nationals

A scoreless ballgame through five

October 06, 2014, 1:58pm

SAN FRANCISCO - Doug Fister's command hasn't been there early on. But he's thrown two scoreless innings, keeping this game knotted at zeros as we go to the third. Fister has needed 43 pitches to get through two, including 27 in the second inning, when the Giants loaded the bases on a Pablo Sandoval single to left-center and two walks. That brought up Giants starter Madison Bumgarner with the bases loaded, and by no means is the left-hander (who bats right-handed) an easy out. Bumgarner has...

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Williams on lineup stability: "We trust our guys, we have faith in our guys"

October 06, 2014, 12:23pm

Nationals

Williams on lineup stability: "We trust our guys, we have faith in our guys"

SAN FRANCISCO - Constructing a lineup when you're down two games to none in a best-of-five series isn't easy. You might want to shake things up a bit, find a way to inject some life into your team, especially when the lineup you've gone with in Games 1 and 2 has only scored three total runs and is batting .160 to this point. But you also don't want to blow things up and send a message to your team that you're panicking. The Nats have had plenty of offensive success over the last few...

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Nats going without Zimmerman in Game 3 lineup

October 06, 2014, 9:40am

Nationals

Nats going without Zimmerman in Game 3 lineup

SAN FRANCISCO - After the Nationals scored just three runs in the first two games of the National League Division Series, Matt Williams is running out the same lineup again for Game 3. That means no Ryan Zimmerman, who Williams said he would consider adding to the lineup against Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco's Game 3 starter. Zimmerman has not played third base since returning from a strained right hamstring in late September, leaving left field or first base as the only...

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Matt Williams: Facing elimination, "all hands are on deck"

October 06, 2014, 11:09am

Nationals

Matt Williams: Facing elimination, "all hands are on deck"

SAN FRANCISCO - In the their historic playoff game Saturday - that spilled into Sunday - the Nationals emptied their bullpen. Tanner Roark, a starter through the season, was the last man up and surrendered a solo shot to Brandon Belt that led to a 2-1 Giants win in 18 innings. A tired team then flew to San Francisco early Sunday morning to prepare for a must-win Game 3. So how are they feeling today? "We had a good workout yesterday," manager Matt Williams said. "Everyone's...

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Preaching patience at the plate

October 06, 2014, 6:38am

Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO - There's been a lot of attention put on Matt Williams' decision to take Jordan Zimmermann out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the National League Division Series in favor of Drew Storen. Williams' plan didn't go as he had hoped, the Nationals' 1-0 lead evaporated, and they ended up losing 2-1 in 18 innings. Some fans and media members also spent part of Friday night and Saturday morning discussing Stephen Strasburg's outing, in which he went five innings and allowed two...

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Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games

October 06, 2014, 7:37am

Nationals

Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games

Yes, the Giants hold a two games to none lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Yes, they're returning home and ace lefty Mardison Bumgarner is on the hill for Game 3 today. But Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in the past. June 10, 2014. Nationals at Giants: Fister defeated left-hander Madison Bumgarner 2-1. The weather was 59 degrees and the wind was coming in from center field at 16 mph, according to Baseball Reference. The Nationals...

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Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3

October 05, 2014, 8:35am

Nationals

Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3

The Nationals are now in a difficult situation down 2-0 in the National League Division series to the Giants with Game 3 on Monday afternoon. The pitching matchup features right-hander Doug Fister against left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Some callers to "Nats Insider" on Sunday morning on 106.7 The Fan have repeated a consistent theme that Ryan Zimmerman should get the start in Game 3 and replace Adam LaRoche at first base. MASN's Bob Carpenter, appearing on the same show, liked the idea...

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Williams on decision in ninth: "I kicked myself ... but we have a reason for that move"

October 05, 2014, 1:42pm

Nationals

Williams on decision in ninth: "I kicked myself ... but we have a reason for that move"

SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals have the day off in the sense that they don't have a game to play today. They will get the afternoon and evening to acclimate themselves to the Pacific time zone and to get a bit of a breather before tomorrow's Game 3. They do have an optional workout here at AT&T Park, however, and Matt Williams was impressed with the turnout he saw from his players. "The buses are full," Williams said. Williams and tomorrow's starter, Doug Fister, met with the media this...

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Moving on from the marathon

October 05, 2014, 3:56pm

Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO - Postseason losses can be tough to deal with. Postseason losses in 18-inning games can be brutal. Postseason losses that put you down 0-2 in a five-game series can be torturous. But the Nationals say they're moving on from last night's 2-1 loss to the Giants, a loss that left them another defeat away from elimination. They hopped on busses for the airport after 1:30 a.m. on the east coast, boarded their cross-country flight to San Francisco and arrived around 5:30 a.m....

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Marty Niland: In game of inches, Nationals coming up short all around

October 06, 2014, 5:18am

Nationals

We've all heard that baseball is a game of inches. It's a seemingly small measurement that can make the difference between a ball and a strike, a hit and an out or even a win and a loss. Such measurements are also apparently important to Giants pitcher Tim Hudson, who questioned the Nationals' collective manhood before the start of the National League Division Series, suggesting that the Nats might not have the fortitude to win in the postseason. Rather than proving him wrong, though, the...

