nationals

Max Scherzer can't hold lead as Nats fall five games back

September 07, 2015, 2:09pm

The Nationals couldn't hold a two-run lead, wasting an opportunity as they fell back to five games behind the Mets with an 8-5 loss. Max Scherzer gave up solo homers to Michael Conforto and Kelly Johnson in the second and another to Yoenis Cespedes in the fourth. It was the third time in his last eight starts that Scherzer has surrendered three longballs in a game. "I just gotta execute better," Scherzer said. "I gotta find a way to execute pitches keep the ball out of the middle of the...

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Max Scherzer tagged for three homers, Nats lose 8-5

September 07, 2015, 9:36am

Nationals

Max Scherzer tagged for three homers, Nats lose 8-5

After battling his way out of a jam in the first, Max Scherzer wasn't so lucky in the second. Michael Conforto drilled a first-pitch fastball over the wall in left-center to start the inning. Two batters later, Kelly Johnson smacked a changeup into the stands in right-center. Scherzer has now surrendered 10 homers in his last seven starts. Update: Yoenis Cespedis launched a 1-1 heater just over the left field wall to lead off the fourth. Scherzer has allowed three home runs three times in his...

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Matt Williams: Bryce Harper learning using less force in swing can pay huge dividends

September 07, 2015, 8:10am

Nationals

Matt Williams: Bryce Harper learning using less force in swing can pay huge dividends

The amazing season that is Bryce Harper at the plate continued through the weekend series versus the Braves. In the four-game sweep of Atlanta, Harper displayed is acumen for recognizing pitches and calmly waiting for the one he wanted in the place he wanted it to be in the strike zone. Thursday, he didn't even swing at a pitch, walking four times and scoring four runs. Friday, he went 2-for-3 with two walks and a home run. Saturday, 3-for-4 with two doubles and a two-run shot. Sunday, Harper...

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Opposite dugout: Mets hoping to put distance between themselves and Nats

September 05, 2015, 1:48pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets hoping to put distance between themselves and Nats

Manager: Terry Collins (5th season) Record: 75-61 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Yoenis Cespedes (.301 with 12 HR, 29 RBIs), C Travis d'Arnaud (.293 with 10 HR, 35 RBIs), IF Daniel Murphy (.281 with 10 HR, 58 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (23 HR, 59 RBIs), RHP Matt Harvey (12-7, 2.60 ERA), RHP Jacob deGrom (12-7, 2.40 RBIs), RHP Jeurys Familia (1.78 ERA, 36 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 7-6 Pitching probables: Sept. 7: LHP Jonathon Neise vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 1:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 8:...

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Max Scherzer looks to set tone against Mets (with lineups)

September 07, 2015, 8:01am

Nationals

Max Scherzer looks to set tone against Mets (with lineups)

The Nationals are set to begin an enormous series against the Mets with ace Max Scherzer on the hill. Scherzer has experienced two hard-luck starts against New York this year, going 0-2 with a 0.61 ERA. Two costly errors from Ian Desmond led to Scherzer's first loss against the Mets on opening day. Desmond has cleaned up his fielding and since the All-Star break, his bat has been red hot. In his last 45 games, Desmond is slashing .299/.368/.543 with 10 homers, one triple, eight doubles, 18...

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Nats game blog: Max Scherzer seeks first win at Nats Park vs. Mets

September 07, 2015, 8:41am

Nationals

Nats game blog: Max Scherzer seeks first win at Nats Park vs. Mets

The Nationals take on the Mets in Game 1 of a three-game set on a beautiful Labor Day afternoon affair in D.C. Mets manager Terry Collins called it the "first round of the playoffs." The Nationals are also looking for a different result than the last time the clubs met in New York. The Mets swept that three-game set, holding the Nationals to five total runs. Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked if he believes the club is in a better mood since those losses to the Mets or their rough West...

