nationals

Desmond, Ramos and Robinson provide punch in Nats offense

August 07, 2015, 5:27am

Lost a bit after another stellar performance from Joe Ross, and the subsequent big news that he was taking Doug Fister's spot in the rotation, was the spark that Ian Desmond provided early in yesterday's 8-3 win over Arizona. Desmond was given Wednesday off after going through a 4-for-31 stretch, which included a startling 14 strikeouts. In the second inning, Desmond jumped on right-hander Jeremy Hellickson's first-pitch changeup, smacking a no-doubter over the visitors' bullpen in deep...

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Opposite dugout: Contrast between pitching and offense has Rockies looking to the future

August 06, 2015, 11:00am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Contrast between pitching and offense has Rockies looking to the future

Manager: Walt Weiss (3rd season) Record: 45-61 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.273/.314/.553 with 26 HR, 80 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.322/.383/.413 with 42 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.279/.338/.525 with 22 HR, 56 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.293/.360/.469 with 13 HR, 46 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 4.87 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-5 in 2014) Pitching probables: Aug. 7: LHP Jorge De La Rosa vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 8: LHP Yohan...

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Joe Ross remains in rotation, Doug Fister sent to bullpen

August 06, 2015, 4:37pm

Nationals

Joe Ross remains in rotation, Doug Fister sent to bullpen

Following another impressive performance from rookie Joe Ross in the Nationals' 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks, manager Matt Williams announced a major shakeup to the starting rotation. "Doug (Fister) is gonna go to our bullpen," Williams said. Ross will remain in the rotation with Stephen Strasburg (strained left oblique) set to return from the disabled list to start Saturday night against the Rockies at Nationals Park. The next start for Ross will come early next week in Los Angeles. Fister...

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Joe Ross earns more starts with sterling performance to beat Diamondbacks 8-3

August 06, 2015, 5:07pm

Nationals

Joe Ross earns more starts with sterling performance to beat Diamondbacks 8-3

Right-hander Joe Ross continued to showcase his ability to pitch at the major league level with another solid six innings Thursday in an 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Ross allowed only five hits, one run and no walks while striking out seven over 89 pitches, an amazing 62 for strikes. His only mistake was a changeup to Jarrod Saltalamacchia for a solo homer. Manager Matt Williams said the poise that the 22-year-old Ross has displayed in only his seventh major league start is rare but...

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Joe Ross leads Nats to 8-3 win

August 06, 2015, 12:46pm

Nationals

For the third straight game, the Nationals have scored first. Ian Desmond mashed right-hander Jeremy Hellickson's first offering deep over the wall in the left-center alley in the second. The solo shot was Desmond's 12th homer on the season. Nationals rookie right-hander Joe Ross has struck out three over the first two innings while yielding one hit. Update: Desmond roped a double off the wall in left to start the fourth. A line drive single to center from Wilson Ramos gave the Nats runners...

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Matt Williams' pregame message to Nats: "We're best when we're aggressive"

August 06, 2015, 10:53am

Nationals

Matt Williams' pregame message to Nats: "We're best when we're aggressive"

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Wednesday night after his team's 11-4 loss to Arizona that he would have a pregame team meeting on Thursday prior to the series finale to discuss some important topics. Williams gave the media gathering hints as to what the subject of that pregame team meeting would be and what he wants his team to get back to doing well. "I think it's important for us to understand we're best when we're aggressive," Williams said. "When we're an aggressive team,...

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With Nats looking up at first place, no worries for Bryce Harper

August 06, 2015, 2:59am

Nationals

With Nats looking up at first place, no worries for Bryce Harper

On the heels of last night's 11-4 drubbing by the Diamondbacks, the Nationals find themselves two games behind the Mets for the lead in the Naional League East. Oh, how the tables have turned in one week. Last Thursday at this time, the Nats led the division by two games, fresh off a two-homer, four RBI performance from slugger Bryce Harper in Miami the night before. Behind Max Scherzer, the Nats went on to shut out the Marlins that afternoon to increase their lead to three games heading to...

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Strasburg likely to start Saturday, Treinen available today, plus Fister update

August 06, 2015, 10:10am

Nationals

Strasburg likely to start Saturday, Treinen available today, plus Fister update

Nationals manager Matt Williams all but confirmed that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will return to the team and start Saturday night's matchup against the Rockies. Strasburg has been on the disabled list with an oblique issue since July 5. He has had two promising rehab starts and came out of each feeling back to full strength. "We've got some options, certainly his day falls Saturday, but he'll go out and do his towel drills today and make sure," Williams said. "So we'll have a better...

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Nationals game blog: Nats look to Ross to split series with Arizona

August 06, 2015, 12:00pm

Nationals

The Nationals and Diamondbacks wrap up their four-game series today. Rookie right-hander Joe Ross (2-3, 3.00 ERA) faces Arizona right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 4.95 ERA). The season series is split 3-3. The Nationals have won eight of their last 11 games in the series. Ryan Zimmerman gets the day off for the Nationals, and Ian Desmond is back in the lineup. The Nationals wrap up the homestand with three games versus the Rockies starting Friday night. Manager Matt Williams conducted a team...

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Nationals recall Treinen, option Barrett (with lineups, updated)

August 06, 2015, 8:36am

Nationals

The Nationals look for a series split with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Thursday's late afternoon tilt. The club announced prior to the game that right-hander Blake Treinen has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Right-hander Aaron Barrett, who took the loss Wednesday night, was optioned to Syracuse to make room for Treinen, who has had five scoreless appearances with the Chiefs. Treinen recorded 14 strikeouts in 12 innings, allowing six hits since July 21 with Syracuse. Barrett is 3-3 with a...

