nationals

Could the Nationals work with Oakland again to get Tyler Clippard back to D.C.?

June 12, 2015, 7:55am

The Nationals bullpen has struggled to find its locked in 7-8-9 responsibilities as the season enters its third month. Drew Storen has been the closer and done a very good job, notching 19 saves. Casey Janssen was pegged as the eighth-inning setup man after the Nationals traded fan-favorite Tyler Clippard to the A's for infielder Yunel Escobar. But Janssen is more of a finesse guy, and teams love to have a guy in the second-to-last inning who can bring the heat and have a devastating breaking...

Comments

Tags:

athletics blake treinen byron kerr christopher bostick mike rizzo nationals tyler clippard featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats asking a lot from rookie Joe Ross in second start

June 13, 2015, 6:24am

Nationals

Nats asking a lot from rookie Joe Ross in second start

Having dropped 11 of their last 14, including the first two in a four-game set in Milwaukee, the Nationals pitching staff can't be in optimal condition. Jordan Zimmermann hung around for only 3 1/3 innings last night, once again leaving heavy work for the taxed Nats bullpen. Right-hander Taylor Jordan was the first to follow Zimmermann to the mound in the fourth. He promptly served up two singles before Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez belted a two-run double to break the game...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson david carpenter joe ross jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nats outplayed all over the field in 8-4 loss

June 12, 2015, 8:27pm

Nationals

Nats outplayed all over the field in 8-4 loss

Not much is going right for the Nationals these days. Even the normally reliable Jordan Zimmermann scuffled through his second rough start in a row as the Brewers doubled up the Nats 8-4 on Friday night. It started off poorly for Zimmermann, who walked Brewers center fielder Gerardo Parra on four pitches with one out in the first. It seemed as if Zimmermann might escape, with an inning-ending double play ball off the bat of right fielder Ryan Braun, but a brief moment of hesitation from Ian...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson ian desmond jordan zimmermann matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Zimmermann knocked out early (Nats lose 8-4)

June 12, 2015, 5:17pm

Nationals

Zimmermann knocked out early (Nats lose 8-4)

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann was forced to battle through a 31-pitch first inning that resulted in two unnecessary Brewers runs. Indecisiveness between Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon on a poorly played ground ball left the Brewers with right fielder Ryan Braun on first base instead of the inning ending on a double play. First baseman Adam Lind followed with a single and then third baseman Aramis Ramirez ripped a two-run double that rolled to the wall in left to give the Brewers the early...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon bryce harper chris johnson ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime frontfeatured_nationals

Nats' Storen stops trying to be someone else, finds success

June 12, 2015, 2:23pm

Nationals

Nats' Storen stops trying to be someone else, finds success

Closer Drew Storen's daily routine starts in the Nationals clubhouse a few feet from his locker, where he sits in a brown leather chair and scouts the opponent's lineup on TV. "You can see a lot more on TV than watching from the side,'' Storen says. He does the hot tub and stretches, and in the sixth inning, he heads to the Nationals bullpen. Then, if there is a save situation, a familiar scene unfolds: The right-field bullpen door opens and No. 22 sprints to the mound amid a thunderous...

Comments

Tags:

drew storen frontstory_nationals4 mel antonen nationals

Questions continue for bullpen after Aaron Barrett forced to leave Nats' 6-5 loss

June 12, 2015, 4:50am

Nationals

Questions continue for bullpen after Aaron Barrett forced to leave Nats' 6-5 loss

Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett left last night's loss with an apparent injury moments after giving up the Brewers' eventual game-winning run. After delivering a 93 mph fastball to Brewers' second baseman Hernan Perez, Barrett slowly walked back toward the mound. Nationals manager Matt Williams and pitching coach Steve McCatty, noticing something was wrong, immediately came out of the dugout for a chat with Barrett. After the brief discussion, Barrett left with a member of the Nats...

