nationals

Strasburg, Zimmerman lead Nats to 8-3 win

August 25, 2015, 3:35pm

Stephen Strasburg gave up a leadoff single to Yonder Alonso in the second. Jedd Gyorko then smacked Strasburg's 97 mph fastball over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Strasburg retired the next three Padres in order. The right-hander has four strikeouts through two innings. The fans at Nationals Park welcomed Denard Span back from the disabled list with a standing ovation before his first at-bat. Span grounded out to shortstop. Update: Yunel Escobar singled off Padres starter James Shields...

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Opposite dugout: Whether Padres make moves or not, they haven't lived up to expectations

August 24, 2015, 4:45pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Whether Padres make moves or not, they haven't lived up to expectations

Manager: Pat Murphy (1st season) Record: 61-63 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Matt Kemp (.267/.314/.423 with 15 HR, 76 RBIs), LF Justin Upton (.258/.344/.448 with 20 HR, 67 RBIs), 3B Yangervis Solarte (.269/.325/.425 with 10 HR, 49 RBIs), RHP James Shields (9-5, 3.74 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (35 saves, 2.94 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-3 Pitching probables: Aug. 25: RHP James Shields vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 22: RHP Tyson Ross vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m.,...

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Williams explains Roark decison, lines up Scherzer to face Mets

August 25, 2015, 2:25pm

Nationals

Williams explains Roark decison, lines up Scherzer to face Mets

In order to make room for the return of Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams were left with the tough decision to option right-hander Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac. Roark, who went 15-6 with a 2.66 ERA in 31 starts last season, has worked primarily out of the bullpen this season. He's 1-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 relief appearances. However, with rookie right-hander Joe Ross nearing an innings limit, the Nationals are sending...

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Span is activated (again), says it "feels good to be back"

August 25, 2015, 1:22pm

Nationals

Span is activated (again), says it "feels good to be back"

Nationals center fielder Denard Span returned to the club Tuesday and was inserted in the starting lineup, leading off and playing center field against the Padres. Span has been on the disabled list with back tightness since July 7. Previously, he missed the first three weeks of the season as he recovered from right core muscle surgery. He has played only 59 games this season. "Feels good to be back," Span said. "It's been a long road. I'm just ready to get after it. Ready to do all that I...

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Nats game blog: Strasburg faces hometown Padres in D.C.

August 25, 2015, 2:13pm

Nationals

Nats game blog: Strasburg faces hometown Padres in D.C.

The Nationals and the San Diego Padres begin a three-game set tonight at Nats Park. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg needs to maintain the pace for the Nationals after a pair of series wins for the club over the last six days. Strasburg (7-6, 4.22 ERA) has now won four of his last five decisions, including an outstanding seven innings at Colorado on Wednesday in which the Nats won 4-1. Strasburg allowed two hits and one unearned run in 93 pitches. He walked none and struck out five...

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Span reinstated from DL, Nationals option Roark to Single-A Potomac

August 25, 2015, 12:23pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated center fielder Denard Span from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, and optioned right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Span, 31, returns to the Nationals after missing 40 games due to back tightness. The Nationals' leadoff man is coming off six rehab games - spanning stops with Single-A Hagerstown, Single-A Potomac and Double-A...

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Nationals get Denard Span back for playoff push (Tanner Roark optioned)

August 25, 2015, 11:47am

Nationals

It only took 123 games, but it finally appears the Nationals will play with their entire projected opening day lineup when they take on the Padres tonight. Center fielder Denard Span has been reinstated from the disabled list after back spasms sidelined him on July 7. Span missed the first 12 games of the season after undergoing core muscle surgery in early March. It was his second abdominal procedure of the offseason after experiencing hernia surgery in mid-December. Lingering effects from...

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Denard Span returns to the Nationals lineup

August 25, 2015, 11:44am

Nationals

The Nationals get Denard Span back in the leadoff spot tonight for the first time since 31-year-old went on the disabled on July 7 with back spasms. When Span starts, the Nats are 35-24 this year. He is batting .304 with five homers, 15 doubles, 22 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Yunel Escobar also returns to the lineup after missing the past two games with hyperextended neck. Escobar suffered the injury while trying to make a catch in foul territory in the first inning of Friday's loss to the...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Examining how Nats can regain division lead

August 25, 2015, 6:08am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Examining how Nats can regain division lead

Think back to about a month ago, July 29, 2015. The Nationals enjoyed a two-game lead in the National League East. They won 7-2 in Miami and made a road trip up to New York. In the first game of that series, Wilmer Flores, who everyone thought was about to be traded, hit a walk-off single to win the game, and the lead was cut to one going into a start against reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom. The Nats lost the next game, too, and the Mets were suddenly tied for first. On...

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Anthony Rendon heating up for stretch run

August 24, 2015, 7:48am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon heating up for stretch run

A large part of the expectations heaped on the Nationals this year had to do with Anthony Rendon. The 25-year-old was coming off a breakthrough season, leading the National League in runs scored (111), while slashing .287/.351/.473 with a .824 OPS. In just his second year in the big leagues, he finished fifth in the NL MVP voting. But his promising season was derailed before it even got started. Rendon sprained his left MCL making a spectacular diving stop on a grounder in his second Grapefruit...

