nationals

Matt Williams on Max Scherzer's no-hitter: Command in and out of zone

June 20, 2015, 4:09pm

Manager Matt Williams said Max Scherzer's first career no-hitter, a 6-0 shutout of the Pirates, was something special and the team was proud to be able to share it with the hometown Nats Park crowd. "What's the max capacity here?" Williams queried the media throng in the press conference room. "Forty-one thousand people on their feet from the time he went on for the ninth. That's a very good feeling for our club. Maxie was fantastic all day." Scherzer's gem came within one out of a...

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Matt Williams and Ian Desmond on another rest day for shortstop (updated, Desmond starts)

June 20, 2015, 10:26am

Nationals

Matt Williams and Ian Desmond on another rest day for shortstop (updated, Desmond starts)

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond is out of the lineup for a second game in a row as manager Matt Williams wants him to take a "mental rest." Since June 9, Desmond has gone 4-for-36 (.111) with 16 strikeouts. "It's rest, it's clear," Williams said. "It's good work, it's all of those things. It's important for him to get back to where he wants to be, and if a couple of days does that, and at the end of the year he'll look back and go, 'Yeah, maybe that was good.' It's never easy to...

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Almost perfect, Max Scherzer throws no-hitter in Nats' 6-0 win

June 20, 2015, 1:03pm

Nationals

Almost perfect, Max Scherzer throws no-hitter in Nats' 6-0 win

Max Scherzer's dominance from last Sunday's one-hit shutout has carried over into today's start. Scherzer has retired the first 12 Pirates he's faced. He whiffed the side in the fourth, with Andrew McCutchen the final victim to go down swinging. Scherzer has struck out 21 batters in his last 13 innings. Bryce Harper put the Nationals on the scoreboard with a leadoff bomb in the bottom of the fourth. The solo shot landed up in the grassy batter's eye area behind the wall in dead center...

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Harper's text to Williams: "I'm good to go"; Escobar late scratch

June 20, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

Harper's text to Williams: "I'm good to go"; Escobar late scratch

Nationals manager Matt Williams' phone buzzed early today with a message from his star right fielder Bryce Harper. "I got a text from him this morning that said, 'I'm good to go,'" Williams said. "So, yeah, he's ready to go." Harper returns to the lineup after missing just one game with a strained left hamstring. He took an alarming spill after launching an errant throw in the sixth inning of Thursday's loss to the Rays. "I've played through pain the last two years sometimes,"...

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Unfazed by the spotlight, Joe Ross continues impressing

June 20, 2015, 6:16am

Nationals

Unfazed by the spotlight, Joe Ross continues impressing

In the first inning of Joe Ross' third big league start last night, the rookie right-hander stood on the mound and peered down at Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the National League's 2013 MVP. "I try not to make it more than it is just because I want to stay focused on what I'm trying to do and execute my pitches," Ross said. "But, I mean, it's hard not to recognize when you look at the lineup and hear him getting announced and you see him in the box. It's pretty...

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Ramos on hitting and super subs; Carpenter thankful for another shot in the bigs

June 20, 2015, 3:24am

Nationals

Ramos on hitting and super subs; Carpenter thankful for another shot in the bigs

Nationals reliever David Carpenter was outstanding Friday in shutting down a potential late inning rally against the Pirates. His hold helped the Nationals to a 4-1 victory before a sellout crowd of close to 39,000 at Nats Park. "It was just fun to get back into that type of situation that I'm used to," Carpenter said. "Just glad that I was able to come and strand the runner on first and get the ball to Drew (Storen). That's what it's all about. If we can do that, in that order, we are...

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Bryce Harper back in Nats lineup (with Pirates lineup)

June 20, 2015, 9:03am

Nationals

Bryce Harper back in Nats lineup (with Pirates lineup)

Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals lineup after exiting early in Thursday's contest with what was determined to be a mild left hamstring strain. As usual, he'll be roaming right field and batting cleanup. Ian Desmond will sit for the second straight game. Desmond has 15 errors in 66 games this season. Max Scherzer will take the mound (7-5, 1.93 ERA) this afternoon, one start removed from his outstanding one-hitter, in which he allowed just one bloop hit and struck out 16. For the...

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Ross makes his case in dominant 11-strikeout performance

June 19, 2015, 7:56pm

Nationals

Ross makes his case in dominant 11-strikeout performance

The Nationals' starting rotation was described as potentially historic coming into this season. When critics were searching for new superlatives for the Nats' big five, nobody had any idea, not even the Nationals brass, that 22-year-old rookie Joe Ross would provide some of the most dominating performances to help hold the team together before the All-Star break. In just the third start of his big league career, Ross fanned 11 Pirates while holding them to one run on six hits with only one...

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Rookie Joe Ross fans 11 in 4-1 Nats win

June 19, 2015, 3:35pm

Nationals

The Nationals went to work early against Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett, who entered tonight with the fourth-best ERA in the majors at 1.89. Denard Span pulled a groundball single to right to lead off the first. Anthony Rendon gave the Nats runners at the corners with no outs on a base knock to right. And Yunel Escobar followed with sharp groundout to Pirates shortstop Jody Mercer, easily scoring Span. Two batters later, Wilson Ramos delivered his 10th double of the season on a shot to right-center...

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Ian Desmond sits as struggles continue

June 19, 2015, 2:49pm

Nationals

For the second time in the last week, Ian Desmond is out of the starting lineup for the Nationals. Desmond has struggled at the plate for most of the season. In 17 games this month, Desmond is hitting only .143 (9-for-63) with one homer and three RBIs. Before tonight's game, manager Matt Williams discussed what he's looking for Desmond to accomplish during the day off. "I hope he rests," Williams said. "The last day off, he refused to rest. He took extra batting practice, back to the...

