nationals

More opportunities for Moore helped solve Bumgarner

July 05, 2015, 1:56am

Tyler Moore knew he had to try a different approach against Madison Bumgarner. In the second inning Saturday, Moore led off and struck out. Arriving to the plate in the fourth, with his team leading 3-0, Danny Espinosa at first base and one out, he had a shot at creating a rally. But Moore knew he had to change his approach because the first at-bat didn't work out. Coming into Saturday's game, Moore was just 1-for-12 (.083) in six games in his career against the Giants, with three walks and...

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Stephen Strasburg's season interrupted by injury again

July 04, 2015, 12:43pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg's season interrupted by injury again

If ever there was a day for Stephen Strasburg to re-establish himself as one of the game's premier pitchers, it was today. Strasburg took the mound and faced World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner in front of his critics on the Fourth of July. Michael A. Taylor and Bryce Harper slugged first-inning homers to the give Strasburg and the Nationals an early 3-0 lead against the Giants ace. But in the fourth, an injury once again interrupted one of Strasburg's starts. Matt Duffy grounded out to start...

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Patriotic Harper uses star-spangled bat to slay Giants

July 04, 2015, 11:44am

Nationals

Patriotic Harper uses star-spangled bat to slay Giants

The message from Bryce Harper and the Nationals was clear: Happy birthday, America! The Nationals dropped the Giants 9-3 on Independence Day thanks to a huge first inning, highlighted by a two-run line drive home run from Harper, his 25th round-tripper of the season. Harper, donning plenty of patriotic colors in his uniform, swung a special star-spangled bat. He took the third offering from San Francisco left-hander Madison Bumgarner quickly over the right field fence on a rope. The two-run...

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Taylor, Harper provide early fireworks (Nats lead 4-0)

July 04, 2015, 7:59am

Nationals

Taylor, Harper provide early fireworks (Nats lead 4-0)

The recently slumping Nationals offense figured to be in for a long day with Giants ace Madison Bumgarner on the mound. But Michael A. Taylor woke up the bats and the crowd early, smacking Bumgarner's first offering of the game over the left field wall to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was the second time Taylor has led off a game with a homer this season and the fifth time for the Nationals. Denard Span has done it twice, and Yunel Escobar once. Escobar immediately jumped all over...

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Stephen Strasburg leaves with injury in Nats' 9-3 win

July 04, 2015, 9:06am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg leaves with injury in Nats' 9-3 win

For the third time this year, Stephen Strasburg has left a start early due to injury. Strasburg appeared to be favoring his left side after throwing a first-pitch fastball to Giants first baseman Brandon Belt with two outs in the fourth inning. Nationals manager Matt Williams, pitching coach Steve McCatty and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz quickly came out of the dugout to check on Strasburg. After a brief huddle, the decision was made to end Strasburg's afternoon with the Nationals leading...

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From journeyman to hero, Robinson receives first career curtain call

July 03, 2015, 6:48pm

Nationals

From journeyman to hero, Robinson receives first career curtain call

In 2007, Jake Peavy was the National League Cy Young Award winner. That same year, the Kansas City Royals drafted Clint Robinson in the 25th round. Since then, Peavy has won two World Series titles, including most recently last season with the San Francisco Giants. Meanwhile, Robinson was becoming a minor league lifer, having played 921 games on the farm in the Royals, Blue Jays and Dodgers organizations. In the seventh inning tonight, with the Nationals battling offensive demons from last...

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Strasburg, Bumgarner in Fourth of July showdown (game under way)

July 04, 2015, 5:30am

Nationals

Strasburg, Bumgarner in Fourth of July showdown (game under way)

Stephen Strasburg's second chapter of this season continues this morning in a showdown with reigning World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner. The first 10 starts of 2015 were mostly disastrous for Strasburg, who ended up on 15-day disabled list on May 30 with a 6.55 ERA accompanying his trapezius strain. But a clearly more confident Strasburg has emerged from his DL stint to claim victories for the Nationals in his last two outings. Six days ago, Strasburg stifled the Phillies, allowing just two...

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After extra time off, Gonzalez keeps the ball down for win against Giants

July 03, 2015, 5:56pm

Nationals

After extra time off, Gonzalez keeps the ball down for win against Giants

The Nationals edged the Giants 2-1 on a dramatic two-run shot from Clint Robinson and the calm and methodical pitching of left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was frustrated last Saturday when the rain in Philadelphia forced a postponement after he had tossed only 18 pitches. The rainout also forced Gonzalez into an extra day of rest. Sometimes that additional time off throws some starters out of rhythm. But Gonzalez (6-4) was on target Friday, going seven innings and allowing just a solo homer...

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Williams updates Zimmerman, Rendon, Barrett, Gonzalez and Desmond

July 03, 2015, 12:35pm

Nationals

Williams updates Zimmerman, Rendon, Barrett, Gonzalez and Desmond

Nationals manager Matt Williams had an update on first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and the plantar fasciitis in his right foot that has kept him out of the lineup since June 10. "Good. (He's) progressing," Williams said. "Zim's not quite running yet, but he's doing the other things that he needs to do to get prepared. Once that pain gets out of there, he'll be able to get running on the basepaths and move the process along a little bit." Williams said Anthony Rendon's left quad strain...

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Gonzalez, Robinson lead Nats to 2-1 victory over Giants

July 03, 2015, 3:29pm

Nationals

Gonzalez, Robinson lead Nats to 2-1 victory over Giants

Denard Span singled to lead off tonight's game, but was quickly erased on Danny Espinosa's grounder. Yunel Escobar then sliced a ball down the right field line that bounced fair and skipped into the seats for a ground-rule double. Giants manager Bruce Bochy opted to have starter Jake Peavy intentionally walk Bryce Harper to get to Clint Robinson, who flew out to right to end the Nationals best scoring opportunity. Harper gave the Nats their only other baserunner of the game when he drew...

