nationals

Williams speaks after Nats beat Braves 4-2, cut magic number to two

September 15, 2014, 7:02pm

ATLANTA - The magic number is now two. A win here at Turner Field tomorrow or Wednesday and the Nationals are division champs. The Nats cut that magic number in half tonight, beating Atlanta 4-2 in a game that turned really tight late. Washington took a 4-0 lead to the ninth, but Rafael Soriano allowed two runs and Drew Storen needed to come in with the tying run at the plate. A Christian Bethancourt RBI single put the tying run on base, and Bethancourt then moved into scoring position on a...

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Dave Nichols: Division crown in sight, but still work to be done

September 16, 2014, 5:52am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Division crown in sight, but still work to be done

Entering play Tuesday, the Nationals' magic number to clinch the National League East was two. All they have to do is win one of the next two games against the Braves and the Nats will take the division title with almost two weeks left in the season. After they sew up the division, it'll give manager Matt Williams time to rest some guys, sort out his bullpen and set his starting rotation for the playoffs. The Nats won't be taking it easy, though, as they are a half-game ahead of the...

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Nats open series in Atlanta with Strasburg on hill (plus an honor for LaRoche)

September 15, 2014, 12:00pm

Nationals

Nats open series in Atlanta with Strasburg on hill (plus an honor for LaRoche)

ATLANTA - The Nationals open their final three-game series at Turner Field - barring an unlikely late-season run by the Braves to secure one of the National League wild cards - with right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the mound. Strasburg hasn't traditionally fared well here - he's 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven career starts. But he'll try for his 12th victory while making his team-high and career-best 32nd start of the season. He'll face righty Ervin Santana. The Nats' magic number stands at...

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Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist

September 15, 2014, 2:00pm

Nationals

Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist

Ryan Zimmerman has reported to the Nationals' fall instructional league camp in Viera, Fla., and was scheduled to undergo a full workout today. The next step in Zimmerman's rehabilitation from the right hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since July 23 will be three innings in the field in a simulated game Tuesday. Because instructional league games have not begun, the Nationals will schedule simulated contests to accommodate Zimmerman until fall play begins. For starters, Zimmerman...

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Some fun could be had in Atlanta (with postseason ticket update)

September 15, 2014, 3:26am

Nationals

Some fun could be had in Atlanta (with postseason ticket update)

Turner Field has been a house of horrors for the Nationals over the last couple of years. Within the next three days, the Nats could find themselves storming the mound at Turner Field, popping bottles in the visitors clubhouse and punching their playoff ticket at their top rival's expense on the Braves' home turf. Following this weekend's activity, in which the Nats took three of four from the Mets while the Braves continued their lengthy slide by getting swept by the Rangers (who happen to...

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Tickets for potential Nats NLDS games will go on sale Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.

September 15, 2014, 7:51am

Nationals

Tickets for potential Nats NLDS games will go on sale Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.

The Washington Nationals announced today that tickets for potential Postseason National League Division Series games at Nationals Park will go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 22 at 10 a.m. A maximum of four tickets for each game may be purchased either online at nationals.com/postseason or by calling 888.632.NATS(6287) on a first come, first served basis. Tickets will be unavailable for purchase at the box office. In addition, the Nationals Park Box Office will sell a...

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Opposite dugout: Braves trying to keep Nats from clinching NL East in Atlanta

September 15, 2014, 5:35am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves trying to keep Nats from clinching NL East in Atlanta

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 75-74 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.293/.390/.476, 41 doubles, 18 HR, 73 RBIs, 90 R); LF Justin Upton (.277/.351/.502, 32 doubles, 27 HR, 96 RBIs); LHP Alex Wood (10-10, 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP); RHP Ervin Santana (14-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 10-6, 64 runs scored, 48 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 15: Ervin Santana vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 16: Aaron Harang vs. Tanner Roark, 7...

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Marty Niland: No slow lane on the road to the 2014 postseason

September 15, 2014, 4:49am

Nationals

Marty Niland: No slow lane on the road to the 2014 postseason

It comes down to this: With 14 games left in the regular season, the Nationals visit their division archrivals in Atlanta with a chance to clinch the National League East, drop the Braves below .500 and send them to the outer fringes of the postseason picture. In a season where they've overcome numerous injuries and setbacks, and a year removed from a disappointing out-of-the-money finish, it would be nice if the Nats could clinch in front of their home fans. But it's a great consolation to...

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Mets series demonstrates Rendon's long-term value

September 15, 2014, 3:42am

Nationals

Mets series demonstrates Rendon's long-term value

Third baseman Anthony Rendon had a memorable series against the Mets. With a base hit Sunday, Rendon finished with 11 hits in the four-game set. He scored five runs and had two doubles, two homers and three RBIs. Overall, Rendon hit an amazing .579 (11-for-19) against the Mets over the four-game series. His season average is now .289 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs. Last season in 98 games, he had seven homers and 35 RBIs. "Nats Xtra" co-host Ray Knight believes, as many scouts do, that Rendon...

