nationals

Brewers caught batting out of order (Nationals lose 1-0)

July 04, 2016, 8:12am

Ryan Braun singled up the middle with two outs in the top of the first inning off Max Scherzer in this morning's Independence Day game at Nationals Park. Except in doing so, he actually charged teammate Jonathan Lucroy with an unassisted putout to the catcher. As if 11 a.m. baseball isn't weird enough, the Brewers turned today's game even more bizarre when they batted out of order in the top of the first, costing themselves a hit, not to mention some of their dignity. When Braun, the third...

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Opposite dugout: June swoon changed Brewers' fortunes quickly

July 02, 2016, 4:09pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: June swoon changed Brewers' fortunes quickly

Manager: Craig Counsell (2nd season) Record: 35-46 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: LF Ryan Braun (.323/.383/.546 with 13 HR, 44 RBIs), SS Jonathan Villar (.296/.382/.422 with 30 RBIs, 26 SB), C Jonathan Lucroy (.300 with 10 HR, 39 RBIs), 1B Chris Carter 920 HR,49 RBIs), RHP Junior Guerra (5-1, 3.25 ERA), RHP Jeremy Jeffress (2.60 ERA, 21 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: July 4: RHP Junior Guerra vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 11:05 a.m., MASN July 5: RHP Zach Davies vs. RHP...

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Espinosa caps off record-breaking series in a big way

July 04, 2016, 2:47am

Nationals

Espinosa caps off record-breaking series in a big way

Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa had a series. I mean, he really had a series. Espinosa capped off a four-game run for the ages with two homers, two singles and six RBIs in Sunday's 12-1 dispatch of the Reds. The 15 RBIs are tied for third-most in a four-game series in Major League Baseball history. It is already a franchise record. His week to remember almost assuredly will result in a National League Player of the Week honor. Over the last seven days, he has hit .423 with five homers and...

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Papelbon activated, Taylor surprisingly demoted to Syracuse

July 04, 2016, 6:44am

Nationals

Papelbon activated, Taylor surprisingly demoted to Syracuse

Jonathan Papelbon is back in the Nationals bullpen, but the identity of the player removed from the roster to clear a spot for the veteran closer was a surprise: Michael A. Taylor. The Nationals chose to option Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse before this morning's Independence Day game against the Brewers, activating Papelbon off the disabled list and giving them - for the moment - a 13-man pitching staff and a short bench. Papelbon had been out since June 12 with a strained right ribcage muscle,...

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Game 84 lineups: Brewers at Nats

July 04, 2016, 3:08am

Nationals

The Nationals now have 50 wins after taking care of the Reds in three of four games. Even with the Mets sweeping the National League-best Cubs in four games, the Nationals still maintain a five game lead in the NL East. Right-hander Max Scherzer gets the rare morning call with his first Independence Day start with the Nationals. Scherzer is 9-5 with a 3.30 ERA. He has a 1-1 record with a 2.89 ERA in five appearance (four starts) against the Brewers. He has 39 strikeouts in 28 innings against...

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Nationals activate Papelbon from DL, option Taylor to Triple-A

July 04, 2016, 6:39am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab assignment and reinstated right-handed pitcher Jonathan Papelbon on Monday, and optioned outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Papelbon, 35, returns to the Nationals after missing 19 games with a right intercostal strain. The veteran closer appeared in three rehab games with Single-A Potomac (June 27) and Double-A Harrisburg (July 1 & 2)....

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How to fix what has become a boring All-Star Game

July 04, 2016, 6:35am

Nationals Orioles

How to fix what has become a boring All-Star Game

The American League and National League All-Star teams will be announced Tuesday, and of course, there's a steady stream of second-guessing about how the rosters are selected for an exhibition that determines World Series home field advantage. Here's what needs to be done: Cut rosters from 34 to 26 players, meaning each team can select an extra pitcher beyond the regular season 25-man roster, which is what teams do for split doubleheaders. Then, play an actual game. It would be a throwback....

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Marty Niland: Espinosa providing fireworks for Nationals

July 04, 2016, 5:24am

Nationals

Friday's postgame fireworks were canceled due to extra innings, and rain might well wash out many of the Washington area's July 4 pyrotechnics this year, but Danny Espinosa has been making the Nationals offense explode for the past few weeks. It's hard to say whether the Nats shortstop is the most productive No. 8 hitter in team history, but it's safe to say not many players have put together a series, a week or even a month like the man who wears No. 8 for the Nats. Espinosa burned the...

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Ross admits feeling discomfort in shoulder

July 03, 2016, 2:07pm

Nationals

Ross admits feeling discomfort in shoulder

Manager Dusty Baker said the Nationals decided to place right-hander Joe Ross on the disabled list when they got the results of an MRI on his right shoulder after Saturday's loss to the Reds. "He had some inflammation," Baker said. "We were limiting his innings in the first place. We wanted to make sure Joe is gonna be ready toward the end of the season and we didn't have to shut him down like (Stephen) Strasburg, because this guy can come up big in postseason." Ross watched as his...

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Strasburg tosses 6 2/3 no-hit innings (Nats win 12-1)

July 03, 2016, 10:20am

Nationals

Strasburg tosses 6 2/3 no-hit innings (Nats win 12-1)

Wilson Ramos continues to make the case for his first-ever All-Star selection with a first pitch solo home run off of lefty John Lamb in the bottom of the second in the series finale between the Nats and the Reds on Sunday. His 13th homer of the season lifted the Nats to a 1-0 lead. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg walked two batters in a 25-pitch first frame, but got out of it unscathed and then worked a 1-2-3 second inning. After three innings, the Nats lead the Reds 1-0. Update: Lamb walked...

