nationals

Max Scherzer continues Nats pitching attack; Aaron Barrett to DL (with lineups)

August 09, 2015, 7:28am

The Nationals send ace Max Scherzer to the mound looking to claim a series win in the finale this afternoon against the Rockies. Scherzer is aiming for his first win at Nationals Park since throwing his no-hitter against the Pirates on June 20. The right-hander didn't get a decision in the Nats' 5-4 win over Arizona on Tuesday night when he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over six innings. Rockies left-hander Yohan Flande is making just his third start of...

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Game blog: Nats seek first series win in August against Rox today

August 09, 2015, 9:26am

Nationals

Game blog: Nats seek first series win in August against Rox today

The Nationals look to win their first series since Miami on July 30 with a win over the Rockies today. Right-hander Max Scherzer (11-8, 2.31 ERA) battles left-hander Yohan Flande (2-1, 3.54). The Nationals will face three southpaw starters in their next four games. Yunel Escobar is back in the lineup for the Nationals and will lead off. He is hitting .301 with 22 hits, two homers and 12 RBI in 73 career at-bats against Colorado. Ryan Zimmerman has hit 11 homers and 56 RBIs in his career against...

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Stephen Strasburg blows away Rockies in Nats' 6-1 win

August 08, 2015, 7:40pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg blows away Rockies in Nats' 6-1 win

The Nationals may have found their secret weapon for the playoff run and he has a familiar face. Stephen Strasburg reintroduced himself to the season with his a 12-strikeout domination of the Rockies in the Nationals' 6-1 win. Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon welcomed Strasburg back with a leadoff double in the first, but then the tall right-hander went to work. He finished the frame by whiffing All-Star Nolan Arenado with one of his knee-buckling curveballs. Strasburg pounded the zone...

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Harper, Zimmerman and Robinson put on show in middle of lineup, Nats win 6-1

August 08, 2015, 6:50pm

Nationals

Harper, Zimmerman and Robinson put on show in middle of lineup, Nats win 6-1

For the second night in a row, the Nationals offense was ignited with Bryce Harper on first base and Ryan Zimmerman at the plate. On Friday night, Harper reached first base on single in the fourth. Zimmerman followed with a double, and Harper scored all the way from first base. Saturday night in the fifth, Harper was on first base thanks to a walk. Zimmerman slammed a double off the wall, and again Harper raced all the way from first base for another run. "I think I had a pretty good read on...

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Still buzzing about Stephen Strasburg

August 09, 2015, 5:42am

Nationals

It's a shame that injuries made us wait until August 8 to see the best of Stephen Strasburg this season. The right-hander missed nearly two months, or approximately nine valuable starts, with two separate trips to the disabled list, not to mention a few other nagging discomforts he tried to but was never really able to pitch through. After last night's dazzling 12-strikeout, three-hit lockdown, Colorado had to be wishing Strasburg's rehab lasted just a bit longer. "It was top-shelf stuff,"...

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Stephen Strasburg strikes out 12, Nats win 6-1

August 08, 2015, 3:46pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg strikes out 12, Nats win 6-1

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon welcomed Stephen Strasburg back from the disabled list with a leadoff double in the first. No worries though as Strasburg retired the next three Rockies in order, stranding Blackmon after whiffing National League RBI leader Nolan Arenado on a filthy curveball. Strasburg threw 12 pitches in the opening frame, reaching 98 mph with the heater. In the second, Strasburg added two more strikeouts in a perfect inning. Clint Robinson picked up the Nationals first...

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Denard Span suffers setback

August 08, 2015, 2:26pm

Nationals

Denard Span traveled to New York one week ago to test out his ailing back with workouts at Citi Field. After taking his first swings in over three weeks, Span told reporters it was time to "put the rubber to the road and see where I'm at and test it out ... just rev it up." But Span wasn't able to make his scheduled live batting practice session at Nationals Park on Friday afternoon. "He's had a setback," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "It just hasn't been progressing the way he...

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Rendon moves to third, Espinosa starts at second with Escobar out (with lineups)

August 08, 2015, 12:35pm

Nationals

Rendon moves to third, Espinosa starts at second with Escobar out (with lineups)

The Nationals can't seem to catch a break. Once again, they will play without once of their most effective hitters with Yunel Escobar sick. "Yunel is feeling terrible," manager Matt Williams said. "He's been feeling bad for a couple days. Today is the worst day." Anthony Rendon will make his seventh start of the season at third base while Danny Espinosa plays second. Espinosa sparked the Nats offense early last night, scoring in the first after ripping a double down the left field...

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Espinosa adjusts to new role as utility hitter (updated)

August 08, 2015, 8:32am

Nationals

Espinosa adjusts to new role as utility hitter (updated)

With the return of three starters, players like Danny Espinosa have had to go back to their utility role planned from opening day. Espinosa is extremely valuable because of his defensive ability and has had a pretty good season at the plate. Obviously, he went through a tough period beginning in late June, but despite the loss Friday, had a solid night at the plate. Espinosa went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and a hit by pitch. On Wednesday, he started at shortstop going 0-4 with a...

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Game blog: Nats need to get off to good start as Strasburg returns

August 08, 2015, 2:40pm

Nationals

Game blog: Nats need to get off to good start as Strasburg returns

The Nationals look to get on the board in their series with the Rockies and welcome back right-hander Stephen Strasburg, making his first start since July 5. Not only do the Nats need to get off to a good start in this game to benefit Strasburg, they also need to find a way to get off to a good start in each series they play. Recently that has not been the case. The Nationals have now lost the first game of a series in the last five series in a row. They have also lost the first game of a...

