nationals

Steve Mears: Turner matching all-time hits leader in hustle category

June 07, 2016, 8:22am

Friday night in Cincinnati, Ohio was the setting for the 2016 debut of possibly the most exciting player in baseball, and his name is Trea Turner. He is not a home run hitter and he doesn't crow-hop throwing 97-mph darts across the diamond. Turner is the true throwback to a simpler game to the bygone years of "Charlie Hustle," who is still loved in Cincinnati. Pete Rose was not particularly fast, as he only averaged nine stolen bases a year against seven caught stealing, which surprises most...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz steve mears trea turner

Opposite dugout: Hot start a distant memory for struggling White Sox

June 06, 2016, 2:42pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Hot start a distant memory for struggling White Sox

Manager: Robin Ventura (5th season) Record: 29-28 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Todd Frazier (18 HR, 40 RBIs); RF Adam Eaton (.270 average, 60 hits); 1B Jose Abreu (.251 average, 56 hits, 30 RBIs); LHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.54 ERA); RHP Mat Latos (6-1, 4;02 ERA); CL David Robertson (3.22 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting of 2016 (0-3 in 2013) Pitching probables: June 7: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Mat Latos, 8:10 p.m., MASN2June 8: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP James Shields,...

Comments

Tags:

brian eller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout frontstory_nationals3

Lombardozzi back in Nats system, Harper's brother promoted

June 06, 2016, 12:02pm

Nationals

Lombardozzi back in Nats system, Harper's brother promoted

Steve Lombardozzi is returning to the Nationals organization, signing a minor league contract after re-establishing himself this season playing independent ball in Waldorf. Lombardozzi will report to Triple-A Syracuse. He's not on the Nationals' 40-man roster. A 19th-round pick in the 2008 draft, Lombardozzi became one of the Nats' top prospects and made his major league debut in September 2011. The Columbia native wound up a key member of the 2012 National League East championship roster,...

Comments

Tags:

bryan harper mark zuckerman minor leagues nationals nationals pastime steve lombardozzi featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Zimmerman returns from paternity leave, Turner back to Triple-A

June 06, 2016, 6:25am

Nationals

Zimmerman returns from paternity leave, Turner back to Triple-A

The Nationals reinstated Ryan Zimmerman off the paternity leave list this morning and optioned Trea Turner back to Triple-A Syracuse, a move that was expected all along but nonetheless raised the question once again of the organization's plan for its top infield prospect. Zimmerman was required to return to the active roster after spending the maximum three days on paternity leave following the birth of his second daughter on Thursday. He'll rejoin the club in Chicago in time for Tuesday's...

Comments

Tags:

mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals reinstate first baseman Ryan Zimmerman

June 06, 2016, 9:50am

Nationals

The Nationals reinstated first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the Paternity List on Monday and optioned infielder Trea Turner to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmerman, 31, was hitting .250 with a .312 on-base percentage and a .451 slugging percentage when he went on the Paternity List on June 3. The first baseman has collected 11 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and 26 RBI for the Nationals in 48 games...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

In seesaw offensive affair, Papelbon finally saves the day

June 05, 2016, 2:31pm

Nationals

In seesaw offensive affair, Papelbon finally saves the day

CINCINNATI - After a seesaw battle that saw the Nationals get down early, battle back to take the lead and watch the Reds cut it to one, they finally earned the elusive last out. The Nationals trailed 5-0 and then tied the game at 5-5. They went up 10-5 only to watch the Reds cut it to 10-8. Closer Jonathan Papelbon arrived in the ninth inning to try to get three outs. It was not easy. Tyler Holt started the rally with a single. Joey Votto walked. Brandon Phillips doubled down the left field...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr daniel murphy jonathan papelbon nationals reds sammy solis tanner roark featured_sidebar wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

Bullpen with questions and answers as Nats move on to Chicago

June 05, 2016, 5:12pm

Nationals

Bullpen with questions and answers as Nats move on to Chicago

CINCINNATI - The bullpen was certainly tested Sunday when starter Tanner Roark had to be pulled after three innings with the Nationals trailing by five runs. Left-hander Sammy Solis was solid again, pitching three innings of scoreless baseball and racking up a career-high six strikeouts. In 13 games, he now has a 1.59 ERA in 17 innings. Last season, he said at times his off speed offerings were not as repeatable. This season, he has much more confidence in every pitch he throws. "Just staying...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker felipe rivero jonathan papelbon mike maddux nationals reds sammy solis shawn kelley featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Marty Niland: Nats used series against Reds to get bats going

