nationals

Nats game blog: Strasburg vies for first win against Marlins this season

September 20, 2015, 8:25am

It has been good to see Trea Turner contribute in the last couple of games. He has wanted to play, and getting a chance to show his speed, quick hands and ability to hit has been fun to watch. Sunday he gets his second start of his young career, batting eighth and playing second base. We had a discussion regarding Turner during MASN's "Nats Xtra" pregame show Saturday regarding the top infield prospect and his future with the Nationals. He is touted as the next shortstop and could replace...

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Despite few chances, Trea Turner still showcasing skill set

September 19, 2015, 4:43pm

Nationals

Despite few chances, Trea Turner still showcasing skill set

Rookie Trea Turner has seen limited action since making his major league debut on August 21. The 22-year-old has been used primarily in pinch-running and pinch-hitting situations, but did make one start at second base when the Nationals lineup was dealing with widespread injuries. On Friday night, Turner was summoned to pinch-run for Yunel Escobar, who led off the eighth with a single. Turner advanced to second on Bryce Harper's walk and then alertly hurried to third on a wild pitch. That set...

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Bryce Harper's tenacious at-bat, 41st homer lead Nats to 5-2 win

September 19, 2015, 4:25pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper's tenacious at-bat, 41st homer lead Nats to 5-2 win

For the third straight day, a Nationals starter spotted the Marlins a two-run lead in the first inning. But today, right-hander Jordan Zimmermann locked down Miami after that, combining with four relievers to shut the Marlins out over the final eight innings as the Nationals won 5-2. The Marlins connected on three hits against Zimmermann in the opening frame, including an RBI double from Christian Yelich and a run-scoring single from Justin Bour. But over the next five innings, Zimmermann...

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Bryce Harper, Tyler Moore homer in Nats' 5-2 win

September 19, 2015, 12:21pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper, Tyler Moore homer in Nats' 5-2 win

The Marlins jumped on Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann in the first. Dee Gordon legged out an infield single to start the game. After Ichiro Suzuki grounded into a force out, Christian Yelich laced an RBI double to the gap in left-center. Justin Bour followed with a line drive base hit to center, scoring Yelich. Update: The Nats managed only two hits against Marlins left-hander Brad Hand through the first four innings. But in the fifth, Tyler Moore drilled a solo homer to deep...

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With home starts running out, Jordan Zimmermann looks to finish strong (with lineups)

September 19, 2015, 8:46am

Nationals

With home starts running out, Jordan Zimmermann looks to finish strong (with lineups)

Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound this afternoon looking to rebound from his six-run outing in Monday's 8-7 win over the Phillies. The right-hander was tagged for two homers in the game, including a game-tying three-run shot in the sixth. Zimmermann has now surrendered 21 homers on the season, the most in his seven-year career. Zimmermann is 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 17 starts at Nationals Park this year. Zimmermann, who becomes a free agent after the season, could be making one of his final...

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Yunel Escobar's hot bat has been one of Nats' few constants this season

September 19, 2015, 11:23am

Nationals

Yunel Escobar's hot bat has been one of Nats' few constants this season

Yunel Escobar enters today's matinee against the Marlins with the fourth-best batting average in the National League. If he finishes the year with his current .317 mark, it would end up being second only to his rookie year when he hit .326 in 94 games. But Escobar isn't a career .300 hitter. In his previous eight seasons before joining the Nationals, Escobar was a .276 hitter. Certainly respectable, but not the Top 10-type numbers that the 32-year-old has posted this season. "His stroke is...

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Jose Lobaton gets to play role of hero as Nats drop Marlins

September 18, 2015, 7:32pm

Nationals

Jose Lobaton gets to play role of hero as Nats drop Marlins

Jose Lobaton does not get many opportunities to play as the backup catcher. Even more rare is the chance for him to impact the game in his last at-bat. Friday night, Lobaton's fly ball to left field scored Jayson Werth from third base with the winning run as the Nationals completed a 5-4 comeback win over the Marlins in 10 innings. "What do you want me to say, (I am) happy," Lobaton said afterwards at his locker. "That was something that you really want to do every time you got that...

