nationals

Werth makes adjustment with hands as he attempts to get his timing back

April 10, 2015, 7:56am

Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth said Thursday he is trying to get his timing back at the plate, which is normal for hitters in spring training and more so for those coming off of surgery. He swung his bat above his head during on-deck warmups and said his shoulder felt good after the game, but mornings are where soreness comes in and he will have to see these next few days how quickly he recovers. He did give insight on some adjustments he's working on with his hands in the batting cage,...

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Struggling offense to blame for early-season woes

April 10, 2015, 7:46pm

Nationals

Struggling offense to blame for early-season woes

PHILADELPHIA - Nats starter Gio Gonzalez was cruising through six scoreless innings when he suddenly lost his command with one out in the seventh. Back-to-back walks and a hit batter loaded the bases and forced Nationals manager Matt Williams to the mound to end Gonzalez's night. Williams seemed baffled after the game at how quickly the storyline changed for Gonzalez. "I don't know," said Williams. "He lost the strike zone. He still hadn't given up a run. He walked two guys and hit a guy...

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More on Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and Tanner Roark's role

April 10, 2015, 5:03am

Nationals

More on Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and Tanner Roark's role

It was a tough matinee for right fielder Bryce Harper in the series finale yesterday. A day after being praised for his patience at the plate, Harper fanned three straight times with wild cuts at Mets starter Matt Harvey's high heat. "He swung at some balls out of the strike zone," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "The strikeouts were balls up in the zone. With Matt, that ball comes in there pretty quickly. One of the keys against him is to make sure we swing at strikes. He got Harp a...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies in rebuilding mode as they meet Nats for first time in '15

April 10, 2015, 7:30am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies in rebuilding mode as they meet Nats for first time in '15

Manager: Ryne Sandberg, third year Record: 1-2 Last 10 games: 1-2 Who to watch: C Carlos Ruiz (.375/.583/.375, 0 XBH, 0 RBIs); RF Jeff Francoeur (.222/.222/.556, 1 HR, 3 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP); RHP Jerome Williams (4-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.134 WHIP in 2014) Season series vs. Nats (2014): 10-9, 70 runs scored, 84 runs allowed Pitching probables April 10: RHP Jerome Williams vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2 April 11: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 April...

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Jayson Werth gets through first rehab game, says shoulder feels "good"

April 09, 2015, 6:51pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth gets through first rehab game, says shoulder feels "good"

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth went 0-for-2 with a walk, a called third strike and a line out to center field on a cold and misty night in his first rehab assignment with high Single-A Potomac. But he said his shoulder felt "good" after playing seven full innings. Werth is looking to return from right AC joint surgery performed in January and was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to March 27, to start the season. "This is a long way away from where I want to...

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Harvey steals spotlight in matchup with Strasburg (Mets win 6-3)

April 09, 2015, 10:33am

Nationals

Harvey steals spotlight in matchup with Strasburg (Mets win 6-3)

For the third time in this series, an error by Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond has led to runs for the Mets. With one out in the third and Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson on first base, third baseman David Wright hit a tailor-made double play grounder right at Desmond. He misplayed the hop and by the time he was able to gather and throw to first, it was too late and both runners were safe. Then the wheels fell off. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg missed on a curveball inside that struck...

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Williams on Desmond's slow start, plus updates on injured starters

April 09, 2015, 7:12am

Nationals

Williams on Desmond's slow start, plus updates on injured starters

Shortstop Ian Desmond has had a rough start on offense, going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and no walks in the first two games. On Thursday morning, Nationals manager Matt Williams said he believes he knows why Desmond has had a slow start and what he'll need to do to change things at the plate. "I think the first two games anyway, his timing is a touch off, he looks a touch late to me, so he's working hard on making sure he is on time," Williams said. "When it's on time it's special,...

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Miscues, lack of offense haunt Nats in season's first series

April 09, 2015, 1:47pm

Nationals

Miscues, lack of offense haunt Nats in season's first series

The Nationals were overwhelmed by Mets starter Matt Harvey in today's 6-3 loss. Pitching for the first time in a regular season game since Tommy John surgery in October 2013, Harvey struck out half the batters he faced. Nats right fielder Bryce Harper was a victim three times while violently hacking at 97 mph fastballs high and away in each at-bat for third strikes. "He's tough out there," said Harper. "I keep saying it, I've said it a million times, he's gonna be Cy Young (winner) one...

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Strasburg vs. Harvey is league's marquee pitching matchup today (with lineups)

April 09, 2015, 7:37am

Nationals

Strasburg vs. Harvey is league's marquee pitching matchup today (with lineups)

Buckle up for the marquee pitching matchup today at Nationals Park between two power pitchers that can pump it in there in the mid-to-high 90s. Nationals manager Matt Williams sends right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the mound, while Mets manager Terry Collins trots fireballer Matt Harvey to the hill for his first start regular season start since Tommy John surgery. "High-powered arms that have come back successfully from a really serious surgery," said Williams. "It's good. Matt's one of...

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Bryce Harper's impact is felt early

April 09, 2015, 4:23am

Nationals

It's been an active beginning to the early season for Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper. The 22-year-old added two more hits last night, and is now 4-for-7 with a home run and an RBI through two games. "I feel good up there," said Harper. "I just want to stay in that same zone. Just in that same feeling, not get too quick, try to have good at-bats and see where it gets me." Harper has worked on a patient approach at the plate. On Monday, he admitted to being too amped up when he struck...

