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Nationals go streaking behind Scherzer and Harper

April 17, 2015, 7:34pm

Many scratched their heads when the Nationals made the blockbuster offseason signing to bring right-hander Max Scherzer to D.C. Sure, he was a former American League Cy Young winner, but why did the Nats need him with the stacked rotation they already possessed? There's certainly a long, long way to go for Scherzer to prove he's worth the $210 million the Nats committed to him, but through his first three starts, he's well on his way to making sure the checks clear. The 30-year-old was...

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Zimmerman provides Scherzer with more insurance (Nats win 7-2)

April 17, 2015, 3:47pm

Nationals

Zimmerman provides Scherzer with more insurance (Nats win 7-2)

For the third time in his many games, the Nationals have put runs on the scoreboard in the first inning. This time it was right fielder Bryce Harper smacking a massive three-run homer over the center field wall to give the Nats an early lead. Two of Harper's team-leading three homers have come off Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan. Nats starter Max Scherzer surrendered two hits in the first, but was able to work of the inning with no problems. He breezed through the second, striking out first...

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Craig Stammen impressively handles devastating injury news

April 17, 2015, 2:08pm

Nationals

Craig Stammen impressively handles devastating injury news

Right-hander Craig Stammen is in unfamiliar territory. Before yesterday, the 31-year-old had never been on the disabled list at any point in his career since the Nationals selected him in the 12th round of 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Unfortunately, his maiden trip to the DL may cost Stammen the remainder of the season, as he is set to have surgery on Sunday to repair a torn flexor muscle in his right forearm. "It kinda depends when they go in there what they see and what they find," said...

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Max Scherzer aiming for first win against Phillies (with lineups)

April 17, 2015, 11:42am

Nationals

Max Scherzer aiming for first win against Phillies (with lineups)

Right-hander Max Scherzer takes the hill tonight still in search of his first win for the Nationals. He's experienced hard luck in his previous two attempts, despite just allowing one earned run in 13 2/3 innings. He left last Sunday's game against the Phillies after six innings with the game tied 1-1, having given up six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. Scherzer will work with catcher Wilson Ramos behind the plate for the third straight start. Despite a 7-for-33 (.212) start, Ramos...

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Solis moves to Harrisburg, Giolito and Lopez each go three innings in Florida

April 17, 2015, 3:26am

Nationals

Solis moves to Harrisburg, Giolito and Lopez each go three innings in Florida

Left-hander Sammy Solis is reporting to Double-A Harrisburg, according to Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player development and pro scouting Doug Harris. Solis will begin the season in the bullpen. He appeared in only five games, all starts, in 2014. He has made 37 starts since 2010 for the Nationals, and has battled through Tommy John surgery, shoulder fatigue, back problems and elbow discomfort over the years. Solis, who has been working in Florida at the Nationals...

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Williams updates injury rehabs, including Span and Rendon

April 17, 2015, 1:03pm

Nationals

Williams updates injury rehabs, including Span and Rendon

Nationals manager Matt Williams had updates on all the injured players looking to come back off the disabled list during his pregame briefing with the media this afternoon. On right-hander Casey Janssen, who is out with right shoulder inflammation: "Good. He's on his throwing program. It's a build-up of course. Being shut down and taking care of it for a while. We have to build him back up, so it's a normal spring training-type situation where he'll throw and build that arm strength....

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Up-and-down start for Michael A. Taylor

April 16, 2015, 10:17pm

Nationals

Just days into spring training, the Nationals found out center fielder Denard Span wouldn't be available for the start of the season after undergoing right core muscle surgery. Immediately, Nationals manager Matt Williams began searching for Span's temporary replacement in the field and at the top of the order. Rookie Michael A. Taylor quickly emerged as the top candidate. He led the Nats in home runs (four) in spring, while batting .323 and playing flawless defense in center field. Williams...

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Bullpen finishes win over Phillies, looks back at importance of Stammen

April 16, 2015, 6:44pm

Nationals

Bullpen finishes win over Phillies, looks back at importance of Stammen

The Nationals took down the Phillies 5-2 in their return to D.C. with the help of 2 1/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen. Matt Thornton, Aaron Barrett and Drew Storen came in to hold the Phillies without a run on just one hit for the final seven outs. In the seventh, with the bases loaded and the Nationals ahead 5-2, Thornton was able to force the often dangerous Chase Utley to line out to center field to end the threat. "It's a three-run lead and I'm trying to make sure that I don't let...

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Fister, Harper and Werth featured in fast and furious 5-2 win

April 16, 2015, 7:25pm

Nationals

Fister, Harper and Werth featured in fast and furious 5-2 win

For the first time this season, the Nationals have won back-to-back games after beating the Phillies 5-2. Right-hander Doug Fister pitched at his normal rapid pace, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. "Guys were playing defense," said Fister. "That's the name of my game. I have to go out there and trust those guys and say, 'Here, hit it.' That's what we were doing well and guys were playing defense behind me." Speed was the...

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Escobar and Taylor go deep in Nats' 5-2 win

April 16, 2015, 3:25pm

Nationals

Escobar and Taylor go deep in Nats' 5-2 win

Third baseman Yunel Escobar wasted no time getting the Nationals on the scoreboard as he launched the first offering from Phillies starter Cole Hamels deep over the center field wall for a solo homer. It was Escobar's first home run this season and his fifth to start a game in his career. Moments earlier, Escobar made a spectacular over-the-shoulder, basket-style catch on a foul pop-up from Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis. It was one of two stellar defensive plays to help starter Doug Fister...