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Nats game blog: Is this second-to-last appearance for Zimmermann at Nats Park?

September 19, 2015, 8:53am

Nationals

Nats game blog: Is this second-to-last appearance for Zimmermann at Nats Park?

The Nationals showed some fire and emotion Friday night in a 5-4, 10-inning comeback win over the Marlins. Jose Lobaton had a sac fly to score Jayson Werth, who had a bloodied forehead and bloody right knee as he met with the media after the game. Washington looks to go up 2-1 in the series with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann getting the nod today. Wilson Ramos is back at the catching spot, and Tyler Moore gets the call at first base. Michael A. Taylor is back playing center field. "They enjoy...

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Headfirst and bloodied, Jayson Werth emerges with win

September 19, 2015, 6:14am

Nationals

Headfirst and bloodied, Jayson Werth emerges with win

Jayson Werth sat in front of his locker late last night. As the camera lights popped on, the grizzled veteran flung his long hair back, revealing a bloody dirt burn on the right side of forehead. The war wound was evidence of Werth scoring the game-winning run for the Nationals' thrilling 5-4 win. "I don't even know what happened," Werth admitted. "I hit my head too hard or something. I need to look at the replay." Werth blistered a tailing line drive to right-center, gashing the...

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Max Scherzer's fiery response to Matt Williams highlighted in Nats' 5-4 win

September 18, 2015, 8:16pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer's fiery response to Matt Williams highlighted in Nats' 5-4 win

Right-handers Max Scherzer and Jose Fernandez went toe-to-toe for the first six innings tonight, both allowing two runs. But Scherzer outlasted Fernandez, taking his start into the seventh where his defining moment of the night took center stage. With the game knotted 2-2, Miguel Rojas smoked a double off Scherzer with one down. Scherzer quickly responded, fanning Casey McGehee for the second out. With Dee Gordon - owner of the National League's second best batting average - stepping to the...

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Nats win 5-4 on Jose Lobaton's walk-off sacrifice fly in 10th

September 18, 2015, 3:26pm

Nationals

Nats win 5-4 on Jose Lobaton's walk-off sacrifice fly in 10th

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer yielded a leadoff single to Dee Gordon. Two batters later, Christian Yelich launched a two-run homer to deep right-center field. It's the second straight night a Nats starter has allowed a two-run homer in the first inning. Scherzer has now surrendered 25 home runs on the season, seven more than last year and his highest total since 29 in 2011. Update: Clint Robinson answered with a solo shot to the second deck in right to start the second. It was...

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Matt Williams on Michael A. Taylor: "I think he's answered the question"

September 18, 2015, 2:08pm

Nationals

Matt Williams on Michael A. Taylor: "I think he's answered the question"

Nationals manager Matt Williams gave Michael A. Taylor a night off with right-hander Jose Fernandez on the mound and the Marlins throwing two left-handers the next two days. Taylor has struggled at the plate since banging his right knee on the center field wall at Nationals Park while trying to make a leaping catch against the Padres on Aug. 27. The 24-year-old missed seven games dealing with bruising and swelling around the knee, which limited him in the field and on the basepaths. Since...

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Matt Williams hopes Jose Fernandez grows impatient at unfamiliar Nationals Park

September 18, 2015, 1:13pm

Nationals

Nationals had difficulty against Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez in their last matchup, even though he only pitched five innings. Fernandez threw 69 pitches, 43 for strikes, and did not allow a run in the Marlins' 2-0 win over the Nationals on September 12 in Miami. So manager Matt Williams believes the strategy tonight is to work the count against Fernandez. "I want us to be patient because he's still a little bit on a pitch count," Williams said. "Coming out last time it was five...

