nationals

Span sets Nationals record with 58 multi-hit games (Nats win 5-1)

September 27, 2014, 12:45pm

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is home for his final regular season start prior to the National League Division Series commencing Friday. He went 2-0 on the Nationals' recent road swing. In the bottom of the first, Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos reached with base hits. Asdrubal Cabrera reached first on a fielder's choice, moving Harper to third. Strasburg brought Harper home with a sacrifice bunt to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Update: Denard Span has two singles in the game and 58...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

September 27, 2014, 11:15am

Nationals

Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

Since returning to the Nationals after suffering a right hamstring tear on July 22, Ryan Zimmerman has been a much-valued presence in the lineup and off the bench. The veteran offers versatility as he can play third base and left field, where he has made all three of his starts since his return. In his six games since his return, Zimmerman has posted a slash line of .286/.333/.429 over 14 at-bats. "The challenges are his leg and I think that's presenting itself nicely," Matt Williams...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals buzz olivia witherite ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar jordan zimmermann frontstory_nationals3

Despite loss, Taylor Hill "pretty jacked up" to earn first major league start

September 26, 2014, 7:41pm

Nationals

Despite loss, Taylor Hill "pretty jacked up" to earn first major league start

Right-hander Taylor Hill got his first major league start for the Nationals and almost got through five innings. But that last out in the fifth proved to be too much, and the Marlins scored five runs to take the lead for good, 7-4, on their way to a 15-7 victory over the Nationals. Hill went 4 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and seven runs, with two walks and four strikeouts. "I definitely wasn't sharp like I obviously wanted to be," Hill said. "But that's part of it. It's part of...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr matt williams nationals taylor hill featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Only two more left until the focus shifts to postseason ball

September 27, 2014, 7:07am

Nationals

Only two more left until the focus shifts to postseason ball

It cannot be easy playing four games in two days. Heck, all I did was sit around and watch four games in two days and talk about it on TV a bit, and I'm exhausted right now. I can't imagine how the players or coaches feel after going through that physical and mental wringer. It cannot be easy, especially at this point in the season, when bodies are tired and pitchers' arms have logged dozens upon dozens of innings. Especially when there are bigger goals that still lie ahead, and the last...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals featured_sidebar matt williams frontstory_nationals2

Hill making first major league start (Nats lose 15-7)

September 26, 2014, 3:35pm

Nationals

Hill making first major league start (Nats lose 15-7)

Right-hander Taylor Hill managed to battle his way out of a tough jam in the first inning of his initial major league start. The Marlins got a walk and two base hits in the first. Casey McGehee's RBI single got the Marlins on the board first, 1-0. Hill then induced a huge 4-6-3 double play from Garrett Jones to derail the rally. Hill's Triple-A Syracuse teammate, outfielder Michael A. Taylor, came up big for his buddy to begin the bottom of the first, slamming a double to deep center. Kevin...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr michael a. taylor nationals taylor hill frontstory_nationals3

Williams discusses Nats' 15-7 loss

September 26, 2014, 7:23pm

Nationals

The Nationals concluded their four-game-in-two-day stretch tonight by getting pounded by the Marlins 15-7, but that means nothing. Matt Williams' ball club had already clinched home-field advantage through the National League side of the playoffs earlier today by way of their 4-0 win over Miami, so the nightcap was meaningless from a standings perspective. The Nats got in their work, got a couple regulars some at-bats to stay fresh, and emerged healthy after a really rough last 48...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals craig stammen featured_sidebar jayson werth rafael soriano taylor hill frontstory_nationals2

Fister calls complete-game shutout, home-field clincher a "big milestone"

September 26, 2014, 12:42pm

Nationals

Fister calls complete-game shutout, home-field clincher a "big milestone"

Nationals starter Doug Fister notched his 16th win with a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over the Marlins Friday afternoon. He allowed only three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. But afterward, it was all about the ballclub. "It's a great team win," Fister said. "Something we can enjoy for a little while and get ready for tonight. Guys are rolling, putting good at-bats together. What was there? Eight or nine walks. I mean, guys are seeing the ball well. That's what you want...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr doug fister nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Williams on Fister's Game 1 performance (with Game 2 lineups)

September 26, 2014, 12:51pm

Nationals

Williams on Fister's Game 1 performance (with Game 2 lineups)

With Doug Fister's complete-game shutout against the Marlins in Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. Fister threw 104 pitches, 77 for strikes, allowed just three hits, walked none and struck out nine. It was the seventh complete game of Fister's career and his 16th win of the season, which is a career-high. Here is what manager Matt Williams had to say about the Game 1 performance of the Nats. On Fister's...