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Williams: Harper's hamstring still "sore"

June 19, 2015, 1:41pm

Nationals

Williams: Harper's hamstring still "sore"

Nationals manager Matt Williams said outfielder Bryce Harper is still "sore" after suffering a mild strain of his left hamstring in slippery conditions at Nats Park during a 5-3 loss to the Rays on Thursday night. "He's sore," Williams said. "Hasn't done a whole lot today. He's getting treatment. I'm sure at some point he'll get a few swings in and light (stretching). He's off for today. We'll re-evaluate after the game today after he does all of his treatment and everything and see...

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Harper and Werth updates following 4-1 win over Pirates

June 19, 2015, 6:53pm

Nationals

Harper and Werth updates following 4-1 win over Pirates

Following Friday's 4-1 win over the Pirates, Nationals manager Matt Williams had an update on right fielder Bryce Harper. Harper did not play in the game as he nursed a sore left hamstring strain. Williams said Harper worked in the weight room and got treatment throughout the day after slipping on the wet field Thursday night against Tampa Bay when making a throw from the outfield to the plate. "He did OK," Williams reported. "He did some leg work today, didn't hit, but did some leg work...

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#AskMatt: What are a few of your favorite things?!

June 19, 2015, 12:34pm

Nationals

#AskMatt: What are a few of your favorite things?!

Today, we had our second #AskMatt session of the season at Nationals Park. This time around, we got a little "off-beat," as MASN's Chris Johnson put it, and asked Matt about some of his favorite things. Fans were again able to follow along live through the Periscope app and by following @masnNationals on Snapchat. We know it was a Friday afternoon, so if you were stuck at work and couldn't follow us live, check out the whole interview below! Matt, the everyday outdoorsman (more on that...

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Bryce Harper won't play; Williams reacts (with lineups)

June 19, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

Bryce Harper won't play; Williams reacts (with lineups)

Bryce Harper is out of the Nationals lineup today after suffering a mild strain of his left hamstring last night. Clint Robinson will play right field and bat cleanup. I caught up with manager Matt Williams at Nationals Park in an exclusive live video chat for MASNsports.com earlier this afternoon. "(Bryce) is here," Williams said. "He's getting some treatment. We'll see how he is today and put him through a series of tests, if you will - light tests - to see where he's at. If he...

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Bryce Harper relieved hamstring injury doesn't appear serious

June 19, 2015, 5:04am

Nationals

Bryce Harper relieved hamstring injury doesn't appear serious

A gale force gust may have blown through the nation's capital late last night when a collective sigh of relief was released upon hearing the term "minor" associated with Bryce Harper's latest injury, a left hamstring strain. With heavy showers having passed through downtown D.C. about 30 minutes before, Harper slipped on the wet grass in right field while making an aggressive throw to the plate in the top of the sixth inning. His legs buckled beneath him just as he released the ball,...

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Opposite dugout: Surging Pirates getting strong offense, stronger pitching

June 17, 2015, 1:50pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Surging Pirates getting strong offense, stronger pitching

Manager: Clint Hurdle (5th season) Record: 39-27 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.294/.375/.479 with 8 HR, 42 RBIs), C Francisco Cervelli (.316 with 19 RBIs), LF Starling Marte (.285 with 12 HR, 45 RBIs. 13 SB), 3B Josh Harrison (.284 with 22 RBIs), RHP Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62 ERA), RHP A.J. Burnett (6-2, 1.89 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.87 ERA, 23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 19: RHP A.J. Burnett vs. RHP Joe...

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Nats place Roark on paternity list, recall Hill from Triple-A Syracuse

June 19, 2015, 11:52am

Nationals

Nats place Roark on paternity list, recall Hill from Triple-A Syracuse

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill from Triple-A Syracuse and placed right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark on the paternity list. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Hill, 26, returns to the Nationals one day after he was optioned to Syracuse upon the return of right-handed pitcher Doug Fister from the disabled list. Hill's posted a 3.75 ERA in six appearances (12.0 IP) out of the Nationals' bullpen this season....

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Bryce Harper suffers mild left hamstring strain, to be evaluated further Friday

June 18, 2015, 8:02pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper suffers mild left hamstring strain, to be evaluated further Friday

Bryce Harper left tonight's 5-3 loss to the Rays in the six inning with what Nationals manager Matt Williams called a "mild left hamstring strain." That seems to be promising news considering the tense moments following Harper's injury. The Rays trailed 3-2 with Logan Forsythe on second and Steven Souza Jr. on first with one out in the top of the sixth when Asdrubal Cabrera singled on sharp groundball into right field. Rays third base coach Charlie Montoyo threw up the stop sign when...

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Doug Fister "felt a lot better" in return, but Nats fall 5-3 to Rays

June 18, 2015, 7:25pm

Nationals

Doug Fister "felt a lot better" in return, but Nats fall 5-3 to Rays

Despite the 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, Nationals starter Doug Fister felt pretty good about his return from the disabled list and first game since May 14. Fister had been on the disabled list with a right forearm flexor tendon strain. "I felt a lot better," Fister said. "Obviously, it's a work in progress. I mean, I keep saying that, but that's exactly what it is. I've kind of gone back to some of my base and my roots and trying to get back to doing what I do best and...

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Bryce Harper leaves 5-3 loss with mild hamstring strain

June 18, 2015, 3:55pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper leaves 5-3 loss with mild hamstring strain

Bryce Harper leaves in sixth: Harper left the game in the sixth after it appeared that his left leg gave out on a throw to the plate. Harper immediately went to the ground after the throw and remained there for a few minutes as Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz jogged out to check on him. Kuntz seemed to be examining the area around Harper's left knee. That's the same knee that was struck by a fastball on June 13 in Milwaukee, which forced Harper to miss the...