nationals

Luke Erickson: Sharing some minor league travel tips

May 09, 2017, 1:51pm

One of the joys of following minor league baseball is going to see your favorite team on the road. Since 2006, I've been to the stadiums of eight of the nine opposing teams in the Single-A Carolina League, and every Nationals affiliate north of Florida (including short-season Single-A Vermont in 2010). This week, I'm aiming to take care of the ninth Carolina League stadium (Buies Creek) while I'm on vacation here in North Carolina, though it'll be against the Salem Red Sox (the vacation was...

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Scherzer did everything but win the game with season-high eight innings

May 09, 2017, 8:08pm

Nationals Orioles

Scherzer did everything but win the game with season-high eight innings

BALTIMORE - Max Scherzer continues to be the go-to starter for the Nationals. Tuesday's effort against the Orioles in a no-decision was one of his best this season. The right-hander lasted a season-high eight innings, allowing only two runs, scattering four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts. The home runs still a concern: Scherzer allowed solo shots to Seth Smith and Adam Jones. The second homer came in the eighth, cutting the Nationals' lead to 4-2. The Orioles came back to win the game...

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Relief-induced losses taking emotional toll on Nationals

May 09, 2017, 8:34pm

Nationals Orioles

Relief-induced losses taking emotional toll on Nationals

BALTIMORE - The Nationals are exceptionally good at most of the things they need to do to win ballgames. Problem is, the one thing they are not even close to exceptionally good at doing is the one thing that almost always results in a loss. It's one thing to lose games late via poor relief pitching. It happens to every team a number of times during a season. But it's happening to the Nationals at a far-too-frequent rate, the kind that can have a lasting and negative effect on an otherwise...

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Another bullpen meltdown sends Nats to painful 5-4 loss

May 09, 2017, 7:00pm

Nationals Orioles

Another bullpen meltdown sends Nats to painful 5-4 loss

BALTIMORE - They got eight dominant innings from Max Scherzer. They got a huge pinch-hit homer from Adam Lind. All the Nationals needed were three outs from their bullpen before surrendering two runs. For this bullpen, that's no simple task. And so what should have been a nice, uplifting victory over the Orioles instead turned into a 5-4 12-inning loss and the latest nightmare for this talented team with one painfully glaring hole. Enny Romero was the culprit this time. Handed a two-run lead...

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Cole will start Thursday night, Turner remains in bullpen

May 09, 2017, 2:08pm

Nationals Orioles

Cole will start Thursday night, Turner remains in bullpen

BALTIMORE - A.J. Cole will start Thursday's series finale against the Orioles, with Jacob Turner remaining in the Nationals bullpen for the time being. The Nationals had their choice of right-handers for the assignment of the final of four straight games between them and the Orioles this season. Manager Dusty Baker said this afternoon the decision had not been made yet, but the club made the announcement shortly after, with both pitchers informed of their roles for the immediate future. Turner...

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Updates on Glover, Drew, Kelley and Wieters

May 09, 2017, 2:05pm

Nationals

Updates on Glover, Drew, Kelley and Wieters

BALTIMORE - Nationals reliever Koda Glover will begin his rehab assignment tomorrow for Double-A Harrisburg. The Senators host Erie tomorrow morning and then go on the road to Trenton. "Yes, he's so happy to go," manager Dusty Baker said. "He said he will see us next week or before that." Glover has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a left hip impingement. On Monday afternoon, he came through the clubhouse screaming in exhilaration after his strength and core workout in the...

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Murphy homer gives Nats first lead (Orioles win 5-4 in 12)

May 09, 2017, 3:34pm

Nationals Orioles

Murphy homer gives Nats first lead (Orioles win 5-4 in 12)

BALTIMORE - For the first time in this two-game series, the Nationals have the lead. Facing Orioles starter Ubaldo JimÃ©nez with one out in the top of the second, Daniel Murphy crushed a 3-1 offering well over the right-center field wall. His sixth homer of the season gave the Nationals the 1-0 lead. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer walked the first batter he faced, Seth Smith. But he has since recorded six consecutive outs. He has two strikeouts. After two innings at Camden Yards, the...