Comments

Tags:

aaron barrett blake treinen chris johnson david carpenter matt williams nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nats hoping Zimmermann delivers in homecoming (with lineups)

June 12, 2015, 1:05pm

Nationals

Nats hoping Zimmermann delivers in homecoming (with lineups)

The Nationals enter tonight's matchup in Milwaukee as losers in 10 of their last 13 games. Jordan Zimmermann will take the hill in hopes of creating some momentum for the Nats. Zimmermann returns to his home state, where he holds a 2-0 record with a 1.50 ERA against the Brewers at Miller Park. Overall, the Wisconsin native is 4-0, having allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his five career starts against Milwaukee. Zimmermann experienced defeat in his last start for the first time since...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson ian desmond jordan zimmermann nationals nationals pastime frontfeatured_nationals

Roark takes blame in Nats' 6-5 loss

June 11, 2015, 8:25pm

Nationals

The Nationals let a four-run lead evaporate in tonight's 6-5 loss to the Brewers. Once again, the Nationals offense struggled, managing just one base hit after the fourth inning. The Nats collected eight hits early, but it was mostly shoddy defense from the Brewers that enabled the Nats to take a 5-1 lead. The Brewers began chipping away at the margin against Nats starter Tanner Roark with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. But after Roark retired the Brewers in order in the...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson denard span matt williams nationals nationals pastime tanner roark aaron barrett featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Opposite dugout: Little has gone right for floundering Brewers this season

June 09, 2015, 2:00pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Little has gone right for floundering Brewers this season

Manager: Craig Counsell (1st season) Record: 22-37 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Adam Lind (.279 with 9 HR, 31 RBIs), RF Ryan Braun (13 HR, 40 RBIs), SS Jean Segura (.281, 16 RBIs, 6 SB), CF Carlos Gomez (.276 with 5 HR, 24 RBIs), RHP Francisco Rodriguez (1.23 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 11: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Matt Garza, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 June 12: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Mike Fiers, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 June...

Comments

Tags:

brewers frontstory_nationals3 nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout pete kerzel

Nats blow four-run lead in 6-5 loss

June 11, 2015, 4:51pm

Nationals

After helping the Nationals end a three-game slide with the game-winning RBI yesterday, Denard Span wasted no time getting his ballclub started tonight. The Nats center fielder roped a double off the right field wall to lead off the game. Brewers starter Matt Garza was able to retire Anthony Rendon and Yunel Escobar before facing Bryce Harper with two outs. Garza's 3-1 fastball ran in on Harper's bat creating a knuckling soft liner up the middle. The spin on the ball fooled Brewers shortstop...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson clint robinson denard span nationals nationals pastime tanner roark frontstory_nationals3

Desmond sits, Espinosa in (with lineups)

June 11, 2015, 1:53pm

Nationals

Desmond sits, Espinosa in (with lineups)

After starting in all 59 of the Nationals' games this season, Ian Desmond is out of the lineup tonight. Danny Espinosa, who has been swinging a hot stick, starts at shortstop in place of Desmond. Desmond has struggled at the plate where he is just 5-for-43 (.116) in his last 11 games. Meanwhile, Espinosa is batting .313 (10-for-36) over the same stretch, which also includes two homers and three doubles. With Ryan Zimmerman heading to the 15-day disabled list earlier today, Williams has opted...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson danny espinosa ian desmond nationals nationals pastime frontstory_nationals3

Ryan Zimmerman lands on 15-day disabled list (den Dekker recalled)

June 11, 2015, 11:38am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman lands on 15-day disabled list (den Dekker recalled)

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Zimmerman has been dealing with the foot soreness for most of the season. Since reaching a season high .248 batting average back on May 15, Zimmerman is only 9-for-70 (.129) with one homer and seven RBIs. The move is retroactive to June 10. Nationals manager Matt Williams has turned to Tyler Moore at first base in Zimmerman's recent absence. Moore's bat has been cold as...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson clint robinson matt den dekker nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman tyler moore featured_sidebar

Nationals acquire David Carpenter for bullpen support

June 11, 2015, 8:02am

Nationals

In hopes of bolstering the backend of their bullpen, the Nationals made a move by acquiring right-hander David Carpenter from the New York Yankees this morning in exchange for minor league infielder Tony Renda. The 29-year-old Carpenter pitched to a 4.82 ERA over 18 1/3 innings in 22 appearances for the Yankees this year. He was designated for assignment by New York on June 3. Carpenter has compiled an 11-11 record with a 3.73 ERA in five seasons with Astros, Blue Jays, Braves and Yankees....