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Williams has moved past last year's loss to Giants

July 03, 2015, 2:01pm

Nationals

Williams has moved past last year's loss to Giants

The Nationals season ended in San Francisco last October as the Giants eliminated them in four games in the National League Division Series. The underdog Giants went on to win their third World Series title in five years while the Nationals were left with the disappointment of another premature exit in a postseason filled with championship expectations. "I don't know if we've thought about it," Nationals manager Matt Williams said today. "Once you get back to the next season, it's about...

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Gonzalez, Peavy return to mound in stellar matchup (with lineups)

July 03, 2015, 11:03am

Nationals

Gonzalez, Peavy return to mound in stellar matchup (with lineups)

A well-rested Gio Gonzalez takes the mound for the Nationals against the Giants tonight. Gonzalez pitched only one inning last Saturday before the game was called due to rain. Nationals manager Matt Williams chose to hold Gonzalez out until his normal spot in the starting rotation came back around. Gonzalez's last full outing came back on June 21 when he threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only four hits in a win over the Pirates. Jake Peavy will be making just his third start of the...

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Scherzer not issuing free passes, Nats offense scuffling entering Giants series

July 03, 2015, 4:58am

Nationals

Scherzer not issuing free passes, Nats offense scuffling entering Giants series

The Nationals wasted another incredible pitching performance from Max Scherzer in last night's 2-1 walk-off loss in Atlanta. The Braves combined an infield single and a chopper that bounced over Yunel Escobar's head to score the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Scherzer has a decision in all but one of his starts this season, with the Nationals holding a 10-6 record when their ace pitches. But in Scherzer's six losses, the Nationals have managed to score a combined seven...

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Opposite dugout: Pitching hasn't yet caught up to bats, but Giants still in contention

July 02, 2015, 2:02pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Pitching hasn't yet caught up to bats, but Giants still in contention

Manager: Bruce Bochy (9th season) Record: 42-38 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: C Buster Posey (.304/.377/.496 with 13 HR, 56 RBIs), 2B Joe Panik (.316/.384/.463 with 30 RBIs), SS Brandon Crawford (.270 with 11 HR, 47 RBIs), LHP Madison Bumgarner (8-4, 2.99 ERA), RHP Santiago Casilla (4-2, 3.03 ERA, 20 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-5 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 3: RHP Jake Peavy vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 6:05 p.m., MASN July 4: LHP Madison Bumgarner vs. RHP Stephen...

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Controversial call costs Scherzer, Nationals

July 02, 2015, 7:11pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer pitched brilliantly once again only to take the loss on a controversial call that resulted in a 2-1 walk-off win for the Braves in the bottom of the ninth. Nationals manager Matt Williams sent Scherzer back out for the ninth after throwing only 97 pitches through the first eight frames. Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez countered with pinch-hitter Pedro Ciriaco, who beat out a bouncing ball to Danny Espinosa for a leadoff single. Ciriaco quickly advanced to second on Jace Peterson's...

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Braves beat Scherzer, Nats 2-1 on walk-off single in ninth

July 02, 2015, 4:34pm

Nationals

Braves beat Scherzer, Nats 2-1 on walk-off single in ninth

Max Scherzer breezed through the first four innings, allowing just one base hit with four strikeouts. But Braves third baseman Juan Uribe ripped a leadoff double in the fifth. Uribe then scored easily on a one-out single to center from shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Scherzer has thrown 64 pitches through five frames. Meanwhile, the Nationals have struggled to figure out Braves left-hander Manny Banuelos, who's making his major league debut. The rookie has struck out seven while only yielding two...

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Max Scherzer honored again as NL Pitcher of the Month

July 02, 2015, 1:52pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer honored again as NL Pitcher of the Month

After tossing his first career no-hitter, Max Scherzer was recognized as the National League Pitcher of the Month for June. Scherzer, who also received the honor in May, began the month by allowing a combined eight earned runs over two losses. But the 30-year-old right-hander responded in his third start with one of the most dominating performances in Major League Baseball History. Scherzer threw six perfect innings at Milwaukee before allowing a broken bat bloop single to the Brewers' Carlos...

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Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer named National League Pitcher of the Month

July 02, 2015, 3:07pm

Nationals

Following a month that featured his first career no-hitter and in the midst of one of the most dominant stretches in Major League history, Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for June on Thursday. Major League Baseball made the announcement. Scherzer, 30, is the first Nationals (2005-present) pitcher ever to earn the honor in back-to-back months, as well as the first Washington pitcher to take home the award twice in one season. The...

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Nationals agree to terms with two international free agents

July 02, 2015, 2:50pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with two international free agents: outfielder Juan Soto and infielder Luis Aquino. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Director of Latin American Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. Soto, 16, is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. According to Baseball America, he is rated as the No. 13 prospect in this year's international signing class. MLB.com has him...

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Escobar, Span making All-Star cases (with lineups)

July 02, 2015, 12:19pm

Nationals

Escobar, Span making All-Star cases (with lineups)

The Nationals boast three of the top 10 hitters in the National League. Bryce Harper has been getting most of the attention and deservingly so. Harper isn't just knocking the ball out of the ballpark. He's hitting 68 points higher than his career mark and Harper's .340 batting average is third best in the league. With the Major League Baseball All-Star fan vote closing at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight, Harper is virtually guaranteed to lead all players. At last count, Harper had over three million...