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Opposite dugout: Orioles using new tricks to produce similar results

May 07, 2017, 7:03pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Orioles using new tricks to produce similar results

Manager: Buck Showalter (8th season) Record: 20-10 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Manny Machado (.237 average with 8 HR, 21 RBIs); 2B Jonathan Schoop (.296 average with 5 HR, 17 RBIs); CF Adam Jones (.268 average with 33 hits); RHP Dylan Bundy (5-1, 2.17 ERA); LHP Wade Miley (1-1, 2.27 ERA). Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-1 in 2016) Pitching probables: May 8: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2May 9: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Ubaldo JimÃ©nez, 7:05 p.m.,...

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Opposite dugout: Resurgent Zimmerman leads Nats into Battle of Beltways

May 07, 2017, 3:42pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Resurgent Zimmerman leads Nats into Battle of Beltways

Manager: Dusty Baker (2nd season) Record: 21-10 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.435/.475/.907 with 13 HR, 34 RBIs), RF Bryce Harper (.376/.504/.723 with 9 HR, 27 RBIs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.341/.390/.556 with 5 HR, 28 RBIs), LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-0, 1.64 ERA), RHP Max Scherzer (4-2, 2.66 ERA, 51 Ks), RHP Stephen Strasburg (3-1, 2.66 ERA), RHP Matt Albers (0.77 ERA, 0.51 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-3 in 2016) Pitching probables: May 8: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs....

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Game 33 lineups: Nats at Orioles

May 09, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals Orioles

BALTIMORE - Not that they're in any kind of serious trouble right now, but the Nationals have lost two in a row and certainly would prefer not to extend that streak to three (not to mention drop both games they'll be playing at Camden Yards this season). So there's just a hint of pressure on them tonight to beat the Orioles. The good news: Max Scherzer is on the mound, and he was electric last time out against a tough Diamondbacks lineup. The two-time Cy Young Award winner also has had...

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District 34 podcast: Crossover episode for Battle of the Beltways

May 09, 2017, 12:39pm

Nationals Orioles

District 34 podcast: Crossover episode for Battle of the Beltways

Come one, come all, baseball fans of the DMV: It's time for our annual District 34-Yard Work crossover episode for the Battle of the Beltways between the Nationals and Orioles! Bobby Blanco and Byron Kerr are joined by Brian Eller of MASNsports.com's Yard Work podcast to discuss this earlier-than-usual Beltway Series and talk all things Nats and O's. The Birds were able to take Game 1 at Camden Yards on Monday Night, thanks to three first-inning home runs off Gio Gonzalez and a baserunning...

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Reluctant Wieters appreciates warm reception from Orioles

May 08, 2017, 7:58pm

Nationals Orioles

Reluctant Wieters appreciates warm reception from Orioles

BALTIMORE - Matt Wieters isn't the type to seek attention, and so Monday at Camden Yards was in some ways a nightmare scenario for the veteran catcher. Not that Wieters wasn't excited to see his former Orioles teammates in his first appearance here with the Nationals, but he had to be uncomfortable with all the attention that was heaped upon him because of it. Wieters tried to keep his in-game chatter with Baltimore players to a minimum. "I think they know from playing with me that once the...

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Scherzer stars in Humane Rescue Alliance public service announcement

May 09, 2017, 10:56am

Nationals

Scherzer stars in Humane Rescue Alliance public service announcement

The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) has enlisted the assistance of an All-Star to encourage the public to adopt rescue animals. Washington Nationals All-Star and two-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer and adoptable dog "Glee" star in the public service announcement, which will debut this week. The public service announcement was recorded at HRA's Oglethorpe Street Adoption Center this spring. During the video, Scherzer explains to viewers that every rescue animal has a story and describes...

