nationals

Mets and Red Sox have work to do as they try to chase division crowns

June 28, 2016, 6:35am

The Nationals and Orioles usually have story lines that run on parallel tracks and this year is no different. Each is a first-place team. Each has a sizable lead with a crumbling contender behind them. The defending National League East champion New York Mets have a dysfunctional offense and now, after an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Monday night, their rotation could be falling apart. The Boston Red Sox, a first-place team in the American League East on June 1, have a list of problems that...

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Steve Mears: Was Monday night's win the defining game of 2016 for the Nats?

June 28, 2016, 5:08am

Nationals

Steve Mears: Was Monday night's win the defining game of 2016 for the Nats?

We never know which game to circle on the calendar as a key game or 'the' key game during themarathon 162-game schedule, but clearly last night's game was 'a' key game for both the WashingtonNationals and the New York Mets. Time will tell whether or not last night was 'the' key game. The key game in the 2012 season was the doubleheader game where the Nats came back to beat theirdivision rival after losing a heartbreaking game the night before and the first game of the doubleheader.The...

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Nats bats come roaring back during 11-4 thumping of Mets

June 27, 2016, 6:24pm

Nationals

Nats bats come roaring back during 11-4 thumping of Mets

Down four runs early to Noah Syndergaard, with the Mets lineup all over Joe Ross, the Nationals found themselves in a precarious position in the middle of the third inning tonight, in danger of letting their chief division rivals draw even closer in the standings. And then came the bottom of the third, at which point a Nationals lineup that spent the last week searching for any hit it could possibly get with a man in scoring position finally decided enough was enough. Beginning with a five-run...

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Papelbon tosses perfect inning on rehab (Nats win 11-4)

June 27, 2016, 4:50pm

Nationals

Papelbon tosses perfect inning on rehab (Nats win 11-4)

Jonathan Papelbon cruised through a 1-2-3 inning in the first minor league rehab appearance of his career, moving a step closer to rejoining the Nationals bullpen. Pitching for high Single-A Potomac, Papelbon retired the side in the top of the first inning against Winston-Salem. Given a chance to start and get his work in quickly before making the short drive back up Interstate-95 to Washington, Papelbon recorded a flyout to center field, a swinging strikeout and then a groundout to second...

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Nats believe Giolito gives them "best option to win" Tuesday

June 27, 2016, 2:09pm

Nationals

Nats believe Giolito gives them "best option to win" Tuesday

The Nationals had seen enough of Lucas Giolito in recent weeks to believe he was ready for a promotion. To Triple-A Syracuse, not the big leagues. But when Stephen Strasburg's lingering back injury opened up a spot in their rotation, the Nationals decided to go ahead and promote their top pitching prospect all the way up from Double-A Harrisburg and send him to the mound Tuesday night against the Mets. "We figured he gave us the best option to win the game tomorrow," general manager Mike...

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Nationals trying out Trea Turner in center field at Syracuse

June 27, 2016, 2:38pm

Nationals

On the day they announced the promotion of their top pitching prospect to the big leagues, the Nationals also made an unconventional move that may be a precursor to a promotion of their top position player. Trea Turner, an infielder throughout his amateur and minor league career, is starting in center field tonight for Triple-A Syracuse. And the 22-year-old figures to see significant action there in the next week, with the Nationals strongly considering him for use in the big leagues as an...

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Lucas Giolito to make major league debut Tuesday vs. Mets

June 27, 2016, 12:01pm

Nationals

Lucas Giolito to make major league debut Tuesday vs. Mets

The long wait is finally almost over as top Nationals pitching prospect Lucas Giolito will make his major league debut and start Tuesday against the Mets, manager Dusty Baker confirmed today in his pregame press briefing. The announcement comes after much speculation that the Nats would recall either the right-handed Giolito or 24-year-old right-hander Austin Voth to make a spot start with Stephen Strasburg landing on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with an upper back strain. With Giolito...

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Nats announce several minor league promotions as prospects gain momentum

June 27, 2016, 12:20pm

Nationals

Nats announce several minor league promotions as prospects gain momentum

The Nationals announced that right-hander Lucas Giolito will be recalled to start Tuesday. The minor league system had some other major movement on Monday. The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs announced the addition of second baseman Chris Bostick, outfielder Zach Collier and right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. The team will also have Trea Turner play center field. Double-A Harrisburg will receive outfielder Andrew Stevenson, third baseman Drew Ward, and right-handers Ryan Brinley and Boone...

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Martin called up from Syracuse to bolster bullpen for now

June 27, 2016, 10:52am

Nationals

Martin called up from Syracuse to bolster bullpen for now

The Nationals called up right-hander Rafael Martin from Triple-A Syracuse, giving themselves another reliever for tonight's series opener against the Mets but still leaving the question of Tuesday night's starter unanswered for now. Martin becomes the eighth member of the Nationals bullpen, but his stay in D.C. could be brief. Unless the club intends to use long reliever Yusmeiro Petit as Stephen Strasburg's replacement in the rotation - and manager Dusty Baker said Sunday in Milwaukee that...

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Opposite dugout: Mets aren't exactly cruising entering critical stretch before break

June 26, 2016, 3:10pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets aren't exactly cruising entering critical stretch before break

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 40-34 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.287/.358/.566 with 18 HR, 45 RBIs), 2B Neil Walker (.265 with 14 HR, 30 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (13 HR, 21 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (8-2, 2.08 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.89 ERA with 26 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: June 27: RHP Noah Syndergaard vs. RHP Joe Ross, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 28: RHP Matt Harvey vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 29: LHP Steven Matz vs....