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Tanner Roark or Doug Fister could step in for Joe Ross if he has reached innings limit

September 07, 2015, 5:15am

Nationals

Tanner Roark or Doug Fister could step in for Joe Ross if he has reached innings limit

The Nationals were able to get almost to the fifth inning Sunday with right-handed rookie starter Joe Ross in an 8-4 win over the Braves. But manager Matt Williams and pitching coach Steve McCatty saw that Ross' fastball velocity was down from what he had delivered in the past. "Today starting in the third inning, the fastball was down to 90 mph, which is a sign of fatigue," Williams said. "He got through that one, he got through the fourth. But with the lefties coming up there, we're not...

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After a long wait, Max Scherzer gets his shot against the Mets

September 06, 2015, 3:50pm

Nationals

After a long wait, Max Scherzer gets his shot against the Mets

A day before taking the mound to begin a crucial series against the Mets, Max Scherzer watched his teammates complete a four-game sweep of the Braves, allowing the Nationals to gain 2 1/2 games on New York over the weekend. "You just come to the park ready to play and do your job," Scherzer said of the Nats' focus. "You don't worry about what the Mets are doing or anything like that. I mean, even though we're in a playoff race with them, you just understand where you're at within the...

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Marty Niland: With the season on the line, who would you rather be?

September 07, 2015, 5:40am

Nationals

Marty Niland: With the season on the line, who would you rather be?

For baseball fans, the season's final weeks can be a manic-depressive time when fortunes turn on a dime. At least that's how it's been for followers of the Washington Nationals. We've gone from hope to despair and back so many times in the past few weeks, it's hard to count. Remember that awful western road trip when the Nats returned with a five-game deficit to the New York Mets? Wasn't the season basically over then? How about last week's trip to St. Louis when the deficit grew to 6...

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Nats looking to take big offense against Atlanta into huge series vs. Mets (Ryan Zimmerman update)

September 06, 2015, 2:10pm

Nationals

Nats looking to take big offense against Atlanta into huge series vs. Mets (Ryan Zimmerman update)

The Nationals have come within four games of the first-place New York Mets thanks in part to their rejuvenated offense. The Nationals toppled the Braves 8-4 on Sunday, finishing with 36 runs in the four-game sweep. Right fielder Bryce Harper slammed his 34th homer of the season, one of three roundtrip shots the Nationals hit in the win Sunday. "Our whole team is swinging the bat right now," Harper said. "One through nine I think everybody's having really having good AB's, doing what we...

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Weekend sweep sets stage for showdown with Mets

September 06, 2015, 2:57pm

Nationals

Weekend sweep sets stage for showdown with Mets

The Nationals took care of business, sweeping the reeling Braves with this afternoon's 8-4 win and setting the stage for a three-game showdown with the division-leading Mets. Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon all homered and Michael A. Taylor returned to the starting lineup with a two-run double to get the Nats on the board early. With all of their offensive damage done in the first four innings and the Nationals comfortably ahead late, the only drama left was watching to see...

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Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon smack homers as Nats roll 8-4

September 06, 2015, 10:29am

Nationals

Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon smack homers as Nats roll 8-4

Nick Markakis roped a double to center to lead off the game. After a walk to Freddie Freeman, Nick Swisher delivered a two-out RBI single to right off Joe Ross. The Nationals responded in the second when Yunel Escobar started the frame with a base knock to left. Escobar advanced to second after Braves starter Manny Banuelos walked Ian Desmond. Michael A. Taylor followed with a double belted down the left field line, scoring both Escobar and Desmond to give the Nats the lead. With two outs,...

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Taylor returns, Ross looks to command (with lineups)

September 06, 2015, 7:16am

Nationals

Taylor returns, Ross looks to command (with lineups)

Michael A. Taylor returns to the starting lineup for the first time since missing Tuesday. Taylor has been battling a swelling in his bruised right knee resulting from a collision with the center field wall at Nationals Park on Aug. 27. The rookie did make an important appearance in Friday's game, smacking his first pinch-hit homer in walk-off fashion to drop the Braves 5-2. Taylor, 24, is slashing .240/.288/.392 with 14 homers, 15 stolen bases and 58 RBIs in his first full season in the...

