nationals

Marty Niland: Nationals bench continues to come up in clutch situations

July 18, 2016, 2:28am

With all the sabrmetrics and advanced stats that we baseball geeks toss around these days, there is still one aspect of the game we can't accurately quantify: Clutch. The official statisticians tried to do it for a few years back in the 1980s with the game-winning RBI, but that stat was abandoned after too many batters got credit for early-inning singles in eventual routs. So we're left with anecdotal evidence such as pinch-hitting numbers to say who has what it takes with the game on...

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Murphy forces extras, but Marte gives Pirates 2-1 win in 18

July 17, 2016, 3:26pm

Nationals

Murphy forces extras, but Marte gives Pirates 2-1 win in 18

In the longest regular season game by innings in Nationals history, left fielder Starling Marte launched a two-out pitch from Nats reliever Oliver Perez in the 18th over the left field wall to give the Pirates a marathon 2-1 victory on Sunday. In the bottom of the 18th, Wilson Ramos singled with one out against Jonathan Niese. But Clint Robinson was called out on a questionable third strike, Stephen Drew singled to left and Danny Espinosa struck out to end the game. The game lasted 5 hours, 48...

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Murphy out for third straight day, Rendon scratched with flu

July 17, 2016, 8:36am

Nationals

Murphy out for third straight day, Rendon scratched with flu

The Nationals suddenly find themselves with a serious dearth of healthy infielders. Daniel Murphy is out of the lineup for the third straight day with a sore hamstring suffered in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Anthony Rendon was a late scratch due to flu-like symptoms. Add in Ryan Zimmerman, who has been on the disabled list since July 7 with a strained ribcage muscle, and the Nationals are taking the field for today's series finale against the Pirates without three of their regular starting...

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Lopez to debut Tuesday, Solis to DL, Giolito starts Tuesday for Syracuse

July 17, 2016, 4:30pm

Nationals

Lopez to debut Tuesday, Solis to DL, Giolito starts Tuesday for Syracuse

Manager Dusty Baker announced after Sunday's 18-inning loss to the Pirates that pitching prospect Reynaldo Lopez will be have his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse to make his major league debut Tuesday against the Dodgers. Baseball America had Lopez ranked as the No. 5 Nats prospect heading into 2016. Baker said the move allows right-hander Lucas Giolito to work on some of his pitches with a start Tuesday night when Triple-A Syracuse welcomes Gwinnett. Giolito went 0-0 with a 4.70 ERA...

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Tuesday's starter vs. Dodgers still TBA (Nats lose 2-1 in 18)

July 17, 2016, 10:06am

Nationals

Tuesday's starter vs. Dodgers still TBA (Nats lose 2-1 in 18)

The Nationals don't need to add a fifth starter to their rotation until next weekend, but it appears they'll go ahead and make a move in time for Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers. For now, the club is listing Tuesday's starter as "TBA," with Gio Gonzalez pitching Wednesday night and Stephen Strasburg pitching Thursday afternoon. The Nationals have options for this starting job. Joe Ross will be eligible to come off the disabled list after missing the last two weeks with right...

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With little fanfare, Roark still dominating for Nationals

July 16, 2016, 8:24pm

Nationals

It doesn't take long to figure out whether Stephen Strasburg or Max Scherzer have good stuff on any given night they take the mound. One inning of work often provides enough evidence to suggest either right-hander is primed for a big game. With Tanner Roark, the signs are less acute. Roark might retire the side in the top of the first, as he did tonight in the Nationals' 6-0 victory over the Pirates. And he might even do it on eight pitches, as he did tonight. But unlike his counterparts in...