Comments

Tags:

courtney lofgren doug fister frontstory_nationals2 matt williams nationals ryan zimmeman

Fister tosses complete game shutout (Nats win 4-0, clinch NL home-field advantage)

September 26, 2014, 9:31am

Nationals

Fister tosses complete game shutout (Nats win 4-0, clinch NL home-field advantage)

Anthony Rendon did not waste any time getting the offense rolling for the Nationals against the Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday. Facing Jarred Cosart, Rendon launched a 2-1 offering into the left field stands and the Nationals lead 1-0. After a single from Adam LaRoche, Ian Desmond doubled to put men on second and third. LaRoche came home on a passed ball by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and the Nationals lead 2-0. Doug Fister needed less than four minutes to retire the Marlins in...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche anthony rendon byron kerr doug fister ian desmond nationals frontstory_nationals3

Williams on Span, Zimmerman, bullpen and postseason schedule

September 26, 2014, 7:58am

Nationals

Williams on Span, Zimmerman, bullpen and postseason schedule

Nationals manager Matt Williams said they wanted to get center fielder Denard Span back in the lineup after missing a couple of games with a banged-up knee, diving for a fly ball Tuesday night against the Mets. "He could've played last night," Williams said. "But he's just a little but sore still, but he'll work through that. He needs to play. He's got to play the last few games here to keep his rhythm. He's good. He's fine today to go one of the games today and tomorrow and Sunday...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr denard span doug fister matt williams nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Opposite dugout: Marlins targeting second in NL East as regular season wraps

September 26, 2014, 6:04am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins targeting second in NL East as regular season wraps

Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 76-82 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Marcell Ozuna (.269/.317/.455, 26 doubles, 23 HR, 85 RBIs); LF Christian Yelich (.290/.368/.412, 30 doubles, 9 HR, 54 RBIs, 93 R, 21 SB); RHP Henderson Alvarez (12-6, 2.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP); RHP Jarred Cosart (4-2, 2.29 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 3-13, 43 runs scored, 84 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 26, Game 1: Jarred Cosart vs. Doug Fister, 1 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 26, Game 2: Andrew Heaney...

Comments

Tags:

beltways josh land marlins nationals opposite dugout

Gio Gonzalez on the win and a career-high 12 strikeouts

September 25, 2014, 7:09pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez on the win and a career-high 12 strikeouts

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez was authoritative on the mound Thursday, demanding the ball and delivering a career-high 12 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit in a 3-0 shutout of the Mets. "I've had some fun outings this year, but definitely more aggressive this time in the strike zone," Gonzalez said. "That's a lot of credit to the catcher Willy (Wilson Ramos), we were on the same game plan. We just wanted to attack these guys, especially early in the game....

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr gio gonzalez nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Span returns to lineup in Game 1 against Marlins

September 26, 2014, 6:11am

Nationals

Span returns to lineup in Game 1 against Marlins

Denard Span is in the starting lineup for the first time since leaving Tuesday's game early with a scraped knee. Span left in the third inning after making a diving catch to end the inning against the Mets. Ryan Zimmerman will get the start in left field with Bryce Harper moving over to right. Right-hander Doug Fister seeks his career-high 16th win of the season. With a win, the Nationals can clinch home-field advantage in the National League throughout the playoffs. For the...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko denard span doug fister nationals frontstory_nationals2

