nationals

Nats suffer costly 6-4 loss to Marlins

September 17, 2015, 3:16pm

Dee Gordon singled to center to start tonight's game. Two batters later, Martin Prado smacked a hanging slider from Tanner Roark over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer. Update: Jayson Werth drew a leadoff walk in the second. After Clint Robinson grounded out, Ian Desmond hit a missile into the Marlins bullpen. The two-run homer was Desmond's 18th of the season, but first in his his last 18 games. Update II: Miguel Rojas doubled to start the fifth. After advancing to third on...

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Bryce Harper NL MVP favorite, but 40 homers don't guarantee hardware

September 17, 2015, 3:59pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper NL MVP favorite, but 40 homers don't guarantee hardware

The Nationals' Bryce Harper, 22, is the sixth youngest in baseball history to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Mel Ott, Eddie Mathews, Johnny Bench, Joe DiMaggio and Juan Gonzalez. The first four are in the Hall of Fame, and Gonzalez won two American League MVP awards with Texas. Harper is the favorite to be the National League's MVP, but hitting 40 home runs at a young age hasn't guaranteed MVP hardware in the past. Here's a look: - Mathews led the NL with 47 home runs in 1953 for the...

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Bryce Harper: "Everybody's gonna expect 40 a year every time I play now"

September 17, 2015, 2:31pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper: "Everybody's gonna expect 40 a year every time I play now"

Throughout the Nationals' 145 games this season, Bryce Harper's lofty batting average has remained a constant. But over the summer months, Harper's homers decreased from six in June to five in July and then only two in August. Now in September, the 22-year-old slugger is on pace to blow out the artillery show from May, when he bombed 13 homers and drove in 28 runs, winning the National League's Player of the Month. Through 15 games this month, Harper is slashing .417/.540/1.063 with nine...

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Drew Storen apologized to Matt Williams for breaking thumb

September 17, 2015, 1:47pm

Nationals

Drew Storen apologized to Matt Williams for breaking thumb

Nationals right-hander Drew Storen met with the media in front of his locker for the first time at Nationals Park since it was announced he is out for the season due to a broken right thumb. Storen injured the thumb by slamming the door shut to his locker following a pair of rough performances last homestand against the New York Mets. Storen described his conversation with manager Matt Williams after it was diagnosed as a broken thumb and that he would be out for the season. "I kind of just...

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Tanner Roark kicks off final homestand (with lineups)

September 17, 2015, 11:55am

Nationals

Tanner Roark kicks off final homestand (with lineups)

Tanner Roark makes his third straight start since rejoining the Nationals rotation on Sept. 4. The right-hander has been limited to 69 pitches in each of his last two innings as he continues to stretch out after spending the majority of the season pitching out of the bullpen. Roark has allowed three runs on 13 hits over nine innings in his last two outings. The 28-year-old is 2-3 with two holds, one save and a 2.35 ERA in 11 games, including five starts, in his career against the Marlins. Yunel...

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Nats game blog: Tanner Roark looks to keep win streak going against Marlins

September 17, 2015, 2:01pm

Nationals

Nats game blog: Tanner Roark looks to keep win streak going against Marlins

The Nationals return home to begin their longest homestand of the regular season, spanning 11 games. They begin with the Marlins. Miami stunned the first-place Mets 6-0 Wednesday night in New York. They also took two of three versus the Nationals last week in South Florida. The Marlins have won 11 of their last 15 games. Imagine what they could have done with Giancarlo Stanton? The Nationals swept the hapless no-name Phillies 24-9. In last night's 12-2 shellacking, Jayson Werth hit two homers...

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Jayson Werth providing powerful messages on and off field during stretch run

September 16, 2015, 9:30pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth providing powerful messages on and off field during stretch run

PHILADELPHIA - If the Nationals come up short - which is likely - in their bid to overtake the Mets the for the division crown, they will eventually sit back, probably cursing, and wonder why so many important players were repeatedly struck by the injury bug this year. Jayson Werth missed the first six games of the year rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. Just when it seemed he was turning the corner, an errant fastball fractured his wrist in San Diego in mid-May, robbing the 13-year...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins looking to win season series against Nationals

September 16, 2015, 11:40am

Nationals

Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 63-83 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.332/.358/.416 with 39 RBIs, 51 SB), 3B Martin Prado (.285 with 54 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.281 with 48 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (5-0, 2.06 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (27 saves, 2.53 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 17: RHP Jarred Cosart vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 18: RHP Jose Fernandez vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 19: LHP Brad Hand vs....

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David Huzzard: No question, Bryce Harper is NL MVP

September 17, 2015, 5:19am

Nationals

David Huzzard: No question, Bryce Harper is NL MVP

The very fact that Bryce Harper's legitimacy as National League Most Valuable Player is up for debate is an absurdity. The MVP award is an individual award meant to be handed out to the best player in a league at the end of the season, but too many people get caught up in the word "value" and end up trying to give it some meaning beyond simply being the best. The problem for opponents of Harper is if you debate the merits of Harper as MVP on baseball terms, you lose. Harper is the first...

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Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth keep hope alive for Nats in sweep

September 16, 2015, 7:35pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth keep hope alive for Nats in sweep

PHILADELPHIA - Is the heart still beating? Five days ago, the Nationals gave everyone the feeling it was time to kick dirt on the grave after dropping their fifth straight, leaving them a season-worst 9 1/2 games out of first place. But with their pride questioned, the Nats showed a pulse in a 5-0 shutout win, led by ace Max Scherzer on Sunday. And tonight's 12-2 drubbing of the Phillies finished a sweep, powered by four homers apiece from Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth during the...