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Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

June 27, 2016, 11:11am

Nationals

Why does it feel like it's been ages since the Nationals last played a game here on South Capitol Street? OK, maybe it hasn't been ages in the technical sense, but it has been a full 12 days since Jayson Werth's walk-off single beat the Cubs and sent the Nats out west flying high for the moment. They return now after winning yesterday in Milwaukee to snap a seven-game losing streak, with Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list, a bullpen still trying to cobble things together minus Jonathan...

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Nationals recall right-hander Rafael Martin

June 27, 2016, 10:15am

Nationals

The Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Rafael Martin from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, adding him to the active roster in the space that was vacated when right-hander Stephen Strasburg was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an upper back strain (retroactive to June 16) on Sunday, June 26. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Martin, 32, joins the Nationals for his first major league assignment of the season. The right-hander...

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#IChallengeMax: Max Scherzer steps to plate for this season's Fan Challenge

June 27, 2016, 7:04am

Nationals

#IChallengeMax: Max Scherzer steps to plate for this season's Fan Challenge

Two no-hitters. A 20-strikeout game. Three All-Star Games. A Cy Young Award. OK, now that we've listed a few of his credentials, it's pretty obvious that you probably can't beat Max Scherzer in baseball. But you could beat him at something else. So prove it! The CareFirst Fan Challenge is back, and we want you to challenge Mad Max to ... anything! Think you can take him down in a game of cornhole or chess? Can you grill a better burger than him or make him say uncle following a round of...

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"MASN Nationals - 2016 Max Scherzer Fan Challenge": Official Contest Rules

June 27, 2016, 6:33am

Nationals

"MASN Nationals - 2016 Max Scherzer Fan Challenge" : Official Contest Rules NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL U.S. RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED. MUST BE 13 YEARS OF AGE AND...

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Marty Niland: With skid over, Nats can focus on winning habits

June 26, 2016, 7:19pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: With skid over, Nats can focus on winning habits

It's too early to say whether Tanner Roark's guile and Jayson Werth's guts actually saved the Nationals' 2016 season. But when they look back it all, their June 26 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers may be seen as an epiphany. For now, at least, the bleeding has stopped. In just a week's time, the Nationals had gone from the hottest team in the National League to the coldest, and this week's series with the New York Mets went from an opportunity to build a huge National League East lead...

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Strasburg on injury and treatment, Baker on pitching plans vs. Mets

June 26, 2016, 3:35pm

Nationals

Strasburg on injury and treatment, Baker on pitching plans vs. Mets

MILWAUKEE - Stephen Strasburg has spent more time with the chiropractor over the past week than he has on the mound. The right-hander didn't want to go on the disabled list after a recurring upper back strain twice forced him to be scratched from scheduled starts, but he understands why the DL move was necessary. "Goal No. 1 is to figure out what it is and what's causing it and get back here as soon as I can," Strasburg said in the Nationals clubhouse after Sunday's 3-2 victory over the...

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Voth a good choice for spot start with Strasburg on DL

June 26, 2016, 11:00am

Nationals

Voth a good choice for spot start with Strasburg on DL

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an upper back strain. The Nationals announced a corresponding move will be made on Monday. The Nationals will need a spot start on Tuesday. It is a good possibility that right-hander Austin Voth will get the call for his first major league start. He will have to be placed on the 40-man roster to get that spot. The 24-year-old Voth has distinguished himself with Triple-A Syracuse. He has a 4-3 record with a 2.99 ERA...

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Jonathan Papelbon to begin rehab Monday at Potomac

June 26, 2016, 6:20pm

Nationals

Jonathan Papelbon to begin rehab Monday at Potomac

Jonathan Papelbon's return to the Nationals bullpen may only be a handful of days away. Papelbon will begin a rehab assignment with high Single-A Potomac on Monday night, the minor league affiliate announced, suggesting the injured closer is nearly ready to come back from a strained ribcage muscle. Out since June 13 with what officially is considered a strained right intercostal muscle, Papelbon traveled with the Nationals throughout their just-completed road trip and had been playing catch...

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Nats halt seven-game skid in finale, but it wasn't easy

June 26, 2016, 3:12pm

Nationals

Nats halt seven-game skid in finale, but it wasn't easy

MILWAUKEE - Ending a seven-game losing streak proved just as daunting a task for the Nationals as the difficult path that saddled them with a season-worst skid in the first place. But a 3-2 win over the Brewers on Sunday assured the Nationals of going home for a key series against the Mets with some positive vibes on their side. But to get there, the Nationals had to turn to an emergency starting pitcher who cut short a Saturday bullpen session at 38 pitches when he found out he'd be needed in...

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Losing streak ends with 3-2 Nats win

June 26, 2016, 11:06am

Nationals

MILWAUKEE - Tanner Roark is through three scoreless innings against the Brewers. Now if only the offense could do something to help the right-hander. Roark has allowed one hit - Jonathan Lucroy's leadoff single in the second - walked one and struck out three. Jonathan Villar drew a leadoff walk in the first, but was erased trying to steal on a strong throw from catcher Jose Lobaton. The Nationals are still searching for their first hit. Ben Revere's sharp two-out grounder to second could have...