Williams on Gonzalez's stellar outing and various injuries after 3-0 win

September 25, 2014, 7:00pm

Nationals

Williams on Gonzalez's stellar outing and various injuries after 3-0 win

A long day ends with a win, one that trims the Nationals' magic number to clinch the best record in the National League to one. Gio Gonzalez threw seven stellar, scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 12, leading the Nats to a 3-0 win over the Mets. Anthony Rendon went 2-for-3 with an RBI and the Nats did enough to get to Zack Wheeler the second time through the order, putting up three runs in the fourth. That was all they needed. Here's Matt Williams after the win: On Gonzalez...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals featured_sidebar matt williams frontstory_nationals2

Gonzalez with seven strikeouts in first three frames (Nats win 3-0)

September 25, 2014, 3:53pm

Nationals

Gonzalez with seven strikeouts in first three frames (Nats win 3-0)

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez is dealing better than a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio in Game 2 of a split doubleheader between the Nationals and Mets at Nationals Park. He has struck out seven of the first nine batters he has faced, including six straight. The Mets have one base hit from Daniel Murphy that was quickly wiped out by an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Zack Wheeler is matching him with five strikeouts and one Anthony Rendon single allowed through three innings. No score heading...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr gio gonzalez nationals frontstory_nationals1

Williams on Zimmerman, playoff rotation and other notes

September 25, 2014, 7:51am

Nationals

Williams on Zimmerman, playoff rotation and other notes

Nationals manager Matt Williams is playing four opening day starters in the lineup for Game 1 against the Mets today, including Ryan Zimmerman in left field, who is batting third. Williams reiterated he would continue to sprinkle his starters between both games today and tomorrow. Williams also has a very deep bench in which to choose from and this allows him to give Denard Span a bit more time to rest his banged up knee. "You want to be competitive certainly in both," Williams said. "I...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr doug fister jordan zimmermann nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Mets jump on top early on a soggy Thursday (Mets win 7-4)

September 25, 2014, 9:16am

Nationals

Mets jump on top early on a soggy Thursday (Mets win 7-4)

On a soggy field and a misty Thursday, it did not take long for the Mets to get on the board in Game 1 of a split doubleheader. Facing Nationals starter Blake Treinen, the Mets connected on three singles in the first inning. Curtis Granderson's single to right field plated Wilmer Flores and the Mets lead 1-0. In the bottom of the first, the Nationals went 1-2-3 against Dillon Gee. The Mets lead 1-0 heading to top of the second. Update: In the third inning following a Danny Espinosa leadoff...

Comments

Tags:

blake treinen byron kerr mets nationals frontfeatured_nationals

Williams sets pitching rotation for remainder of season

September 24, 2014, 3:32pm

Nationals

Williams sets pitching rotation for remainder of season

The Nationals postponed Wednesday night's game because of rain. The game has been rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Thursday with the first game at 1:05 p.m. and the second game at 7:05 p.m. Blake Treinen will start Game 1 and Gio Gonzalez will start Game 2. Taylor Hill and Doug Fister will be the starters Friday. Stephen Strasburg starts Saturday and Jordan Zimmermann will start Sunday. In terms of the order for the postseason, it has not been officially announced, but this...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr matt williams nationals stephen strasburg taylor hill featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats turn to Treinen in Game 1 vs. Mets

September 25, 2014, 5:53am

Nationals

Following last night's postponement, the Nationals will have a slightly different lineup. Michael A. Taylor will lead off and get the start in center field, with Denard Span still out with a scraped right knee. Ryan Zimmerman is starting in left field for the first time since Saturday. Jayson Werth will also sit out Game 1 of the doubleheader and Bryce Harper will start in right. Kevin Frandsen will start in favor of Anthony Rendon at third base. Rookie right-hander Blake Treinen will...

Comments

Tags:

blake treinen dan kolko michael taylor nationals frontstory_nationals2

Zimmerman back in lineup, latest on Span and Zimmermann

September 24, 2014, 1:26pm

Nationals

Zimmerman back in lineup, latest on Span and Zimmermann

Manager Matt Williams installed Ryan Zimmerman in the No. 2 spot in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. He will play left field. It is his second start since returning from a severe right hamstring strain. "We're going to bubble wrap him as much as possible," Williams said. "I'd like to see him get 5 ABs and hit a couple of doubles and score from second and do all the things he needs to do to be able to feel good about it." Williams said they will check on Zimmerman even...