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Bryce Harper blasts 40th homer, Nats win 12-2

September 16, 2015, 3:46pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper blasts 40th homer, Nats win 12-2

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals took advantage of a walk and a Phillies error to plate the game's first run in the second. Phillies right-hander Alec Asher walked Jayson Werth to start the frame. Clint Robinson then smoked a liner off first baseman Darin Ruf for a single. Ian Desmond followed with a bouncing ball to third baseman Chase d'Arnaud, but Ruf muffed the throw to first, leaving the bases loaded. Jose Lobaton lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Werth from third. Update: Werth...

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Nationals game blog: Gio Gonzalez aims for consistency

September 16, 2015, 3:15pm

Nationals

PHILADELPHIA - Left-hander Gio Gonzalez takes the hill tonight in search of his 11th win of the season. Gonzalez, who went 10-10 in 27 starts last year, is looking to finish strong after struggling in August. The Nationals lost five of Gonzalez's six starts last month, while the lefty's ERA ballooned to 5.46. Gonzalez has regained his form over his first two September outings, going 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA. The Phillies counter with rookie right-hander Alec Asher, who has dropped his first three...

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Matt Williams focused on Bryce Harper's on-field actions, not vote of confidence

September 16, 2015, 2:48pm

Nationals

Matt Williams focused on Bryce Harper's on-field actions, not vote of confidence

PHILADELPHIA - Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper offered high praise for manager Matt Williams following last night's 4-0 win over the Phillies. "Truly, I love him as a manager," Harper said. "Flat out, I absolutely do and if I didn't, everybody would know because I'm not shy to say things. Just being able to have the fire, the intensity that he has and the way he approaches every single day. He wants us to be perfect and I love that as a manager." Before tonight's game, Williams...

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Bryce Harper's September surge continues (with lineups)

September 16, 2015, 11:55am

Nationals

Bryce Harper's September surge continues (with lineups)

PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper continues his conquest for National League Most Valuable Player honors in tonight's series finale against the Phillies. The Nationals slugger is coming off a 3-for-3 two-homer performance on Tuesday in which he drove in all four runs in the 4-0 victory. Harper's 39 homers ties him for most in the NL and places him second all-time for longballs in a Nationals single season, trailing Alfonso Soriano's 46 taters in 2006. Harper's .338 batting average, .467 on-base...

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Bryce Harper on Matt Williams: "I love him as a manager"

September 15, 2015, 7:48pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper on Matt Williams: "I love him as a manager"

PHILADELPHIA - In a season filled with extraordinary moments, Bryce Harper carried an epic performance on the field into the clubhouse, fully endorsing the much-maligned Matt Williams as the Nationals manager. "Truly, I love him as a manager," Harper proclaimed. "Flat out, I absolutely do and if I didn't, everybody would know because I'm not shy to say things." Harper's powerful comments came moments after he pounded two more homers and drove in all four runs in the Nationals' 4-0...

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Stephen Strasburg joins elite company with one-hit, 14-strikeout gem

September 15, 2015, 11:39pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg joins elite company with one-hit, 14-strikeout gem

PHILADELPHIA - Add another file to the what-if folder after right-hander Stephen Strasburg completely handcuffed the Phillies, allowing only one hit while matching his career-high with 14 strikeouts in last night's 4-0 shutout win for the Nationals. The lone hit of the night was a sharp grounder through the hole into right field to start the fifth off the bat of Cody Asche. Strasburg's only other blemish was a walk to Freddy Galvis in the first. "Really good," Nationals manager Matt...

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Strasburg and Harper remind Nats of their solid base

September 16, 2015, 6:24am

Nationals

Strasburg and Harper remind Nats of their solid base

This season certainly hasn't turned out like the Nationals wanted. Outfielder Jayson Werth said as much after hitting two homers, including a grand slam, in an 8-7 11-inning win Monday. The team will look different with a lot of the free agents currently on the roster not returning in 2016. But two important players - arguably the most important pieces - will be there next season. Both displayed their value in Tuesday's 4-0 shutout of the Phillies. Outfielder Bryce Harper clubbed two homers...

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Exclusive: 2015 Nationals instructional league invitees

September 15, 2015, 4:41am

Nationals

The Nationals instructional league commences early next month in Florida and the roster is filled with the best prospects in the system. MASNsports.com received a list of the invitees. The list includes pitchers Lucas Giolito, Erick Fedde, Jacob Johansen, Reynaldo Lopez, Jefry Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and Austen Williams. Also invited are catcher Spencer Kieboom, infielders Chris Bostick, Jose Marmolejos-Diaz and Drew Ward, plus outfielders Rafael Bautista, Victor Robles and Andrew...

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Strasburg strikes out 14, Harper homers twice (Nats win 4-0)

September 15, 2015, 3:39pm

Nationals

Strasburg strikes out 14, Harper homers twice (Nats win 4-0)

PHILADELPHIA - Phillies starter David Buchanan has been laboring through his second season in the majors. Buchanan brought a 9.11 ERA into tonight's game with the Nationals and proceeded to fire a fastball behind Bryce Harper on the opening pitch of their first meeting. Harper stared back at Buchanan while the Nationals dugout chirped. Two pitches later, Harper deposited another Buchanan heater over the wall in center for a two-out solo homer. The Nats slugger stood and admired the titanic...

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Jonathan Papelbon brushes off first blown save

September 15, 2015, 2:48pm

Nationals

Jonathan Papelbon brushes off first blown save

PHILADELPHIA - Recently acquired Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon gave the few thousand Phillies fans left in the 10th inning last night exactly what they came to Citizens Bank Park to see. Tasked with locking down a 7-6 lead, Papelbon surrendered a leadoff homer to Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis. Until the game-tying leadoff blast, Papelbon had been the lone remaining closer in the majors this season without a blown save. In fact, the last time he coughed up a lead was exactly one year...