nationals

Despite loss to Marlins, Roark looks comfortable in starter role

September 12, 2015, 6:14pm

Right-hander Tanner Roark started again for the Nationals on Saturday night against the Marlins. Roark finished 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits but only two runs with one walk, two strikeouts and one hit by pitch. He fired 69 pitches, 40 for strikes. He suffered the loss in the 2-0 defeat. But Roark (4-5) has a track record of success as a starter. In 43 games, Roark was 21-12 with a 3.06 ERA heading into Saturday's affair. In 2014, he won 15 games for the Nationals as a starter. This...

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Drew Storen breaks thumb in frustration (Rizzo and Williams react)

September 12, 2015, 2:18pm

Nationals

Drew Storen breaks thumb in frustration (Rizzo and Williams react)

Nationals manager Matt Williams revealed before tonight's game in Miami that right-hander Drew Storen has a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb, according to MASN's Dan Kolko. Storen reportedly injured his throwing hand slamming his locker shut in the Nationals clubhouse following the 5-3 loss to the Mets on Wednesday night. Williams called on Storen to face Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes with one on and one out and the game tied in the eighth. Storen hung a slider and Cespedes demolished...

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Bryce Harper set to tussle with Jose Fernandez (Escobar scratched with bug)

September 12, 2015, 12:06pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper set to tussle with Jose Fernandez (Escobar scratched with bug)

Bryce Harper looks today to rebound from a tough Friday night at the plate. The 22-year-old slugger went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Otherwise, Harper has torched Miami this season, slashing .310/.423/.762 with six homers, 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. "Bryce has had a fantastic year for us," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "He had a couple opportunities (last night) and it didn't happen for him. But we'll try to give him...

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Nationals game blog: Short-handed Nats look to end losing skid

September 12, 2015, 2:58pm

Nationals

For the second time in the last three games, the Nationals go to battle without two of their top hitters in the lineup. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman will miss his fourth consecutive contest with a sore left oblique that he injured during an at-bat against the Braves last weekend. Third baseman Yunel Escobar, who went 2-for-4 and scored the Nationals' only run last night, was a late scratch tonight with a stomach bug. Escobar missed Wednesday's finale with the Mets after his fever spiked to...

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Casey Janssen's rut continues, Yunel Escobar's bat remains hot

September 12, 2015, 5:03am

Nationals

Casey Janssen's rut continues, Yunel Escobar's bat remains hot

Aside from the blockbuster signing of former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, infielder Yunel Escobar and right-hander Casey Janssen were the two key pieces Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo added during the offseason. Both factored prominently in another botched play in the seventh inning last night, which enabled the Marlins to score the eventual game-winning run, leading to a 2-1 win over the Nats. Janssen fell behind to J.T. Realmuto to start the frame and then grooved another 89 mph...

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Sluggish start to critical road trip for Nats in 2-1 loss

September 11, 2015, 7:03pm

Nationals

Sluggish start to critical road trip for Nats in 2-1 loss

After suffering a devastating sweep at the hands of the Mets, the Nationals desperately needed a strong start to their six-game road trip. That didn't happen with the offense coming out of the gates sluggish and, once again, the bullpen stumbling late as the Nats lost 2-1. The Mets won their second straight over the Braves, so the Nationals fall 8 1/2 games back in the National League with their fourth straight defeat. A one-out walk to Martin Prado led to the only run against Nationals...

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Nats fall 2-1, drop fourth straight

September 11, 2015, 4:39pm

Nationals

Marlins left-hander Jarred Cosart walked Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper in the first inning, but the Nationals stranded both when Yunel Escobar popped out and Ian Desmond struck out to end the inning. Gio Gonzalez was rolling through the first three innings until he issued a one-out walk to Martin Prado in the fourth. Justin Bour followed with a single to right, advancing Prado to third. With runners at the corners, Marcell Ozuna hit a slow bouncing ball to Desmond, who could only get the force...

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Ryan Zimmerman still out as Nats open series in Miami (with lineups)

September 11, 2015, 12:17pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman still out as Nats open series in Miami (with lineups)

The Nationals will open a three-game series in Miami without Ryan Zimmerman, who injured his left oblique during an at-bat in last weekend's series against the Braves. Zimmerman has missed three of the past four games including the final two against the Mets. Tyler Moore starts at first base against Marlins left-hander Jarred Cosart. Moore hasn't seen game action since he started for Zimmerman last Sunday. He is 1-for-7 with a double and an RBI since rejoining the Nats from the disabled list...

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Bleier and Espino shined with Triple-A Syracuse this season

September 11, 2015, 10:54am

Nationals

Bleier and Espino shined with Triple-A Syracuse this season

Left-hander Richard Bleier stepped up well at Triple-A after his promotion this season. With the Syracuse Chiefs, he made his first start July 27. Bleier went 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 11 starts (12 games). He struck out 25 and walked seven, allowing only 75 hits in 68 2/3 innings. At Double-A Harrisburg, Bleier was 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 starts (16 games). He had 40 strikeouts and nine walks in 103 innings. Minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart says Bleier is unique in that he knows...

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Nationals game blog: Nats looking for Gio Gonzalez to be the stopper

September 11, 2015, 2:45pm

Nationals

The Nationals send Gio Gonzalez to the mound tonight to face his hometown Marlins. The left-hander is 10-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 26 starts this season. He's coming off one of his best outings, holding the Braves scoreless over six innings in an 8-2 win last Saturday. Gonzalez was rocked in his only start against the Marlins this year, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in a 6-2 loss in Miami on April 26. Jayson Werth continues to thrive in the leadoff spot. In 20 games at the top of the order,...

