nationals

Baker says Nationals feed off energy of crowds at Nats Park

July 06, 2016, 10:43am

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...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr danny espinosa nationals tanner roark bryce harper daniel murphy lineups milwaukee brewers jose lobaton frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime q&a featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

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...

Comments

Tags:

brewers bryce harper byron kerr daniel murphy dusty baker gio gonzalez nationals ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

all-star game bryce harper daniel murphy home run derby mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg wilson ramos featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

charlie fliegel max scherzer nationals nationals buzz

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...

Comments

Tags:

all-star game bryce harper daniel murphy mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg wilson ramos gio gonzalez

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...

Comments

Tags:

gio gonzalez lineups mark zuckerman milwaukee brewers nationals nationals pastime bryce harper daniel murphy stephen strasburg wilson ramos

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...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr dusty baker nationals ryan zimmerman daniel murphy danny espinosa featured_sidebar wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

danny espinosa nationals nationals pastime mark zuckerman featured_sidebar dusty baker frontstory_nationals2

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,...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon brewers byron kerr gio gonzalez nationals frontstory_nationals1 ben revere

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...

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman milwaukee brewers nationals nationals pastime jayson werth anthony rendon blake treinen bryce harper danny espinosa frontfeatured_nationals gio gonzalez ryan zimmerman

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...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker jonathan papelbon nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

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...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

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...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Scherzer done in by one solo homer, elevated pitch count

July 04, 2016, 8:55pm

Nationals

Scherzer done in by one solo homer, elevated pitch count

Max Scherzer pitched quite well yesterday. Who wouldn't be satisfied with one run and four hits allowed over six innings? But when your teammates are shut out, as the Nationals were by Brewers rookie Junior Guerra and two relievers, that one run allowed by Scherzer looks much more significant. And the manner in which it scored - via Martin Maldonado's solo homer in the top of the fifth - loomed large, given Scherzer's season-long struggles keeping the ball in the park. "There was a solo...

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman max scherzer milwaukee brewers nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Steve Mears: What moves does Rizzo have in mind for Nats?

July 05, 2016, 6:28am

Nationals

Steve Mears: What moves does Rizzo have in mind for Nats?

The trade deadline is on Aug. 1 this year and that is 26 days away. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo seems poised to make some moves, and all teams in first place will make some moves. What we do not know is what Mike Rizzo has in mind for his top two prospects, Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner. "(Giolito) threw 137 innings last year total," Rizzo said. "We will build off that. We have a protocol in place that we'll stick to and adhere to. We have had it mapped out since spring training,...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger lucas giolito mike rizzo nationals nationals buzz steve mears trea turner

Baker and Revere on Taylor being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

July 04, 2016, 11:20am

Nationals

Baker and Revere on Taylor being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

Following Monday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers, Nationals manager Dusty Baker discussed the decision to option outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse. Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon was activated prior to Monday's game, so the team decided to send the outfielder to the Chiefs. Taylor was batting .225 in the first 60 games of the season and has struck out 64 times. In the last seven games, he has gone 2-for-22 (.091) with 10 strikeouts. Baker said it is never an easy decision to send a...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere byron kerr dusty baker michael taylor nationals frontstory_nationals3

Counsell takes blame for lineup gaffe, Baker recalls his own

July 04, 2016, 11:54am

Nationals

Counsell takes blame for lineup gaffe, Baker recalls his own

It doesn't happen often - only 39 times in the last six decades of Major League Baseball - and so when it does, it draws plenty of attention and leaves one dugout looking for a corner to go hide and the other giddy for having caught the opposition's mistake. Really, are there many more embarrassing mistakes for a big league manager than seeing his team bat out of order? It happened today at Nationals Park, and the reactions were exactly what you would expect. Craig Counsell and the Brewers...

Comments

Tags:

craig counsell dusty baker mark zuckerman milwaukee brewers nationals nationals pastime ryan braun featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Scherzer allows homer, Nats go quietly in 1-0 loss to Brewers

July 04, 2016, 10:00am

Nationals

Scherzer allows homer, Nats go quietly in 1-0 loss to Brewers

Right-hander Max Scherzer's trend of of pitching well but allowing at least one homer continued again Monday in his start against the Brewers. Martin Maldonado hit a solo homer to lead off the fifth inning to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. That was all the Brewers needed in a 1-0 win over the Nationals that snapped their four-game skid. Scherzer (9-6) ended up with the hard luck loss by allowing only one run over six innings on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Scherzer threw 114...