June 06, 2016, 4:54am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats used series against Reds to get bats going

So, the Nationals just lost two out of three to the second-worst team in the National League, allowing 22 runs 31 hits and seven home runs to the 21-36 Reds. Let's dwell on the positives, though, shall we? Despite the pitching staff getting spanked by one of the league's top hitting teams, the struggling offense finally showed some signs of life. In Sunday's comeback win, it was downright resilient. After having his 11-game hitting streak snapped, Daniel Murphy was on the verge of going...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Second-inning barrage by Reds roughs Roark (Nats win 10-9)

June 05, 2016, 10:10am

Nationals

Second-inning barrage by Reds roughs Roark (Nats win 10-9)

CINCINNATI - The Reds were able to score four runs in the second inning of Friday's series opener en route to a 7-2 victory over the Nationals. On Sunday, the Reds picked the second frame to go after Nats right-hander Tanner Roark. The first five batters reached base, thanks to four straight hits, highlighted by an Ivan De Jesus two-run double. A third run scored on a Ben Revere error. Tyler Holt later added a two-run broken-bat bloop single to center and the Reds lead 5-0 after two...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals reds tanner roark frontstory_nationals3

Nats' aggressiveness thwarted so far in series against Reds

June 05, 2016, 3:16am

Nationals

Nats' aggressiveness thwarted so far in series against Reds

CINCINNATI - The Nationals have not had the offense ignite in this series against the Reds as they might have anticipated after a good start to the nine-game road trip. In the first two games against the Reds, the Nats have combined to score just five runs on 10 hits. The Nats have zero stolen bases in the series on three attempts and have grounded into one double play. In the first game, Trea Turner appeared to have gone first to third on a hard-hit ball by Bryce Harper, but video replay...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper byron kerr daniel murphy dusty baker nationals reds featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 57 lineups: Nats at Reds

June 05, 2016, 3:35am

Nationals

CINCINNATI - The Nationals have fallen in seven of their last eight games against the Reds and have lost only their second road series of the season following 7-2 and 6-3 setbacks here at Great American Ball Park. Right-hander Tanner Roark will look to change that trend today. He comes in 4-4 with a 2.70 ERA and has allowed two earned runs or less in three consecutive starts. Jayson Werth gets today off, with Ben Revere sliding over to left field and Michael A. Taylor starting in center. Reds...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere byron kerr frontstory_nationals1 jayson werth michael a. taylor nationals reds tanner roark

Strasburg sets strikeout mark, but calf cramps in no-decision vs. Reds

June 04, 2016, 5:25pm

Nationals

Strasburg sets strikeout mark, but calf cramps in no-decision vs. Reds

CINCINNATI - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg didn't finish his usual six or more innings in a rain-delayed start Saturday. But of more concern was what looked like a leg injury during a Reds comeback in the sixth inning. The Reds won the game 6-3 on a late three-run shot by Adam Duvall, sending the Nationals to only their fourth series loss of the season. Manager Dusty Baker revealed that Strasburg suffered from a cramp in his calf during the Reds rally. "He says he's had it before when he...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr danny espinosa dusty baker nationals reds stephen strasburg featured_sidebar shawn kelley frontstory_nationals3

Rendon displays power bat, Strasburg reaches 1,000 K (Reds win 6-3)

June 04, 2016, 12:37pm

Nationals

Rendon displays power bat, Strasburg reaches 1,000 K (Reds win 6-3)

CINCINNATI - The Nationals jumped on Reds starter Dan Straily early with two runs in the second inning. Wilson Ramos smacked a double with one out. Anthony Rendon followed with a two-run homer, his fifth of the season lined over the left field wall, to give the Nats their first lead of the series 2-0. Stephen Strasburg retired the Reds 1-2-3 in the first inning. In the bottom of the second, Jay Bruce crushed a 2-1 Strasburg offering over the left-center field fence, cutting the Nationals lead...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr nationals reds stephen strasburg jay bruce frontstory_nationals3

Baker met with Revere to try to get outfielder going at the plate

June 04, 2016, 11:32am

Nationals

Baker met with Revere to try to get outfielder going at the plate

CINCINNATI - Nationals center fielder Ben Revere continues to struggle at the plate, going just 2-for-28 (.072) in the last seven games. Manager Dusty Baker decided to have a one-on-one meeting with the scuffling leadoff man to try to get him back on track. "He's struggling. I called Ben in today and I had a meeting with Ben," Baker said. "I explained to him it didn't take you two weeks to get in this hole and usually it takes you twice as much time to get out of hole as you got in a...

