nationals

Bullpen inconsistency, rough August some of the reasons for Nationals' predicament

September 01, 2015, 8:10am

The bullpen has never really been able to get in a rhythm this season. It is one of the reasons the Nationals stumble into September after losing 17 of 29 games in August. Similar to the offense and injuries plaguing consistency, the bullpen lost right-hander Craig Stammen to a torn flexor tendon in early April just as the season was beginning. Stammen has the unique ability to be a specialist, a long reliever, a fire extinguisher and even began is career as a starter. He could pretty much do...

Comments

Tags:

aaron barrett byron kerr craig stammen nationals casey janssen drew storen jonathan papelbon frontstory_nationals3

Nats' playoff hopes fading after dismal August

August 31, 2015, 11:41pm

Nationals

Nats' playoff hopes fading after dismal August

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals ended a disappointing August in fitting fashion, wasting a comeback three-run homer from Ryan Zimmerman in last night's 8-5 loss to the Cardinals. Washington began the month holding a two-game lead over the Mets in the National League East. But that margin quickly evaporated as the Nats were swept out of New York on Aug 2. Bolstered by several trade deadline acquisitions, the Mets rolled off seven in a row, taking a commanding first-place lead. The Nationals dropped...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Bullpen woes lead to crushing 8-5 loss to Cardinals

August 31, 2015, 9:19pm

Nationals

Bullpen woes lead to crushing 8-5 loss to Cardinals

ST. LOUIS - The road to the playoffs took a gloomy turn for the Nationals in the seventh inning of Monday's 8-5 loss to the Cardinals. "It's a tough one," Nationals manager Matt Williams said three different times after the game. The Nationals entered the frame trailing by a run and knowing they needed to pull off a win to not lose ground to the first-place Mets, who had already finished off the Phillies earlier in the night. With the Nats down to their final seven outs, Ryan Zimmerman...

Comments

Tags:

casey janssen chris johnson matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar felipe rivero frontstory_nationals3

Playoff hopes hanging by a thread for Orioles, Nationals

September 01, 2015, 8:41am

Nationals Orioles

Playoff hopes hanging by a thread for Orioles, Nationals

September has arrived, and the Orioles' and Nationals' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. The Nationals are struggling to catch the Mets in the National League East. They play each other six times, including the final weekend of the season. The Mets have 22 games left against the Phillies, Marlins, Reds and Braves, which is bad news for Washington. The Orioles are battling to stay out of the basement in the American League East and they play the Blue Jays seven times, the Yankees six...

Comments

Tags:

frontstory_nationals4 frontstory_orioles4 mel antonen nationals orioles

Matt of Matt's Bats: Giving thanks for Denard Span

September 01, 2015, 5:33am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Giving thanks for Denard Span

Last week, Nationals fans got the disappointing news that center fielder Denard Span, who had just come off the disabled list, needed hip surgery and would be out for the rest of the 2015 season. This is a huge blow for the team and Nats fans. In his three seasons on the Nationals, Span became a fan favorite and a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. Since he becomes a free agent at the end of this season, and given how Michael A. Taylor has played this year, chances are Span has played his last...

Comments

Tags:

denard span guest blogger guestblogger matt nationals nationals buzz

Nats fall 8-5 after blowing late lead

August 31, 2015, 4:52pm

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - With two outs in the first, Kolten Wong misplayed a grounder, allowing Bryce Harper to reach safely on the error. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a double sliced down the right field line. With Stephen Piscotty dealing with the carom off the corner of the wall, Nationals third base coach Bob Henley aggressively waved the hustling Harper around. As the relay throw reached the plate, Harper slid safely head first just inside the tag of Yadier Molina. Gio Gonzalez has yielded one hit with...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson gio gonzalez nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Matt Williams updates the latest on Stephen Strasburg

August 31, 2015, 4:14pm

Nationals

Matt Williams updates the latest on Stephen Strasburg

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals decided to rest Stephen Strasburg a day after the right-hander's start was ended prematurely by upper back stiffness. "He's not gonna throw today," manager Matt Williams said before tonight's game. "We'll let the medication kick in a little bit and see how he is tomorrow. As of right now, we don't have an update because he just hasn't thrown a ball yet." Williams pulled Strasburg after throwing only 60 pitches through four innings yesterday. The pain...

