nationals

Nats choose to send Joe Ross back to minors instead of bullpen (game started)

June 23, 2015, 3:15pm

The Nationals chose to option right-handed rookie Joe Ross to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Stephen Strasburg's return from the 15-day disabled list this afternoon. Nationals manager Matt Williams said Ross "seriously opened eyes" during his first stint in the big leagues. The 22-year-old Ross made the jump from Double-A Harrisburg for his major league debut on June 6 at Nationals Park. He allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks in five innings. In fact, Ross...

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Which Stephen Strasburg will return to the mound tonight? (game started)

June 23, 2015, 1:07pm

Nationals

Which Stephen Strasburg will return to the mound tonight? (game started)

The Washington Nationals welcome a healthy Stephen Strasburg back to the mound tonight in the series opener against the Atlanta Braves. It's Strasburg's first start in the majors since May 29 when he lasted only 16 pitches after experiencing neck tightness following the first inning. The next day Strasburg landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left trapezius muscle, but the 26-year-old said later that those muscle spasms subsided rather quickly and he was able to resume throwing...

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Stephen Strasburg returns from DL to start tonight (with lineups)

June 23, 2015, 10:29am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg returns from DL to start tonight (with lineups)

Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound tonight for the first time since a strained left trapezius muscle landed him on the 15-day disabled list on May 30. The day before, Strasburg's neck tightness forced him out of his start in Cincinnati after throwing only 16 pitches. He said the muscle spasms settled down shortly after and he began throwing again just a few days into his DL stint. Strasburg looked sharp in his lone rehab start at Double-A Harrisburg last Wednesday. He allowed one run on...

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Stephen Strasburg expected to return from DL for start

June 23, 2015, 2:31am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg expected to return from DL for start

It's expected that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will come off the 15-day disabled list and return to the mound for tonight's series opener with Braves at Nationals Park. Manager Matt Williams opted to delay naming his starter for tonight's game, but all signs point to Strasburg, who emerged from last Wednesday's rehab start at Double-A Harrisburg appearing comfortable and confident. Strasburg ended up on the DL when a strained left trapezius muscle forced him out of his May 29 outing in...

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Nationals reinstate Strasburg from DL, option Ross to Triple-A Syracuse

June 23, 2015, 10:45am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Triple-A Syracuse. Strasburg will start for the Nationals on Tuesday night vs. Atlanta. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Strasburg returns to the Nationals after missing 21 games due to neck tightness. The right-hander, who tossed 5.0 innings in his lone...

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Opposite dugout: Braves within reach, but not at same level of Nats

June 22, 2015, 2:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves within reach, but not at same level of Nats

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 35-35 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.299/.367/.520 with 12 HR, 41 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.293/.386/.324 with 21 RBIs), CF Cameron Maybin (.288 with 5 HR, 35 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.99 ERA), RHP Jason Grilli (20 saves, 2.73 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-5 Pitching probables: June 23: LHP Alex Wood vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 24: RHP Shelby Miller vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Could Ross be real steal from offseason deal?

June 23, 2015, 6:06am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Could Ross be real steal from offseason deal?

Last offseason, Nationals fans were expecting the team to make a big move for a second baseman, after Asdrubal Cabrera left in free agency and people thought Danny Espinosa's hitting troubles would continue. Instead, the Nats were part of a blockbuster three-team deal that landed them a shortstop prospect and a pitching prospect. On Dec. 17, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Rene Rivera, Burch Smith, Jake Bauers, Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott. The San Diego Padres got Gerardo Reyes, Jose Castillo,...

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Nationals bench steps up to help in three-game sweep of Pirates

June 22, 2015, 2:39am

Nationals

After Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay, the sixth straight non-winning series for the Nationals, manager Matt Williams said that he was looking for players to "step up." Over the weekend, in three sold-out games at Nationals Park, the Nats stepped up with three wins against the red-hot Pirates, who had arrived with a season-high eight-game hit streak. In every game over the weekend, the Nationals had at least three regular starters not in the lineup. Left fielder Jayson Werth (wrist fractures)...

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No-hitter earns Max Scherzer NL Player of the Week honors

June 22, 2015, 12:02pm

Nationals

No-hitter earns Max Scherzer NL Player of the Week honors

After pitching his first career no-hitter on Saturday, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer earned National League Player of the Week honors this afternoon. Scherzer was one strike away from throwing the 24th perfect game in Major League Baseball history when he hit Pirates pinch-hitter Jose Tabata in the left elbow. That was the only baserunner Scherzer allowed as he re-focused and was able to get Josh Harrison to fly out to left to secure the no-hitter. Scherzer's dominant performance was no...

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Records fall as Nats sweep Pirates

June 21, 2015, 2:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals limped into this weekend just a game above .500, with their star slugger wounded and a rookie on the mound facing the red-hot Pirates, winners of their past eight. Not only did the Nats bring a screeching halt to Pittsburgh's scorching streak, they did it in record fashion, sweeping the Pirates after this afternoon's 9-2 thumping. And just like that, the Nationals find themselves back atop the National League East. Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton confidently brought a...

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Bryce Harper keeps slugging away during gritty weekend performance

June 21, 2015, 3:24pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper keeps slugging away during gritty weekend performance

Bryce Harper's health has been well-chronicled and the 22-year-old has lived under a microscope for most of his four-year career. Fluke injuries have interfered with lofty expectations, causing Harper to miss more than 100 games over the last two seasons. But aside from missing games after two plunkings this season, Harper has largely been on the field, arguably performing as arguably the game's best player. So understandably, the worst was expected when Harper crumbled to ground Thursday...