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Nats now viewing NLDS as "a chance to do something special"

October 05, 2014, 6:06am

Nationals

Nats now viewing NLDS as "a chance to do something special"

SAN FRANCISCO - The flight from D.C. to San Francisco wasn't as long as that ballgame was last night. After a 6:23 marathon in Game 2, which became the longest game time-wise in Major League Baseball postseason history, the Nationals find themselves in a tough spot, with their backs against the wall. They've now dropped the first two of a best-of-five series, and will need to take the next two here in San Francisco followed by a decisive Game 5 in D.C. in order to advance. A tall order, for...

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Matt Williams after 18-inning loss: "Hindsight is a great thing"

October 04, 2014, 7:45pm

Nationals

Matt Williams after 18-inning loss: "Hindsight is a great thing"

Way back on Saturday afternoon, Jordan Zimmermann started Game 2 of the National League Division Series for the Nationals. Fresh off his no-hitter, the right-hander was dominant again, pitching 8 2/3 innings before Matt Williams decided to go with Drew Storen after Zimmermann walked Joe Panik with two outs in the ninth. "(Zimmermann) got in trouble in the ninth inning. ... We were going to bring our closer in," Williams said. "It's what we've done all year. He got the first two guys and he...

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Zimmermann backs Williams' decision to pull him in ninth inning

October 04, 2014, 9:35pm

Nationals

Zimmermann backs Williams' decision to pull him in ninth inning

Jordan Zimmermann passed the time after he exited in the ninth inning of Saturday night's Game 2 of the National League Division Series bouncing between the dugout and clubhouse, watching a parade of relievers travel down the tunnel from the field. Since the game lasted 18 innings - at 6 hours, 23 minutes, it was the longest postseason game by time in major league history - he had a lot of time to ponder what might have been. But if you expected Zimmermann to second-guess manager Matt...

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Rendon gives Nationals first lead of NLDS (Belt homers in 18th for 2-1 Giants win)

October 04, 2014, 2:33pm

Nationals

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann allowed a base hit in each of the first three innings of Game 2 of the National League Division Series. But in each inning, he has found away to get out of trouble. In the third, with a man on second and one out, Zimmermann struck out Gregor Blanco and got Joe Panik to ground out to first base. The Nationals were unable to get much going against Giants right-hander Tim Hudson in the first two innings. But in the third inning, Asdrubal Cabrera dropped a double down...

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Desmond could miss postseason action due to birth of son

October 04, 2014, 12:33pm

Nationals

Desmond could miss postseason action due to birth of son

As Ian Desmond takes part in the National League Division Series, his mind is also with his pregnant wife Chelsey, who is currently in Sarasota, Fla., with her and Desmond's families. Depending on when Chelsey ends up giving birth to the couple's third son, Desmond might need to step away from the Nationals' postseason run to tend to his family. Desmond said prior to Game 2 that Chelsey is currently three centimeters dilated, and while all is well with mom and baby - which is obviously most...

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Red October: Back for Game 2 at Nationals Park

October 04, 2014, 11:45am

Nationals

We're back on a beautiful fall day in D.C. for Game 2 of the NLDS! The Nationals look to bounce back after dropping Game 1 last night. Just like yesterday, you can follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at masnNationals. We had a lot of fun yesterday talking with fans at the ballpark and on social media! We're looking forward to today, and hope to see you out here! 4:22 p.m. - Olivia - It's a brisk and beautiful day here at the park. Here are some pictures from...

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LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early

October 04, 2014, 10:57am

Nationals

LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early

There are few guarantees in life. Among them are death, taxes, poor life choices by Miley Cyrus and the fact that Giants right-hander Tim Hudson usually has his way with the Nationals. The 39-year-old Hudson has practically enjoyed a stellar season's worth of stats against the guys with curly Ws on their cap over his 16 big league seasons. He's 18-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 31 career starts versus the Nats. At Nationals Park, he's gone 6-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 games. He even dominated the Nats in...

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Giants-Nationals lineups for Game 2 of NLDS

October 04, 2014, 11:22am

Nationals

The only thing that's changed in the Nationals starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Series against the Giants is the starting pitcher. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, coming off the team's first no-hiter since arriving in D.C. from Montreal for the 2005 season, takes the hill to try to square the NLDS at one game apiece. The Giants are going with the same batting order they trotted out in their Game 1 victory, save for starting pitcher Tim Hudson. For the GiantsCF Gregor Blanco2B...

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Post no-no, Zimmermann ready for start in Game 2 (with start times)

October 04, 2014, 6:03am

Nationals

Post no-no, Zimmermann ready for start in Game 2 (with start times)

Six days ago, Jordan Zimmermann delivered the start of his life. He retired 27 of the 28 batters that he faced. He struck out 10. He threw the first no-hitter in Nationals history. Now, the Nationals need the right-hander to put that outing behind him, go out and deal again. Boy, do they need it. I shouldn't say "put that outing behind him" as if anyone's concerned about Zimmermann moving past his no-hitter. The players and coaches inside the Nats clubhouse know what type of guy Zimmermann...

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Trying to turn the page

October 03, 2014, 4:26pm

Nationals

The Nationals had the last four days to look ahead to this afternoon's ballgame. The last two and a half weeks, if you count the time since they clinched the National League East title. They had a couple of days to wonder about whether they would face the Giants or the Pirates, and a couple more to map out how they might match up against San Francisco. Now they have less than 24 hours to turn the page and move on to a crucial Game 2. In the regular season, the focus is on the big picture. You...