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Gonzalez's ability to get through fourth inning critical to quality start

September 05, 2015, 7:37pm

Nationals

Gonzalez's ability to get through fourth inning critical to quality start

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez had the kind of outing the Nationals will need from him as they look to make a run down the stretch. He did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and held the Braves scoreless in an 8-2 victory. For Gonzalez, it was his first win since Aug. 10 as he struck out 10 batters and allowed only two hits, both in the sixth inning. Gonzalez had Wilson Ramos catch for him Saturday instead of his regular batterymate, Jose Lobaton. Gonzalez always puts heavy emphasis on his...

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Nats game blog: Joe Ross looks to get a grip on Braves in series finale

September 06, 2015, 9:28am

Nationals

Nats game blog: Joe Ross looks to get a grip on Braves in series finale

It feels like this will be one of the last starts we will get to see from right-hander Joe Ross this season. The Nationals have said they are monitoring his innings between the minor and major leagues in his rookie season. He lasted only 2 2/3 innings at St. Louis, walking six he said due to having difficulty gripping the baseball in the humid conditions. Is 160 innings the cap? Or 180 innings like Matt Harvey? He is currently at 145 1/3 combined innings. Either way, he has been quite a find...

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Jayson Werth leading the way down the stretch

September 05, 2015, 8:37pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth leading the way down the stretch

As they have for many Nationals, injuries interfered with Jayson Werth's year. The 36-year-old never fully recovered from offseason AC joint surgery in his right shoulder when he began the season a week late. He scuffled through the first month with his batting average mostly below .200 until a fastball darted inside and fractured his left wrist on May 15 in San Diego. Werth's broken wrist robbed the 13-year veteran of 61 games in the middle of the season. When he finally returned to the Nats...

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Harvey, Mets squabbling about innings limit with critical series vs. Nats on horizon

September 06, 2015, 9:00am

Nationals

Harvey, Mets squabbling about innings limit with critical series vs. Nats on horizon

This is the sign of the times, pitching-wise across baseball: The Mets and the Nationals are battling for a division title and the big news is how much time Mets ace Matt Harvey has spent on the telephone talking to his elbow surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. The Mets are in Washington for a three-game series beginning Monday. Harvey, 26, the ace of the Mets staff, pitches Tuesday night, but how much will he pitch the rest of the season, and will he be available if the Mets make the...

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Bryce Harper ignites offense in Nats' fourth straight win

September 05, 2015, 7:39pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper ignites offense in Nats' fourth straight win

In a season where the legend of Bryce Harper has become reality, the young slugger continues to reach new milestones. Harper's third-inning two-run homer was the 500th hit of his career and, after doubling to start the fifth, the 22-year-old scored his 100th run this year as the Nationals pounded the Braves 8-2. The Mets shut out the Marlins 7-0 to maintain their five-game lead in the National League East. New York travels to D.C. for an important three-game series beginning Monday. Harper...

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Gio Gonzalez dominates, Bryce Harper homers (Nats win 8-2)

September 05, 2015, 4:21pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez dominates, Bryce Harper homers (Nats win 8-2)

The Nationals received a gift in the third and they took full advantage of it. Ian Desmond lifted a routine fly ball to center to start the inning. Cameron Maybin never saw it, barely taking a few steps forward with his arms extended. Left fielder Nick Swisher raced over, but was too late and Desmond reached on a double. After Wilson Ramos grounded out and Gio Gonzalez struck out, Desmond scored when Shelby Miller uncorked a wild pitch and the Nats lead 1-0. Jayson Werth then hit a ground rule...

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Nationals game blog: Offense thriving with Jayson Werth leading off

September 05, 2015, 3:10pm

Nationals

The Nationals look for their fourth straight win on the heels of last night's thrilling 5-2 comeback victory. After blasting the game-winning three-run walk-off homer, Michael A. Taylor in not in tonight's starting lineup for the fourth straight game as he continues be bothered by a bruised right knee. Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated that Taylor's condition has improved and the rookie is once again available off the bench. Ryan Zimmerman continued his hot hitting continued last...