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David Huzzard: Explaining the Nats' struggles

August 06, 2015, 6:46am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Explaining the Nats' struggles

It is no secret that the Washington Nationals aren't playing well right now. They are 7-12 since the All-Star break, having allowed an average of 4.2 runs a game and scoring 3.4 runs a game. Both these numbers are well bellow league average and even further bellow what the Nationals are capable of. The Nationals have come out of the break pretty much the same way as they started the season. They were able to rally from that first sluggish start and will have to do so again if they wish to...

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Tyler Moore makes pitching debut in Nats' 11-4 loss

August 05, 2015, 8:10pm

Nationals

Tyler Moore makes pitching debut in Nats' 11-4 loss

There was nothing comfortable about the Nationals' 11-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. The game lasted four minutes shy of four hours. Arizona left fielder Ender Inciarte and center fielder A.J. Pollock were each credited with six at-bats. The Diamondbacks pounded out 17 hits, which tied the season high of hits allowed by the Nationals (also April 28 at Atlanta.) The Nationals had to go to their bullpen in the sixth inning. Four relievers could not slow down Arizona over those final 11 outs. The...

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Bullpen collapses after Gio Gonzalez departs

August 05, 2015, 8:45pm

Nationals

Bullpen collapses after Gio Gonzalez departs

For the third straight start, Gio Gonzalez was unable to pitch out of the sixth inning. Manager Matt Williams yanked Gonzalez after 95 pitches and turned to his bullpen, which promptly allowed four quick runs to change the complexion of the game in the Nationals' 11-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. The decision surrounding Gonzalez's removal seemed strange. The left-hander yielded seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts when he finished the fifth at 93 pitches. With the Nationals leading 2-1...

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Ian Desmond sits as erratic season continues

August 05, 2015, 2:23pm

Nationals

Ian Desmond sits as erratic season continues

Ian Desmond's erratic season in the field and at the plate has led him to be the most criticized Washington Nationals player this season. So it's quite ironic that public sentiment is for Danny Espinosa, the most criticized Nat of the past few years, to replace Desmond in the lineup. Either way, Desmond sits tonight and Espinosa makes his fifth start of the season at shortstop. "It creates opportunity for me to give Desi a rest, which is important," Nationals manager Matt Williams said....

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Denard Span battles emotions in recovery from back issue

August 05, 2015, 1:43pm

Nationals

Denard Span battles emotions in recovery from back issue

Center fielder Denard Span (back spasms) took another step toward finally returning to the Nationals with an outside batting practice session Wednesday, plus defensive drills, as his team prepared for Game 3 against the Diamondbacks. "Felt pretty good the first couple of rounds," Span said. "By the third round, I got a little bit gassed. A lot of that is just conditioning. But felt good to be out there for the first time hitting. I've been hitting in the cage for the last three days, but...

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Bullpen bombed in Nats' 11-4 loss

August 05, 2015, 3:45pm

Nationals

Led by Yunel Escobar, the Nationals came out swinging the bats aggressively for the second straight night. Escobar drilled Rubby De La Rosa's first-pitch heater over center fielder A.J. Pollock to start the game with a double. Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper drew consecutive walks to load the bases for Ryan Zimmerman with no outs. Zimmerman lifted a fly ball to right that was deep enough to score the tagging Escobar for the game's first run. Rendon was next to score on Jayson Werth's...

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Nationals game blog: Gonzalez seeks his fifth straight win as Nats face D-backs

August 05, 2015, 2:53pm

Nationals

Welcome to the Nats game blog! The Nationals look for two wins in a row as left-hander Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.75 ERA) takes on Arizona right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.59). Gonzalez has not lost a game since June 15 at Tampa Bay and has not surrendered more than two earned runs in six consecutive starts. Danny Espinosa gets the call to start at shortstop as Ian Desmond will get the day off. Jose Lobaton will catch for Gonzalez as he has all season. Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four...

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Jayson Werth said timing at the plate helping him get back into a good groove

August 05, 2015, 7:16am

Nationals

Jayson Werth said timing at the plate helping him get back into a good groove

In building back into full strength since breaking his wrist, Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth has been able to see a ton of pitches each at-bat by staying patient and making the pitcher show his entire repertoire. Tuesday he dove into first base to try to break up a potential double play in his first at-bat. The RBI fielder's choice helped score the last of three runs, and the Nationals had an early advantage over the Diamondbacks. In the third inning, he worked reliever Josh Collmenter...

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Danny Espinosa gets start (with lineups)

August 05, 2015, 12:06pm

Nationals

Danny Espinosa gets start (with lineups)

Danny Espinosa has made just one start since Anthony Rendon returned from the disabled list July 25. Tonight, Espinosa gets the nod at shortstop, with Ian Desmond receiving a night off. Espinosa has slashed .249/.320/.411 with 10 homers this season while showing stellar defense at five different positions. However, Espinosa's production at the plate dropped off significantly at the plate over the past month, like many in the Nats lineup. The 28-year-old is 16-for-73 (.219) since July...

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Best of the Decade: Stephen Strasburg's electrifying debut

August 05, 2015, 4:53am

Nationals

Best of the Decade: Stephen Strasburg's electrifying debut

As the Nationals celebrate 10 seasons in Washington, D.C., we reflect on some of the best moments since the franchise moved to the nation's capital. Each Wednesday through mid-August, check out Nationals Pastime for a remembrance of one of the watershed moments in Nationals history. When Stephen Strasburg took the mound for the first time in a Nationals uniform on June 8, 2010, Sports Illustrated called it "the most hyped pitching performance the game has ever seen." On a Tuesday night, two...