nationals

Scherzer getting to "midseason form" following win at Miami

May 22, 2016, 6:48pm

MIAMI - It was back to normal for Max Scherzer on Sunday, another close to dominant performance. Scherzer (5-3) went eight innings and allowed just two runs for the win as the Nationals dropped the Marlins 8-2. The Marlins managed only six hits off of him all day. The biggest was a two-run shot from Justin Bour, his second homer of the series. But that was it. Only six of 29 Marlins batters faced reached base. Scherzer struck out eight batters and walked none. He felt it was his second positive...

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Opposite dugout: Mets riding momentum following recent sweep

May 22, 2016, 2:23pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets riding momentum following recent sweep

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 25-18 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.298, 14 HR, 35 RBIs), LF Michael Conforto (.284, 8 HR, 12 2B), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.278, 44 hits), RHP Noah Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: May 23: RHP Bartolo Colon vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 24: RHP Matt Harvey vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 25: RHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Tanner...

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Revere and Rendon ignite offense in 8-2 dispatch of Marlins

May 22, 2016, 1:27pm

Nationals

Revere and Rendon ignite offense in 8-2 dispatch of Marlins

MIAMI - Ben Revere and Anthony Rendon were expected to be the igniters at the top of the order to begin the season for the Nationals offense. But Revere missed 27 games with a strained right oblique and Rendon got off to a cold start. Revere returned to the lineup May 6. In an attempt to mix things up, manager Dusty Baker moved Rendon down in the order last week. On Sunday in Miami, both hitters played huge parts in the Nationals' offense explosion in an 8-2 series-clinching dispatch of the...

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Answering the most-often asked questions in baseball

May 23, 2016, 5:38am

Nationals Orioles

Answering the most-often asked questions in baseball

You have questions and we have answers to the most-often asked ones in baseball: Q: The San Francisco Giants are leading the National League West after investing $230 million in two pitchers - Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto - who were not effective pitchers last season, but are lights-out this season. What gives? A: Samardzija was 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA for the Chicago White Sox last season, so it seems strange the Giants thought he was worth $90 million. The Giants thought that Samardzija was...

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Revere scores early run to give Nats head start (Nats win 8-2)

May 22, 2016, 9:39am

Nationals

Revere scores early run to give Nats head start (Nats win 8-2)

MIAMI - The Nationals did a nice job of manufacturing a run in the first inning to go up on the Marlins in the series finale. Ben Revere singled to lead off the first inning for the second game in a row. He stole second for his first stolen base of the season. Jayson Werth grounded out to second to move Revere to third. Bryce Harper then lofted a ball to shallow center field. Marcell Ozuna's throw home was way over the head of catcher Jeff Mathis. Revere slid home safely and the Nationals...

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Game 44 lineups: Nats at Marlins

May 22, 2016, 4:29am

Nationals

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker spoke Friday prior to Game 1 about how important it was to try to win the series after splitting 10 games against the Fish to begin the season. Baker said winning games in the division is critical against the Marlins as they do not face them again until late September after today's contest. The two teams continue to trade blows and play even baseball following the Marlins' 3-2 win Saturday night. Today will finally put one team ahead of the other in the season...

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Ross on tough loss: "I thought I pitched pretty well"

May 21, 2016, 8:09pm

Nationals

Ross on tough loss: "I thought I pitched pretty well"

MIAMI - Nationals right-hander Joe Ross deserved better on his 23rd birthday. And despite falling 3-2 to the Marlins, he really stood toe-to-toe with Marlins ace Jose Fernandez for most of the game. Manager Dusty Baker had said in pregame the one way they could stay in the game against Fernandez is if Ross could hang with him. He pretty much did. "His total outing was outstanding," Baker said. "He was matching, other than the strikeouts. Every time Fernandez got a 3-2 count it was either out...

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Feverish ninth-inning rally falls just short in Nats' loss to Marlins

May 21, 2016, 7:42pm

Nationals

Feverish ninth-inning rally falls just short in Nats' loss to Marlins

MIAMI - Pretty much everything went right for the Nationals as they attempted a spectacular comeback in the ninth inning - until it all went wrong with one quick swing. Down 3-1 in the top of the ninth and facing Marlins closer A.J. Ramos, the Nationals put men on first and third thanks to singles by Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy. A Wilson Ramos pinch-hit single scored Harper and suddenly the Nationals had cut the Marlins' advantage to 3-2. Anthony Rendon worked A.J. Ramos for a walk to load...

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Ross and Fernandez in pitchers' duel (Marlins win 3-2)

May 21, 2016, 3:58pm

Nationals

Ross and Fernandez in pitchers' duel (Marlins win 3-2)

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker said during his pregame media session that the best way to have a shot at beating a really good pitcher is to pitch well yourself. Right-hander Joe Ross has certainly done that. Although Ichiro Suzuki worked him for nine pitches and a single to lead off the game, it didn't faze Ross. He went on to finish that inning and then had a 1-2-3 second. As expected, that "really good pitcher," right-hander Jose Fernandez, who has surrendered only two runs in 13 innings...

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Baker on lineup and when to rest regulars, plus Belisle update

May 21, 2016, 2:32pm

Nationals

Baker on lineup and when to rest regulars, plus Belisle update

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker had already decided to rest Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's game against the Marlins because he knew he wouldn't have much chance to rest them during the upcoming homestand. "I had it planned in advance because the amount of games that we're going to be playing, the late get-in," Baker said. "Everything contributed to this (lineup). I always believe you take your shot all at once. A lot of times, your shock troops actually sometimes come out...