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Max Scherzer, Jose Fernandez featured in marquee matchup (with lineups)

September 18, 2015, 11:34am

Nationals

Max Scherzer, Jose Fernandez featured in marquee matchup (with lineups)

The nation's capital is the site for the majors' marquee pitching matchup tonight as a couple heavyweight right-handers are set to face off. The Nationals send Max Scherzer to the mound while the Marlins counter with Jose Fernandez. After struggling uncharacteristically for much of the second half of the season, Scherzer experienced his best start of the past three months in a 5-0 win in Miami last Sunday. Scherzer tossed eight scoreless innings in the victory, striking out six while refusing...

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Nationals game blog: Max Scherzer seeks fourth win over Marlins

September 18, 2015, 1:34pm

Nationals

The Nationals have not been able to take advantage of opportunities presented to them at critical times this season. Thursday night was another example. With the Mets off, the Nationals could have jumped to seven games behind the leaders by taking down the Marlins on their home field. Instead, the Marlins beat them 6-4. Miami has now defeated the Nationals nine out of 16 times they have matched up this season. That should not happen against a team that has lost 20 more games than they have won...

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Ian Desmond opens Nats' final homestand with homer, four RBIs

September 18, 2015, 5:24am

Nationals

Ian Desmond opens Nats' final homestand with homer, four RBIs

Ian Desmond was one of the few offensive bright spots for the Nationals in their untimely 6-4 loss to the Marlins last night. The 29-year-old smacked a two-run homer in the second to even the score and then drove in two more in the eighth on a clutch two-out single, accounting for the entire Nats tally on the scoreboard. Desmond's home run delivered the only runs the Nationals managed against Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosarts. "To be honest, I just caught it a little out front," Desmond...

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Erik Davis shows great patience, finally back in big leagues after Tommy John recovery

September 18, 2015, 6:41am

Nationals

Erik Davis shows great patience, finally back in big leagues after Tommy John recovery

Right-hander Erik Davis has returned to the Nationals as a September call-up. It has been a longer road than he anticipated getting back from Tommy John surgery in 2014. But he has returned and made 37 appearances with three teams in the minors this season. He did well, going 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA and 47 strikeouts and 27 walks. His best run came with Double-A Harrisburg. Davis pitched in 24 games, going 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA. He admitted that rehabilitation from a major surgery is not an easy task...

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Tanner Roark allows two home runs in 6-4 loss to Marlins

September 17, 2015, 7:28pm

Nationals

Tanner Roark allows two home runs in 6-4 loss to Marlins

Right-hander Tanner Roark had a rough first inning against the Marlins on Thursday. His fifth, and last inning, was even worse. Roark allowed a two-run shot to Martin Prado in the first frame and a three-run homer to Justin Bour in the fifth. That provided the Marlins almost all the offense they needed in a 6-4 win. "I gave up six runs," Roark said. "As a starter, you're not supposed to do that. You're supposed to limit the damage done, and I didn't do my job today. Honestly, that's the...

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Matthew Taylor: Comparing the Orioles and Nationals seasons

September 18, 2015, 6:04am

Nationals Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Comparing the Orioles and Nationals seasons

Who has had it worse this season, Baltimore Orioles fans or Washington Nationals fans? The two teams will square off next week in a series that fans of each franchise had expected to be a tune-up for postseason play. Instead, it will be a match-up of drowning teams gasping desperately for a breath of playoff air. Neither of the teams playing near the Navy Yard next week is fully submerged just yet, but the O's and Nats have both been sinking ships for some time now. The teams have both sounded...

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Time running out for Nats after 6-4 loss

September 17, 2015, 7:33pm

Nationals

Time running out for Nats after 6-4 loss

The Nationals got off to a rough start on their final homestand, suffering a costly 6-4 loss to the Marlins. Certainly the Nats will point to dropping six straight to the first-place Mets if they fail to make the playoffs, but they have also lost three of four to the Marlins over the last week. At 19 games under .500 for the season, Miami holds a 9-7 record over Washington this year. Right-hander Tanner Roark was done in by the longball in his third straight start. Martin Prado blasted a...