nationals

Williams on Nats' injuries: "I don't know if I can remember a team that's been hit this hard"

July 09, 2015, 4:47am

The Nationals will spend this much needed off-day on the mend before making the short drive up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway tomorrow afternoon for an interleague series with the Orioles. Both teams enter the weekend reeling. On July 1, Baltimore jumped into their first lead in the American League East since the season's opening week. Since then, the Orioles have dropped six of seven, scoring only 10 runs combined in the losses. The Twins completed a three-game sweep over Baltimore...

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Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations

July 09, 2015, 4:21pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Nationals looking to deliver in another season with high expectations

Manager: Matt Williams (2nd season) Record: 46-38 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Bryce Harper (.343/.417/.709 with 25 HR, 60 RBIs, 6.1 WAR), 3B Yunel Escobar (.315/.365/.405 with 27 RBIs), 2B Danny Espinosa (.258/.338/.435 with 9 HR, 25 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.258 with 8 HR, 38 RBIs), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (7-5, 3.04 ERA), LHP Matt Thornton (2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP), RHP Drew Storen (25 saves, 1.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-3 in 2014) Pitching probables: July...

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Opposite dugout: Slumping Orioles still in the thick of AL East race

July 08, 2015, 2:10pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Slumping Orioles still in the thick of AL East race

Manager: Buck Showalter (6th season) Record: 43-42 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Manny Machado (.301/.360/.535 with 19 HR, 48 RBIs), DH Jimmy Paredes (.299, 10 HR), CF Adam Jones (.284/.430/.471 with 11 HR, 40 RBIs), 1B Chris Davis (19 HR, 52 RBIs), LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-4, 2.82 EA), RHP Darren O'Day (5-0, 1.10 ERA, 0.80 WHIP), LHP Zach Britton (23 saves, 1.77 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 10: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP...

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Nationals will take the rest after rainout; starters up in the air

July 08, 2015, 4:24pm

Nationals

If there ever was a good time for weather to postpone a baseball game, it was tonight. Stricken by injuries across his ballclub, Nationals manager Matt Williams was planning to field a lineup with Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and six reserves in the series finale against the Reds. Shortly after heavy showers ended any chance of playing, Williams was asked if the rain dance worked. "Next," Williams said with a sly look while trying to hold back laughter. The recent wet weather over the past five...

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Span to see back specialist, rules himself out of O's series (game postponed)

July 08, 2015, 1:20pm

Nationals

Span to see back specialist, rules himself out of O's series (game postponed)

Nationals center fielder Denard Span is scheduled to see a back specialist on Thursday as the Nationals try to figure out why his back spasms continue to occur. "I haven't done much. I've been instructed to kind of take it easy," Span said Wednesday afternoon. "That's where we are." Span ruled himself out of the Orioles series. "No chance," Span answered when asked about playing in Baltimore over the weekend. Manager Matt Williams said the Nationals are in a holding pattern until the...

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David Huzzard: Re-examining how free agency affects the Nationals

July 09, 2015, 5:06am

Nationals

One of the big refrains coming into the 2015 season for the Nationals was that because of the loss of pending free agents Denard Span, Ian Desmond, Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann at the end of the season, the window is closing. While this has always been somewhat faulty logic, it made sense that the Nationals would have difficulty replacing four good players. But the season has not gone according to plan, and the idea that the window would be closing because of the loss of those four players...

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Nationals need to call up Difo if Span and Escobar not available tonight

July 08, 2015, 5:28am

Nationals

The Nationals were significantly short-handed Tuesday offensively without Denard Span (back spasms) and Yunel Escobar (left hamstring tightness). Both left Monday's game early, so the Nationals have gone close to 15 innings without their starting one and two-hole hitters. Already the team is without Jayson Werth (wrist), Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fasciitis), Anthony Rendon (quad) and Stephen Strasburg (oblique). That is five starters unavailable offensively. Not to mention that the bench was...

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Gonzalez aims to prevent season sweep; Hill recalled (with lineups, game postponed)

July 08, 2015, 12:00pm

Nationals

Gonzalez aims to prevent season sweep; Hill recalled (with lineups, game postponed)

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez takes the hill as the Nationals attempt to prevent a season sweep by the Reds. Gonzalez has pitched brilliantly his last two starts, allowing just one run over 14 innings with 10 strikeouts and two walks. The Reds tagged Gonzalez for four runs over 5 1/3 innings in the Nationals' 8-5 loss back on May 30. The big blow came on a two-run homer from Reds first baseman Joey Votto in the third. Votto has torched the Nats in the Reds' five wins this year. He's batting .450...

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Nationals recall Hill, option Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse

July 08, 2015, 12:03pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill on Wednesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Hill, 26, returns to the Nationals for his third stint of the season. In six games at the Major League-level this season (12.0 IP), Hill is 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA. In four of his six appearances out of the Nationals' bullpen, Hill has worked multiple innings. ...

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Scherzer ready to move on after 5-0 loss to Reds: "I've had stinkers before"

July 07, 2015, 6:53pm

Nationals

Scherzer ready to move on after 5-0 loss to Reds: "I've had stinkers before"

Nationals fans haven't seen Max Scherzer pitch less than six innings this season. But Tuesday, Scherzer tossed a season-low 4 2/3 innings in a 5-0 loss to the Reds. Scherzer allowed five runs on seven hits. Reds first baseman Joey Votto did most of the damage with three hits off of Scherzer and three RBIs, highlighted by a solo homer and a run-scoring double. "I just didn't have it today," Scherzer said. "I just missed my location on a few pitches to the wrong hitters and they made me pay...