Comments

Tags:

aaron barrett chris johnson gio gonzalez matt williams nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals game blog: Nats face tall test with Cardinals

August 31, 2015, 4:43pm

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - Fighting for their playoff lives, the Nationals are set to begin a three-game set against the National League Central division-leading Cardinals, owners of the best record in the majors. Gio Gonzalez is 0-3 with a 10.22 ERA in his last three starts, but the left-hander holds a 2-1 career mark against the Cardinals with a 0.93 ERA in four starts. The Cardinals send right-hander John Lackey (11-8 2.92 ERA) to the mound. Lackey is coming off seven innings of one-run ball in a 3-1 win...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson gio gonzalez matt williams nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar frontstory_nationals1

Jayson Werth leads Nats into St. Louis, Yunel Escobar returns (with lineups)

August 31, 2015, 12:55pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth leads Nats into St. Louis, Yunel Escobar returns (with lineups)

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals enter tonight's game against the Cardinals as winners of eight of their last 12 games, backed by an offense that has scored 71 runs over the stretch, second best in the National League. Jayson Werth continues his success in the leadoff spot. In 10 games since moving to the top of the order, Werth is slashing .325/.413/.650 with two homers, one triple, five doubles, six walks, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored. Bryce Harper has reached base safely in 11 straight games,...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson gio gonzalez jayson werth nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar

Clint Robinson demonstrates value again with two homers in two days for Nats

August 31, 2015, 4:54am

Nationals

Clint Robinson demonstrates value again with two homers in two days for Nats

Heading into 2015, he had 13 total at-bats at the big league level. Heading into 2015, he didn't know if he would even be playing in the majors. Then on August 30 in his 98th game with the Nationals, Clint Robinson crushed a pinch-hit two-run shot, his first pinch-hit homer of his major league career. He is the team leader in pinch-hits with six on the season. It was his second two-run homer in as many days. Robinson said he has been able to get better at his pinch-hit role as the season moves...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr clint robinson jayson werth matt williams michael a. taylor nationals bryce harper featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals set to open crucial series in St. Louis

August 30, 2015, 4:01pm

Nationals

Trailing the Mets by 5 1/2 games, the Nationals are set to open a crucial three-game series in St. Louis while New York prepares to host the last place Phillies. Yesterday's 7-4 win over the Marlins secured the Nats' fourth consecutive series win since Aug. 18, yet they've actually lost a game in the standings to the red-hot Mets over the stretch. "We got a long way to go," Jayson Werth said after driving in three runs in Sunday's win over the Marlins. "We got a tough three-game road...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson doug fister jayson werth matt williams nationals nationals pastime yunel escobar featured_sidebar gio gonzalez michael a. taylor frontstory_nationals2

Opposite dugout: Cardinals heading for third straight division crown as World Series favorites

August 31, 2015, 7:18am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Cardinals heading for third straight division crown as World Series favorites

Manager: Mike Matheny (4th season) Record: 84-46 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Jason Heyward (.291/.349/.442 with 11 HR, 48 RBIs), 1B Matt Carpenter (.262/.361/.467 with 20 HR, 69 RBIs), SS Jhonny Peralta (.276/.335/.429 with 16 HR, 58 RBIs), RHP Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69 ERA), RHP Trevor Rosenthal (41 saves, 1.52 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP John Lackey, 8:15 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 1: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Carlos Martinez, 8:15...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco cardinals frontstory_nationals3 nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout

Marty Niland: Nats get most from Jayson Werth in the leadoff spot

August 31, 2015, 5:27am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats get most from Jayson Werth in the leadoff spot

When the Nationals learned Friday that leadoff man Denard San would have hip surgery and miss the rest of the season, it was certainly discouraging news. Without Span's .365 OPB and base-stealing potential atop the lineup, the team's offense takes a severe hit, and with it, their chances to catch the New York Mets in the National League East. So manager Matt Williams turned to the solution he used when the Nats offense was struggling this season, and the one his predecessor Davey Johnson...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger jayson werth marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Back tightness derails Stephen Strasburg's start in Nats' 7-4 win

