nationals

Nats throwing Zimmermann and Scherzer at Blue Jays in Tuesday's doubleheader

June 01, 2015, 4:17pm

Heavy thunderstorms rolling through the nation's capital forced the postponement of tonight's game. The Nationals and Blue Jays will make it up as part of a split doubleheader on Tuesday with the afternoon game scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. Nationals manager Matt Williams will throw a pretty stout 1-2 punch at the Blue Jays tomorrow with Jordan Zimmermann set to start in the daytime and Max Scherzer taking the mound in the nightcap. The Blue Jays will stick to the plan as well, with...

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Williams' advice on facing Dickey's knuckleball: "See it high, let it fly"

June 02, 2015, 4:09am

Nationals

Williams' advice on facing Dickey's knuckleball: "See it high, let it fly"

The Nationals enter today's doubleheader against the Blue Jays with a pretty formidable pair taking the hill. Nats manager Matt Williams will throw Jordan Zimmermann in the afternoon and Max Scherzer this evening. Meanwhile, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons will also stick to his scheduled starters with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey going in the daytime and right-hander Marco Estrada pitching at night. Several current Nationals are familiar with Dickey, who won the National League Cy Young Award...

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Williams on Grace's move to Syracuse and what to do late in games

June 01, 2015, 1:36pm

Nationals

Williams on Grace's move to Syracuse and what to do late in games

The Nationals recalled left-hander Felipe Rivero on Monday and optioned left-hander Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Matt Williams said Grace needs to work on keeping the ball down. The Reds scored four runs versus Grace on Sunday in an 8-2 win over the Nationals. "We want him to just be down in the strike zone," Williams said. "He's gotten hurt by that ball being up. That's not his game. His game is to sink the ball down and create grounders. In recent outings, that hasn't...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: No place in baseball for intentional plunkings

June 02, 2015, 5:18am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: No place in baseball for intentional plunkings

The week did not end well for the Nationals. The team was just swept by the Cincinnati Reds, a team that is 10 games out of first place in their division. The loss snapped the Nationals' streak of winning nine series in a row. Now, the Nationals come home to take on the highest run-scoring team in baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays. The worst thing that happened this weekend took place in Game 1 of the Reds series, when Tony Cingrani, a former starter and now middle a reliever, hit Bryce Harper...

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Williams updates Fister; tonight's game postponed, split doubleheader tomorrow

June 01, 2015, 3:22pm

Nationals

Williams updates Fister; tonight's game postponed, split doubleheader tomorrow

Nationals manager Matt Williams was encouraged by right-hander Doug Fister's bullpen session this afternoon. It was Fister's first since landing on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor strain in his forearm. "He's done flat ground, long toss, the standard protocol ... but today was off the slope," Williams said. "Twenty-25 (pitches). He's got to continue to increase those bullpens until he's ready to go live hitters or simulation and go from there." Fister landed on the DL a...

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Rendon continues with rehab assignment; Span's knee still sore (game postponed)

June 01, 2015, 2:01pm

Nationals

Rendon continues with rehab assignment; Span's knee still sore (game postponed)

Anthony Rendon was back at Nationals Park for a full workout this afternoon after spending the weekend playing for Double-A Harrisburg. Rendon has yet to take the field for the Nationals this season after being sidelined initially with a sprained left MCL and, more recently, a strained left oblique. The 24-year-old was 1-for-4 with an uncharacteristic three strikeouts while playing seven innings at second base on Friday night. He was able to ramp it up to nine innings at second base on Saturday...

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Denard Span out tonight with sore knee (with lineups)

June 01, 2015, 12:04pm

Nationals

Denard Span out tonight with sore knee (with lineups)

The Nationals will be without center fielder Denard Span for tonight's game. The 31-year-old is dealing with a sore right knee resulting from an awkward fielding play in Chicago early last week. Span left yesterday's 8-2 loss in the eighth inning. Rookie Michael A. Taylor replaces Span in center field while Yunel Escobar returns to the leadoff spot in the order. The Blue Jays are 5-15 in their last 20 road games entering this three-game interleague set in the nation's capital. However, third...

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Rivero recalled, Grace optioned; Nats trade for Walters

June 01, 2015, 11:50am

Nationals

Rivero recalled, Grace optioned; Nats trade for Walters

The Nationals recalled left-hander Felipe Rivero this afternoon and optioned lefty Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse. Grace was unable to record an out in the seventh inning yesterday while allowing four runs on three hits and two walks. The 26-year-old had pitched well for most of his 17 appearances since making his major league debut on April 22. Grace went 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings. Rivero also made his debut in the big leagues this season, giving up a run on three hits with two...

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Report leaves Bryce Harper sounding doubtful for Home Run Derby

June 01, 2015, 5:12am

Nationals

Report leaves Bryce Harper sounding doubtful for Home Run Derby

Bryce Harper left Cincinnati without a homer in the Reds' three-game sweep. It may wind up being a theme. Harper's travel arrangements have most likely already been booked to return to Great American Ball Park in mid-July for the 86th Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The 22-year-old was announced last week as the frontrunner in the early release of the National League's fan vote. It was no surprise since Harper has been captivating audiences and terrorizing pitchers through the season's...

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Nationals recall left-hander Rivero from Triple-A, option left-hander Grace to Syracuse

June 01, 2015, 11:18am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Felipe Rivero on Monday and optioned left-handed pitcher Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rivero, 23, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. The hard-throwing left-hander made his Major League debut with one inning of work on April 17 in the Nationals' 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Rivero was placed...

