nationals

Left side tightness forces Rendon out of rehab game, Span sits

May 02, 2015, 3:06pm

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Infielder Anthony Rendon was again a late scratch in his minor league rehab assignment for Double-A Harrisburg tonight. He continues to experience tightness in his left side and had trouble getting loose. Rendon was due to play seven innings at second base in Harrisburg's game at Bowie. Nationals manager Matt Williams had just finished laying out the plan for Rendon during his pregame session with reporters in the third base dugout before the news came in. After playing seven...

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For Max Scherzer, it's been a hard knock life

May 01, 2015, 8:44pm

Nationals

For Max Scherzer, it's been a hard knock life

FLUSHING, N.Y. - When Max Scherzer was introduced to the media at Nationals Park in January, he was asked why - beyond the astronomical $210 million contract he was offered - he chose to sign with the Nationals. "It's pretty easy," Scherzer said. "And it's one (reason): winning. I think this team is capable of winning, and winning a lot." That hasn't happened yet for Scherzer or the Nationals. After falling to the Mets and stud pitcher Matt Harvey last night, the Nationals' record...

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Harvey outduels Scherzer to end Nats' winning streak

May 01, 2015, 7:29pm

Nationals

Harvey outduels Scherzer to end Nats' winning streak

FLUSHING, N.Y. - A night before the world will convene for the largest boxing event of the decade, two of major league baseball's heavyweight pitchers battled it out at Citi Field. Mets right-hander Matt Harvey outdueled Nationals ace Max Scherzer as the Mets won this decision 4-0. Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer delivered the damaging blow to Scherzer on a one-out solo home run in the fourth. That was all the Mets needed as Harvey danced through the Nats lineup, allowing just six base...

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Denard Span out tonight after experiencing surgery-related soreness

May 01, 2015, 2:51pm

Nationals

Denard Span out tonight after experiencing surgery-related soreness

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Center fielder Denard Span chose to leave last night's game in the sixth inning after experiencing abdominal discomfort. "Just around the surgery site just felt a little sore," Span said. "Just follow my intuition, basically." Span underwent hernia surgery in December and core muscle surgery on March 9. Nationals manager Matt Williams has taken Span out of the lineup for the second time since the 31-year-old returned from the disabled list on April 19. "I would think that...

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Harvey cools down Nats' offense in 4-0 loss

May 01, 2015, 4:03pm

Nationals

Harvey cools down Nats' offense in 4-0 loss

FLUSHING, N.Y. - So far, the blockbuster pitching matchup between Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Mets fireballer Matt Harvey is as advertised. The Mets have yet to collect a hit against Scherzer through the first three innings. But the right-hander still found himself in some trouble in the third after he hit Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera and walked right fielder Curtis Granderson. But Scherzer got out of the inning when center fielder Juan Lagares chased a breaking ball for the third...

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Scherzer returns for marquee pitching matchup with Matt Harvey (with lineups)

May 01, 2015, 12:45pm

Nationals

Scherzer returns for marquee pitching matchup with Matt Harvey (with lineups)

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Nationals ace Max Scherzer returns to the mound eight days after injuring his right thumb at the plate. Swelling forced Scherzer to miss his scheduled start Tuesday in Atlanta and the result was arguably the wildest game in Nationals history. Scherzer experienced tough luck on opening day against the Mets at Nats Park. He held the Mets without a hit through 5 2/3 innings before an error from shortstop Ian Desmond led to the Mets' first run. He ended up taking the loss, despite...

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Bryce Harper is back in the New York groove

May 01, 2015, 6:48am

Nationals

Bryce Harper is back in the New York groove

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Mets entered the ninth inning last night with the game still in reach, trailing by three runs. But any hopes of a late comeback were crushed in one swing of the bat by right fielder Bryce Harper's bases-loaded three-run double that featured a rare double slide at the plate from third baseman Yunel Escobar and left fielder Jayson Werth. Harper, the team's most explosive player, once again delivered the game's most exciting play. "We had another Nats-car going for us,"...

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Nats ride momentum into May after impressive team win

April 30, 2015, 8:22pm

Nationals

Nats ride momentum into May after impressive team win

FLUSHING, N.Y. - On the final day of the season's first month, suddenly the vibe has changed around the Nationals after tonight's 8-2 win. The team handed the Mets their first loss this season at Citi Field. For the third straight night, the Nats pounded out double-digit hits, led by the heart of their lineup. Third baseman Yunel Escobar, left fielder Jayson Werth, right fielder Bryce Harper and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman combined to go 9-for-18 and drive in all eight runs for the...

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Offense keeps rolling as Nats hand Mets first home loss in 8-2 win

April 30, 2015, 4:03pm

Nationals

Offense keeps rolling as Nats hand Mets first home loss in 8-2 win

Flushing, N.Y. - Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has labored through the first two innings tonight. He has already racked up 52 pitches. The Mets turned a pair of doubles from shortstop Wilmer Flores and catcher Kevin Plawecki into the game's first run in the second. Two batters later, right fielder Curtis Granderson followed with an RBI single, which left Strasburg and the Nats in a quick 2-0 hole. Mets starter Jacob deGrom is perfect through the first three innings with three strikeouts....

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Solis has battled injuries to finally get big league chance

April 29, 2015, 11:03am

Nationals

Solis has battled injuries to finally get big league chance

Left-hander Sammy Solis was called up to the big leagues Wednesday, finally getting a shot with the Nationals after showing so much promise coming out of the University of San Diego. Yes, Solis is that other great pitcher in the Nationals system from San Diego. Back in 2010, then-minor league pitching coach and current Nationals pitching coordinator Paul Menhart thought Solis' stuff could play at the highest levels because he could pitch well against Arizona Fall League competition, and he...