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Back in comfortable starting role, Drew delivers three doubles in Nats' win

July 16, 2016, 7:59pm

Nationals

Back in comfortable starting role, Drew delivers three doubles in Nats' win

Manager Dusty Baker gave veteran Stephen Drew the chance to start Saturday. Protecting Daniel Murphy and his sore hamstring for one additional day, Baker placed Drew at second base in Saturday's game against Pittsburgh. It marked Drew's 49th appearance in the club's first 92 games. In the role that he was used to for so long in his career, starting and playing an entire game, Drew delivered with three doubles and two runs scored in the Nationals' series-clinching 6-0 victory over the...

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Now 20 games over .500, Nats open up seven-game lead

July 16, 2016, 8:37pm

Nationals

Now 20 games over .500, Nats open up seven-game lead

Dusty Baker wanted the Nationals to finish the first half of the season strong. They did that. He wanted them to open the second half of the season strong. They've done that so far. And he wanted them to get to 20 games over .500, which they did last night after beating the Pirates 6-0. Clearly, these guys take their manager's challenges to heart. "That was our goal, to be 20-over," Baker said. "We were knocking on it a couple of times and we went backwards. Also, I challenged the team to...

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Game 93 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates (Rendon scratched)

July 17, 2016, 6:36am

Nationals

Game 93 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates (Rendon scratched)

It's going to be a scorcher this afternoon when the Nationals and Pirates take the field for their series finale, but at least it's going to be dry after last night's rain-delayed affair. The Nats are going for the sweep, not to mention a six-game winning streak sandwiched around the All-Star break. For the third straight day, they won't have Daniel Murphy in their lineup. Dusty Baker had indicated Murphy would likely be starting today at first base, and he both jogged and took batting...

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Roark delivers eight strong innings, Nats drop Pirates 6-0

July 16, 2016, 6:54pm

Nationals

Roark delivers eight strong innings, Nats drop Pirates 6-0

The same script repeated itself in the first two games of the series between the Nationals and Pirates at Nationals Park. A Nats starter went at least eight innings. The Nats scored at least five runs, including a homer. The Pirates committed defensive mistakes. The Nats won the series Saturday night in a rain-delayed 6-0 defeat of Pittsburgh. Tanner Roark (9-5) went eight innings plus two batters, allowing five hits. Blake Treinen notched three outs in the ninth. The Nats have won five in a...

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Aggressive Nationals match 2015 steals total (Nats win 6-0)

July 16, 2016, 5:16pm

Nationals

The Nationals entered the season saying they were going to be more aggressive on the bases. And they have backed it up. With two stolen bases in the first two innings of tonight's game, the Nats now have successfully swiped 57 bases this year. That already matches their entire total from 2015, even though they're playing only their 92nd game tonight. And the Nationals' first steal of this game made a difference. Jayson Werth, who drew a one-out walk off Gerrit Cole in the bottom of the...

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Murphy good to go, but Baker holding him out (first pitch at 8:15 p.m.)

July 16, 2016, 2:06pm

Nationals

Murphy good to go, but Baker holding him out (first pitch at 8:15 p.m.)

Daniel Murphy is out of the Nationals lineup for the second straight night, but the veteran infielder is available to come off the bench and likely will start Sunday's series finale against the Pirates. Murphy, who is dealing with a sore left hamstring, actually told Dusty Baker he was well enough to start tonight, but the manager elected to take a more cautious route and hold off for another day. "It's just from my experience - my own personal experience and experience as a coach and...

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Baker and Drew on an ideal bench: Nats appear to have all the elements

July 16, 2016, 1:55pm

Nationals

Baker and Drew on an ideal bench: Nats appear to have all the elements

Stephen Drew and Clint Robinson are starting tonight. Drew is essentially subbing for second baseman Daniel Murphy, who is out with a hamstring problem, and Robinson for first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is on the disabled list with a rib cage strain. Both Drew and Robinson have done quite well for a bench that has been strong since the beginning of the season. Drew has seven homers and 16 RBIs, while Robinson has added five homers and 19 RBIs. Chris Heisey, Jose Lobaton, Trea Turner and...

