nationals

Zimmerman gets day off to work in cage (Nationals win 4-0)

August 29, 2016, 4:28pm

PHILADELPHIA - Dusty Baker planned to give Ryan Zimmerman his share of days off down the stretch, regardless of the veteran's performance. So the fact Zimmerman was not in the Nationals lineup for tonight's series opener against the Phillies wasn't a shock. Baker, though, didn't want Zimmerman to take the day off altogether. No, the two spent considerable time (along with other members of the coaching staff) in the batting tunnel at Citizens Bank Park earlier in the afternoon working on...

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Strasburg, Ross progressing toward September returns

August 29, 2016, 2:31pm

Nationals

Strasburg, Ross progressing toward September returns

PHILADELPHIA - It has taken a while, and it has included a few more bumps than they would have liked, but the Nationals have reached the final leg of their 20-games-in-20-days stretch. That also means they've almost reached September and the home stretch of a season they hope to continue well into October. Make no mistake, the Nationals are well aware of all this. "You start checking off the months until the season goes by. Now, we're down to one-sixth of the season," manager Dusty Baker...

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Opposite dugout: Struggling Phillies can do little more than play spoiler

August 28, 2016, 8:14am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Struggling Phillies can do little more than play spoiler

Manager: Pete Mackanin (2nd season) Record: 60-70 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.281 with 13 HR, 42 RBIs, 19 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 72 RBIs), C Cameron Rupp (14 HR, 43 RBIs), 1B Tommy Joseph (17 HR, 34 RBIs), RHP Jerad Eickhoff (9-12, 3.87 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3.02 ERA with 34 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-8 Pitching probables: Aug. 29: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jake Thompson, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 30: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff, 7:05 p.m.,...

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Baker on Zimmerman struggles and Ross update

August 29, 2016, 4:14am

Nationals

Baker on Zimmerman struggles and Ross update

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's cold spell has continued longer than he or the Nats had hoped. Manager Dusty Baker and Zimmerman pointed to August and September as the usual time of the season he gets rolling. In his career, that has been true. Since 2005, Zimmerman has hit .308 in July, .302 in August and .293 in September/October. In his career, there are three months that he has hit 40 more home runs: May (45), August (44) and September/October (40). He has a combined 124 doubles...

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Game 131 lineups: Nats at Phils (Taylor up, Giolito optioned)

August 29, 2016, 11:36am

Nationals

Game 131 lineups: Nats at Phils (Taylor up, Giolito optioned)

PHILADELPHIA - Hello from Citizens Bank Park, where the Nationals wrap up this 20-games-in-20-days stretch with one final series against the Phillies. And there's plenty going on here already. The Nats have made a roster move: Michael A. Taylor was recalled and Lucas Giolito was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. That gives the team a full bench again. With an off-day Thursday, the club can afford to go with four starting pitchers for the moment. And remember, players who are sent down at the end...

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Giolito didn't see the improvement he wanted in tough loss

August 28, 2016, 1:48pm

Nationals

Giolito didn't see the improvement he wanted in tough loss

Right-hander Lucas Giolito was hoping to hit the ground running as he made his return to the big leagues after some solid performances at Triple-A Syracuse. But the Rockies' Nolan Arenado and David Dahl had other ideas. Arenado smacked a two-run shot and Dahl followed with a solo homer, highlighting a three-run third inning as Colorado defeated the Nationals 5-3. Giolito allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts, having to throw 100 pitches in five innings in his first...

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Nationals recall outfielder Michael A. Taylor from Triple-A Syracuse

August 29, 2016, 11:38am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Michael A. Taylor and optioned right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Taylor, 25, returns to the Nationals after 30 games with Triple-A Syracuse. The speedy outfielder has hit .205 in the Minor Leagues this season (31 games) with five doubles, one triple, one home run and nine RBI. He has stolen seven bases and walked 12...

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Marty Niland: Murphy shooting for spot among D.C.'s all-time greats

August 29, 2016, 5:18am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Murphy shooting for spot among D.C.'s all-time greats

Nationals fans are having fun watching their team move closer to its third division title in the past five seasons, but an even more exciting race is in full swing between the Nats' Daniel Murphy and Colorado's DJ LeMahieu for the National League batting title. The two second basemen came into last weekend's series as the league's top two hitters, with Murphy at .345 and LeMahieu at .344. Even though LeMahieu didn't play in Friday's series opener, he moved into the top spot by going...

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Turner gets Nats on board (Nats fall 5-3)

August 28, 2016, 10:02am

Nationals

Turner gets Nats on board (Nats fall 5-3)

The Rockies got to Lucas Giolito to begin the game with a single and a walk. Charlie Blackmon singled and then went to second on a free pass to DJ LeMahieu. Nolan Arenado smacked a RBI single to left field and the Rockies lead 1-0. But Giolito settled down and got his fastball to 94 mph, earning a soft pop-up to third base and a grounder to second to end the frame. He threw 24 pitches in the first inning. Trea Turner quickly got the Nationals even in the bottom of the first on a solo shot to...

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Turner has been adept at setting the table (plus lineups)

August 28, 2016, 5:05am

Nationals

Turner has been adept at setting the table (plus lineups)

In the first game of the Nationals' series with the Rockies, Trea Turner and Jayson Werth set up the rest of the offense by getting on base in an 8-5 win. The duo combined for four hits, four runs and two RBIs. Turner has two stolen bases in the series. Manager Dusty Baker was asked how having Turner in leadoff role alters the equation for Werth. "Well, it changes the equation," Baker said. "Everybody in the order changes the equation for the next person. "I knew that it changed the...

