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Game 95 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

July 20, 2016, 11:10am

If you experienced last night's sudden and violent thunderstorm, you know how much rain and hail fell from the sky in a very short amount of time. And if you saw photos or video from Nationals Park around 11 p.m., you know how bad the field and warning track looked, with the grounds crew unable to get the tarp out fast enough to beat the storm. Well, only 15 hours later, you'd never know what hit the place. The field looks fantastic, with scant evidence of the damage. Major props to John...

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Gonzalez brings good history against Dodgers to tonight's crucial matchup (Robles day-to-day)

July 20, 2016, 6:47am

Nationals

Gonzalez brings good history against Dodgers to tonight's crucial matchup (Robles day-to-day)

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has a huge start tonight and can provide a much needed stop for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row. Obviously it hasn't been Gonzalez's most consistent season, but he would certainly like to build off his last positive start against the Mets before the break. Gonzalez (5-8) notched a hard-fought 3-2 win July 10, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He surrendered just two solo homers. He had lost five of his...

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Lopez demoted after debut, Glover gets surprise promotion

July 20, 2016, 2:02pm

Nationals

Lopez demoted after debut, Glover gets surprise promotion

Reynaldo Lopez's first stint in the big leagues was a brief one. The Nationals optioned the right-hander back to Triple-A Syracuse one day after the 22-year-old was roughed up in his major league debut. The pitcher the club promoted to take Lopez's spot, though, is even less experienced than the one he will replace: Koda Glover, who had his contract purchased from Syracuse to complete the 2015 draft pick's meteoric rise through the organization's farm system. Glover, also 22, was an...

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What's next for Lopez and Giolito?

July 19, 2016, 8:33pm

Nationals

Reynaldo Lopez revealed both weaknesses (a very hittable fastball) and strengths (a very unhittable curveball and changeup) in his major league debut last night, enough to leave the Nationals plenty intrigued to see more of the 22-year-old. "He's young, this is the big leagues, and you're facing big-league hitters," manager Dusty Baker said after Lopez gave up six runs and 10 hits but struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings. "But he's very bright. Just gotta tighten up a few things. I think...

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Nationals select contract of right-hander Koda Glover

July 20, 2016, 11:52am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Koda Glover from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez to Syracuse. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Nick Lee was designated for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Glover, 22, has advanced through three levels of Washington's Minor League system this season, going 3-0 with six saves and a 2.18 ERA (11...

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Flu bug slows Nats offense but Murphy believes they can adapt

July 19, 2016, 7:49pm

Nationals

Flu bug slows Nats offense but Murphy believes they can adapt

With the 8-4 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday, the Nationals played a second straight game with a couple of offensive starters unavailable. And really it was three starters not available because of the left ribcage strain that has first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list. On Sunday against the Pirates, Daniel Murphy was available only for the pinch-hit that tied the game. Anthony Rendon was a late scratch with flu-like symptoms. Then Tuesday against Los Angeles, Murphy was back but...

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Charlie Fliegel: Trade deadline could spell out Lopez's future with Nats

July 20, 2016, 5:00am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Trade deadline could spell out Lopez's future with Nats

It wasn't a good start, but it is hard to call Reynaldo Lopez's debut last night awful, either. He started out poorly, giving up seven hits and four runs to the first 11 batters he faced. But he did settle down after that, getting the next eight consecutive hitters, before giving up two more runs in the fifth inning. Ten hits and six runs over 4 2/3 innings is bad, but he struck out nine hitters. That was the most in a MLB debut for any Nationals pitcher other than Stephen Strasburg, and that...

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After initial onslaught, Lopez salvages first career start

July 19, 2016, 8:11pm

Nationals

After initial onslaught, Lopez salvages first career start

Reynaldo Lopez did not necessarily expect to find himself standing on the mound at Nationals Park this evening, a sellout crowd of 38,747 buzzing about the opener of a series against the high-profile Dodgers, but the 22-year-old found himself here because of the eye-popping repertoire of pitches he has shown off in the minors. That repertoire is headlined by a fastball that has reached triple digits before and on this night consistently sat in the 97-98 mph range. Minor league hitters were...

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Dodgers too much for Lopez in his debut

July 19, 2016, 6:13pm

Nationals

The Dodgers rudely welcomed rookie Reynaldo Lopez to the big leagues with a 8-4 defeat of the Nationals on Tuesday in the series opener at Nats Park. The Dodgers connected off of Lopez with four hits in the first inning. Chase Utley started the scoring with a solo shot over the right-center field wall. Howie Kendrick followed with a single and Justin Turner hit a double to put men on second and third. The Dodgers were able to connect on Lopez's 96-98 mph fastball. Adrian Gonzalez lined sharply...

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Lopez roughed up early in MLB debut (Nats lose 8-4)

July 19, 2016, 4:20pm

Nationals

Lopez roughed up early in MLB debut (Nats lose 8-4)

Dusty Baker had never seen Reynaldo Lopez in person before the 22-year-old right-hander took the mound tonight for his major league debut, only reports on one of the Nationals' top pitching prospects. And what did those reports on Lopez say? "The reports are that he can get away with more because he's throwing almost 100," Baker said this afternoon. "That's exactly what the reports are. He might not have to be ... as fine when you're throwing hard like that." Reality hasn't exactly...

