nationals

Nationals offense still wasting stellar pitching

April 07, 2015, 4:39am

Most of the sold out crowd at Nationals Park yesterday must have thought they were experiencing dÃ©jÃ vu. Though the stakes were nowhere near as high, the results were eerily similar to last year's National League Division Series. In fact you could have just cut and pasted a headline from last year's playoffs atop the opening day story: Nats pitching dazzles, while bats remain dormant. The Nationals only produced nine runs and 26 hits in 45 innings of postseason baseball against the...

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Giolito and Lopez continue throwing in Florida, will head north in late April (with P-Nats roster)

April 07, 2015, 8:28am

Nationals

Giolito and Lopez continue throwing in Florida, will head north in late April (with P-Nats roster)

The Nationals released rosters for their minor league affiliates Tuesday. Noticeably absent from the high Single-A Potomac Nationals are top pitching prospects Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. The pair has remained in Viera, Fla., at the Nationals training facility and are in good health, just a couple of weeks behind their teammates. They have been working on a throwing program since their arrival in Florida in February, according to Nationals assistant general manager and vice president...

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Harrisburg Senators announce 2015 roster, which includes Ross and Voth

April 07, 2015, 8:08am

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators announce 2015 roster, which includes Ross and Voth

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators announced their 2015 team roster on Tuesday. The roster is highlighted by a pair of MLB.com Nationals top 10 prospects in pitchers Joe Ross (No. 5) and Austin Voth (No. 10). The other notable top prospects include catcher Pedro Severino, outfielder Drew Vettleson, infielder Matt Skole, infielder Tony Renda and pitcher Abel De Los Santos. The Senators open at home April 9 against the Altoona Curve. Pitchers (13)Tim Alderson Robert Benincasa Robert Bleier Abel De...

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Syracuse and Hagerstown rosters announced for 2015

April 07, 2015, 4:52pm

Nationals

Syracuse and Hagerstown rosters announced for 2015

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, have set their roster for 2015 and it includes several players worth watching. Tony Gwynn Jr., Ian Stewart and Kila Ka'aihue are among the former major league position players on the club while top prospect A.J. Cole will pitch for the Chiefs. Here's the full roster: Pitchers (13)Bruce Billings A.J. ColeManny DelcarmenEric FornataroMatt GraceTaylor HillTaylor JordanMitch LivelyRich HillRafael MartinScott McGregor Evan MeekFelipe...

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Errors undo Scherzer's spectacular debut

April 06, 2015, 5:12pm

Nationals

Errors undo Scherzer's spectacular debut

Whispers began traveling throughout the ballpark of the possibility for history in the making as Nationals starter Max Scherzer secured his second out in the sixth inning with the scoreboard still reading zero in the hit column for the Mets. With the Nats clinging to a 1-0 lead, Scherzer surrendered his second walk of the day to Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson, the only two stains on an impeccable pitching line until that point. What happened next immediately changed the attitude of the...

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Desmond, Uggla and Williams react to dropped pop-up in loss to Mets

April 06, 2015, 4:09pm

Nationals

Desmond, Uggla and Williams react to dropped pop-up in loss to Mets

A pair of miscues by Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond overshadowed an impressive debut for Max Scherzer in Monday's 3-1 opening day loss to the Mets. The first fielding mistake cost Scherzer a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first, David Wright's pop-up behind second base was dropped by Desmond and the Mets were in business with runners on second and third. Second baseman Dan Uggla appeared early on to have a good beat on the pop up, waving away the other fielders,...

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More on Taylor, plus hearing from Uggla and Ramos on opener

April 07, 2015, 7:20am

Nationals

More on Taylor, plus hearing from Uggla and Ramos on opener

Nationals manager Matt Williams spoke after the opening day loss to the Mets on Michael A. Taylor's first game and the play at the right-center field wall when he got very close to making a huge catch late in the game. "Yeah, almost made that play up against the wall," Williams said. "Mike's got lots of talent. He's dynamic in every aspect. He can run. He plays good defense. He's got power. The key for him is to swing at strikes and get in good hitting counts and let his bat go to...

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First impressions from the first day of a new season

April 07, 2015, 5:36am

Nationals Orioles

First impressions from the first day of a new season

Nothing says opening day more than Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon, right? Not exactly. Opening day conjures images of Clayton Kershaw's curveball, Adam Wainwright's heat and Justin Verlander's postseason bling. But Colon, the 41-year-old pitcher with a roundish body, pitched six strong innings in the Mets' 3-1 win versus the Nationals on Monday at quiet Nationals Park. The Mets' No. 5 starter was a surprising choice for the start because the Mets also have Jacob deGrom, the National League...

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2018 All-Star Game is coming to Nationals Park

April 06, 2015, 9:39am

Nationals

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced a short time ago that Nationals Park will host the 2018 All-Star Game. "I am pleased the Nationals will have the opportunity to host the Midsummer Classic for the first time since Major League Baseball returned to the nation's capital in 2005," Manfred said in a statement. "The best sporting event of the summer, which will be held one decade after the opening of Nationals Park, will add a new chapter to the long and distinguished...

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Desmond's errors cost Scherzer lead (Nats fall 3-1)

April 06, 2015, 1:12pm

Nationals

Desmond's errors cost Scherzer lead (Nats fall 3-1)

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer is breezing through his first opening day start of his career. The only blemish is a leadoff walk to Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson to start the game. Otherwise, Scherzer has been unhittable, pitching five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Right fielder Bryce Harper reintroduced himself to Mets starter Bartolo Colon with a monstrous solo blast to deep right-center field to lead off the fourth. It's Harper's third opening day homer of his career,...