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Lind, Turner and Baker explain ninth-inning misplays in loss to Orioles

May 08, 2017, 7:26pm

Nationals Orioles

Lind, Turner and Baker explain ninth-inning misplays in loss to Orioles

BALTIMORE - In a game that seemed out of reach, the Nationals clawed their way back and had a shot at tying or taking the lead in the ninth inning. The Orioles won the game 6-4, but the Nationals must have felt like they let a huge opportunity tslip away. Down 6-3 in the top of the ninth against Orioles reliever Brad Brach, Daniel Murphy started off with a walk. After Anthony Rendon struck out, Adam Lind singled to move Murphy to second. Former Orioles catcher Matt Wieters stepped into the...

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Positive return to lineup for Bryce Harper in opening loss to Orioles

May 08, 2017, 9:09pm

Nationals Orioles

Positive return to lineup for Bryce Harper in opening loss to Orioles

BALTIMORE - Monday was a very positive return to the lineup for the Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper. Playing his first game in four days because of a groin injury, Harper crushed a solo homer and also had an RBI single, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Harper's single in the sixth made it 6-2. His homer in the eighth cut the lead to 6-3. The Orioles eventually outlasted the Nationals 6-4. Harper singled to center field to score Jayson Werth from third for the Nationals'...

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Gonzalez, Nats confounded by trio of first-inning homers

May 08, 2017, 7:32pm

Nationals Orioles

Gonzalez, Nats confounded by trio of first-inning homers

BALTIMORE - Only once in his Nationals career had Gio Gonzalez surrendered three homers in a game. Never in his major league career had he surrendered three homers in an inning. So imagine the shock the left-hander and his teammates were experiencing around 7:15 p.m. Monday night when Joey Rickard, Mark Trumbo and Trey Mancini all went deep the span of six batters, turning the bottom of the first at Camden Yards into a stunning display of power. Then again, if anybody knows the potential of the...

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Wieters receives nice ovations in return (Orioles win 6-4)

May 08, 2017, 3:33pm

Nationals Orioles

Wieters receives nice ovations in return (Orioles win 6-4)

BALTIMORE - Catcher Matt Wieters received a nice ovation and a video montage to the theme from the 1970s hit TV show "Welcome Back, Kotter" as he took warmup pitches from left-hander Gio Gonzalez tonight in the bottom of the first. Then the home crowd gave much louder cheers as the Orioles blasted three homers in the first to take a 4-0 lead after one frame. Gonzalez allowed solo homers to Joey Rickard, Mark Trumbo and a two-run shot to Trey Mancini. In the top of third with one out, Wieters...

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Goodwin wants to be "aggressive" in return to big leagues

May 08, 2017, 2:07pm

Nationals

Goodwin wants to be "aggressive" in return to big leagues

BALTIMORE - The Nationals announced prior to the series opener at Camden Yards that they have recalled outfielder Brian Goodwin from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned outfielder Rafael Bautista to the Chiefs. The 26-year-old Goodwin is hitting .256 at Triple-A with four doubles, two homers, 10 walks, nine runs scored, two stolen bases and 11 RBIs. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games. He had a nine-game hitting streak from April 21-30. Manager Dusty Baker was asked the reasoning for the...

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Harper returns, Drew getting close, Kelley and Glover throw

May 08, 2017, 2:28pm

Nationals Orioles

Harper returns, Drew getting close, Kelley and Glover throw

BALTIMORE - Slowly but surely, the Nationals are getting closer to getting their injured players back on the field. Bryce Harper returns to the lineup tonight after missing three games with a sore groin. Stephen Drew is hoping to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, putting the shortstop on track to return from his hamstring injury next week. And Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover each threw off the bullpen mound at Camden Yards this afternoon as the relievers get close to a return from the...

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Nats fall behind early, drop series opener 6-4

May 08, 2017, 6:04pm

Nationals Orioles

Nats fall behind early, drop series opener 6-4

BALTIMORE - If the next four nights represent the Nationals' toughest test of the season to date, they didn't exactly pass Part One. Gio Gonzalez served up three home runs during a nightmare first inning, and the Nats never recovered during a 6-4 loss to the Orioles in the opener of this year's Battle of the Beltways. Gonzalez was rocked from the moment he took the mound at Camden Yards, digging his team into a deep hole. The league's most productive lineup, meanwhile, wasn't buoyed enough...