nationals

Fixing critical mechanical issue opened door for Giolito

July 07, 2016, 4:50am

Right-hander Lucas Giolito has been able to get extra work in as he waits for his second major league start, slated tonight in Flushing, N.Y., against the division rival New York Mets. Giolito said he is looking forward to hopefully getting to pitch into at least the fifth inning and beyond after having his major league debut abbreviated after four frames due to rain. "Yeah, it definitely would be fun to be out there longer," Giolito said. "The rain shortened it so it's unfortunate. But...

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Opposite dugout: Mets playing better but still battling injuries (updated)

July 07, 2016, 4:29am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets playing better but still battling injuries (updated)

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 46-38 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.299/.366/.581 with 21 HR, 51 RBIs), 2B Neil Walker (.259 with 15 HR, 35 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (15 HR, 27 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-2, 2.41 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.61 ERA with 30 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-6 Pitching probables: July 7: RHP Lucas Giolito vs. RHP Bartolo Colon, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 8: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard, 7:10 p.m., MASN July...

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David Huzzard: Current All-Star Game format needs fixing

July 07, 2016, 6:37am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Current All-Star Game format needs fixing

When does something become tradition? My wife and I recently had a big discussion about this. She is heading up to Maryland this weekend for our 1-year-old nephew's birthday party and she is tasked with baking a "smash cake." I had no idea what a "smash cake" was and asked her about it and she called it a tradition. I argued that it isn't old enough to be a tradition if it is a more recent thing. A Google search failed to answer how long the practice goes back and the debate was never...

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Harper delivers in cleanup spot, Roark strong (Nats win 7-4)

July 06, 2016, 12:35pm

Nationals

Harper delivers in cleanup spot, Roark strong (Nats win 7-4)

Manager Dusty Baker switched up the lineup after his club lost the first two games against the Brewers, managing two total runs. The biggest move was switching Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper in the batting order. Placing Harper in the cleanup spot for the first time this season, Baker's move paid dividends in the first at-bat for the Nationals. Facing right-hander Matt Garza with two men on, Harper delivered his 18th homer of the season, a three-run shot over the opposite field wall to give...

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Nats set themselves up well for Mets with 7-4 win over Brewers

July 06, 2016, 4:05pm

Nationals

Nats set themselves up well for Mets with 7-4 win over Brewers

An offensive adjustment by manager Dusty Baker paved the way to three homers as the Nationals finally dropped the Brewers 7-4, preventing the sweep Wednesday on a getaway day at Nats Park. Baker's lineup had the hot-hitting Daniel Murphy chiseled into the three spot. Bryce Harper was moved from the three spot to the cleanup role and instantly delivered. With two men on in the first, he crushed a Matt Garza offering to lift the Nationals to an early 3-0 lead. It was his team lead-tying 18th...

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Baker says Nationals feed off energy of crowds at Nats Park

July 06, 2016, 10:43am

Nationals

Dusty Baker reflected on his first half-season as manager of the Nationals prior to Wednesday's series finale against the Brewers. Baker was asked about what he thought of D.C. through his first 85 games in a Nationals uniform as the skipper. He spoke of his love for Nats Park and the city. And he noted how quirky the weather can be over the ballpark. "It's just a wonderful place to play," Baker said. "I've seen sort of a tale of two stadiums. The ones when it's cold, (the ball) doesn't...

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Game 86 lineups: Brewers at Nats

July 06, 2016, 6:54am

Nationals

The Nationals have struggled against the Brewers this season, falling in four of five games. They are also 0-2 against Milwaukee at Nats Park. The offense has been limping to the All-Star break. Take out the 12 runs scored against the Reds on Sunday and the Nats have combined for only nine runs in the other four games in July. They have struck out 36 times in those five games. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the offense needs to pick up the slack for the starting pitching. Right-hander Tanner...

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Wednesday morning Q&A

July 06, 2016, 4:09am

Nationals

Well, it's been another eventful week in NatsTown. Danny Espinosa hit five home runs (two of them grand slams) and drove in 17 runs to win National League Player of the Week. Stephen Strasburg returned from the disabled list and threw 6 2/3 innings of no-hit ball. Joe Ross landed on the DL with shoulder inflammation, leaving a spot in the rotation for Lucas Giolito to remain in the big leagues for at least a while longer. Jonathan Papelbon returned from the DL. Michael A. Taylor was demoted...

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Baker says Nats were "flat" in 5-2 setback to Brewers

July 05, 2016, 7:18pm

Nationals

Baker says Nats were "flat" in 5-2 setback to Brewers

On a night where the Nationals would normally celebrate having four players being awarded All-Star invitations, the club came out with a sluggish performance at home in a 5-2 loss to the Brewers. It marked Washington's second straight loss to Milwaukee. The Brewers have won four of their first five games against the Nationals this season. One of the four All-Stars heading to San Diego is second baseman Daniel Murphy. But his late baserunning mistake cost the club a shot at a potential...

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Nats react to All-Star selections, Harper will sit out Derby again

July 05, 2016, 7:34pm

Nationals

Nats react to All-Star selections, Harper will sit out Derby again

None of the Nationals' All-Star selections was a particular surprise. Bryce Harper had been in solid position to be voted in as a starter for weeks. Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos looked unlikely to win the fan vote, but were shoo-ins to be selected based on their robust numbers. And Stephen Strasburg, as long as he was healthy, was a safe bet to return to his hometown of San Diego to pitch in the game. But the official announcement of All-Star rosters remains a significant moment for everyone...