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Zimmermann battles without one of his best pitches to beat Brewers 9-5

August 23, 2015, 1:33pm

Nationals

Zimmermann battles without one of his best pitches to beat Brewers 9-5

It says a lot about the top pitchers in the league that even when they don't have their best stuff, they still figure out a way to win. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann did Sunday. Battling through a rough first inning and a couple of other tough situations to last 5 2/3 innings and down the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5. Zimmermann threw a season-high 116 pitches and surrendered eight hits, four runs and two homers. But he also only walked one batter and struck out seven. Zimmermann (10-8) knew not all...

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Nationals' two-out RBIs, patient at-bats key to series win over Brewers

August 24, 2015, 3:40am

Nationals

It was nice to see the offense take advantage of opportunities in winning their series against the Brewers. In 6-1 and 9-5 wins over the weekend against Milwaukee, the Nationals went 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Even more importantly, the Nationals were able to get two-out base hits that scored runs. In wins Saturday and Sunday, the Nationals combined for 12 two-out RBIs. Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendon each had three RBIs Sunday, while Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond also added...

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Offense finally clicking as Nationals take series with 9-5 win

August 23, 2015, 2:58pm

Nationals

Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon went deep and Danny Espinosa delivered a three-run double as the Nationals opened up their offense in a 9-5 win over the Brewers. It was the Nationals' first back-to-back series win since they took three straight series from the Pirates, Braves and Phillies from June 19-June 28. The Nats also claimed only their second series win in D.C. since the All-Star break. Jordan Zimmermann fell behind quickly after Scooter Gennett led off the game with a single. Jonathan...

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Ramos and Rendon homer as Nats take series with 9-5 win

August 23, 2015, 10:01am

Nationals

Ramos and Rendon homer as Nats take series with 9-5 win

The Brewers didn't take long to jump on Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann. Scooter Gennett started the game with a single and then Jonathan Lucroy unloaded on a hanging slider, smacking it over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer. Ryan Braun followed with a shot off the wall in right, but Bryce Harper came up throwing, nailing Braun on a laser at second base. The Nationals answered in the bottom of the first when Jayson Werth ripped a double to left. Anthony Rendon advanced Werth to...

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Marty Niland: Encouraging signs spark memories of Nats' 2014 run

August 23, 2015, 5:56pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Encouraging signs spark memories of Nats' 2014 run

Funny how quickly your outlook can change. A week ago, many Nationals fans were calling for manager Matt Williams' firing, for the team to cut bait on Jayson Werth and the $42 million the team still owes him through 2017, and for the benching of Anthony Rendon, who had gone more than two weeks without an extra-base hit or an RBI. But after Williams placed the struggling Werth atop the batting order and Rendon was forced back to his natural third base position because of an injury to Yunel...

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Jordan Zimmermann aims for series win (with lineups)

August 23, 2015, 6:04am

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann aims for series win (with lineups)

Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound looking to claim just the second series win for the Nationals at home since the All-Star break. Zimmermann didn't fare so well facing his home-state Brewers in Milwaukee on June 12. In his second shortest outing of the season, the right-hander allowed six runs on nine hits before being bounced after 3 1/3 innings. Zimmermann is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers at Nationals Park. Bryce Harper has reached safely in 44 of his last 46...

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Nats game blog: Garza winless against the Nationals

August 23, 2015, 9:23am

Nationals

The Nationals seek their second consecutive series win today as they battle the Milwaukee Brewers. Wisconsin-native right-hander Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the seventh time against Milwaukee. He is 4-1 with 3.71 ERA in six starts against the Brewers. He also has a 3.06 ERA in 88 home starts in his career. The Brewers counter with veteran right-hander Matt Garza (6-13, 4.98 ERA). He has never defeated the Nationals, 0-3 with a 6.27 ERA. He pitched against the Nationals June 11,...

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Michael A. Taylor powers Nats to 6-1 win

August 22, 2015, 7:46pm

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor powers Nats to 6-1 win

Michael A. Taylor loudly introduced himself tonight, crushing a towering two-run homer in the second to spark the Nationals to a much-needed 6-1 win. It's the third straight night Taylor has flexed his muscles with a titanic blast, beginning with Thursday's monstrous 493 foot moonshot at Coors Field. When asked what it meant to own the majors' longest home run this season after the Nats' loss that night, Taylor simply told reporters, "Nothing." Like tonight's roundtripper, eight of...

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Jayson Werth delivering in a leading role

August 23, 2015, 5:38am

Nationals

Jayson Werth delivering in a leading role

When Jayson Werth showed up at the ballpark Saturday afternoon, he wasn't on manager Matt Williams' original lineup card. The Nationals skipper was looking to give the 36-year-old a night off to recover after the long and late trip back early Friday morning. But moments later, a new batting order was posted with Werth penciled in to lead off. "I really just wanted to play, so he put me in there," Werth said after last night's 6-1 win over the Brewers. Werth's presence was felt early when...

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Joe Ross mixes in changeup more to drop Brewers 6-1

August 22, 2015, 7:19pm

Nationals

Joe Ross mixes in changeup more to drop Brewers 6-1

Nationals right-hander Joe Ross bounced back well from a pair of losses on the West Coast with a commanding performance in a 6-1 win over the Brewers Saturday night. Ross went seven innings and allowed only six hits, the only run a solo homer, with no walks and four strikeouts. It was his second win of the season against Milwaukee. It was also with only 82 pitches to get those 21 outs. His bread and butter is his fastball in, but he said the big difference this time was the ability to slow down...