nationals

Game 120 lineups: Nats at Braves (Cole up, Goodwin down)

August 18, 2016, 11:26am

ATLANTA - Hello from Turner Field, which is in full countdown mode right now. There are only 22 Braves games left to be played in this ballpark. The bad news: The Nationals will be here for seven of those games, with a four-game series this weekend and then another three-game set next month before they shut down the place for good and move to a new park in the northwest Atlanta suburbs. The Nats come here reeling a bit from a taxing three days at Coors Field in which the bullpen was forced to...

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Opposite dugout: Braves looking toward promise of 2017

August 18, 2016, 5:18am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves looking toward promise of 2017

Manager: Brian Snitker (1st season) Record: 44-76 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.288 average, 24 HR, 128 hits); RF Nick Markakis (.269 average, 29 doubles, 64 RBIs); CF Ender Inciarte (95 hits, .270 average); RHP Robert Whalen (1-1, 7.31 ERA). Season series vs. Nationals: 1-8 Pitching probables: August 18: RHP Reynaldo Lopez vs. RHP Rob Whalen, 7:10 p.m., MASNAugust 19: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Julio Teheran, 7:35 p.m., MASNAugust 20: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Tyrell...

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With strong arm and strong glove, Roark beats the heat

August 14, 2016, 8:12pm

Nationals

With strong arm and strong glove, Roark beats the heat

Even when he's being praised, Tanner Roark often seems to be undersold. Most have come to realize the right-hander is legitimately one of the best pitchers in baseball. And any who haven't need only see his 13-6 record and 2.81 ERA in 24 starts to realize it. Few, however, give Roark credit for being a complete pitcher, right down to the part where he field his position exceptionally well. "He's a good athlete," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "Guys kid him because he doesn't look...

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Nationals recall RHP A.J. Cole

August 18, 2016, 12:02pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher AJ Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday and optioned outfielder Brian Goodwin to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cole, 24, joins the Nationals for his first Major League call-up of the 2016 season. The right-hander is 8-8 with a 4.26 ERA in 22 starts for Triple-A Syracuse this year. Making his Major League debut in 2015, Cole appeared in three games (one start)...

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Strasburg on worst outing of season: "Just didn't have it today"

August 17, 2016, 4:03pm

Nationals

Strasburg on worst outing of season: "Just didn't have it today"

DENVER - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg raced out of the blocks this season with the best start of his career, going 13-0 through his first 17 starts. He didn't suffer his first loss until July 21. But in his last six starts it has been a different story. Strasburg has gone 2-4 with a 7.75 ERA. In that span, he has allowed 26 runs over 30 2/3 innings. Wednesday afternoon, Strasburg allowed the most runs in his career, nine earned runs, and lasted only 1 2/3 innings in a 12-10 loss to the...

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Nats head to Atlanta with concerns for Strasburg, taxed bullpen

August 18, 2016, 4:26am

Nationals

Nats head to Atlanta with concerns for Strasburg, taxed bullpen

DENVER - The bullpen was overused in the Rockies series, a problem Nationals manager Dusty Baker was hoping to avoid. But the relievers pitched starter innings. Max Scherzer lasted four innings in Game One. Gio Gonzalez three innings on Tuesday and Stephen Strasburg lasted a stunning 1 2/3 innings in the finale. The 16 1/3 innings in three games for the bullpen is too much, especially when coming in you would hope that number would be around six or seven frames for the three-game set. Baker...

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David Huzzard: Pitching depth should be arranged for likely postseason trip

August 17, 2016, 4:53pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Pitching depth should be arranged for likely postseason trip

It is still a little early to start talking about the playoffs, but let's face it - despite a minor bump in the road in Colorado, the Nationals have the National League East division all but wrapped up. One of the main questions for the playoffs is who will be on the pitching staff. It can be said with almost near certainty that Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Tanner Roark will be the top three. Joe Ross is still working his way back from injury and Gio Gonzalez has been wildly...

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Strasburg shelled early, lasts only 1 2/3 (Rockies win 12-10)

August 17, 2016, 11:47am

Nationals

Strasburg shelled early, lasts only 1 2/3 (Rockies win 12-10)

DENVER - Coors Field is probably not the place to shake off a couple of tough outings. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had allowed 10 earned runs in his last two starts. Wednesday's first inning did not get better for the Nationals ace. It got worse. The Rockies' first six men reached base on four hits and two walks. One of the big hits came from Gerardo Parra, who laced a three-run double that bounced up against the wall in right-center. Nolan Arenado had a run-scoring single and catcher...

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Solis to have MRI, concern now lefty depth in bullpen

August 17, 2016, 11:23am

Nationals

Solis to have MRI, concern now lefty depth in bullpen

DENVER - Manager Dusty Baker announced that the club has placed left-hander Sammy Solis on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to August 16. Solis pitched one inning Monday, picking up the victory in relief, allowing no runs and two hits. But after the game Tuesday, Baker reported that Solis was feeling "soreness" in his left shoulder, and was not available in the rain-delayed marathon where left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez pitched only three innings. And today the...

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Glover "thrilled" to be back, has refined his breaking pitches

August 17, 2016, 10:44am

Nationals

Glover "thrilled" to be back, has refined his breaking pitches

DENVER - The first time right-hander Koda Glover was up with the Nationals, he made a pair of appearances July 20-21 against the Dodgers. In two innings in those two games he allowed no runs on one hit with no walks and one strikeout. It was a good debut for the 23-year-old from Monroe, Okla., but this time around manager Dusty Baker expects the responsibility to be much more intense. Glover was called up after the Nationals placed left-hander Sammy Solis on the disabled list with left shoulder...