August 30, 2015, 2:50pm

Nationals

Back tightness derails Stephen Strasburg's start in Nats' 7-4 win

The frustrations of Stephen Strasburg's season continued again today as the right-hander was forced to leave a 7-4 win over the Marlins with recurring back discomfort after throwing just 60 pitches over four innings. "It's just a little bit of back tightness," Strasburg said. "It's something that I kind of dealt with in the middle of the year. It's got some sort of little ball that's in the back there that I can't really figure out what it is. Sometimes it gets upset." Strasburg ran...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson jayson werth matt williams nationals nationals park stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Werth again displays power stroke in Nats' 7-4 comeback win

August 30, 2015, 2:20pm

Nationals

Werth again displays power stroke in Nats' 7-4 comeback win

The Nationals flexed their muscles again in a 7-4 come-from-behind victory over the Marlins, which gave them a fourth consecutive series victory. Jayson Werth clubbed a two-run homer and later added a run-scoring double, highlighting the Nationals' comeback from 3-0 and 4-2 deficits. They have now won eight of their last 12 games. Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond provided RBI singles in a three-run fifth. Clint Robinson added his first major league pinch-hit homer, a two-run shot in the sixth,...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr doug fister jayson werth matt williams nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Werth homers, drives in three as Nats beat Marlins 7-4

August 30, 2015, 10:00am

Nationals

Werth homers, drives in three as Nats beat Marlins 7-4

Dee Gordon dropped a bunt down the third base line on Stephen Strasburg's second pitch of the afternoon, reaching on a leadoff single. Ichiro Suzuki then ripped Strasburg's next offering into right field for a double, giving the Marlins runners at second and third. After getting Martin Prado to pop out to Ryan Zimmerman, it appeared Strasburg had a chance to battle his way out of the jam when he pumped two heaters past Justin Bour. But the right-hander left a 95 mph fastball over the plate...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson nationals nationals pastime stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Nationals focused on taking care of their own business

August 30, 2015, 5:34am

Nationals

It's been a volatile month for the Nationals, beginning with a sweep by the Mets in New York, where the balance of power in the National League East changed hands. Boosted by several trade deadline moves, including the acquisition of slugger Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets have gone from one of the worst offenses in baseball to the best over the past month. New York owns two seven-game winning streaks, boasting an 18-8 record in August while the Nats have reversed, playing to an 11-16 mark and...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman wilson ramos featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Jordan Zimmermann uses lethal fastball to cut down Marlins 5-1

August 29, 2015, 6:51pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann uses lethal fastball to cut down Marlins 5-1

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann went old school on the Marlins in a 5-1 victory, perfectly in line with the 1980's theme celebration going on at Nationals Park Saturday night. Zimmermann (11-8) used his fastball, with his velocity spiking in the upper 90's mph, to toss seven innings and allow only one solo homer in recording his third straight win. Manager Matt Williams felt Zimmermann's outing was "really good" because of his fastball command. "Fastball velocity was really up first three...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

Nats game blog: Nats seek series with over Marlins with Strasburg on hill

August 30, 2015, 9:27am

Nationals

Nats game blog: Nats seek series with over Marlins with Strasburg on hill

The Nationals are seeking their fourth consecutive series win and a chance to even their won-loss record against the Marlins with today's finale at Nationals Park. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is looking for his 10th career win against the Marlins and is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA since Aug. 8. The Marlins counter with left-hander Brad Hand, who is 0-3 with a 7.85 ERA in four starts against the Nationals. He went a career-high eight innings and allowed only two runs in a 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr ian desmond nationals frontstory_nationals1 stephen strasburg

Stephen Strasburg looks to continue dominant stretch (with lineups)

August 30, 2015, 6:37am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg looks to continue dominant stretch (with lineups)

Stephen Strasburg aims to deliver the Nationals' fourth consecutive series win when he takes the mound in the finale against the Marlins this afternoon. Strasburg has overmatched hitters in four starts since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 8 after missing more than a month with a strained left oblique. The hard-throwing right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA while striking out 32 and walking just three in 26 innings over the four-game stretch. Battling nagging injuries, Strasburg's ERA...