nationals

Bryce Harper leads National League All-Star vote (with lineups)

May 27, 2015, 12:39pm

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper leads all National League players in All-Star voting. Harper, a two-time All-Star, is tied for the major league lead with 17 home runs, 42 RBIs and 40 runs scored. In addition, Harper leads the majors with a .467 on-base percentage, a .734 slugging percentage and 40 walks. Harper, twice named NL Player of the Week, is batting .331. The first voting update for the 86th All-start Game, to be played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on July 14, revealed...

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Span's power surge continues, Cubs' young talent on full display

May 27, 2015, 5:07am

Nationals

Span's power surge continues, Cubs' young talent on full display

Denard Span continued throwing the lumber around on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field with his second home run in as many games. For a moment, his eighth-inning bullet over the right field wall seemed to be the game-winner before the Cubs answered with some artillery of their own, sending the Nationals walking off disappointed with a 3-2 loss. Span, who's only 31, joked to reporters that he has "old man power". Whatever it is, the Nats' center fielder is creating more souvenirs for fans than...

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Late-inning mistakes ruin Nats' comeback in 3-2 walk-off loss

May 26, 2015, 7:30pm

Nationals

Late-inning mistakes ruin Nats' comeback in 3-2 walk-off loss

A well-pitched and well-played game was marred by two late gaffes as the Nationals wasted a nice comeback in a 3-2 walk-off loss to the Cubs. Storms blowing through Chicago left behind gusty winds at Wrigley Field that figured to provide fireworks tonight. But the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann and the Cubs' Kyle Hendricks pitched gems, allowing just a solo home run apiece as both starters pitched seven complete innings. Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler tagged Zimmermann for a leadoff homer in...

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Rachel Levitin: Retracing Wrigleyville roots amid Nationals conversation

May 27, 2015, 5:52am

Nationals

When I was in Chicago earlier this month, I found myself wandering around the neighborhood I grew up in - Wrigleyville. Back then, I wasn't old enough to appreciate an Old Style at Murphy's Bleachers on the corner of Waveland and Sheffield. But a few weeks ago, I was. One of my favorite parts of growing up in a baseball town like Chicago is that people there, at least in my mind, seemed to really enjoy sports. They enjoyed watching sports, talking about sports and knew intricacies about each...

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Morning coffee: Let's play Nats math, plus notes on Giolito, Turner and Difo

May 26, 2015, 2:37am

Nationals

Morning coffee: Let's play Nats math, plus notes on Giolito, Turner and Difo

The Nationals seem to be winning more than a few games by 2-1 margins recently. The pitching has been so good that they have been able to score just enough runs to win, a mark of a solid team. The recent amazing run reached 20 wins in their past 25 games with a 2-1 with at Chicago over the Cubs on Monday. They are 3-1 in games decided by 2-1 scores so far this season, and led Sunday's game 2-1 before notching a pair of big insurance runs late to topple the Phillies 4-1. The Nationals are 10-4...

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Bullpen falters late as Cubs walk off Nats in 3-2 win

May 26, 2015, 4:05pm

Nationals

Bullpen falters late as Cubs walk off Nats in 3-2 win

The first two games of this series between the Nationals and Cubs started with leadoff homers. Yesterday, it was Denard Span delivering a bomb to right. And tonight, Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler deposited a 94 mph fastball from Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann over the ivy in right. Two batters later, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo ripped a double down the right field line. Rizzo moved to third on a groundout by shortstop Starlin Castro, and then Zimmermann served up a two-out walk to...

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Jordan Zimmermann aims for first win at Wrigley Field (game started)

May 26, 2015, 11:56am

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann aims for first win at Wrigley Field (game started)

After a bit of an unusual start to the season, right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has returned to his normal self to help lead the Nationals to victories in each of his last five starts. Zimmermann has pitched at least six innings and not allowed more than three earned runs in each of his last five outings. Zimmermann hasn't fared so well at Wrigley Field where he is winless in three career starts with a 6.27 ERA, though the last start came back in 2013. The Nats will get their first look at Cubs...

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Taylor, Harper showcase Nats' defensive abilities

May 26, 2015, 4:33am

Nationals

Taylor, Harper showcase Nats' defensive abilities

When the Nationals limped out of the gates in April, it was largely due to poor defense and untimely errors. Several close games were lost because of fielding gaffes. But the Nats have not only cleaned up their problems, they are actually taking advantage of the pure athleticism their dynamic outfielders possess. Michael A. Taylor and Bryce Harper made run-saving catches yesterday in back-to-back innings. Taylor, who struggled early this year in center, is now playing left while Jayson Werth is...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Has Desmond put rocky start in rear-view mirror?

May 26, 2015, 6:12am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Has Desmond put rocky start in rear-view mirror?

Ian Desmond started the season off rocky. By rocky, I mean nine errors and 23 strikeouts in April. But Desmond, who some could argue is the best shortstop in baseball, has started to turn it on and is playing more like the Desmond we knew in past years. As showcased in the Nationals' series against the Yankees and Phillies last week, Desmond still has some pop in his bat. He hit two home runs, just missed a third and is on a 10-game hit streak. While he wasn't as productive to start the...

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Opposite dugout: Youth movement has served improved Cubs well

May 24, 2015, 10:04am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Youth movement has served improved Cubs well

Manager: Joe Maddon (1st season) Record: 24-19 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.316/.440/.574 with 9 HR, 29 RBIs, 9 SB), 3B Kris Bryant (.273, 5 HR, 29 RBIs), RF Jorge Soler (.280, 16 RBIs), SS Starlin Castro (.271, 24 RBIs), LHP Jon Lester (4-2, 3.56 ERA), RHP Hector Rondon (9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: May 25: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, 2:20 p.m., MASN2 May 26: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Kyle...

