nationals

Jayson Werth: "I never thought we'd end up here"

September 26, 2015, 6:40pm

After a win over the Diamondbacks on August 4, the Nationals stood a game behind the first-place Mets in the National League East. Jayson Werth uttered the words that shot up I-95 to the Big Apple: "It's our division to lose." Tonight, the Mets clinched the division, thus eliminating the Nats from the playoffs. About 30 minutes after the Nationals finished celebrating a walk-off 2-1 win over the Phillies, Werth hobbled into the clubhouse from the trainer's room. With an enormous ice pack...

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Ian Desmond on playing for the Nationals: "It's all a blessing"

September 26, 2015, 1:52pm

Nationals

One week remains in the Nationals season and it also could mark the end of veteran shortstop Ian Desmond's time with the organization he grew up with. Desmond, the longest tenured Expos/Nationals player, becomes a free agent at the end of the 2015 season. Although it may not have to come to an end if the club provides say a qualifying offer, Desmond looked back on his career so far and appreciated the opportunity he got in playing for the Nationals. "It's all a blessing," Desmond told 106.7...

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Bryce Harper's walk-off RBI double wins game 2-1 (Nats eliminated)

September 26, 2015, 1:25pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper's walk-off RBI double wins game 2-1 (Nats eliminated)

Stephen Strasburg mowed down the Phillies through the first four innings without allowing a baserunner. Darin Ruf ended Strasburg's bid for perfection with a leadoff single in the fifth. Strasburg induced a double-play groundout from Andres Blanco after Ruf's hit. Strasburg has faced the minimum batters, striking out six through five innings. The Nationals wasted a tremendous scoring opportunity in the fourth. Three straight singles from Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Clint Robinson loaded...

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Stephen Strasburg takes mound for last home start (with lineups)

September 26, 2015, 9:34am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg takes mound for last home start (with lineups)

Stephen Strasburg takes the mound for the last time at Nationals Park in 2015 this afternoon against the Phillies. The right-hander tied a career high with 14 strikeouts when he faced the Phils at Citizens Bank Park a little over a week ago. Strasburg is 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA and 37 strikeouts over his last three starts. He is 5-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 11 home starts this season and 4-3 with a 4.22 ERA in nine day game starts. Today's outing against Philadelphia will be his fifth this season,...

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Bryce Harper looks to bust out of mini slump

September 26, 2015, 11:52am

Nationals

Bryce Harper looks to bust out of mini slump

Bryce Harper enters today's matinee with the Phillies without a hit in his last four games, all losses for the Nationals. The 22-year-old went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts last night and is 0-for-10 over the four games, his longest hitless streak of the season. "He's a touch frustrated right now getting some pitches to hit and not hitting them," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "And that's human. But he's one swing away from getting right back at it. It's been a pretty special...

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Marmolejos, Voth and Williams take home organizational honors

September 25, 2015, 5:33pm

Nationals

Marmolejos, Voth and Williams take home organizational honors

The Nationals have named first baseman Jose Marmolejos-Diaz their organization player of the year, right-hander Austin Voth pitcher of the year and right-hander Austen Williams received the Bob Boone Award, MASNsports.com has learned. Low Single-A Hagerstown lefty-hitting first baseman Marmolejos-Diaz had a breakout season for the Suns. The 22-year-old Dominican Marmolejos-Diaz hit .310 in 124 games with 39 doubles, five triples, 11 homers and 87 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .363 and his...

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Nats game blog: Stephen Strasburg on a roll as he faces Phillies again

September 26, 2015, 10:36am

Nationals

Nats game blog: Stephen Strasburg on a roll as he faces Phillies again

The Nationals need a win again today against the Phillies. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg makes his final home start of the season. He is 10-7 with a 3.81 ERA. He will take on right-hander Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84). Since August 8, Strasburg is No. 1 in the National League with a 12.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio and No. 1 in strikeouts per nine innings with 12.38. His WHIP is second in the league at 0.75, as well as batting average against (.176). He has pitched quality starts in seven of his last...

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Nats on the brink of elimination

September 26, 2015, 5:34am

Nationals

A season which was expected to end deep into fall with a World Series run could come to a sobering end prematurely this afternoon. The Mets trounced the Reds 12-5 last night, dropping their magic number to one to clinch the National League East. So either another New York win over Cincinnati or a Nationals loss to the Phillies will eliminate Washington from the postseason. "This is a very tough year for everybody here," Wilson Ramos said after the Nats dropped their fourth straight game last...

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Nationals honor first baseman Jose Marmolejos, right-hander Austin Voth and right-hander Austen Williams

September 26, 2015, 9:40am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today named first baseman Jose Marmolejos their Minor League Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Austin Voth their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The club also named right-handed pitcher Austen Williams the recipient of the third-annual Bob Boone Award. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development and Pro Scouting...

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Jordan Zimmermann rocked in possible last home start

September 25, 2015, 6:48pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann rocked in possible last home start

In what might be his final home start at Nationals Park, Jordan Zimmermann didn't receive the friendliest going away present from the Phillies. Zimmermann surrendered three homers - including a rare inside-the-park grand slam - as the Nationals fell 8-2. "Obviously, I'm a little upset," Zimmermann said. "We didn't get the win and I didn't pitch very good. That's what my job is, to go out there and keep the team in the ballgame. I wasn't able to do that tonight." With the Nats leading...