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Zimmerman and Zimmermann provide Nats security in 2-1 win

April 08, 2015, 8:05pm

Nationals

Zimmerman and Zimmermann provide Nats security in 2-1 win

A two-run homer from first baseman Ryan Zimmerman in the first turned out to be all the offense Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann would get and need in a 2-1 victory over the Mets in the second game of the season-opening three-game series. Zimmermann ran into some trouble in the second when the Mets strung together three consecutive singles, leading to their only run. He altered his approach a bit and retired 11 straight batters before Mets first baseman Lucas Duda singled in the sixth. "I...

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David Huzzard: Baseball is a simple game ...

April 09, 2015, 5:37am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Baseball is a simple game ...

I'm certain that you've heard the saying that baseball is a simple game a number of times in your life as a sports fan. But a startling number of people don't seem to understand how simple it is. Broadcasters and hot-take journalists are always talking about players knowing or not knowing how to win. The highest level of baseball I played was t-ball, and even as a wee lad, I knew how to win. Baseball is not complicated in this regard and it is, in fact, one of the things that make it the...

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Williams' formula for 'pen late in game adds up to Nats' first win of season

April 08, 2015, 7:50pm

Nationals

Williams' formula for 'pen late in game adds up to Nats' first win of season

Wednesday's second game against the Mets was another tight affair, but this time the Nationals were able to hold onto a one-run lead and win their first game of the season 2-1. Manager Matt Williams decided to finish the game with three right-handers - Craig Stammen in the seventh, Blake Treinen in the eighth and Drew Storen in the ninth. The Mets managed just one hit in those three frames. Williams decided to start off the bullpen in the seventh by calling on the veteran Stammen. He allowed a...

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Werth nearing return, while Span heads back to Florida (game starts after delay)

April 08, 2015, 1:42pm

Nationals

Werth nearing return, while Span heads back to Florida (game starts after delay)

Left fielder Jayson Werth is closing in on a return to the Nationals after recovering from right shoulder surgery, which took place in January. Manager Matt Williams brought over a right-hander and a left-hander from Single-A Potomac to throw five innings of simulated at-bats for Werth and center fielder Denard Span the past two days at Nationals Park. "It's not like playing in a game, but at least we get a chance to give them some live pitches where they don't know what's coming," said...

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Williams clarifies Roark's new role out of the bullpen

April 08, 2015, 1:25pm

Nationals

Williams clarifies Roark's new role out of the bullpen

Last season, Tanner Roark won 15 games. This season, he's in the bullpen. It's not because he lost anything on his fastball. It's just the club signed former Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer for $210 million. That means the right-hander is now one of the best starting pitchers-turned-reliever in the National League. He didn't make an appearance in Monday's home opener, so Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked about Roark's role this season. "It depends on the day," Williams said....

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Ryan Zimmerman goes yard, Nats win 2-1

April 08, 2015, 4:44pm

Nationals

After a 56-minute rain delay, Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann took the mound and promptly struck out Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson to start the game. Zimmermann would make quick work of the Mets in the first on a cold, dreary night at Nats Park. For the second straight game, the Nats put a runner on base in the first inning against the Mets. This time it was second baseman Yunel Escobar coming up with a single through the hole for his first hit as a Nat. After right fielder...

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Zimmermann begins contract year in superb pitching matchup (with lineups)

April 08, 2015, 11:40am

Nationals

Zimmermann begins contract year in superb pitching matchup (with lineups)

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann returns to the mound at Nationals Park for the first time since last year's spectacular performance - but disappointing result - in the second game of the National League Division Series. Tonight's start against the Mets could be his last season debut in a Nationals uniform, as he's in the final year in his contract. It doesn't get any easier for the Nats offense tonight when the Mets send reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom to the hill in the second...

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"Dynamic" Taylor featured in leading role early

April 08, 2015, 4:24am

Nationals

"Dynamic" Taylor featured in leading role early

Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor was in a pressure-packed situation late Monday afternoon. Not only was the 23-year-old starting in his first opening day game of his major league career, but manager Matt Williams had him placed at the top of the order. "I was really excited," said Taylor. "I wasn't too nervous. I felt pretty comfortable out there. It was exciting. The stadium was loud, the fans were up. It was nice." Taylor dug in the box staring out at 18-year veteran Bartolo...

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Rachel Levitin: Considering Ryan Zimmerman's legacy

April 08, 2015, 5:33am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Considering Ryan Zimmerman's legacy

When baseball moved back to Washington, D.C., a decade ago, I also moved to town right around the same time. My dad used to joke with me back then, saying, "Good thing D.C. got a baseball team! They must've known you'd be coming!" He was kidding, of course, but I liked to think that it was somewhat true. The 18-year-old kid headed off to college needed some comfort moving to a new city and knowing that there'd be baseball to watch across town was extremely helpful since I was struggling to...

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Fans encouraged to show off must-see moments with MLB's THIS campaign

April 07, 2015, 1:33pm

Nationals

Fans encouraged to show off must-see moments with MLB's THIS campaign

Local and national media alike had been talking about Stephen Strasburg for a long time. The hard-throwing right-hander was set to make his major league debut against the Pirates. And he did not disappoint. He struck out 14 Bucs over seven innings en route to his first win. THIS electric stuff was even greater than what many expected. While celebrating the Nationals' 10th season, new commissioner Rob Manfred headed to D.C. to announce the exciting news that Nats Park will host the 2018...