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Opposite dugout: Something has to give between Blue Jays' bats and pitching

May 31, 2015, 8:31pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Something has to give between Blue Jays' bats and pitching

Manager: John Gibbons (8th season) Record: 23-29 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Chris Colabello (.368/.417/.568 with 4 HR, 14 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.312/.372/.604 with 15 HR, 39 RBIs), 1B Edwin Encarnacion (12 HR, 32 RBIs), LHP Mark Buehrle (6-4, 4.97 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (1.75 ERA in 25 2/3 IP) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (0-3 in 2012) Pitching probables: June 1: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 2: RHP Marco Estrada vs. RHP Max...

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Bryce Harper back in lineup for series finale

May 31, 2015, 7:02am

Nationals

Bryce Harper back in lineup for series finale

Right fielder Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals lineup this afternoon for the series finale in Cincinnati, a day after missing his first game of the season. Harper was on yesterday's early lineup card until he was scratched with back soreness about an hour before game time. A 93 mph from Reds reliever Tony Cingrani drilled Harper squarely in the center of his back on the first pitch of his fourth at-bat on Friday night. Harper finished out that game, but told reporters in Cincinnati...

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Scarce offense and bullpen woes leave Nats swept in Cincinnati

May 31, 2015, 1:20pm

Nationals

Scarce offense and bullpen woes leave Nats swept in Cincinnati

After sprinting through May with baseball's best record, the Nationals stumbled to the finish line, succumbing to a three-game sweep in today's 8-2 loss to the Reds. The normally explosive Nats offense managed just two hits against Reds rookie right-hander Michael Lorenzen - and one of them came from starter Tanner Roark. "A little blip," Nationals manager Matt Williams said to reporters after the loss. "We got two out of three in Chicago and came here and things didn't go our way, but we...

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Marty Niland: Old-school approach could have served Nats well

June 01, 2015, 5:19am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Old-school approach could have served Nats well

With two outs and a man on first in the bottom of the seventh inning on Friday came the pitch felt round the Natosphere. Reds reliever Tony Cingrani drilled Nationals slugger Bryce Harper in the back - right between the numbers - with a 94 mph fastball. No matter whether it was intentional, Harper was not happy, and neither were fans posting on Nats message boards. They demanded payback. The most obvious target was Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who exchanged words with the bruised Harper after...

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Rendon update, Turner hitting streak ends at 16 games, Giolito starts tonight

June 01, 2015, 2:14am

Nationals

Rendon update, Turner hitting streak ends at 16 games, Giolito starts tonight

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury, went 1-for-4 with a double in his third straight rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg. He was the designated hitter in the Senators' 6-4 loss at Bowie. No word on when Rendon will return to Nationals, who are home through June 7. It appears Rendon will be getting a few more rehab games so he can really "square up the ball" and get his timing back, according to Nats manager Matt Williams on the...

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Bullpen falters as Nats lose 8-2

May 31, 2015, 10:35am

Nationals

Tanner Roark held the Reds scoreless through the first three innings, but third baseman Todd Frazier ended the streak in the fourth. Leading off the inning, Frazier belted a fastball deep down the left field line for a solo homer. It's the only hit that Roark has allowed through four innings to go along with two walks and one very important hit batter. When Reds first baseman Joey Votto stepped to the plate in the first, Roark promptly plunked him. The 92 mph fastball aimed at Votto's...

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Injuries force reliable Roark back in Nats rotation for now

May 30, 2015, 5:53pm

Nationals

Injuries force reliable Roark back in Nats rotation for now

The Nationals turn to Tanner Roark this afternoon to try to salvage the final game in Cincinnati. It's a fitting role for Roark, who after being relegated to the bullpen is now in a position to play a major part in the Nats' depleted starting rotation. The 28-year-old Roark was one of baseball's most effective and efficient starting pitchers last season, compiling a 15-10 record with a sparkling 2.85 ERA. He pitched 198 2/3 innings for the Nats in his 31 starts, striking out 138 while...

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Janssen, Nats can't hold on as series winning streak ends in 8-5 loss

May 30, 2015, 5:01pm

Nationals

Janssen, Nats can't hold on as series winning streak ends in 8-5 loss

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo signed right-hander Casey Janssen shortly after trading away reliable reliever Tyler Clippard this offseason. The idea was for Janssen to take over Clippard's high-pressure eighth-inning role. At least today, the experiment didn't work, as Janssen blew the Nats' lead and was thumped for four runs in an 8-5 loss. "The fact of the matter is we've got our eighth-inning guy in there with a one-run lead," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters after...

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Rendon plays nine innings; Nats promo schedule features Zimmerman bobblehead

May 31, 2015, 4:38am

Nationals

Rendon plays nine innings; Nats promo schedule features Zimmerman bobblehead

Second baseman Anthony Rendon, who is on the disabled list battling a strained oblique, went 0-for-3 with a walk and played the entire game during Double-A Harrisburg's 3-2 loss at Bowie. Tony Renda went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Starting pitcher Austin Voth twirled seven innings with six hits, three runs, one walk and struck out eight. It's another positive, cautious step forward for Rendon. Harrisburg plays Bowie today at 2 p.m. The Nationals return home Monday night against the...

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Bryce Harper's availability a question mark for series finale

May 30, 2015, 4:26pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper's availability a question mark for series finale

Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters after today's 8-5 loss to the Reds that right fielder Bryce Harper was only available today in an "extreme emergency situation." Harper was originally on this afternoon's lineup card, but was scratched just over an hour before first pitch with back soreness. "I tried to get in here in this morning and tried to get loose, but when I got on the field, it didn't feel very good," Harper said to reporters after the game. The soreness was the...