nationals

Aaron Barrett remains positive after Tommy John surgery

September 05, 2015, 2:17pm

Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett rejoined his teammates in the clubhouse this afternoon for the first time since undergoing successful Tommy John surgery on Thursday. "After I got the opinions from the three doctors that I saw, the consensus was that I needed to get it done," Barrett said. "I was kind of just weighing my options to make sure because this is an important decision, not only for right now but obviously for my career, too. So it was a tough decision, but once I got the final...

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Gio Gonzalez looks to continue Nats' winning streak (with lineups)

September 05, 2015, 11:47am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez looks to continue Nats' winning streak (with lineups)

The Nationals send Gio Gonzalez to the mound tonight aiming for their fourth win a row. After struggling for three straight starts, the left-hander showed improvement on Monday, limiting the Cardinals to three runs on five hits over six innings in an 8-5 loss. Gonzalez yielded two runs over seven innings in a 9-2 win over the Braves on May 8 at Nationals Park. But he's only 3-8 with a 4.93 ERA in 12 career starts against Atlanta. Despite his sterling 2.56 ERA, Braves right-hander Shelby Miller...

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Thornton on his key two outs, Den Dekker on pinch-hit, Stammen on Act of Valor Award nomination

September 05, 2015, 10:21am

Nationals

Thornton on his key two outs, Den Dekker on pinch-hit, Stammen on Act of Valor Award nomination

Michael A. Taylor hit the dramatic walk-off three-run shot to beat the Braves on Friday night, 5-2 in 10 innings. His former high school teammate at Winchester Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Matt den Dekker, had the RBI single to tie the game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. "I'm very happy for him, that's a huge hit," Taylor said. "It's tough when you're coming off the bench. He stayed in the game and put together a good at-bat against a good pitcher." den Dekker discussed...

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Rookie Michael A. Taylor continues to thrive in the clutch

September 05, 2015, 6:24am

Nationals

Rookie Michael A. Taylor continues to thrive in the clutch

Michael A. Taylor seeing much playing time this season wasn't expected. In fact, even after an impressive Grapefruit League season, there was speculation that the rookie might be better suited for another season of development in the minors rather than sitting on the bench for the Nationals. But when Denard Span and Jayson Werth weren't ready to start the season, Taylor was not only the opening day center fielder but also the leadoff man. Except for a quick early stint at Triple-A Syracuse...

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Papelbon goes two innings, earns win in dramatic extra-inning 5-2 win vs. Braves

September 04, 2015, 7:46pm

Nationals

Papelbon goes two innings, earns win in dramatic extra-inning 5-2 win vs. Braves

The Nationals grabbed a dramatic victory in 10 innings Friday, thanks to a pinch-hit three-run homer from Michael A. Taylor, a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Jonathan Papelbon (3-1) notched his first win as a National by extending to two innings, allowing two hits but no runs while striking out one. "He's a gamer," said left-hander Matt Thornton, who got two critical outs in the fifth. "He's going to take the ball. It doesn't matter if we're losing by two and they want him to pitch or...

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Michael A. Taylor's dramatic walk-off homer sends Nats surging

September 04, 2015, 8:43pm

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor's dramatic walk-off homer sends Nats surging

Not long ago, Bryce Harper bluntly delivered a message that was echoed by several teammates - the Nationals didn't care about the Mets. Throw that out the window as players and coaches delayed showers and meals to sit intently watching as the first-place Mets battled the Marlins in extra innings. When the Marlins delivered the game-winning run in the 11th, the Nationals clubhouse erupted. It's still a five-game National League East lead for New York, but the Nationals will take it especially...

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Taylor gets another day off, Barrett has Tommy John surgery

September 04, 2015, 1:51pm

Nationals

Taylor gets another day off, Barrett has Tommy John surgery

Center fielder Michael A. Taylor is getting one more day off to rest his right knee and is not in the starting lineup. Taylor originally hurt the knee last weekend and then banged it again early in the week in the series at St. Louis. Manager Matt Williams said the move is precautionary. "We got to make sure," Williams said. "Yesterday, when we showed up here he wasn't feeling really good. We want to side on the cautious side on that one. Because having that injury, then being able to play,...