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Rivero brings starter mentality to relieving role with Nationals

April 16, 2015, 2:10pm

Nationals

Venezuelan left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero was activated Thursday by the Nationals, occupying an important role. He joins Matt Thornton as the only two southpaws in the Nationals bullpen. Rivero got the news from Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Billy Gardner told him after the road trip yesterday. Rivero arrived in a four-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays prior to spring training in 2014. He made 14 starts with three teams in the Nationals' system last season. "Real surprised, didn't...

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Craig Stammen's season potentially ends with torn flexor

April 16, 2015, 12:33pm

Nationals

Craig Stammen's season potentially ends with torn flexor

Nationals manager Matt Williams announced today that right-hander Craig Stammen has a torn right flexor that will require surgery. The injury could potentially force Stammen to miss the remainder of the season. "It depends on the extent of the damage and the rehab, but it's possible," said Williams. "We'll see." Stammen led the Nationals in appearances this season with five before experiencing right forearm stiffness that sent him to the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He pitched four...

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Rafael Martin's dazzling major league debut

April 16, 2015, 5:32am

Nationals

Rafael Martin's dazzling major league debut

When right-hander Rafael Martin came off the field at hallowed Fenway Park yesterday, starter Gio Gonzalez was waiting with a new nickname for the 30-the-year-old rookie. "I'm the Mexican Assassin," Martin said with a smirk after working two impressive innings in the Nats' 10-5 victory. Martin was just that in his major league debut, as he struck out five straight Red Sox hitters, including three-time All Star Hanley Ramirez, in helping to preserve the Nats' third win of the season. "I...

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Nats recall lefty Rivero, option Jordan to Triple-A

April 16, 2015, 10:10am

Nationals

Nats recall lefty Rivero, option Jordan to Triple-A

The Nationals shuffled their bullpen again this afternoon, recalling left-hander Felipe Rivero from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning right-hander Taylor Jordan to the Chiefs to create a spot on the 25-man roster. Rivero, 23, will be making his major league debut in his first appearance. He was acquired in the February 2014 deal that sent right-hander Nathan Karns to Tampa Bay, a trade that also netted the Nats catcher Jose Lobaton and minor league outfielder Drew Vettleson. A hard-throwing...

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Fister, Hamels set to dance again (with lineups)

April 16, 2015, 11:57am

Nationals

Fister, Hamels set to dance again (with lineups)

The Nationals have returned home, and Doug Fister will get his second shot at the Phillies in the last six days. At Citizens Bank Park, Fister pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings of six-hit ball before leaving with a 1-0 lead that the Nationals bullpen could not hold. Fister will again face Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels, who is 15-8 with a 2.59 ERA in 33 outings vs. the Nationals. He allowed one run and two hits over seven innings against the Nats on Saturday. Danny Espinosa gets his normal...

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On the Phillies, the weekend series, Span and Martin

April 16, 2015, 2:43am

Nationals

On the Phillies, the weekend series, Span and Martin

The Phillies have gone into a tailspin since their last meeting with the Nationals. The three-game set last weekend in Philly was their last and only win streak, when they won two of three versus the Nats. A team meeting called by closer Jonathan Papelbon did not help them snap a three-game skid yesterday, when they lost to the Mets 6-1. Both teams begin play tonight in D.C. with identical 3-6 records. Alongside the Marlins, the trio is tied for third place in the National League East. The...

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Nationals recall left-hander Felipe Rivero from Triple-A Syracuse

April 16, 2015, 9:46am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Felipe Rivero from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, and optioned RHP Taylor Jordan there. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rivero, 23, joins the Nationals for his first Major League assignment and provides the team with a second left-handed reliever in the bullpen. In five Spring Training games (5.2 IP) with the Nationals this year, Rivero was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He allowed just four...

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David Huzzard: Nats' early-season bullpen struggles can be fixed

April 16, 2015, 6:36am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats' early-season bullpen struggles can be fixed

The Nationals' 3-6 record is not the fast start that fans wanted and experts expected, and the early struggles have been three-pronged. The offense took the first five games off, the defense has had issues catching and throwing the ball, and the bullpen has given away leads. Of the three, the offense has already started to turn with Jayson Werth off the disabled list, and Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper's bats coming to life. The Nats' fielders are better players than they've shown so far...

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No panic as Nats bust out of offensive funk in 10-5 win

April 15, 2015, 3:09pm

Nationals

No panic as Nats bust out of offensive funk in 10-5 win

BOSTON - The Nationals busted out of their early-season offensive funk in a big way in today's 10-5 win over the Red Sox. Right fielder Bryce Harper's double and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's triple put two quick runs on the board in the first. Red Sox starter Wade Miley wouldn't make it out of the third inning. Shortstop Ian Desmond ignited a scoring burst with a solo homer over the Green Monster. After Miley loaded the bases, catcher Wilson Ramos delivered the knockout punch with a...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to halt skid, continue success vs. Nats

April 15, 2015, 11:58am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to halt skid, continue success vs. Nats

Manager: Ryne Sandberg, third year Record: 3-6 Last 10 games: 3-6 Who to watch: 3B Cody Asche (.500/.571/.667, 1 HR, 2 RBIs); 2B Chase Utley (.167/.229/.367, 2 HR, 7 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (0-1, 3.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP); RHP Aaron Harang (1-1, 0.73 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 10 runs scored, 7 runs allowed Pitching probables April 16: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN April 17: RHP Sean O'Sullivan vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7 p.m., MASN2 April 18: RHP Aaron Harang vs....