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Game 83 lineups: Reds at Nats

July 03, 2016, 5:32am

Nationals

On a night when the Nationals could not get much going offensively, they still forced the Reds into extra innings. The Nats mustered just three hits in a 9-4, 10-inning loss. The bullpen allowed five runs in that final frame, helped along by two errors, one a rare fielding miscue from Bryce Harper. Harper, similar to when Ryan Zimmerman said "everyone just needs to calm down" back in April, stressed that the bullpen is fine. "Sometimes it just happens like that and it's just part of the...

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Strasburg and Baker on decision to end no-hit bid in seventh

July 03, 2016, 1:47pm

Nationals

Strasburg and Baker on decision to end no-hit bid in seventh

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had to labor, but certainly displayed the toughness and grit that have been hallmarks of his amazing start to the 2016 season in the Nationals' 12-1 dismantling of the Reds on Sunday. Strasburg no-hit the Reds through 6 2/3 innings, allowing no runs with four walks and five strikeouts. He fired 109 pitches, 70 for strikes, in his first start since June 15. He had been recovering from an upper back strain. Danny Espinosa slammed two of the Nationals' season-high...

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Joe Ross to disabled list with right shoulder inflammation

July 03, 2016, 9:39am

Nationals

Joe Ross to disabled list with right shoulder inflammation

The Nationals activated right-hander Stephen Strasburg from the disabled list to start today's series finale against the Reds. He had been on the shelf with an upper back strain since June 16. Right-hander Joe Ross has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Ross went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits, with no walks and two strikeouts in Saturday's matchup against the Reds. Ross has seen his velocity dip, especially to his sinker, which went from...

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Velocity drop for Ross not big concern following rough start

July 02, 2016, 8:21pm

Nationals

Velocity drop for Ross not big concern following rough start

Bookend pitching difficulties doomed the Nats on Saturday night. Starter Joe Ross struggled early and the bullpen could not slow the Reds in extra innings. Cincinnati dropped the Nationals 9-4 in 10 innings to end their winning streak at six games. The concern after the game was the velocity drop for Ross on his fastball. According to Brooks Baseball, his sinker averages around 93.4 mph. In this game, it was averaging only 91.8 mph. Manager Dusty Baker did not think this meant that Ross was...

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Baker confirms Strasburg to return and start Sunday

July 02, 2016, 7:38pm

Nationals

Baker confirms Strasburg to return and start Sunday

Following Saturday's 9-4 loss in 10 innings to the Reds, Nationals manager Dusty Baker confirmed that Stephen Strasburg would return from the disabled list to start on Sunday in the series finale. "We're getting one of our main men, Stras, back tomorrow," Baker said. "He can put us back in sync for the remainder of first half." Strasburg has been on the disabled list retroactive to June 16 with an upper back strain. He missed starts in Los Angeles and Milwaukee. Although not officially...

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Nationals reinstate RHP Stephen Strasburg

July 03, 2016, 9:43am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday and placed right-handed pitcher Joe Ross on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Strasburg, who will start for Washington on Sunday afternoon vs. Cincinnati, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 17 games with an upper back strain. The right-hander...

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Reds go after Ross for early runs (Nats fall 9-4 in 10)

July 02, 2016, 3:51pm

Nationals

Reds go after Ross for early runs (Nats fall 9-4 in 10)

Joe Ross had trouble getting outs in the first inning in Saturday's start against the Reds. The Nationals right-hander allowed four runs in the first three frames against the Mets over six innings in his last start June 27. The Nats rallied for an 11-4 win. Saturday, the Reds slapped three hits and scored three runs in the first inning, highlighted by an Adam Duvall two-run double. In the second, Zack Cozart added an RBI double to make it 4-0 Reds. The Reds already have four runs and six hits...

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Nationals agree to terms with 19 International free agents

July 02, 2016, 4:52pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 19 international free agents: right-handed pitcher Johan Adon, right-handed pitcher Thony Amoroso, infielder Yasel Antuna, right-handed pitcher Carlos Cuello, outfielder David Escobar, shotstop Luis Garcia, right-handed pitcher Niomar Gomez, right-handed pitcher Rafael Melendez, outfielder Ricardo Mendez, catcher Kelvin Pacheco, right-handed pitcher Eric Pena, outfielder Landerson Pena, catcher Wilmer Perez, catcher Israel Pineda, infielder...

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Still no definitive answer on Strasburg's Sunday status

July 02, 2016, 1:39pm

Nationals

Still no definitive answer on Strasburg's Sunday status

Manager Dusty Baker was asked prior to Saturday's matchup with the Reds who will be his starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has missed a pair of starts after injuring his back prior to a start in Los Angeles on June 16. Top prospect Lucas Giolito started Tuesday's game and pitched four scoreless innings. "It's not up to me," Baker said. "It's up to how Stras feels. Right now he's feeling pretty good. Probably be a decision tomorrow." "It might...

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Nats reach midpoint on pace to win 98 with room for improvement

July 01, 2016, 8:42pm

Nationals

Nats reach midpoint on pace to win 98 with room for improvement

And so the baseball season is now half-complete. (Or is it half-unfinished?) Whatever your perspective, this much you must admit: The Nationals are pretty good. After last night's dramatic, 14-inning victory over the Reds, they now boast a 49-32 record. That's the third-best record in the National League, the fifth-best in the majors. And it's good enough for a six-game lead in the division. It's also the equivalent of a 98-win pace, which few could find fault with, even the most...