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Baker confirms Giolito will start Sunday; Cole held his own vs. Rockies

August 27, 2016, 7:05pm

Nationals

Baker confirms Giolito will start Sunday; Cole held his own vs. Rockies

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed after yesterday's game what was expected: Right-hander Lucas Giolito will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday to start against the Rockies in the deciding game of a three-game set. "Tomorrow it's going to be Giolito, so I'm hoping he throws up a gem against a very tough lineup," Baker said following the Nationals' 9-4 11-inning loss to Colorado. This will be Giolito's fourth start for the Nationals. He is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts. His...

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Nationals recall right-hander Lucas Giolito

August 28, 2016, 7:30am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito on Sunday and optioned infielder Wilmer Difo to Double-A Harrisburg. Giolito will start Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Giolito, 22, returns to the Nationals to start the fourth Major League game of his career. Making his Major League debut on June 28 against the New York Mets, Giolito has worked to a 4.91 ERA in his...

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Bryce Harper ejected in Nats' 9-4 11-inning loss to Rockies

August 27, 2016, 3:05pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper ejected in Nats' 9-4 11-inning loss to Rockies

The Rockies thwarted the Nationals' comeback in the ninth inning, scoring five runs in the 11th to win 9-4. The five-run outburst came immediately after Bryce Harper was ejected in the bottom of the 10th. It was the eighth time in his career that Harper had been tossed, and the second ejection this season. Frustration clearly got to the Nationals cleanup hitter in the 10th inning and contributed to the short bench later in the game. Leading off the 10th, Harper was called out on a low and...

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Blackmon homers twice (Harper ejected in 10th, Nats fall 9-4 in 11)

August 27, 2016, 10:14am

Nationals

Blackmon homers twice (Harper ejected in 10th, Nats fall 9-4 in 11)

A.J. Cole and Jorge De La Rosa shared the labor of a 33-minute first inning but did not allow a run on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon matchup between the Nationals and the Rockies. Cole didn't give up a hit until the top of the third. On a 3-2 pitch, Charlie Blackmon launched a solo shot, his 22nd homer of the season, over the right field wall and into the Nats bullpen. Colorado leads 1-0. Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon have base hits for the Nats. In the first, Turner stole his 17th base...

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Ross on rehab assignment, Giolito likely Sunday starter

August 27, 2016, 8:03am

Nationals

Ross on rehab assignment, Giolito likely Sunday starter

The Nationals announced that right-hander Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation, July 3) will make a rehab start Sunday afternoon for Triple-A Syracuse as they host Pawtucket at 1:05 p.m. That starting slot at the Triple-A level had recently been occupied by right-hander Lucas Giolito. But Giolito is expected to be the Nats starter on Sunday in the series finale against the Rockies, although no official announcement has been made by the club. Manager Dusty Baker said they will give out that...

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Game 129 lineups: Rockies at Nats

August 27, 2016, 5:23am

Nationals

With Trea Turner doing Trea Turner things, hitters 2-3-4 in the Nationals lineup are settling in for good at-bats. The opposing pitcher is preoccupied with the speed and havoc Turner provides on the basepaths. That allows Jayson Werth, Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper to be themselves. The trio delivered six RBIs in the Nats' 8-5 series opening win over the Rockies. Werth has hit homers in two straight games. Murphy reached 500 career RBIs. Harper has hit safely in 11 of his last 13...

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Gonzalez on win No. 100, Harper and Werth on surging lineup

August 26, 2016, 7:29pm

Nationals

Gonzalez on win No. 100, Harper and Werth on surging lineup

Rain in Colorado prevented it from happening in his first attempt. Then an erratic performance in Atlanta prevented it from happening in his next attempt. Fortunately for Gio Gonzalez, the third time was the charm in his pursuit of 100 career wins, thanks to one of the left-hander's better starts in a while and some much-appreciated run support from his teammates during an 8-5 victory over the Rockies. "I'm just happy it came," said Gonzalez, who has notched 62 of those wins while wearing a...

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Howard calls induction into Nats Ring of Honor "a real thrill"

August 26, 2016, 2:55pm

Nationals

Howard calls induction into Nats Ring of Honor "a real thrill"

For a generation of Washington baseball fans, there always has been no bigger figure in this town than Frank Howard. And that's only in part because of Hondo's 6-foot-7 frame. Howard has long been remembered as by far the best to ever play for the expansion version of the Senators that called D.C. home from 1961-71. He wasn't good enough to merit serious consideration for the Hall of Fame, but he was good enough to merit a statue outside Nationals Park, alongside permanent Cooperstown...

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Barrett determined to make full recovery from "traumatic" injury

August 26, 2016, 1:27pm

Nationals

Barrett determined to make full recovery from "traumatic" injury

The road to recovery from Tommy John surgery is long and lonely, and tests the mind just as much as it tests the reconstructed elbow of a pitcher. Aaron Barrett was far down that road in late July, a full 11 months removed from his surgery and fully confident he'd be ready to pitch in a big league game for the Nationals after only one more month of rehab. Barrett was standing on a mound on one of the practice fields in Viera, Fla., on July 22, 10 pitches into a scheduled 20-pitch simulated...

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Lineup gives Gonzalez plenty of support for 100th career win

August 26, 2016, 5:25pm

Nationals

Lineup gives Gonzalez plenty of support for 100th career win

Gio Gonzalez kept giving back the leads his teammates provided, but the Nationals kept providing enough run support until the left-hander settled down and then handed the game over to his bullpen, which finished off an 8-5 victory over the Rockies. Gonzalez, who allowed two runs and four hits over six innings, earned his 100th career win. Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy homered for the Nationals, who won their second straight after a four-game losing streak. Werth got the Nationals on the board...