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Taylor on allowing inside the park grand slam: "I thought I had a chance on it"

September 25, 2015, 6:40pm

Nationals

Taylor on allowing inside the park grand slam: "I thought I had a chance on it"

Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor tried to make a play on a line drive in front of him off the bat of the Phillies' Aaron Altherr with the bases loaded in top of the third. The ball went under his glove and rolled towards the center field wall. All four runs scored on the inside-the-park grand slam. The Phillies had a three-run lead. They went on to win the game 8-2. Manager Matt Williams commented on whether Taylor could have played the ball differently. "Yeah, but he thinks...

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Jordan Zimmermann surrenders three homers in Nats' 8-2 loss

September 25, 2015, 3:23pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann surrenders three homers in Nats' 8-2 loss

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann opened with a perfect first inning, whiffing Aaron Altherr and Odubel Herrera to end the frame. Anthony Rendon ripped a double leading off the bottom of the inning. After Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickoff struck out Yunel Escobar and Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth drilled a single to left-center, scoring Rendon. Update: The Phillies loaded the bases on Zimmermann in the third. With one out, Aaron Altherr smoked a sinking liner to center. Michael A. Taylor...

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Jordan Zimmermann aims to finish strong at home (with lineups)

September 25, 2015, 11:56am

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann aims to finish strong at home (with lineups)

Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound against the Phillies tonight in what might be his last home start for the Nationals. The right-hander is 39-21 with a 3.04 ERA in 93 career starts at Nationals Park. Zimmermann is 4-0 with a 4.04 ERA in his last seven starts with the Nats, winning six of the games. He did allow two homers and six runs over six innings in the Nats' 8-7 victory in Philadelphia on Sept. 14. Bryce Harper is coming off his first hitless series of the season. The Orioles pitched...

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Williams, Papelbon have little to say regarding suspension

September 25, 2015, 1:18pm

Nationals

Williams, Papelbon have little to say regarding suspension

Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon had no comment pregame Friday as he appeals a three-game suspension and fine handed down by Major League Baseball regarding his pitch that hit Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in the left shoulder Wednesday night. Manager Matt Williams had very little to say when asked about the Papelbon suspension. "It is what it is," Williams said. "I know he's appealed. He'll go through that process." Williams also would not reveal who would be the closer if...

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Nats game blog: Harper can set walks record with two free passes tonight

September 25, 2015, 1:48pm

Nationals

Nats game blog: Harper can set walks record with two free passes tonight

The Nationals begin a series with the Phillies tonight. There are 10 games remaining on the schedule. The most cherished part of tonight's game is it could very well be Jordan Zimmermann's final start at home as a Washington National. It's hard to believe, since almost one year ago to the day he threw his first career no-hitter as the Nationals waltzed into the postseason for the second time in three seasons. Manager Matt Williams talked about all the things Zimmermann brings to the mound...

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Jonathan Papelbon receives three-game suspension, will appeal

September 25, 2015, 9:48am

Nationals

Jonathan Papelbon receives three-game suspension, will appeal

Major League Baseball has suspended and fined Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon for intentionally throwing in the head area of Manny Machado in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss. Papelbon will appeal his three-game suspension, which was scheduled to begin with tonight's contest against the Phillies. Papelbon plunked Machado two innings after the Orioles star hammered a two-run go-ahead homer off Nats ace Max Scherzer. There was question whether Machado showboated his game-changing...

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This could be the last time for Jordan Zimmermann

September 25, 2015, 6:08am

Nationals

This could be the last time for Jordan Zimmermann

As the late, great poet James Douglas Morrison once wrote, "The future's uncertain and the end is always near." Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound tonight in what might be his last home start in a Nationals uniform. The free agent-to-be is likely to sign elsewhere in the offseason after spending his entire professional career with the Nationals organization. Selected in the second round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Zimmermann made is major league debut two years later in a start at...

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Tanner Roark used his changeup effectively to keep Nationals in game vs. Orioles

September 24, 2015, 4:12pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark was able to keep his team in the game Thursday. He allowed only three runs over five innings and left with his team down 3-0. The Nationals rallied in the bottom of the fifth with two runs and then added two more runs in seventh inning to take a short-lived 4-3 advantage. The Orioles won the game 5-4 on a Matt Wieters two-run shot off of Blake Treinen in the eighth. "Felt good. A lot of my pitches were working today," Roark said. "I utilized the changeup a...

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Deja vu for Nats bullpen in 5-4 loss

September 24, 2015, 4:48pm

Nationals

In a week where baseball is honoring the life of Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, it seems only appropriate to borrow one the icon's legendary expressions to describe the Nationals' latest loss. "It's like dÃ©jÃ vu all over again" nails exactly what happened this evening as the Nats bullpen once again blew a lead late, resulting in a sweep to the Orioles with a 5-4 defeat. After falling behind 3-0, the Nationals battled back with two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh, taking a...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies make Mackanin full-time manager for better consistency in 2016

September 24, 2015, 12:45pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies make Mackanin full-time manager for better consistency in 2016

Manager: Pete Mackanin (1st season) Record: 57-96 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.291/.335/.412 with 40 RBIs), SS Freddy Galvis (.265 with 44 RBIs), 1B Ryan Howard (23 HR, 77 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84 ERA), RHP Ken Giles (13 saves, 1.38 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 25: RHP Jerad Eickhoff vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 26: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 27: RHP Aaron Harang vs....