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Bryce Harper passing on Home Run Derby

July 06, 2015, 1:31pm

There wasn't any doubt on whether Bryce Harper would make the All-Star Game, not after smashing 25 homers, driving in 60 runs and batting .347/.474/.722 through the Nationals' first 82 games of the season. The question was if Harper planned to showcase his muscles in the Home Run Derby at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati next Monday. Harper addressed the issue today at Nationals Park before the start of a three-game series against the Reds. "I'm not doing the Derby," Harper said....

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Max Scherzer named National League All-Star

July 06, 2015, 3:16pm

Nationals

Max Scherzer named National League All-Star

In one of the worst-kept secrets ever, Max Scherzer will join Bryce Harper at next Tuesday's All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Despite leading the National League East by 4 1/2 games, only Harper and Scherzer have been chosen to represent the Nationals at the Midsummer Classic. Scherzer has been arguably the game's most dominating pitcher through the first half of the season. He was named the NL Pitcher of the Month in May and June. The high point game when Scherzer tossed his first career...

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Scherzer selected to NL All-Star team

July 06, 2015, 3:27pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named to the 2015 National League All-Star team on Monday night. Scherzer joins right fielder Bryce Harper, who was announced Sunday as a fan-elected starter, as the Nationals' selections to the National League squad. The 2015 AL and NL All-Star rosters were unveiled during the "Esurance All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN on Monday night. Scherzer, who has now received three consecutive All-Star nods, is 9-6 with a 1.82 ERA in 16...

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Williams on cleanup spot, bench, Espinosa, Barrett, Ramos, Janssen and more

July 06, 2015, 2:36pm

Nationals

Williams on cleanup spot, bench, Espinosa, Barrett, Ramos, Janssen and more

On Sunday night, Nationals manager Matt Williams placed first baseman Clint Robinson in the cleanup spot behind right fielder Bryce Harper. In Monday's opener against the Reds, Williams placed catcher Wilson Ramos in the cleanup role. It didn't hurt that Ramos was coming off a game in which he went 2-for-3 with a single, a home run and a walk, plus two RBIs. But Williams said during his pregame meeting with the media there are a few different strategic reasons why they adjust the cleanup...

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Diving into the minds of Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and company

July 06, 2015, 6:21am

Nationals

Diving into the minds of Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and company

Many athletes live on adrenaline, thrive off of the energy of the crowd and appreciate the pressure of the moment. And then there is Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister, whose whole game lives in the 60 feet, six inches from the mound to the plate. After dominating the Braves over seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 shutout win 12 days ago, Fister revealed he was so focused in his start that he wasn't aware his offense had delivered six early runs for him. "I do not know the exact score and...

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Nationals look for revenge against Reds; Solis recalled (with lineups)

July 06, 2015, 12:17pm

Nationals

The Reds slammed the brakes on a scorching May for the Nationals with a three-game sweep in Cincinnati over the final three days of the month. It was a rough series for the Nationals bullpen, with relievers Taylor Jordan, Aaron Barrett and Casey Janssen taking a loss each. Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani will get his second crack at the Nationals tonight. The rookie allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings to claim the win over Washington on May 29. The Nationals recalled lefty...

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Bryce Harper shatters NL All-Star voting record

July 05, 2015, 4:03pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper shatters NL All-Star voting record

Bryce Harper leads the National League team into the All-Star game on July 14 in Cincinnati. The 22-year-old received an NL-record 13,864,950 votes, nearly four million votes more than the Giants' Buster Posey, the next highest vote-getter. This will be Harper's second start and third overall All-Star appearance in his first four seasons. After a solid first month of the season, Harper exploded in May. He was recognized as the NL's Player of the Month after hitting .360 with 13 homers and 28...

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Ramos hits homer on special day to help drop the Giants 3-1

July 06, 2015, 6:03am

Nationals

Ramos hits homer on special day to help drop the Giants 3-1

Warning: Buffalo Crossing Nationals Park felt like Yellowstone Park on Sunday with Wilson Ramos - nicknamed "The Buffalo" - leading the Nationals past the Giants 3-1. Ramos belted a solo shot and RBI single, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the win. Ramos said the homer was good for the Nationals, but also special for him on a personal level. "Soon as I hit the ball, I felt in my bat that ball is gone," Ramos said. "I see the replay it was just behind the wall. Next...

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Opposite dugout: Reds looking to reverse fortunes with another big series against Nationals

July 05, 2015, 9:12pm

Nationals

Manager: Bryan Price (2nd season) Record: 36-44 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Todd Frazier (.285/.344/.602 with 25 HR, 54 RBIs), 1B Joey Votto (.274/.387/.478 with 14 HR, 39 RBIs), 2B Brandon Phillips (.279 with 31 RBIs), RF Jay Bruce (12 HR, 40 RBIs), RHP Johnny Cueto (5-5, with 100 strikeouts, 2.984 ERA), LHP Aroldis Chapman (16 saves, 1.83 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0 Pitching probables: July 6: RHP Anthony DeSclafani vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 7: RHP Johnny...