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Rachel Levitin: Respect for Harper's decision on Home Run Derby

July 08, 2015, 5:13am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Respect for Harper's decision on Home Run Derby

The votes are in and it's all official - Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper are going to the All-Star Game to represent the Nationals. The 2015 game in Cincinnati is Scherzer's third game and first appearance with the Nats, while this is Harper's third appearance at the All-Star Game and festivities. This time around, Harper will not be participating in the Home Run Derby after receiving a National League record of 13.85 million fan votes. Harper is hot this season, which is why he's landed a...

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Reds jump out quickly on Scherzer and Nats (Reds win 5-0, Cueto dominant)

July 07, 2015, 3:23pm

Nationals

Reds jump out quickly on Scherzer and Nats (Reds win 5-0, Cueto dominant)

The Reds got out quickly against the Nationals and Max Scherzer. Brandon Phillips led off with a single in the top of the first and went to second thanks to a fielding misplay by Nationals second baseman Dan Uggla. Joey Votto followed with a run-scoring double, and the Reds led 1-0. They added to the margin later on a Jay Bruce RBI triple off of the right center field scoreboard wall. Michael A. Taylor made a diving attempt at the catch but to no avail. The inning could have been worse if not...

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No Span or Escobar as Nationals face Reds again (with lineups)

July 07, 2015, 11:16am

Nationals

Nationals ace Max Scherzer will look to get his team on the board against the Reds in tonight's second game of the series. Cincinnati has won all four meetings between the clubs this season. Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto will oppose. Cueto is 7-3 with a 4.06 ERA against the Nationals, but is only 2-2 in D.C. Both Denard Span (back spasms) and Yunel Escobar (left hamstring tightness) are out of today's lineup. For the Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips 1B Joey Votto 3B Todd Frazier RF Jay Bruce C...

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Scherzer and Harper's All-Star extravaganza heads to Cincinnati

July 07, 2015, 6:06am

Nationals

Scherzer and Harper's All-Star extravaganza heads to Cincinnati

The Washington Nationals may only be sending two players to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati next Tuesday, but they have arguably been baseball's best two players throughout this season's first half. Bryce Harper didn't just win a popularity contest with his National League record 13,864,950 fan votes, he more than earned his way to the Midsummer Classic. His .344 batting average is third best in the majors, 25 homers are second most and his 60 RBIs are the third highest total. Harper's .471...

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Span to see specialist regarding recurring back spasms

July 07, 2015, 1:35pm

Nationals

Span to see specialist regarding recurring back spasms

Nationals starters Denard Span and Yunel Escobar are not in Tuesday's lineup against the Reds. Span (back spasms) and Escobar (left hamstring tightness) left Monday's game early with injuries. Manager Matt Williams had limited updates on both players as they underwent treatments today. Span went for an MRI this morning for his ailing back. "No change really in that Yunel's hamstring's still tight, so they are working on him," Williams confirmed. "And then Denard went for an MRI this...

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Breaking down All-Star teams selection process

July 07, 2015, 6:15pm

Nationals Orioles

Breaking down All-Star teams selection process

Just to be clear, it is true that Major League Baseball's selection process for the All-Star teams is confusing. So, let's make it easy in four steps: First, the fans vote for nine starters in the American League and eight in the National League, the AL getting one more because of the designated hitter. Then, the players determine nine AL backups and eight NL backups along with eight pitchers for both teams, which includes five starters and three relievers. The third step belongs to the the...

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Florida governor signs bill, final hurdle for new Nats-Astros spring complex

July 07, 2015, 1:05pm

Nationals

Florida governor signs bill, final hurdle for new Nats-Astros spring complex

The Nationals will be moving to a new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, likely in time for the 2017 Grapefruit League season. Yesterday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott held a bill signing ceremony that will pave the way for the Nationals and Houston Astros to share a 160-acre facility at the corner of Haverhill Road and 45th Street. Barring any complications, the new complex will be ready in January 2017. The Nationals and Astros previously agreed to a 30-year lease on the proposed...

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Injury bug continues to chase Nationals in 3-2 loss

July 06, 2015, 7:53pm

Nationals

The Nationals showed up to spring training with injuries and they've continued to play short-handed since opening day. They've persevered through serious setbacks and nagging twinges to maintain their expected position atop the National League East. At some point, though, the depleted roster has to catch up to them. Tonight, the Nationals couldn't outlast the Reds after losing center fielder Denard Span and third baseman Yunel Escobar. An eighth-inning solo homer from Eugenio Suarez off Nats...

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den Dekker another example of utility player delivering for Nats

July 07, 2015, 5:53am

Nationals

den Dekker another example of utility player delivering for Nats

He had played in only five games since June 17. Fifteen minutes before he was needed, he was waiting in the dugout. Then, in the third inning, an injury to a starter thrust Matt den Dekker into the game. Suddenly, after two outs in the bottom of the frame, he hit a crisp single to right field and couple of batters later, he is standing on third base. His team is down 1-0, and he has a chance to make a difference. den Dekker watched for any mistake by Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani. The...

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Janssen still confident in curveball despite loss to Reds

July 06, 2015, 7:13pm

Nationals

Janssen still confident in curveball despite loss to Reds

Reliever Casey Janssen thrives on those late-inning calls. He got one Monday night against the Reds in a tie ballgame. But for the first time in his career, Janssen allowed a home run on a 0-2 count. Reds shortstop Eugenio Suarez drove the offering deep down the left field line for the solo shot just inside the foul pole that lifted the Reds to a 3-2 win over the Nationals. It was his third homer of the season. The Reds went on to win the game by not allowing a hit over the final three...