nationals

Trea Turner builds off of inside-the-park experience

September 07, 2016, 4:49am

Center fielder Trea Turner faced another play he hasn't seen before in his new position in Tuesday's 9-7 comeback win over the Braves. In the top of the second inning, Dansby Swanson's drive over Turner's head ricocheted violently high off the right-center field wall and rolled 50 feet away from him. Swanson was able to run all the way home with his first career homer, an inside-the-park job. The Braves led 3-0. Initially, the drive took Turner a bit by surprise. "Two strikes, fastball up...

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Nationals reinstate RHP Stephen Strasburg and INF Stephen Drew

September 07, 2016, 11:23am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg and returned from rehab and reinstated infielder Stephen Drew from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Strasburg, who will start on Wednesday night vs. the Atlanta Braves, missed 16 games with right elbow soreness in his most recent disabled list stint. The right-hander, who missed 17 games in June with an upper back...

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Charlie Fliegel: Is this the most talented Nationals team ever?

September 07, 2016, 6:51am

Nationals

As the Nationals sit atop the National League East with the second best record in all of baseball, I got to thinking about how this team might compare to other Nats teams. So, I took a look at the best seasons (by WAR, averaging the Fangraphs and Baseball Reference numbers) to see where the guys on this team stack up. Now, there isn't a ton of history here, so being the best at a position ever for the Nats really means being the best in a decade, but that's still something. Let's start with...

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Contributions abound in come-from-behind win by Nationals

September 06, 2016, 8:26pm

Nationals

It's generally not a manager's preference to summon his bullpen two batters into the fourth inning. Nor is that generally a surefire path to victory. Let's just say Dusty Baker and the Nationals were feeling fortunate to emerge from tonight's nailbiter against the Braves with a 9-7 come-from-behind victory that did not come easily for the home team. "You got to believe and think it, and everyone on the bench was believing it," Baker said. "The power of positive thinking goes a long way,...

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Rendon, bullpen save the day as Nationals rally to 9-7 victory

September 06, 2016, 6:44pm

Nationals

They weathered a laborious (and brief) start from Gio Gonzalez, used Anthony Rendon's grand slam to get back in the game, rode their expanded bullpen through a string of scoreless innings and then watched as their lineup sealed the deal late. Suffice it to say that the Nationals' 9-7 victory over the Braves tonight had a little bit of everything. Tied in the bottom of the eighth, the Nationals took the lead for good when Atlanta catcher Tyler Flowers airmailed a throw to third base on Ben...

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Baker confirms Strasburg will start Wednesday night

September 06, 2016, 8:01pm

Nationals

Baker confirms Strasburg will start Wednesday night

Nationals manager Dusty Baker made it official after Tuesday's 9-7 win over Atlanta: Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will return from the disabled list to start Wednesday's final game of the series against the Braves. Strasburg has not pitched since Aug. 17 in Denver, when he allowed nine runs on nine hits in 1 2/3 innings. Strasburg has been on the disabled list since Aug. 21 with right elbow soreness. But Baker said before Tuesday night's game that Strasburg has looked good in his...

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Game 138 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Giolito, Difo recalled)

September 06, 2016, 11:07am

Nationals

Game 138 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Giolito, Difo recalled)

It hasn't drawn a lot of attention, but Gio Gonzalez has been pretty darn consistent over the last month and a half, righting a season that had threatened to go off the rails. In nine starts since the All-Star break, the left-hander is 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Six of those have been quality starts. And in five of his last starts, he has issued zero or one walk. The Nationals certainly hope Gonzalez will keep this up through the final stretch, beginning tonight when he takes the mound against the...

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Nats rally on Rendon's grand slam (Nats win 9-7)

September 06, 2016, 3:45pm

Nationals

Nats rally on Rendon's grand slam (Nats win 9-7)

The Braves were able to connect off left-hander Gio Gonzalez quickly in the first inning. Ender Inciarte singled and then scored on an Adonis Garcia double that rolled all the way to the right-field wall. Two batters later, a Matt Kemp grounder scored Garcia for a 2-0 Braves lead. The Braves added a run in the second on one of the rarest plays in baseball. Former Vanderbilt star Dansby Swanson slammed a pitch off of the right-center field wall and the ball ricocheted past center fielder Trea...

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Nationals still mum on Wednesday night's starter

September 06, 2016, 1:37pm

Nationals

The Nationals are remaining mum about the identity of Wednesday night's starting pitcher, though Dusty Baker hasn't ruled out the possibility of Stephen Strasburg coming off the disabled list to face the Braves. Strasburg appeared lined up to make that start, his first since landing on the DL with a sore elbow on Aug. 21. But the right-hander threw off the bullpen mound at Nationals Park this afternoon, and that's not typically what a pitcher would do the day before he starts. Baker didn't...

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Is Max Scherzer on schedule to pitch first game of postseason?

September 06, 2016, 3:20am

Nationals

Is Max Scherzer on schedule to pitch first game of postseason?

Right-hander Max Scherzer was moved from his scheduled start of Sunday night against the second-place Mets to Monday afternoon against the last-place Braves. Many felt it might have been a better choice to keep Scherzer where he was against the team that had a better chance of catching the Nationals or securing a wild card spot. Scherzer went out and delivered anyway, going seven innings and allowing two runs in the Nationals' 6-4 victory over Atlanta. The loss snapped the Braves' win streak...