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Scherzer named National League Player of the Week

June 22, 2015, 11:29am

Nationals

Scherzer named National League Player of the Week

Following his first career no-hitter on Saturday -- and on the heels of 18.0 consecutive scoreless, one-hit frames -- Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer earned the National League Player of the Week award on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Scherzer did not allow a hit while striking out ten Pittsburgh Pirates en route to the second no-hitter in Nationals history (2005-present) and the fourth no-hitter in Washington D.C. baseball history....

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Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

June 20, 2015, 5:01pm

Nationals

Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

After watching Max Scherzer pitch the first few innings against the Pirates at Nationals Park on Saturday, you knew he was going to be dominant. The Nationals ace was locked in and perfect through 8 2/3 innings. After his two-out, two-strike pitch in the ninth just got a piece of Jose Tabata, the Pirates had their first baserunner, but the dominance continued. Scherzer got the next batter, Josh Harrison, to fly out to left field, locking up the Nationals' second no-hitter, the first of his...

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Gio bounces back in big way with seven strong in dropping Pirates 9-2

June 21, 2015, 1:35pm

Nationals

Gio bounces back in big way with seven strong in dropping Pirates 9-2

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was looking for a bounce back performance after a struggle last Monday in Tampa Bay. He got exactly that in the Nationals' 9-2 win over the Pirates and a series sweep. Gonzalez went a season-low 3 1/3 innings in the June 15 6-1 loss at Tampa Bay. He gave up eight hits, five runs, had three walks and only one strikeout. But Sunday, Gonzalez came out aggressive, and manager Matt Williams said it was because he mixed up his pitch selections early in counts to confuse the...

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Are Max Scherzerâ€™s last two games the best ever?

June 21, 2015, 7:19am

Nationals

Are Max Scherzerâ€™s last two games the best ever?

Max Scherzer threw the second no-hitter in Nationals history and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 Saturday at Nationals Park. Given that Scherzer had pitched a one-hit 4-0 shutout in Milwaukee in his previous start, it is a good argument that Scherzer has put together the greatest two-game accomplishment in history. Scherzer's performances invite comparisons to Johnny Vander Meer, the Cincinnati Reds starter who threw consecutive no-hitters in 1938. Vander Meer, a lefty, had 11 walks and 11...

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Nats explode for nine in the first, sweep Pirates

June 21, 2015, 10:44am

Nationals

Nats explode for nine in the first, sweep Pirates

Inspired by Max Scherzer's stunning no-hit performance yesterday, the Nationals offense exploded by tying a club record with nine runs scored in the first inning. Pirates starter Charlie Morton came into today's start riding a five-game winning streak and boasting a sterling 1.62 ERA. He was able to get Denard Span to line out to begin the game, but then the wheels fell off. Yunel Escobar started the onsluaght with a base knock to left bringing Bryce Harper to the plate. The Nats slugger...

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Jose Tabata robs Max Scherzer of perfection

June 20, 2015, 8:52pm

Nationals

Jose Tabata robs Max Scherzer of perfection

Jose Tabata simply ruined Max Scherzer's bid for perfection in a way that some would say is weak or cheap. With Scherzer standing one strike away from becoming just the 24th pitcher in Major League Baseball's storied history to spin a complete game without allowing a single baserunner, Tabata compromised the game's integrity. The electricity of a closing thunderstorm rivaled the moment with a sold-out crowd of 41,104 fans on their feet, screaming in anticipation as the Nationals ace...

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Rendon sits, Tabata in for Pirates and Roark back (with lineups)

June 21, 2015, 8:10am

Nationals

Rendon sits, Tabata in for Pirates and Roark back (with lineups)

The Nationals reinstated right-hander Tanner Roark from the Paternity List (on Father's Day no less) and optioned righty Taylor Hill back to Triple-A Syracuse. Yunel Escobar is back at third base while Anthony Rendon sits today. Danny Espinosa gets the start at second base where he made a spectacular defensive play yesterday to get Pedro Alvarez out at first base, preserving Max Scherzer's perfect game at the time and eventual no-hitter. Jose Tabata starts today for the Pirates after...

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It's a no-hitter for Max Scherzer

June 20, 2015, 5:50pm

Nationals

Six days ago, Max Scherzer's bid for perfection was ruined on a broken-bat bloop single in the seventh inning. Scherzer, in the proverbial zone, carried his dominant swagger into this afternoon where he fell one strike shy of perfect game before finishing off his first career no-hitter in the Nationals' 6-0 win over the Pirates. "Let's go. Let's get on the mound, I'm coming after you," said Scherzer on his mindset entering the ninth inning. Scherzer had thrown just 92 pitches entering...

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Danny Espinosa on play to nab Pedro Alvarez in eighth: "I was able to get him"

June 20, 2015, 4:47pm

Nationals

Danny Espinosa on play to nab Pedro Alvarez in eighth: "I was able to get him"

No-hitters are always about a dominant pitcher completely shutting down an opposing squad. More often than not, these pitching gems have a few plays in the field on defense that make the difference between a no-hitter and a one- or two-hitter. On Saturday in D.C., Max Scherzer was awesome in his no-hitter of the Pirates, with a final score of 6-0. One play that got the crowd roaring was a defensive play by veteran second baseman Danny Espinosa late in the game that kept the Pirates off the...