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No relief in sight for Nats bullpen

September 11, 2015, 5:14am

Nationals

After a day off in Miami to regroup, the Nationals prepare to take on the Marlins with just 23 games remaining in the season. While the Nats were resting, the Mets were extending their commanding lead in the National League East to 7 1/2 games after beating the Braves 7-2. What has made these last five losses - two to the Cardinals, three to the Mets - tough to swallow is that the Nationals held the lead heading into the seventh in four of the five games and were tied in the other. However,...

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How will Nationals' fall affect Bryce Harper in the NL MVP race?

September 11, 2015, 7:57am

Nationals

The Nationals go into the final days with at best a slim chance to make the postseason by overtaking the Mets in the National League East. But will the play of the underachieving Nationals be a factor in the NL Most Valuable Player voting and cost right fielder Bryce Harper votes - or even a chance at winning the award? As a rule, the voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America leans toward the MVP coming from a team that makes the playoffs - or at least contends. The last 16 AL and...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins, Stanton looking for better offensive production next year

September 10, 2015, 8:51am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins, Stanton looking for better offensive production next year

Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 59-81 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordan (.328/.355/.408 with 36 RBIs, 50 SB), 3B Martin Prado (.284 with 52 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.281 with 48 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.30 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (25 saves, 2.61 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-6 Pitching probables: Sept. 11: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jarred Cosart, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 12: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 13: RHP Max Scherzer...

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Too many times, Bryce Harper has been a one-man gang this season

September 10, 2015, 5:48am

Nationals

Too many times, Bryce Harper has been a one-man gang this season

The theme of Bryce Harper displaying another dominant performance but the Nationals falling short once again played out in last night's dismal 5-3 loss to the Mets. Harper jumpstarted the Nationals offense early, ripping Jacob deGrom's heater over the wall in right for a two-out solo home run. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 97.3 mph fastball was the fastest pitch Harper has ever homered against. After the Mets tied it up in the second, Harper answered back with a leadoff double...

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Drew Storen on bad outings: "I have to make that adjustment"

September 10, 2015, 9:08am

Nationals

Drew Storen on bad outings: "I have to make that adjustment"

Nationals closer Drew Storen was rolling along at the beginning of this season. In the first four months of the season, Storen had allowed seven total earned runs in 40 appearances for a 1-0 record and a 1.64 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. Since August 1, one day after the trading deadline that brought in new closer Jonathan Papelbon, Storen has struggled mightily. In 18 games since August 1, Storen has allowed 16 runs with 14 earned. He has gone 1-2 with a 7.56 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. His WHIP (walks...

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Nats wasted opportunities to seize division at trade deadline

September 09, 2015, 8:23pm

Nationals

Nats wasted opportunities to seize division at trade deadline

The National League East was won at the trade deadline, plain and simple. Three hours before first pitch at Citi Field on July 31, the non-waiver trade deadline expired. At that moment, the Nationals held a three-game division advantage over the Mets leading up to the start of a pivotal series. After tonight's crushing 5-3 loss, the Nationals have somehow dropped seven games behind the Mets barely five weeks later. The Mets offense was abysmal in the first four months of the season, ranking...

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After another late collapse, Nats fall seven games back with 5-3 loss

September 09, 2015, 3:41pm

Nationals

After another late collapse, Nats fall seven games back with 5-3 loss

Stephen Strasburg returned to the mound for the first time since upper back tightness knocked him out of a start against the Marlins on Aug. 30. The right-hander needed just 10 pitches to get through the first, coaxing two popouts and an easy fly ball to center to waste an infield single from Yoenis Cespedes. With two outs in the first, Bryce Harper belted a 97 mph heater from Mets starter Jacob deGrom over the wall in right for his 35th homer of the year. It was Harper's first hit of this...

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David Huzzard: If Matt Williams is fired, who should replace him?

September 10, 2015, 4:51am

Nationals

David Huzzard: If Matt Williams is fired, who should replace him?

Matt Williams is going to be fired and it isn't because he won't use his closer in the ninth inning of a tied road game or that he uses cue cards from the sports guy clichÃ© machine in his postgame press conferences. No, it's because he has no feel for the game. There is a bit of luck involved in every decision a manager makes and when making moves in recent weeks, Matt Williams has had no luck, but he can't recognize when his pitcher is tiring or still going strong or when the opposing...

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Matt Williams responds to critical fan reaction

September 09, 2015, 2:01pm

Nationals

Matt Williams responds to critical fan reaction

Nationals manager Matt Williams walked into the press conference room at Nationals Park earlier today, the same room he was booed out of after finishing his postgame remarks following last night's unfathomable 8-7 loss to the Mets. Last night, fans inside the Presidents Club pressed up against the window watching Williams attempt to explain how his team managed to blow a six-run lead in a must-win game. As Williams left the stage, angry patrons voiced their displeasure with the...

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Desmond on sweep by Mets: "Pretty devastating"

September 09, 2015, 7:07pm

Nationals

Desmond on sweep by Mets: "Pretty devastating"

To gauge how much the 5-3 loss and sweep at the hands of the New York Mets affected the Nationals clubhouse, just go to the longest-tenured Nationals player, shortstop Ian Desmond. "Pretty devastating," Desmond said. "Put ourselves in a good position coming into this series. Obviously not where we'd like to be, but we gave ourselves a chance. Obviously, a lot more optimistic coming into this series than exiting it. "Is it over? No. Until the numbers tell you it's over it's not over. We...