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson david carpenter nate mclouth nationals nationals pastime tony renda featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Danny Espinosa fighting for playing time anywhere on the field

June 11, 2015, 4:39am

Nationals

Danny Espinosa fighting for playing time anywhere on the field

Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters after yesterday's 5-4 win that he had to figure a way to keep Danny Espinosa's bat in the lineup. His saying that is understandable after the six-year veteran went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, a RBI and two runs scored. His eight home runs are secon- best on the Nationals as is his .842 OPS. But Espinosa is seemingly the odd man out of the Nats infield with Anthony Rendon's return. Williams could experiment with Espinosa in left field. The...

Comments

Tags:

chris johnson danny espinosa denard span matt williams michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Solis roughed up in rehab for Harrisburg (Update: Solis reinstated and optioned)

June 11, 2015, 4:22am

Nationals

Solis roughed up in rehab for Harrisburg (Update: Solis reinstated and optioned)

Double-A Harrisburg's offense opened up to drop New Britain 9-6. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak. Five Senators had multi-hit performances. Wilmer Difo went 3-for-5, Tony Renda 2-for-5, Brian Goodwin 2-for-4, Matt Skole 3-for-5 and Brian Jerolman 2-for-5. Harrisburg totaled 14 hits. Skole hit his ninth homer and finished with four RBIs. Austin Voth (3-4) went six innings for the win, allowing three runs on four hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. Sammy Solis (left shoulder...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals sammy solis featured_sidebar taylor jordan frontstory_nationals2

David Huzzard: Pondering Bryce Harper's future

June 11, 2015, 5:16am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Pondering Bryce Harper's future

With the Nationals playing the New York Yankees, one of the big storylines was Bryce Harper playing his first games in new Yankees Stadium. This is a story because Harper grew up a Yankees fan, his favorite player is Mickey Mantle and he even wears No. 34 because three plus four equals seven, Mickey Mantle's number. These facts lead to an assumption that when Harper becomes a free agent after the 2018 season that he is destined to become a Yankee. This assumption ignores many factors that are...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper david huzzard guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

Nationals conclude 2015 First-Year Player Draft

June 10, 2015, 4:09pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals concluded Major League Baseball's 2015 First-Year Player Draft by selecting 30 players on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Mike Rizzo and Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline made the joint announcement. Over three days of the Draft, the Nationals selected a total of 40 players: 13 right-handed pitchers, eight left-handed pitchers, four outfielders, 14 infielders and one catcher. Of...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Span's gritty day helps Nats to 5-4 win in 11 innings

June 10, 2015, 9:57am

Nationals

Span's gritty day helps Nats to 5-4 win in 11 innings

The Nationals finally displayed some clutch hitting in the third inning today. With two outs, Danny Espinosa sliced a double down the left field line off Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Denard Span immediately followed with his own double, slapped just inside the bag at third, scoring Espinosa for the game's first run. Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez has surrendered one hit and walk with three strikeouts through three innings. Update: Espinosa did more two-out damage in the fifth. Eovaldi...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper chris johnson danny espinosa denard span gio gonzalez nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Michael A. Taylor, Denard Span clutch in Nats' 5-4 comeback win

June 10, 2015, 2:39pm

Nationals

Michael A. Taylor, Denard Span clutch in Nats' 5-4 comeback win

The young and the old helped the Nationals to a much needed 5-4 win in 11 innings over the Yankees this afternoon. After the Nats' lead disappeared in the seventh, rookie Michael A. Taylor answered with a clutch two-run game-tying homer in the eighth. A stout performance from the Nats bullpen extended the game into the 11th inning, where 31-year-old Denard Span legged out an infield single, allowing Tyler Moore to safely hurry to the plate for the eventual game-winning run. "We battled today,...

Comments

Tags:

blake treinen chris johnson denard span gio gonzalez matt williams michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals

Take on the skipper with the 2015 CareFirst Fan Challenge

June 05, 2015, 8:19am

Nationals

Take on the skipper with the 2015 CareFirst Fan Challenge

Take a glance at Matt Williams' resume, and you can't help but be impressed: a rookie manager who led the Nationals to the NLDS, the National League Manager of the Year in 2014, a four-time Gold Glove winner, a four-time Silver Slugger and a five-time All-Star. On the field and in the dugout, Williams has a baseball career few can rival. Sure, you probably can't measure up on the diamond, but that doesn't mean you can't take on the skipper at your own game! You guessed it: The CareFirst...