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Roark impressive in Nats' 2-1 win

May 25, 2015, 2:09pm

Nationals

Tanner Roark was in a familiar spot on Monday afternoon. The right-hander returned to the mound as a starter for the first time this season and delivered five stellar innings in the Nationals' 2-1 victory over the Cubs. Roark, who grew up about 60 miles from Wrigley Field, gave up just one run on three hits, with one walk and three strikeouts. His only blemish was a first inning homer by Cubs rookie phenom Kris Bryant. Otherwise, Roark was outstanding as he worked quickly and efficiently in...

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Bryce Harper showing smarts on offense and defense as he looks to play full season with Nats

May 25, 2015, 3:52am

Nationals

Bryce Harper showing smarts on offense and defense as he looks to play full season with Nats

It happens to young players looking to prove they belong on the big stage and have the ability to play with the big boys. Steven Souza Jr. did it last season, a sickening collision with the outfield wall in Atlanta. Bryce Harper did it at least twice, once against the Dodgers and once against the Braves. Both went after long fly balls that appeared to be impossible to catch. But they went for it. On all three plays, the player was injured or shook up pretty good. Then on Sunday in Nationals...

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Span, Ramos homer in Nats' 2-1 win

May 25, 2015, 10:43am

Nationals

Denard Span didn't waste any time lighting up the scoreboard this Memorial Day. The Nats' center fielder crushed a 2-2 fastball from Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada deep to right field to give the Nationals a quick 1-0 lead. Two of Span's four homers this season have led off games. The Cubs answered in the bottom of the inning with a blast of their own. Rookie sensation, 23-year old Kris Bryant nailed a Tanner Roark slider just over the fence in the left-center alley. The solo shot is Bryant's...

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Tanner Roark returns to the mound as a starter (with lineups)

May 25, 2015, 8:13am

Nationals

Tanner Roark returns to the mound as a starter (with lineups)

Tanner Roark makes his first start in 2015 after compiling a 15-10 record with an impressive 2.85 ERA as a member of the rotation last season. The blockbuster signing of Max Scherzer bumped Roark to the bullpen this year where the right-hander is 0-2 with a 2.66 ERA and one save in 13 appearances. Doug Fister's trip to the 15-day disabled list with right forearm tightness is the reason for Roark making the spot start for the Nationals. He'll be tasked with facing highly hyped rookie Kris...

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No doubting Drew Storen

May 24, 2015, 4:00pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been sizzling, with a 19-5 record over their last 24 games. Drew Storen has collected saves in nine of those 19 victories and recorded a win in another. He picked up his National League-leading 14th save in yesterday's 4-1 win over the Phillies. Storen has only allowed two earned runs in 19 1/3 innings (0.98 ERA) this season. Jose Lobaton has been behind the plate for five of Storen's 14 saves. He gave the obvious answer when asked about his thoughts when Storen enters the...

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Marty Niland: Fans need to show patience with Strasburg

May 25, 2015, 7:05am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Fans need to show patience with Strasburg

The Nationals are flying high, winners of eight straight series, all alone in first place, 2 1/2 games up on the New York Mets in the National League East. But it seems all the fans want to talk about is Stephen Strasburg's pitching troubles. On talk shows, Internet message boards and Facebook groups, there's no shortage of opinions about why Strasburg (3-5, 6.50 ERA) is struggling and what the team should do about it. The main complaint about the first overall pick in the 2009 draft is that...

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Nats roll through "epic" homestand with eighth straight series win

May 24, 2015, 2:45pm

Nationals

Nats roll through "epic" homestand with eighth straight series win

A sold-out Nationals Park watched the home team notch its eighth straight series win with today's 4-1 win over the Phillies. The Nationals are on a 19-5 clip over their last 24 games, vaulting them to first place in the National League East, and the fans are responding. 41,044 filled the ball park to see their young, budding superstar Bryce Harper drive in the go-ahead run in the fifth and another in the seventh to reclaim the major league lead with 41 RBIs. "I thrive on big crowds," Harper...

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Harper's balanced game leads to another Nationals win, 4-1 victory

May 24, 2015, 1:52pm

Nationals

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's quest to become a complete baseball player took another positive step forward with a game that mixed timely at-bats with pinpoint accuracy courtesy a rifle of an arm from right field. Harper contributed both offensively and defensively in the Nationals' 4-1 series-clinching win over the Phillies. He had a RBI single, a RBI groundout and an outfield assist to lift the Nationals to their 19th win in their last 24 games. On defense, Harper gloved what appeared...

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Gonzalez, Harper lead Nats to 4-1 win

May 24, 2015, 11:02am

Nationals

After three scoreless innings, the Nationals and Phillies both lit up the scoreboard in the fourth. With one out, Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis reached on an infield single. Ian Desmond made a lunging stop on Galvis' sharp grounder and then twirled to throw but it was too high for Ryan Zimmerman. Nats starter Gio Gonzalez then walked first baseman Darin Ruf to move Galvis into scoring position. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur took advantage with a line drive single to left, plating Galvis for...

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Nats recall Taylor Jordan for long relief support

May 24, 2015, 8:44am

Nationals

Nats recall Taylor Jordan for long relief support

The Nationals recalled right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday morning. The 26-year-old Jordan is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA (10 earned runs in 42 innings) in seven starts for Syracuse this season. Jordan has held opposing hitters to a lowly .208 batting average while striking out 26 and walking only eight. Jordan was recalled briefly on April 15 but returned to Syracuse the following day without making an appearance with the Nats. The Nationals selected Jordan in the ninth-round...