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Marty Niland: Bam-Bam, Big Train and the lore of legends

July 05, 2015, 1:56pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Bam-Bam, Big Train and the lore of legends

As if Bryce Harper had not already endeared himself to Washington baseball fans, his legend grew even further when he stepped into the batter's box at Nationals Park on the Fourth of July, wielding a star-spangled bat emblazoned with the D.C. skyline, and launched a two-run homer to spark a 3-for-4 day. Add that to Harper's other legendary shots: A reported 502-foot blast at Tropicana Field in 2009, when he was a kid from Las Vegas nicknamed Bam-Bam, playing in a high school showcase; his...

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Jordan Zimmermann, Wilson Ramos lead Nats to 3-1 win

July 05, 2015, 5:12pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann, Wilson Ramos lead Nats to 3-1 win

Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong started the second inning by issuing back-to-back walks to Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa. Two batters later, Michael A. Taylor made Vogelsong pay with a line drive single to left, scoring Ramos for the game's first run. Fresh off his All-Star selection, Bryce Harper is 1-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base. Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann has yielded two hits with three strikeouts through three scoreless innings. Update: After recording the first two outs of...

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Jordan Zimmermann takes command as Nats sweep Giants

July 05, 2015, 8:36pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann takes command as Nats sweep Giants

It might not have been revenge for the Nationals, but this weekend's sweep of the Giants at least helped to heal up any remaining wounds from last October's stinging postseason loss. Jordan Zimmermann frustrated San Francisco so much that Giants manager Bruce Bochy and starter Ryan Vogelsong didn't stick around for the 3-1 outcome. Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi tossed Bochy and Vogelsong in the bottom of the fifth after both argued a questionable strike zone. Meanwhile, Zimmermann proceeded...

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Bryce Harper "definitely excited" about returning to All-Star Game as starter

July 05, 2015, 8:16pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper "definitely excited" about returning to All-Star Game as starter

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper was selected to his third All-Star Game as the leading vote-getter in the National League. Harper garnered well over 13.9 million votes to get the opportunity to start in the 86th All-Star Game on July 14 in Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park. The 13,964,950 votes were the third most of any player in Major League Baseball. This will be his second career start. After Sunday's 3-1 win over the Giants, Harper said he was thrilled to get voted to start this...

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Williams on Strasburg's injury, how it could affect Scherzer for All-Star Game

July 05, 2015, 2:39pm

Nationals

Williams on Strasburg's injury, how it could affect Scherzer for All-Star Game

Nationals manager Matt Williams addressed the media before tonight's game for the first time since the team announced that right-hander Stephen Strasburg was headed to the 15-day disabled list. "He had an MRI today that shows he's got a strain in his (left) oblique," Williams said. "It's something we've got to do for his health and well-being and make sure that we get him well as quickly as possible." Williams indicated that there was no chance for Strasburg to be able to make his next...

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Jordan Zimmermann aims for sweep in primetime (with lineups)

July 05, 2015, 12:30pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann aims for sweep in primetime (with lineups)

A red-hot Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound as the Nationals attempt to sweep the world champion Giants tonight. Zimmermann held the Braves scoreless over 15 2/3 innings in his past two starts, claiming a win and a no-decision. Zimmermann's command has been superb, walking just one while striking out 17 in his previous three outings. Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong brings a 6-6 record with a 4.19 ERA to the hill for San Francisco tonight. Vogelsong has been much better recently than his season...

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Oblique strain sends Stephen Strasburg to DL

July 05, 2015, 11:01am

Nationals

Oblique strain sends Stephen Strasburg to DL

The Nationals have placed right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain, an injury that forced him out of yesterday's start after 3 2/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball. To take Strasburg's place on the 25-man roster, the Nats recalled right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse. Jordan is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in two games (one start) for the Nationals this season and 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA in 11 starts for Syracuse. This is Strasburg's second...

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Total team effort leaves Nats in first at halfway mark

July 05, 2015, 7:04am

Nationals

Total team effort leaves Nats in first at halfway mark

The Nationals reached the halfway point of this year at 45-36 with a season-high 4 1/2- game lead in the National League East after yesterday's 9-3 win over the Giants. How does that compare to the Nats' previous years with division titles? In 2012, the Nats held an identical 4 1/2-game lead with a 48-33 record at this point, while last season, they found themselves tied atop the division and five games over .500 at 43-38. Not one other team in the NL East is currently floating above .500....

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Nationals place Strasburg on DL, recall Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse

July 05, 2015, 11:14am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and placed right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Jordan, 26, joins the Nationals for his third Major League assignment of the season. The right-hander was last recalled from Triple-A on May 24 and appeared in two games (one start) before returning to...

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More opportunities for Moore helped solve Bumgarner

July 05, 2015, 1:56am

Nationals

More opportunities for Moore helped solve Bumgarner

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...