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Game 92 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates

July 16, 2016, 11:13am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg set the tone last night with a dominant start to open the season's second half. Does Tanner Roark have one in himself tonight against the Pirates? Roark was given this assignment in part to keep him as close to on-schedule as possible. He hasn't started a game since July 6, but he did pitch 2 1/3 perfect innings in relief Sunday afternoon in New York, not a bad tune-up at all. The Nationals lineup faces a challenge tonight in Gerrit Cole, the Pittsburgh ace who returns from...

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Murphy confirms left hamstring "soreness," Baker says "day-to-day"

July 15, 2016, 7:03pm

Nationals

Murphy confirms left hamstring "soreness," Baker says "day-to-day"

Nationals first baseman Daniel Murphy was in the original lineup a few hours prior to Friday's opener against the Pirates. But about an hour before first pitch, the veteran was scratched due to "general leg soreness." Clint Robinson was inserted in the lineup, batting eighth and replacing Murphy. "Murph told me before BP, 'Stay ready, might be in there,' " Robinson said. "(Bench coach) Chris Speier told me during BP that I was in there. That's really all there was to it." The...

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Opposite dugout: Recent surge has stoked Pirates' postseason chances

July 14, 2016, 11:56am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Recent surge has stoked Pirates' postseason chances

Manager: Clint Hurdle (6th season) Record: 46-43 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: LF Starling Marte (.316/.363/.460 with 30 SB), RF Gregory Polanco (.287 with 12 HR, 50 RBIs), CF Andrew McCutchen (14 HR, 38 RBIs), RHP Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.77 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.23 ERA, 27 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (3-4 in 2015) Pitching probables: July 15: LHP Francisco Liriano vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 16: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN...

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Taylor, Robinson make most of starting opportunity

July 15, 2016, 8:26pm

Nationals

Taylor, Robinson make most of starting opportunity

Michael A. Taylor was supposed to bat seventh, not second. Clint Robinson wasn't supposed to be batting anything, unless the situation called for a pinch-hitter late in last night's game. Funny how these things work sometimes, because wouldn't you know the two biggest offensive stars of the Nationals' 5-1 victory over the Pirates happened to be named Michael A. Taylor and Clint Robinson? Robinson recorded two hits against left-hander Francisco Liriano and drove in the Nationals' first run...

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Opening second half in style, Strasburg improves to 13-0

July 15, 2016, 7:46pm

Nationals

Opening second half in style, Strasburg improves to 13-0

In explaining why he was choosing not to pitch in the only All-Star Game that will take place in his hometown during his active career, Stephen Strasburg emphasized how it was more important for him to pitch not in an exhibition game in San Diego but in as many big games as possible for the Nationals the remainder of this season. "In my head, I want to make up for the two starts I missed (while on the disabled list)," the right-hander said last weekend in New York. "So hopefully I'll start...

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Strasburg goes to 13-0 with eight strong in win over Pirates

July 15, 2016, 5:51pm

Nationals

Strasburg goes to 13-0 with eight strong in win over Pirates

It turns out the rest might have worked out perfectly for Stephen Strasburg. Or maybe he didn't really need it at all. Strasburg twirled eight innings and allowed only one run, becoming the first National League starting pitcher since 1912 to start a season 13-0. The Nationals dropped the Pirates 5-1. Selected to the All-Star Game in his hometown of San Diego, Strasburg sat out of the game to rest and get ready for the second half. Earlier this season, he had been on the disabled list for 17...

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Strasburg dominating early once again (Nationals win 5-1)

July 15, 2016, 4:04pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg skipped the All-Star Game so he could put all of his efforts into pitching tonight's second-half opener. So far, the right-hander is putting that extra preparation to good use. Strasburg has tossed four scoreless innings so far against the Pirates, allowing only one batter to reach base (via walk). It's the third straight start in which he hasn't allowed a hit through his first four innings on the mound. Francisco Liriano has been nearly as sharp himself, retiring the first...