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Charlie Fliegel: Scherzer having solid season, despite high home run total

July 06, 2016, 5:51am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Scherzer having solid season, despite high home run total

Max Scherzer has had a good season - he currently ranks ninth in National League pitcher fWAR. He's already at 155 strikeouts. But despite those positives, he's also given up 21 home runs in only 18 starts. He's leading the league in both categories. Scherzer is in some rare company, as there have only been seven times where a pitcher led the league in strikeouts and home runs. In the deadball era, Grover Cleveland Alexander struck out 195 hitters and surrendered 11 four-baggers, or...

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Harper is All-Star starter; Murphy, Ramos, Strasburg are reserves

July 05, 2016, 3:43pm

Nationals

Harper is All-Star starter; Murphy, Ramos, Strasburg are reserves

The Nationals had been a first-place club on All-Star selection day three times in the last four years, but that didn't always translate into a throng of players actually donning curly W caps at the Midsummer Classic. This year, when the All-Stars gather in San Diego, the Nats will be well-represented in accordance with their place in the standings. The Nationals had four players selected to the All-Star squad this evening, with Bryce Harper again voted by fans as a starting outfielder. Daniel...

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Game 85 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

July 05, 2016, 11:01am

Nationals

It's a big night in baseball, and not necessarily for what's taking place on the field. It's All-Star selection night, which means that shortly after 7 p.m. EDT, several members of the Nationals are going to find out they're heading to San Diego next week for the Midsummer Classic. At last check, Bryce Harper was still in position to be voted as a starting outfielder by fans, with Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos each trying to make late charges. Either way, both Murphy and Ramos are seen as...

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Baker confident Zimmerman can break out of recent struggles

July 05, 2016, 2:26pm

Nationals

Baker confident Zimmerman can break out of recent struggles

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman said earlier this season that he is always been a second half player when it comes to offensive production. That has played out in his career splits. For his career, Zimmerman has hit .254, .282 and .231 in the first three months of the season, but in July, August and September/October he has rebounded to hit .309, .305 and .293. His power numbers have accelerated in his career in the last three segments of each season. For his career, he has had a .501, .523 and...

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Danny Espinosa named NL Player of the Week

July 05, 2016, 11:09am

Nationals

Danny Espinosa named NL Player of the Week

Danny Espinosa's remarkable recent performance at the plate has earned him recognition around the baseball world. Espinosa was named National League Player of the Week, a fitting honor for the infielder who put on a prodigious power display over the last seven days. Espinosa hit .423 with five homers and 17 RBIs, most of that coming during the Nationals' four-game series against the Reds. He hit two homers (including a grand slam) and drove in seven runs during Thursday night's win, then...

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Gio wiggles out of early jam; Rendon delivers (Brewers win 5-2)

July 05, 2016, 3:45pm

Nationals

Gio wiggles out of early jam; Rendon delivers (Brewers win 5-2)

Now that's how you walk the tightrope. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed a double, a walk and a passed ball in the first inning, but his quick glove ended a big Brewers threat and kept the game scoreless. Aaron Hill doubled and two batters later, with men on second and third, Chris Carter's hot shot line drive back to the mound was stabbed out of the air by Gonzalez to end the inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Daniel Murphy blooped a single to left-center field. Two batters later,...

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Nationals look sluggish again in 5-2 loss to Brewers

July 05, 2016, 5:59pm

Nationals

Dusty Baker admitted, after the fact, that his Nationals didn't exactly put forth their best effort Monday during the club's annual Independence Day morning game. "Everybody was dragging yesterday with that 11:05 game," the veteran manager said. "I just didn't want to say it." Whatever it was that plagued the Nationals during that uninspired loss to the Brewers sure seemed to still be dogging them tonight during a repeat performance. A tepid offensive attack against right-hander Zach...

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Papelbon "felt pretty strong" in first game back since June 12

July 05, 2016, 4:37am

Nationals

Papelbon "felt pretty strong" in first game back since June 12

Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon returned from the disabled list yesterday and looked strong with one inning of shutout relief in Monday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers. He struck out two batters in the ninth, not allowing a run or a hit. He fanned out Martin Maldonado, who had homered earlier for the only run of the game. It was Papelbon's first appearance since June 12. He had been on the disabled list with an intercostal strain. Manager Dusty Baker liked what he saw from Papelbon. "Papelbon...

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Four Nationals named to NL All-Star team

July 05, 2016, 4:06pm

Nationals

Four Washington Nationals players were named 2016 Major League All-Stars on Tuesday evening, with outfielder Bryce Harper, second baseman Daniel Murphy, catcher Wilson Ramos, and right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg all awarded the annual mid-season honor. The 2016 American League and National League rosters were unveiled during the "Esurance All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN Tuesday night. This is just the second time in Nationals history (2005-present) that the club will send as many as...

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Nationals' Espinosa named NL Player of the Week

July 05, 2016, 2:31pm

Nationals

Following a week in which he hit .423 with two doubles, five home runs, 17 RBI, one hit-by-pitch, four walks and eight runs scored, Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa was named the National League Player of the Week on Tuesday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. This is the first Player of the Week award of Espinosa's career, coming after he turned in one of the most impressive series in Major League history, June 30-July 3 vs. Cincinnati. Over the course of the...