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Game 43 lineups: Nats at Marlins (Yelich scratched)

May 21, 2016, 9:29am

Nationals

Game 43 lineups: Nats at Marlins (Yelich scratched)

MIAMI - It seems to be a birthday weekend so far in South Florida. Friday was Jayson Werth's 37th birthday. He collected two hits en route to a 4-1 Nationals win over the Marlins. Today is right-hander Joe Ross' 23rd birthday. He starts for the first time in majors on his birthday as the Nationals look for their first series win against the Marlins this season. Incidentally, the next Nationals player with a birthday in season is third baseman Anthony Rendon on June 6. Ross is 3-3 with a 2.63...

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Zimmerman and Werth continue uptick at plate

May 20, 2016, 7:27pm

Nationals

Zimmerman and Werth continue uptick at plate

MIAMI - This may be the time of year when things turn the right way for slugger Ryan Zimmerman. On Friday night, he made another statement that his power swing may be coming back. Zimmerman's loud solo shot over the left-center field wall opened the scoring for the Nationals as they went on to down the Marlins 4-1. "It's one good swing," he said. "But I've been feeling good the last three or four games, I've hit some balls hard. Not getting stuff for it, but in New York I thought I had...

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Roark worked on not tipping pitches in 4-1 win vs. Marlins

May 20, 2016, 7:05pm

Nationals

Roark worked on not tipping pitches in 4-1 win vs. Marlins

MIAMI - Right-hander Tanner Roark was 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in three starts against the Marlins this season. His worst start of the season came just six days ago in D.C., when he allowed seven runs on eight hits in five innings against these same Marlins. But Friday in Miami was just the opposite. Inducing weak contact and holding the Marlins to just one run, Roark turned Miami into every other opponent he has faced this season, delivering 6 2/3 strong innings in a 4-1 win at Marlins Park. It...

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Baker believes cold April was tough on Rendon

May 20, 2016, 3:02pm

Nationals

Baker believes cold April was tough on Rendon

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker has placed third baseman Anthony Rendon in the No. 6 spot in the batting order again for the fourth consecutive game. Rendon raked for five hits in his last two games, but his recent bounceback at the plate actually started last week. In April, Rendon hit .242 with only four doubles and just one RBI. He had no triples and no homers in that first month. Since May 10, Rendon has hit .406 (13-for-32) with three doubles, five RBIs, five walks and two stolen bases. Baker...

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Zimmerman and Taylor homer early, Roark solid (Nats win 4-1)

May 20, 2016, 3:46pm

Nationals

Zimmerman and Taylor homer early, Roark solid (Nats win 4-1)

MIAMI - The Nationals offense picked up where it left off in New York with hard contact versus Marlins left-hander Justin Nicolino in the early going. Michael A. Taylor lined out to a diving Christian Yelich to open the game. Jason Werth then followed with a lined single to left. Although the Nationals didn't score in the inning, they were seeing the southpaw very well. In the second, they unloaded on the Marlins. Ryan Zimmerman led off with a solo homer, his fifth of the season, and the...

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Baker on Roark vs. Fish: "Too early to start running from people"

May 20, 2016, 2:12pm

Nationals

Baker on Roark vs. Fish: "Too early to start running from people"

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker explained why he decided to give Ben Revere the day off and start Fort Lauderdale native Michael A. Taylor in the leadoff spot. "No Ben Revere because I like to play guy's at home, Michael A. Taylor's from here," Baker said. "And also we got a left-hander and also Ben's been playing every day since he got back." Baker said the Nationals' charter also arrived very early in the morning from New York after Wednesday night's 9-1 win. Baker said that the Revere...

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Game 42 lineups: Nats at Marlins

May 20, 2016, 6:43am

Nationals

MIAMI - Welcome to the Sunshine State, or as I like to call it, especially this weekend, the Mostly Sunshine But Guaranteed Popup Rain Shower in Afternoon Each Day State. I know, that just wouldn't fit on the license plate. Rain is expected each day the Nationals are in town, but that is a moot point with each game indoors at Marlins Park. Fresh off an impressive series win against the defending National League champion New York Mets, the Nationals stay on the road and within the division in...

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More on last night's blowout victory in New York

May 19, 2016, 9:01pm

Nationals

More on last night's blowout victory in New York

NEW YORK - While the focus of last night's game was squarely on the Stephen Strasburg-Matt Harvey pitching matchup, there was plenty else notable about the Nationals' 9-1 victory over the Mets. Before they get to Miami and open this weekend's series with the Marlins (and before my colleague Byron Kerr takes the reins of the blog for the second leg of the road trip), here are some more things worth mentioning from last night... * Daniel Murphy completed his Citi Field homecoming in style....

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Opposite dugout: Mattingly has Marlins hanging tough in competitive NL East

May 19, 2016, 1:04pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mattingly has Marlins hanging tough in competitive NL East

Manager: Don Mattingly (1st season) Record: 21-19 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Martin Prado (.371), LF Christian Yelich (.322/.424/.531 with 5 HR, 20 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (.302 with 21 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (11 HR, 25 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (5-2, 3.21 ERA), LHP Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (1.59 ERA, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-5 Pitching probables: May 20: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Justin Nicolino, 7:10 p.m., MASN May 21: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Jose...

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Nats praise dominant Strasburg, defend struggling Harvey

May 19, 2016, 8:15pm

Nationals

Nats praise dominant Strasburg, defend struggling Harvey

NEW YORK - The comparisons are inevitable and likely will follow both Stephen Strasburg and Matt Harvey through the ends of their respective careers. Both are hard-throwing right-handers who burst onto the scene as rookies, only to suffer torn elbow ligaments that required Tommy John surgery and a long road to recovery. That, of course, is where Strasburg and Harvey's paths moved in alternate directions. Where the Nationals took the overly cautious route with their young ace, shutting him down...