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Nats looking for boost from Stephen Strasburg's return

August 08, 2015, 6:43am

Nationals

Nats looking for boost from Stephen Strasburg's return

The Nationals need a dominant and healthy Stephen Strasburg to return to the mound tonight and remain in the rotation until the final out of the year. Bothered by injuries since spring training and derailed twice by lengthy stints on the disabled list, Strasburg is set to make just his 14th start of the season tonight against the Rockies. Strasburg emerged from his first trip to the DL displaying confidence and command with all of his pitches. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 15...

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MASN's Dan Kolko runs as Tom in Presidents Race at Nationals Park

August 08, 2015, 6:20am

Nationals

The GEICO Presidents Race at Nationals Park has been a fourth-inning staple at Nationals games since the team returned to D.C. in 2005. One of the best aspects of the race is you never quite know what, or who, you're going to get. There have been many memorable moments in the race over the years: Teddy's first victory, the Easter Bunny's unexpected entrance and the Pirates Pierogies getting a beat down from the Presidents. And last night's race marked the introduction of a new...

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Nationals reinstate Stephen Strasburg, place Dan Uggla on disabled list

August 08, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

The Nationals welcome Stephen Strasburg back to the mound tonight. The right-hander was reinstated after landing on the 15-day disabled list back on July 5. Strasburg strained his left oblique the day before in the fourth inning of a start against the Giants. The Nationals look for Strasburg to regain the form he showed before the setback. The 27-year-old was 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA while striking out 18 and walking four across 15 1/3 innings in his prior three starts leading up to his DL stint. To...

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Harper can't deliver in ninth and is seeing less opportunity to impact games

August 07, 2015, 7:25pm

Nationals

Harper can't deliver in ninth and is seeing less opportunity to impact games

Unless the Nationals can get some power from those around Bryce Harper in the lineup, this is how it's going to be for the slugger the rest of the season: lots of walks. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 5-4 thanks to a grand slam from Carlos Gonzalez in the eighth. The Nationals had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth. With a man on, Harper battled right-hander Tommy Kahnle to a 3-2 count before striking out on an 89 mph changeup. Earlier, Harper singled and came around to score...

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Nats stunned after Drew Storen bombed for late grand slam

August 07, 2015, 8:08pm

Nationals

Nats stunned after Drew Storen bombed for late grand slam

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made a controversial decision to acquire closer Jonathan Papelbon 10 days ago. The move, before the non-waiver trade deadline, knocked Drew Storen back to the eighth inning, despite his 29 saves. There was a need for backend of the bullpen help coupled with concerns with Storen's mental makeup in October based on postseason mishaps in 2012 and 2014. Storen bristled at the demotion but accepted his new role, dominating in five no-hit shutout appearances....

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Drew Storen surrenders grand slam, Nats lose 5-4

August 07, 2015, 3:41pm

Nationals

Drew Storen surrenders grand slam, Nats lose 5-4

The Nationals jumped out to an early lead sparked by Danny Espinosa in the first. Espinosa ripped a double down the left field line and then took third when Kyle Parker misplayed the ball. Bryce Harper followed with a groundout to second which scored Espinosa easily. It was Harper's 69th RBI, placing him fifth in the National League. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has yielded one hit with one strikeout through two scoreless frames. Update: Harper led off with a single in the fourth. Rockies...

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Doug Fister reacts after demotion to bullpen

August 07, 2015, 2:44pm

Nationals

Doug Fister reacts after demotion to bullpen

After struggling through most of the season as a starter, right-hander Doug Fister learned yesterday he'll spend the remainder of the season pitching out of the Nationals bullpen. "It's not the most fun message to go across," Fister said. "But you've gotta have a positive outlook on it and stay with it. It's one of those situations where it's not something you want to do, but I'm here to help the team win. That's what it comes down to, that's the bottom line. What I need to do is go...

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Nationals game blog: Zimmermann seeks sixth win against Rockies

August 07, 2015, 3:01pm

Nationals

The Colorado Rockies are in D.C. for three games against the Washington Nationals. The teams match up in Denver next week. The Rockies are an amazing 21-13 on the road in D.C. against the Nationals, but Washington swept last year's Nats Park matchup, outscoring the Rockies 36-19 behind Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg and Doug Fister. Zimmermann is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his career against Colorado. But he allowed three home runs against the Mets on August 2 in his last start, a 5-2...

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Williams said he's not worried about Werth's power numbers right now

August 07, 2015, 1:53pm

Nationals

Williams said he's not worried about Werth's power numbers right now

With the Nationals' offense struggling to score runs, part of the issue has been the power numbers from the three returning hitters: Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth. Rendon hit one home run in New York. Zimmerman has crushed two since his return. But Werth hasn't hit a home run since May 13. Manager Matt Williams was asked during Friday's pregame session with the media how he thinks Werth is coming along in returning to full form offensively. He said the patience Werth is...

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Anthony Rendon gets day off to start series against Rockies (with lineups)

August 07, 2015, 12:13pm

Nationals

Anthony Rendon gets day off to start series against Rockies (with lineups)

Anthony Rendon will get the day off in the series opener against the Rockies at Nationals Park. Danny Espinosa will start at second base for the Nationals after having started for Ian Desmond at shortstop two days ago. In just 30 games with the Nats this season, Rendon is hitting .279 after going 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in last night's win. Espinosa is batting .246 on the season and is hitless in his last three appearances. But Espinosa is hitting .267 with nine home runs and...