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Updates on Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon

April 06, 2015, 10:28am

Nationals

Updates on Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon

The Nationals open today against the New York Mets without three important players on offense. Left fielder Jayson Werth (right AC joint surgery), center fielder Denard Span (right core muscle surgery) and third baseman Anthony Rendon (sprained left knee) were placed on the disabled list to begin the season. The earliest they are eligible to return is April 11. Manager Matt Williams, who sounded like he was battling a little bit of a cold himself, spoke about each player's current status...

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Opposite dugout: Upstart Mets hoping arms lead club to improved campaign

April 06, 2015, 7:16am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Upstart Mets hoping arms lead club to improved campaign

Manager: Terry Collins, fifth year 2014 record: 79-83 Who to watch (2014 stats): 1B Lucas Duda (.253/.349/.481, 30 HR, 92 RBIs); 2B Daniel Murphy (.289/.332/.403, 37 doubles, 9 HR, 57 RBIs); RHP Jacob deGrom (9-6, 2.69 ERA, 1.14 WHIP); RHP Matt Harvey (DNP, Tommy John surgery) Season series vs. Nats (2014): 4-15, 52 runs scored, 95 runs allowed Pitching probables April 6: RHP Bartolo Colon vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 4 p.m., MASN April 8: RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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Bryce Harper is stoked for 2015 campaign

April 06, 2015, 8:39am

Nationals

Bryce Harper is stoked for 2015 campaign

We all know Bryce Harper is bold and brash, as deadly with his words as he is with the bat when he's on one of his hot streaks at the plate. That's not exactly news. But Harper can also be incredibly reflective and thoughtful, as this morning's pre-opening day post on his Instagram account proves. Think the 22-year-old isn't stoked for the start of another season? Think he doesn't experience the same unbridled joy at the thought of another season beginning as the fans that will jam...

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Manfred expected to announce 2018 All-Star Game at Nats Park

April 05, 2015, 7:28am

Nationals

Manfred expected to announce 2018 All-Star Game at Nats Park

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to announce Monday that Washington, D.C., will host the 2018 All-Star Game, according to multiple reports. Manfred will be at Nats Park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Nationals' opening day contest with the Mets tomorrow. Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field, New York's Yankee Stadium, Philadelphia's Citizen Bank Park and Nats Park are the only MLB venues that haven't been awarded All-Star Games. It's been 46 years...

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Scherzer, Taylor playing prominent roles on opening day (with lineups)

April 06, 2015, 8:02am

Nationals

Scherzer, Taylor playing prominent roles on opening day (with lineups)

Nationals manager Matt Williams sends new ace Max Scherzer to the mound today to set the tone against the New York Mets. It will be the former American League Cy Young Award winner's first opening day start. "I mean, this is fun," said Scherzer. "I can't wait for the season to start. Spring training's so long for us. It's very monotonous for us. So for us to actually get out there and play real baseball and have it count, we're all looking forward to it. We haven't done anything to...

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Nationals announce opening day roster

April 05, 2015, 1:29pm

Nationals

The Nationals have established their plan of attack for opening day 2015. General manager Mike Rizzo confirmed the only remaining question marks when he announced the 25-man roster. Left-hander Xavier Cedeno made the team as a second southpaw out of the bullpen alongside Matt Thornton. And 35-year-old Dan Uggla, considered a longshot at the start of spring training, has secured a spot and might be the team's starting second baseman on opening day. The breakdown of the roster consists of 12...

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2015 Nats prediction: Block off Constitution Avenue

April 06, 2015, 4:29am

Nationals

2015 Nats prediction: Block off Constitution Avenue

The Nationals have finally reached the end - and yet just the beginning. Six weeks ago, it started with some of the game's elite pitchers reporting to the same clubhouse in Space Coast Stadium. You could probably say the hype machine officially commenced in mid-January when the Nats stunned the baseball world by signing right-hander Max Scherzer. But it was really the first day of spring training when the Nats embarked on this journey, as the barrage of never-ending questions regarding...

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Marty Niland: Five things that must go right for the Nats to succeed in 2015

April 06, 2015, 4:36am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Five things that must go right for the Nats to succeed in 2015

How can a team that hasn't even competed in a league championship series be a favorite to win the World Series? It may seem odd, but that's the predicament the Nationals find themselves in as they enter the 2015 season. Experts nationwide have pegged a team with a bullpen full of question marks, Denard Span, Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Casey Janssen on the disabled list, and an 0-for-2 mark in the postseason since moving to Washington 10 years ago as the team to beat. The expectations...

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Nationals set opening day 25-man roster

April 05, 2015, 12:44pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2015 Opening Day 25-man roster on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals' Opening Day roster is comprised of 12 pitchers (nine right-handed pitchers, three left-handed pitchers), two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders. Three players who joined Nationals' Spring Training as non-roster invitees made the club: INF/OF Clint Robinson, 2B Dan Uggla and OF Reed Johnson. The...

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Danny Espinosa and divine intervention

April 05, 2015, 5:49am

Nationals

On this holiest of weekends, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti walked into the Nationals dugout before yesterday's game to offer blessings as the team prepares to embark on a season filled with expectations higher than the clouds. Several Nats players were just steps away, participating in pregame stretching when they began to switch their attention to Rossetti, who was dressed in long, white vestments. Rossetti began sprinkling holy water on the bench and then eventually the bat racks. Nats...