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Game 119 lineups: Nats at Rockies

August 17, 2016, 8:52am

Nationals

DENVER - The Nationals and Rockies wrap up their three-game set on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in the Mile High City with the Nats seeking their 11th road series victory. The Nationals are 24-13 in series finales. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg faces right-hander Jon Gray, who were each recipients of the College Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher of the Year Award. Strasburg with the honor in 2009 and Gray in 2013. The Nationals will need Strasburg to go long in this game after using eight...

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District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)

August 16, 2016, 8:01pm

Nationals Orioles

District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)

We've got a special treat for you on our 10th episode of the District 34 podcast: MASNsports.com's Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman calls in to the show! With Byron Kerr out in Denver covering the Nats' series with the Rockies (and maybe or maybe not taking in some Broncos training camp), Mark was able to join me before he left for Atlanta. Our main talking point: the release of Jonathan Papelbon. Due to previously scheduled time off last weekend, Mark was not able to give you, the fans,...

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Nationals call up reliever Glover, place Solis on DL

August 17, 2016, 8:50am

Nationals

DENVER - To help a bullpen unit that has been taxed in the first two games of the series against the Rockies, the Nationals made two moves prior to Wednesday's series finale. Right-hander Koda Glover has been called up and will join the team. The Nationals confirmed the move late this morning. Glover has been outstanding in the minors, especially recently. In the last 6 1/3 innings, the 23-year-old Glover has allowed no runs on no hits with 12 strikeouts over four outings. Meanwhile, Sammy...

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LeMahieu, rain delay contribute to Nats' 6-2 loss at Colorado

August 16, 2016, 10:32pm

Nationals

LeMahieu, rain delay contribute to Nats' 6-2 loss at Colorado

DENVER - The Rockies came back after a long rain delay and took it to the Nationals, scoring four runs after the third inning to break open a close game and win 6-2, wasting what could have been a good outing for Gio Gonzalez. DJ LeMahieu has been the hottest hitter in the series. He tripled in the fifth for his seventh hit in two games. LeMahieu scored on a Nolan Arenado groundout to give the Rockies the lead for good 3-2. Arenado then added a sacrifice fly to score Gerardo Parra from third...

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Charlie Fliegel: Harper's exit velocity is trending up, and so are his numbers

August 17, 2016, 4:06am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Harper's exit velocity is trending up, and so are his numbers

A game in the thin air of Colorado is all a hitter needs to get his swing back, right? Bryce Harper got to play the Rockies, and had two hard-hit doubles, so maybe it's true. Obviously, one good night hitting, especially one in Denver, is probably not the best way to judge how well someone is hitting. There are, however, some actual signs that he is emerging from a slump - signs that are less likely to be attributed to just luck. But they have little to do with the thin air of Coors...

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Baker monitoring bullpen after heavy use in first game

August 16, 2016, 4:09pm

Nationals

Baker monitoring bullpen after heavy use in first game

DENVER - The Nationals had to employ five relievers Monday night after Max Scherzer was unable to get past the fourth inning. The bullpen was outstanding, keeping the Rockies off the scoreboard for the final five innings, en route to a 5-4 comeback victory. Matt Belisle, Sammy Solis, Blake Treinen, Shawn Kelley and Mark Melancon all pitched to combine for five scoreless innings. Oliver Perez and Yusmeiro Petit were the only relievers to not get into Monday's game. Kelley said they should be OK...

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Werth on-base streak reaches record 44 (Rockies win 6-2)

August 16, 2016, 5:40pm

Nationals

Werth on-base streak reaches record 44 (Rockies win 6-2)

DENVER - The Nationals had a single and a double in their first two innings against Rockies right-handed starter Chad Bettis but were unable to score any runs. That changed in the third. With one out, Jayson Werth singled to reach base for the 44th game in a row, a new Nationals record. Daniel Murphy followed with a single. Werth went to third on a passed ball. Bryce Harper's RBI groundout plated Werth and the Nationals lead 1-0. Wilson Ramos followed with a high fly ball off the wall in right...

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Game 118 lineups: Nats at Rockies

August 16, 2016, 6:59am

Nationals

DENVER - The Nationals have won nine of their last 12 games following Monday's comeback 5-4 win, continuing to play well recently versus the Rockies. Since the start of the 2013 season, the Nationals have won 13 of their last 20 games against Colorado. Since 2005, the Nationals are now 18-21 at Coors Field. The Nats are also 18-13 in one-run games and have 29 come-from-behind victories. The 23 games above .500 are their most games above the even line so far this season. In 2012, they reached...

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Werth values on-base streak: "It's a product of my approach"

August 16, 2016, 7:23am

Nationals

Werth values on-base streak: "It's a product of my approach"

DENVER - Left fielder Jayson Werth smacked his fourth home run in the past nine games in Monday's 5-4 win over the Rockies. But he didn't think the homer was because of the thin air associated with Coors Field. "Nah, you got to deal with the elements," Werth said. "Everybody deals with it when they come here. Played in the NL West when I was first coming up, I've been here enough times to know what you need to do so it's tough to come in here, it really is. It's a different style of...

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Construction continues at West Palm Beach facility, but Astros and Nats making contingency plans

August 16, 2016, 12:30pm

Nationals

Construction continues at West Palm Beach facility, but Astros and Nats making contingency plans

Construction at The Ballpark at the Palm Beaches, the new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., that the Nationals will share with the Astros, is progressing. According to photos shot earlier this summer, the outfield walls are taking shape and practice fields are clearly visible on the 160-acre parcel. But according to this article in the Palm Beach Post, both the Astros and Nationals are making contingency plans in case the ballpark is not ready to host workouts in mid-February...