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What Ross' recovery timetable means for Giolito and Lopez

July 19, 2016, 1:44pm

Nationals

What Ross' recovery timetable means for Giolito and Lopez

Joe Ross threw 35 pitches during a simulated game today, an encouraging step for the injured Nationals right-hander, who should be ready next to make a minor league rehab start. Ross, out since July 3 with right shoulder inflammation, came out of today's session with live hitters reporting no issues. "Joe, he looked very good today," manager Dusty Baker said. "I think he threw 35 pitches or something like that, consecutive pitches. So that's a pretty good sign. He had good velocity, good...

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Reasoning behind Murphy at third base; Zimmerman takes swings in BP

July 19, 2016, 1:58pm

Nationals

Reasoning behind Murphy at third base; Zimmerman takes swings in BP

Unfortunately, third baseman Anthony Rendon's flu bug has continued into the Dodgers series. Rendon came down with flu-like symptoms late Saturday and was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Pirates. "Sick. I mean that's pure and simple," manager Dusty Baker said. "He might be available to pinch-hit today. He wasn't available at all the other day. (I) just didn't want to tell you guys because the other team still thought that he might be available while we were playing the...

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Game 94 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

July 19, 2016, 11:11am

Nationals

It may not garner as much attention as Lucas Giolito's major league debut a couple of weeks ago, but Reynaldo Lopez's first career start tonight for the Nationals is nearly as significant a development. The 22-year-old right-hander is one of the organization's top pitching prospects and has rocketed his up the farm system in the last year, going from Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg and then briefly to Triple-A Syracuse before earning this final promotion. Lopez also is the first...

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Balancing talent with chemistry as the trade deadline approaches

July 18, 2016, 8:40pm

Nationals

Balancing talent with chemistry as the trade deadline approaches

The Nationals own a 5 1/2-game lead in the National League East and the third-best record in the NL. They have the lowest ERA in the majors, have hit the most homers in the NL and boast the best fielding percentage in baseball. Yet the biggest question facing general manager Mike Rizzo these days is a simple one: Could he make his team even better before the non-waiver trade deadline, now looming in the not-too-distant future on Aug. 1? (The deadline was pushed back this year from the...

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Steve Mears: Balancing want vs. need at the trade deadline

July 19, 2016, 5:35am

Nationals

Steve Mears: Balancing want vs. need at the trade deadline

The 2016 non-waiver trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and while the trade winds are blowing, we are throwing caution to the wind. Sometimes the best trades you make are the trades you don't. What does that mean? It means that when you are contemplating a trade that does not feel right that it is best to not do it. How many trades would teams want to have back? Plenty. The Orioles want to reverse the deal sending Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop to the Cubs for Steve Clevenger and Scott...

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Trea Turner explains his key baserunning blunder

July 17, 2016, 8:02pm

Nationals

Trea Turner explains his key baserunning blunder

When Trea Turner singled to left field in the fourth inning of Friday night's game, the Nationals rookie couldn't help but notice the lackadaisical manner in which the Pirates' Starling Marte got the ball back to the infield. Turner made a mental note, wondering if another opportunity would arrive later in the weekend to use that knowledge to his advantage. "The base hit I had the other day, I saw the left fielder ... take his time," Turner said. "When you hit the ball to left field, the...

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Bryce Harper to be featured granting local wish in "My Wish" series

July 18, 2016, 12:44pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper to be featured granting local wish in "My Wish" series

It's that time of year again to break out the box of tissues: ESPN's annual "My Wish" series returns this week and will feature Nationals right fielder and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper granting the wish of a local fan battling a serious illness. On its 10th anniversary, the "My Wish" series on "SportsCenter" will showcase the power of sports wishes that the Make-A-Wish foundation grants. Tomorrow night's 6 p.m. edition of "SportsCenter" will highlight 16-year-old...

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Opposite dugout: First-year skipper Roberts keeping Dodgers focused

July 17, 2016, 9:36am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: First-year skipper Roberts keeping Dodgers focused

Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 52-42 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.301 with 17 HR, 43 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.286, 44 RBIs), 3B Justin Turner (15 HR, 50 RBIs), LHP Scott Kazmir (7-3, 4.52 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (27 saves, 1.36 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0 Pitching probables: July 19: LHP Scott Kazmir vs. RHP Reynaldo Lopez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 20: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 21: RHP Bud Norris vs. RHP Stephen...

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Scherzer pitches well again, continuing starters hot streak

July 18, 2016, 5:04am

Nationals

Scherzer pitches well again, continuing starters hot streak

Right-hander Max Scherzer pitched Sunday. And he pitched really well. No, really he did. The Nationals allowed only two runs in 18 innings Sunday. The game took so long, Scherzer felt like he was already preparing for his next start. "My arm hurts it's so long ago," Scherzer said. "Now I can actually feel day-after soreness." But Scherzer did pitch well. He tossed seven innings, allowing only one run over six innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. The Pirates strung together a pair...

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An emotional high in ninth, a demoralizing low in 18th

July 17, 2016, 5:17pm

Nationals

An emotional high in ninth, a demoralizing low in 18th

It was about as uplifting a moment as the Nationals have experienced all season, their injured All-Star infielder coming up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and in his first at-bat in five days sending a game-tying homer down the right field line that earned him a curtain call from the crowd of 32,775. Daniel Murphy's dramatic home run represented the kind of moment teams look back at months from now as a highlight of a season that perhaps ends with an even more memorable...