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Zimmerman named Nats' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award; Rodriguez Seat 21 honoree

September 06, 2016, 12:42pm

Nationals

Zimmerman named Nats' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award; Rodriguez Seat 21 honoree

Major League Baseball today announced that Ryan Zimmerman was named the Washington Nationals' 2016 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, the most prominent individual player award bestowed by MLB. The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a player from each MLB Club who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Each Club nominates one current...

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MASN booth returning to Fairgrounds

September 06, 2016, 8:19am

Nationals

September baseball is here! As we head down the stretch, we want to hook you up with the latest MASN Nats swag! If you're heading to the Nats game Sunday, make sure to swing by the Fairgrounds first and find the MASN tent. We're be slinging FREE Nats giveaway items out before the game! Text "NATSPARK" to 29292 when you get to the booth, and you'll be automatically entered to win! No matter what, you'll walk away with a free prize courtesy of MASN! (You have to be at the park in order to...

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Turner, Heisey guide Scherzer past Braves 6-4

September 05, 2016, 4:11pm

Nationals

Turner, Heisey guide Scherzer past Braves 6-4

Manager Dusty Baker rested five starters on Monday and the Nationals went out and scored more runs than they have in their past eight games. The Nationals dropped the Braves 6-4, thanks to the offense of Trea Turner and Chris Heisey and the pitching of Max Scherzer. Turner went 3-for-4 with a double, two-run homer and three RBIs, and Heisey blasted a three-run shot, as the Nats snapped a two-game skid, winning the first of 10 games in a row at Nats Park. The bench that stepped up: Heisey, Jose...

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Steve Mears: Lack of pitching depth has put Nats in a tough spot

September 06, 2016, 6:04am

Nationals

Steve Mears: Lack of pitching depth has put Nats in a tough spot

The Nationals' formula to success begins with great starting pitching. "You can never have enough starting pitching," general manager Mike Rizzo said in spring training. The Nationals had signed Bronson Arroyo in the offseason, and it was looking like Arroyo could make the 2016 team, allowing Rizzo to stash Joe Ross in Triple-A. The best-laid plans don't always work out, as Arroyo was injured in spring, and the Nationals' depth looked like a pick 'em from Taylor Jordan, Taylor Hill and...

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As season hits home stretch, answers to some pressing questions around the majors

September 06, 2016, 5:20am

Nationals Orioles

As season hits home stretch, answers to some pressing questions around the majors

With less than a month to go in the baseball season, here are the most-asked questions about September: Q: Which 2015 World Series team - the Royals or the Mets - has the best chance to return to the Fall Classic? A: Both are long shots to return to the World Series, but of the two, Kansas City has a better chance because of a deeper rotation and an airtight bullpen. The Mets, who had the fourth-best run production in the National League during August, have had rotation issues and their two...

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Baker on resting five regulars, plus updates on Drew, Solis and Ross

September 05, 2016, 11:26am

Nationals

Baker on resting five regulars, plus updates on Drew, Solis and Ross

After a 5-1 loss at the New York Mets last night and an early-morning arrival back in D.C. today, Nationals manager Dusty Baker decided to give five regulars the day off. Baker said he wanted to rest six players today but couldn't because of the depth problem at third base. "Well, five regulars out, I'd have Anthony Rendon out, too, if I had a guy that could play third," Baker said. "Because of ESPN, who I like a lot, that game last night messed us up today because it was already scheduled...

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Scherzer, Turner spark Nationals to 6-4 win over Braves

September 05, 2016, 12:35pm

Nationals

Despite residing in last place in the National League East, the Braves have won six in a row and continued to hit the ball well to start the series against the Nationals. In the second, Nick Markakis singled with one away. Following a walk to Anthony Recker, Jace Peterson laced a double down the left field line to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. But Max Scherzer retaliated by getting Gordon Beckham on a called third strike, a 96 mph four-seam fastball. Scherzer then induced a weak grounder to first...

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Game 137 lineups: Braves at Nationals

September 05, 2016, 5:50am

Nationals

The Nationals finally come home after being on the road for most of the latter stages of August. Even with a series loss in New York, the Nationals still maintain an 8 1/2-game lead over the Mets for first place in the National League East with 25 regular seasons games remaining. The Nationals still are 39-18 against NL East opponents. That is the most wins in the major leagues by any team against its own division. The Nationals are 11-2 against the Braves, tied for the most wins against a...

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Opposite dugout: Braves have been owned by Nationals this season

September 02, 2016, 12:52pm

Nationals

Manager: Brian Snitker (1st season) Record: 54-83 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.294/.396/.563 with 29 HR, 79 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (.291), RF Nick Markakis (.264, 75 RBIs), LF Matt Kemp (24 HR, 58 RBIs), RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.31 ERA), RHP Jim Johnson (3.08 ERA, 15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 5: RHP Ryan Weber vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 6: RHP Williams Perez vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 7:...

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Nats frustrated by weekend woes with men on base

September 04, 2016, 9:51pm

Nationals

Nats frustrated by weekend woes with men on base

NEW YORK - The Nationals, in the big picture, have not been particularly bad at hitting with runners in scoring position this season. They rank fifth in the National League in that category, ahead of fellow contenders like the Cubs, Giants, Dodgers and Mets. But it does seem like when they go cold in those situations, they go ice cold. And it doesn't get any colder than the last two nights at Citi Field, when the Nationals went a combined 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position, losing a...