the Nationals, fresh off their very positive road trip to California. Joe Ross induced a pair of infield grounders and earned a called third strike, allowing one single to dispatch the Orioles in the first inning. The offense then took it to Orioles starter Alec Asher. Trea Turner walked and stole two bases. Bryce Harper singled him home to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Adam Lind singled. Stephen Drew then lined a single to score Harper for a 2-0 lead. Michael A....

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr joe ross michael a. taylor nationals bryce harper featured_sidebar trea turner stephen drew blake treinen frontstory_nationals2

Game 59 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles (updated)

June 08, 2017, 9:17am

Nationals

Game 59 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles (updated)

The Nationals return home from a successful nine-game West Coast road swing through San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles with a 7-2 record. But instead of the scheduled off-day, they've got a makeup game against the Orioles, the result of a postponement from May 11. Technically, this will be their third series against the Orioles this season - the second season in a row that has happened thanks to inclement weather. The two-game series at Camden Yards from May 8-9 counts as one series and...

Comments

Tags:

joe ross michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel lineups adam lind anthony rendon daniel murphy dusty baker ryan zimmerman stephen drew wilmer difo

After 7-2 West Coast trip, no break for jet-lagged Nationals

June 07, 2017, 9:40pm

Nationals

LOS ANGELES - They left Washington 11 days ago, embarking on one of the longest West Coast trips they've ever experienced, taking a full tour of California and playing nine games against three opponents before heading home. Along the way, they saw their biggest star get into a brawl, get a four-game suspension, have that suspension reduced to three games on appeal and endure his first slump of the year. They saw their ace toss a complete game in San Francisco, then strike out 14 batters in...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dusty baker los angeles dodgers mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Baker on recoveries of Werth, Blanton and SolÃs

June 08, 2017, 1:21pm

Nationals

Baker on recoveries of Werth, Blanton and SolÃs

Left fielder Jayson Werth remains on the 10-day disabled list with a bruised left foot, and Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that he didn't expect the veteran's recovery to move at a rapid pace given the nature and placement of his injury. "It's not going to be quick," Baker said before the Nats hosted the Orioles in a makeup of the rained-out May 11 game. "Anybody that's ever hurt their toe, it heals the slowest. The circulation there, it looks ugly. We're not planning on...

Comments

Tags:

dusty baker featured_sidebar jayson werth joe blanton nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel sammy solis frontstory_nationals1

Nationals lament mistakes that prevented a sweep in L.A.

June 07, 2017, 3:29pm

Nationals

LOS ANGELES - If you're going to beat Clayton Kershaw, you're going to need somebody to come up with a big hit off the planet's best pitcher. The Nationals got that today in the form of Ryan Zimmerman's leadoff homer in the top of the second. And you're going to need your own pitcher step up with an elite performance to match, or even best, Kershaw. The Nationals got that today in the form of Stephen Strasburg's dominant start. And you're going to need to do all the little things right,...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dusty baker jose lobaton los angeles dodgers mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Opposite dugout: Nats return home from 7-2 road trip to start homestand with makeup game

June 07, 2017, 9:43pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Nats return home from 7-2 road trip to start homestand with makeup game

Manager: Dusty Baker (2nd season) Record: 37-21 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.362/.407/.696 with 17 HR, 49 RBIs), RF Bryce Harper (.316/.427/.626 with 15 HR, 45 RBIs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.336/.386/.558 with 10 HR, 41 RBIs), RHP Joe Ross (2-2, 7.34 ERA), RHP Matt Albers (1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 5 holds) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 8: RHP Alec Asher vs. RHP Joe Ross, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Inside the Nationals: The Nationals return home from a 7-2 West...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco frontstory_orioles3 nationals opposite dugout orioles orioles buzz

Strasburg ties record, Zimmerman homers again (Nats lose 2-1)

June 07, 2017, 12:03pm

Nationals

Strasburg ties record, Zimmerman homers again (Nats lose 2-1)

LOS ANGELES - Stephen Strasburg has reached an impressive career milestone. Ryan Zimmerman is well on his way to surpassing one of his own. Strasburg completed his 1,000th career inning pitched early in today's game against the Dodgers, and his strikeout of Corey Seager in the bottom of the first helped him match a major league record. With 1,666 strikeouts, Strasburg tied Kerry Wood for the most strikeouts by any big league starter in his first 1,000 innings. It's been a winding path for...

Comments

Tags:

clayton kershaw los angeles dodgers mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals drop finale of anticipated series vs. Dodgers 2-1

June 07, 2017, 1:55pm

Nationals

LOS ANGELES - Stephen Strasburg vs. Clayton Kershaw lived up to the hype. But as Nationals fans surely know by now, these games against the Dodgers almost always come down to some key moments late against the respective teams' bullpens. And in the finale of a fantastic, tightly contested series at Chavez Ravine, it was the Dodgers bullpen that stepped up to get the outs necessary to deal the Nationals a 2-1 loss. After Kershaw was surprisingly pulled following seven dominant innings, the...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper clayton kershaw jose lobaton mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Edwin Jackson's explanation for his longevity: "Everyone always needs pitching"

June 07, 2017, 3:19pm

Nationals Orioles

Edwin Jackson's explanation for his longevity: "Everyone always needs pitching"

As pitcher Edwin Jackson prepared to settle in to the Orioles clubhouse, a reporter asked him about the role with his the team. The role doesn't matter. "I've done a little bit of everything,'' Jackson says. Talk about an understatement. The Orioles are Jackson's fourth American League team and 12th big league team, one short of the record held by pitcher Octavio Dotel. The two were teammates with the World Series champion Cardinals in 2011. Jackson is 33. Dotel was 38 when he reached his...

Comments

Tags:

edwin jackson frontstory_nationals4 frontstory_orioles4 mel antonen nationals orioles

Baker wants Glover to learn from emotional showdown with Puig

June 07, 2017, 10:25am

Nationals

Baker wants Glover to learn from emotional showdown with Puig

LOS ANGELES - Dusty Baker admittedly didn't see what happened at the end of Tuesday night's game because he had turned to shake hands with his coaches after the Nationals finished off a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers. Once he had a chance to watch the video and hear from others about the post-strike three encounter between Koda Glover and Yasiel Puig, the Nats manager had some more perspective. "My take is: There's a lot of testosterone out there," Baker said. "It happens sometimes. Puig,...