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Michael A. Taylor smacks walk-off homer in 5-2 win

September 04, 2015, 3:33pm

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor smacks walk-off homer in 5-2 win

Tanner Roark worked through an eventful first inning. Cameron Maybin slapped a one-out single to left and then Roark picked him off. Freddie Freeman followed with a double, drilled off the wall in right. Then Roark hit A.J. Pierzynski before getting Adonis Garcia to ground out to end the frame. After allowing Bryce Harper to score four times on four walks last night, the Braves decided to challenge the Nats slugger tonight. Facing a full count with two outs, Harper pulverized a fastball from...

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Michael A. Taylor comes through in clutch once again

September 04, 2015, 8:41pm

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor comes through in clutch once again

Calm, cool and collected, rookie Michael A. Taylor stepped into the batter's box at Nationals Park for his first at-bat of the game, coming in the 10th inning of a 2-2 game. While the Nationals had jumped out to an early lead in the first thanks to a home run by Bryce Harper, the Braves battled back to tie the game in the second and eventually grab a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Rally time? #TomahawkFlop pic.twitter.com/UcQh5HMSvh -- Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) September 5, 2015 Down to...

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After brief delay, Trea Turner collects first major league hit

September 04, 2015, 2:47pm

Nationals

After brief delay, Trea Turner collects first major league hit

Trea Turner entered last night's rout in seventh inning, taking over at shortstop with the Nationals leading by 13 runs at the time. Since making his highly anticipated major league debut on Aug. 21, the 22-year-old was hitless in nine at-bats. With one out in the bottom of the frame, the speedy Turner raced down the first base line after slapping a bouncing ball to the right side. Braves second baseman Jace Peterson fielded the ball but struggled to get it out of his glove, and when he...

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Tanner Roark set for a start (with lineups)

September 04, 2015, 12:14pm

Nationals

Tanner Roark set for a start (with lineups)

Tanner Roark returns from his short stint in the minors to make his first start for the Nationals since taking a loss to the Phillies on June 28. Working mostly out of the bullpen this year, Roark is 3-1 with a 5.61 ERA as a starter. His ERA is slightly misleading because eight of his earned runs came in his abbreviated start in Philadelphia. Nationals manager Matt Williams anticipates getting five innings or around 85 pitches out of Roark tonight. Michael A. Taylor will miss his third straight...

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Nats game blog: Nats need Tanner Roark to keep it going against the Braves

September 04, 2015, 2:29pm

Nationals

Nats game blog: Nats need Tanner Roark to keep it going against the Braves

The Nationals look for their eighth straight win against the Braves this season in D.C. as they take to the field Friday night. Right-hander Tanner Roark will put on his starter cap for only the seventh time in 2015 tonight against Atlanta so Stephen Strasburg can have a couple of more days to rest. Last season, Roark won 15 games as a starter. Roark is 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 10 games (five starts) against the Braves. He is 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA at home against Atlanta in five games (two starts)....

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Just a walk - or four - in the park for Bryce Harper

September 04, 2015, 5:16am

Nationals

Just a walk - or four - in the park for Bryce Harper

Imagine this: Buying tickets to a Nationals game to bring your family to see the great Bryce Harper hit towering, majestic homers, but instead, you don't even get to see a single violent thrash of the bat from the young slugger. That's precisely what happened Thursday night when Harper, in four plate appearances, displayed unmatched discipline by not swinging at any of the 20 pitches thrown to him. The result: 16 balls, four strikes, four walks, four runs scored and even one RBI. "I mean,...