Comments

Tags:

ben revere byron kerr dusty baker matt belisle nationals trea turner featured_sidebar sammy solis stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Dusty Baker reflects on the life and influence of Muhammad Ali

June 04, 2016, 11:09am

Nationals

Dusty Baker reflects on the life and influence of Muhammad Ali

CINCINNATI - Legendary boxing great Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74 on Friday. Today, Nationals manager Dusty Baker had a chance to reflect on how important Ali was to him and his life as he grew up watching the boxer compete and become a champion. "It's a tremendous loss, especially at a time when I was a teenager and going through some turmoils in my life and the country," Baker said. "Muhammad Ali gave us all, especially young black men, a sense of pride and strength." Baker...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker muhammad ali nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Trea Turner returns: "This is where everybody wants to be"

June 03, 2016, 2:03pm

Nationals

Trea Turner returns: "This is where everybody wants to be"

CINCINNATI - Jersey No. 7 is hanging in his locker. Trea Turner is back in the majors for the first time in 2016. With Ryan Zimmerman away for paternity leave, the Nationals' top offensive prospect has returned to the Nationals and will start at second base in Friday's series opener against the Reds. "Feels good," Turner said, sitting in the visitor's dugout hours before the game. "This is where everybody wants to be and to get another opportunity to do it. It's fun and I'm going to try...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr clint robinson dusty baker nationals reds ryan zimmerman trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 56 lineups: Nats at Reds

June 04, 2016, 7:13am

Nationals

CINCINNATI - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg looks to get the Nationals on the board in their series at Great American Ball Park against the Reds in his 12th start of the season. And if he can win today, he will be the first 10-game winner in the majors this season. Strasburg has already reached a 9-0 start, the best in his career. He is the first Nats pitcher to with 12 straight decisions, with the club winning his last 15 straight starts. He suffered neck tightness last year in his start here,...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals reds stephen strasburg clint robinson daniel murphy frontstory_nationals3

More from Gonzalez, Turner and Werth

June 03, 2016, 7:40pm

Nationals

CINCINNATI - Nationals manager Dusty Baker said that pitching coach Mike Maddux and Gio Gonzalez continue to fine tune what is going on with the southpaw. He has now allowed 18 runs in his last three starts. "We got to go back to the drawing board and try to find a way for Gio to get it together because we need Gio," Baker said. "We need Gio that was in the month of April more than anything. Mike (Maddux) and him are working on things. He's got to continue to work. When things aren't going...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr dusty baker nationals reds trea turner featured_sidebar gio gonzalez jayson werth frontstory_nationals3

One "crooked number inning" dooms Gonzalez; Werth and Turner shine

June 03, 2016, 7:27pm

Nationals

One "crooked number inning" dooms Gonzalez; Werth and Turner shine

CINCINNATI - The second inning was the one bad inning for Gio Gonzalez this time around. The Reds scored four runs on six hits in the second Friday night en route to a 7-2 victory over the Nationals to open their three-game set at the Great American Ball Park. It was the second inning May 28 against the Cardinals when Gonzalez allowed four runs. It was the third inning May 23 versus the Mets. He gave up five in that frame. It's added up to three losses in a row. But Gonzalez kept battling...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker gio gonzalez jayson werth nationals ryan zimmerman trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Reds get to Gonzalez with second inning barrage (Nats fall 7-2)

June 03, 2016, 3:54pm

Nationals

Reds get to Gonzalez with second inning barrage (Nats fall 7-2)

CINCINNATI - Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has struggled his last two starts, allowing 13 combined runs in back-to-back losses. Gonzalez worked through bottom of the first unscathed. It was the 31st consecutive first inning he had not allowed a run. But in the second inning with no one out, the Reds connected on four consecutive base hits. Adam Duvall started with a double off the left field wall. Eugenio Suarez brought him home with a run-scoring single and the Reds lead 1-0. Billy Hamilton...