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Rendon potentially back in rehab game in Bowie tomorrow, Janssen's plan set

April 30, 2015, 3:04pm

Nationals

Rendon potentially back in rehab game in Bowie tomorrow, Janssen's plan set

FLUSHING, N.Y. - If all goes well, infielder Anthony Rendon will resume his minor league rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg when the Senators travel to Bowie to play the Baysox this weekend. Rendon played in games last Friday and Saturday and then, after a scheduled day off Sunday, he became a late scratch Monday when he had trouble loosening up his injured left knee in Harrisburg's cold weather. Since then, it's been a new issue - tightness in his left side - that has kept him off the...

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Escobar returns as Strasburg and Zimmerman look to find a groove (with lineups)

April 30, 2015, 11:49am

Nationals

Escobar returns as Strasburg and Zimmerman look to find a groove (with lineups)

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg didn't have much of a chance to pick up a win in his last outings as the Nationals were shut out last Saturday in Miami. He's yet to find consistency this season as he brings a 4.88 ERA into his fifth start this evening. Strasburg is 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA and 44 strikeouts in five career starts at Citi Field. Yunel Escobar returns to the second spot in the lineup and will play third base after missing the past two games with a cut-up hand he...

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Span, Espinosa charge to New York on a tear

April 30, 2015, 9:15am

Nationals

Span, Espinosa charge to New York on a tear

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals showed up to Turner Field on Tuesday afternoon licking their wounds, in some cases literally, from a six-game losing streak. The offense, the main culprit for the early-season slide, had become a quagmire filled with poor situational hitting and untimely strikeouts. They began the fifth inning on the mat, trailing by a normally insurmountable eight runs. But center fielder Denard Span wouldn't allow his team to be knocked out again. The veteran kept swinging away...

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In offensive assault, Jordan Zimmermann delivered the biggest blow

April 29, 2015, 7:32pm

Nationals

In offensive assault, Jordan Zimmermann delivered the biggest blow

ATLANTA - Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven solid innings and delivered a three-run single to help the Nationals earn their second series win of the season in a 13-4 victory over the Braves. After yesterday's chaotic 13-12 game, the Nats needed a lengthy start from Zimmermann and he came through allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Little did anyone know it would be at the plate where Zimmermann's impact would be felt most. Trailing...

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Offense erupts in Nats' 13-4 win

April 29, 2015, 3:48pm

Nationals

ATLANTA - For the third straight night, the Nationals found themselves playing from behind after the first inning. Braves right fielder Nick Markakis led off tonight's game with a single to left field off Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann. First baseman Freddie Freeman added a double and then catcher A.J. Pierzynski scored them both on a soft single to center. It was nothing new for Markakis, as he's reached base and scored in the opening frame in each of the three games in the series. The Nats...

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Scherzer set to return Friday, while Rendon and Escobar are still on the mend

April 29, 2015, 3:26pm

Nationals

Scherzer set to return Friday, while Rendon and Escobar are still on the mend

ATLANTA - Citi Field will be the site of the best pitching matchup in the majors on Friday as Nationals ace Max Scherzer will get the start against Mets right-hander Matt Harvey. Scherzer's swollen thumb has healed, allowing Nats manager Matt Williams to get his stud right-hander back in the rotation. "Maxie will slide in there Friday," Williams said. "He threw again today. Just some light flat ground catch and he feels good. He's ready to go." Scherzer, who injured his hand at the plate...

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Opposite dugout: Mets and Nats have traveled different paths since opening series

April 29, 2015, 2:41pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets and Nats have traveled different paths since opening series

Manager: Terry Collins (5th year) Record: 15-7 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Lucas Duda (.312, 2 HR, 12 RBIs), CF Juan Lagares (.299, 11 RBIs), LHP Jonathon Niese (2-1, 2.74 ERA), RHP Jacob deGrom (2-2, 2.96 ERA), RHP Matt Harvey (4-0, 3.04 ERA, 31 Ks), RHP Jeurys Familia (1.69 ERA, 9 saves). Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: April 30 - RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Jacob deGrom, 7:10 p.m. MASN May 1 - RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN May 2 - LHP...

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David Huzzard: Would losing benefit the Nationals in the near future?

April 29, 2015, 3:01pm

Nationals

It is still early in the baseball season and no amount of struggling by the Nationals will change that. There are still just over five months and 140 games left until the end of the season. It is a tiring refrain to hear that it's early, but no matter what happens these games are going to be played. War or work stoppage are the only forces that have ever halted a baseball season before its conclusion, and no matter how poorly the Nationals play, Major League Baseball isn't simply going to...

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Nats recall rookies Michael A. Taylor and Sammy Solis

April 29, 2015, 11:26am

Nationals

Nats recall rookies Michael A. Taylor and Sammy Solis

ATLANTA - It didn't take long for prized Nationals rookie Michael A. Taylor to make it back to the big leagues. The 24-year-old was the Nationals' opening day center fielder and leadoff hitter. He validated the hype in his first 12 games, hitting .271 with two homers, three doubles, one triple and eight RBIs. Taylor is considered a rare prospect possessing dynamic speed as well as above-average power. He has battled issues with discipline at the plate, and his 19 strikeouts were among the...

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Uggla's home run could have lasting effect on Nationals season

April 29, 2015, 2:22am

Nationals

The Nationals needed someone, anyone, to make a play. Denard Span and Jose Lobaton made plays to get the Nationals back in the game. But it was a former Braves player, who is still drawing a paycheck from Atlanta (the Braves owe Uggla $12,692,500 in 2015, the most of any player on their current roster in 2015), who was still booed by the home team each early at-bat (drawing the admiration of a Braves legend) that provided the most dramatic of swings for a struggling team. Disappointed with...