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Nats gain ground with 15-1 drubbing

September 03, 2015, 7:36pm

Nationals

The Nationals returned home knowing they needed to dominate the struggling Braves over the next four games to set the stage for a monstrous series with the Mets. For tonight anyway, the plan far exceeded any expectations as the Nationals smacked 18 hits in a 15-1 rout. The assault began when right-hander Matt Wisler wanted no part of Bryce Harper - a Braves theme on the night - when he issued a two-out walk in the first. Apparently, Wisler and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez preferred to deal...

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Robinson on Ryan Zimmerman after 15-1 crushing of Braves: "He's a rock in the lineup"

September 03, 2015, 6:58pm

Nationals

Robinson on Ryan Zimmerman after 15-1 crushing of Braves: "He's a rock in the lineup"

The Nationals picked on a battered and bruised Atlanta Braves club Thursday night in a 15-1 laugher, scoring 10 runs in the first three frames. The 14-run advantage marked the largest margin of victory in Nationals history. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman continued his feverish hitting with a 3-for-3 performance, including two doubles and four RBIs. In his last 11 games, Zimmerman has 23 RBIs, going 17-for-42 (.405) with five doubles and seven homers. He has now hit safely in eight straight...

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Jordan Zimmermann's low pitch count in win helps prep for Mets

September 04, 2015, 6:04am

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann's low pitch count in win helps prep for Mets

Oftentimes, starting pitchers say they don't let the amount of runs their offense is scoring during their outing alter what they are trying to do on the mound. But when your team scores 10 runs in the first three frames, it doesn't hurt. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann struggled with his control a bit early, he allowed three walks to the first five Atlanta hitters he faced, but battled through in a 15-1 Nationals win over the Braves. Despite the four walks allowed overall, he only surrendered...

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Ryan Zimmerman leads offensive attack again, Nats win 15-1

September 03, 2015, 4:28pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman leads offensive attack again, Nats win 15-1

Jordan Zimmermann uncharacteristically issued walks to Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman in the first before working out of the jam when A.J. Pierzynski lined to Anthony Rendon for an inning-ending double play. Braves right-hander Matt Wisler paid for a two-out walk to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate to a standing ovation at Nationals Park and then smacked a double off the wall in right-center. Clint Robinson delivered Harper to Zimmerman to the...

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Nats game blog: Nats look to continue roll vs. Braves as four-game series begins in D.C.

September 03, 2015, 2:49pm

Nationals

Nats game blog: Nats look to continue roll vs. Braves as four-game series begins in D.C.

The Nationals return home with a chance to get on a roll against a struggling Atlanta Braves squad. The Braves are 54-79 and have lost 15 of their last 16 games. Washington comes home after going 1-2 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals led 5-3 in each of the first two games of the series, only to fall 8-5 each time. But Jonathan Papelbon got out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the bottom of the ninth as the Nationals salvaged the finale, 4-3. Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with...

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Updates on Stephen Strasburg, Michael A. Taylor and Tanner Roark

September 03, 2015, 2:42pm

Nationals

Updates on Stephen Strasburg, Michael A. Taylor and Tanner Roark

The Nationals were able to prevent a sweep in St. Louis last night, securing a much-needed win as they prepare to begin a seven-game homestand with four against the Braves followed by three versus the NL East leading Mets. With New York off tonight, the Nationals have the ever important opportunity to gain a Â½ game in the standings. The Nats own a 37-26 record in D.C. this year. "We've got work to do," manager Matt Williams said after last night's 4-3 win over the Cardinals. "We've got...

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Bryce Harper starts in center field (with lineups)

September 03, 2015, 12:14pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper starts in center field (with lineups)

Bryce Harper is in the Nationals' lineup for the beginning of an important seven-game homestand. The 22-year-old's left glute tightened up after lunging for the bag at first on an infield hit in the seventh inning of Tuesday's loss. Harper started last night but left in the fourth inning after popping up in his second at-bat, saying later "it just did not feel good at all." Harper will play center field as Michael A. Taylor misses his second straight game with right knee soreness. Taylor...