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Zimmermann gets ball in finale against Mets

September 14, 2014, 7:13am

Nationals

Zimmermann gets ball in finale against Mets

Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the Nationals in this afternoon's finale of a four-game series against the Mets. A win gets the Nats the series victory, and the right-hander hasn't lost since July 11, going 5-0 in the 10 starts since. Against the Mets this season, Zimmermann is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA and the Nats have won all three of his starts. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is 10-for-15 in this series with five runs, a double, two homers and five RBIs. He had three hits in each of the first...

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Some Nationals notes for Sunday brunch

September 14, 2014, 6:58am

Nationals

The magic number for the Nationals to clinch their second National League East title in three seasons sits at six entering today's finale of a four-game series with the Mets at Citi Field. It would be nice if they could clinch at home - remember the raucous celebration in 2012? - but it's looking more and more like you'll need to make plane and hotel reservations for either Atlanta or Miami in order to take part in the festivities. If you're thinking it'll happen at Turner Field, be...

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Ramos homers, Zimmermann gets 12th win as Nats blank Mets; magic number at four

September 14, 2014, 10:06am

Nationals

Ramos homers, Zimmermann gets 12th win as Nats blank Mets; magic number at four

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann isn't dominating. He's had to work out of trouble in two of three innings today. But he's through three frames against the Mets and the game is still a scoreless tie. After a 1-2-3 first, Zimmermann allowed a one-out triple to Wilmer Flores, who got a break when center fielder Denard Span dove and missed his drive to left-center. But Flores was stranded at third when Curtis Granderson flied out to short left and Anthony Recker fanned to end the...

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Williams outlines plans for Zimmerman at instructional league

September 13, 2014, 3:55pm

Nationals

Williams outlines plans for Zimmerman at instructional league

We now know what plans the Nationals have for Ryan Zimmerman. Manager Matt Williams told reporters before Saturday's game at Citi Field that Zimmerman, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 23 with a right hamstring strain, will report to Viera, Fla., on Monday for a workout with the team's fall instructional league squad. After Monday's workout, Zimmerman will begin a carefully monitored progression in instructional league games. He will play three innings in his first game,...

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Harper, Span homer as Nats beat Mets 10-3, reduce magic number to six

September 13, 2014, 3:50pm

Nationals

Harper, Span homer as Nats beat Mets 10-3, reduce magic number to six

The Nationals were able to fight through the rain and get to Zack Wheeler in the second inning. After a walk to Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper blasted a two-run homer to the second deck in right field at Citi Field for a 2-0 Nationals lead. It was Harper's 13th homer of the season. Before the blast, Harper was 1-for-11 with six strikeouts against Wheeler, who came into tonight's game with a 7-1 record since July 1. Doug Fister allowed just one hit in the first two frames. He is 3-0 in three starts...

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Some pregame Nationals notes

September 13, 2014, 12:32pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has feasted on the Mets during his career, going 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA in three career starts against them. At Citi Field, he's 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA. In September/October (the two months are grouped together as one for statistical purposes, just March/April are), Fister has 16 victories in his career. That's his most for any month. He's got 11 wins apiece in July and August). * First baseman Adam LaRoche has sizzled in September, leading the National League in...

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Mets take early lead (Nats fall 4-3)

September 12, 2014, 3:43pm

Nationals

The Mets took advantage of Gio Gonzalez's early first inning troubles. Gonzalez allowed a leadoff single to Mets' left fielder Eric Young Jr., hit Juan Lagares with a pitch, and with one out, walked Lucas Duda. Catcher Travis d'Arnaud followed with a bases-clearing double to give the Mets a 3-0 lead after one inning. With two runs scored, Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos dropped the ball at the plate, which allowed Duda to score. We head to the second inning with the Nats trailing 3-0. Update:...

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Saturday's Nationals-Mets lineups

September 13, 2014, 12:02pm

Nationals

It's rainy and cool at Citi Field, where the Nationals are scheduled to play the third of four games this evening against the Mets. Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. on MASN HD. According to Weather Bug, there's a 40 percent change of precipitation at 7 p.m. in Flushing, N.Y., which rises to 60 percent at 8 p.m. and drops to 50 percent by 9 p.m. Temperatures will hold steady in the mid-60s, but the rain should be gone by 10 p.m. So there's a window. A late one, but a window...

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LaRoche's hot streak, lengthy experience a huge benefit as Nats get closer to division title

September 12, 2014, 6:51am

Nationals

LaRoche's hot streak, lengthy experience a huge benefit as Nats get closer to division title

The Nationals' magic number is down to nine after Thursday's 6-2 win over the Mets. Following a loss to the Braves, the Nationals bounced back with a quick win. They have done this time and again this season, where they follow a loss with a victory, eliminating the possibility of a losing streak. The hottest hitter in the National League, Adam LaRoche, set the tone with a monster shot that hit way up on the foul pole in the first inning. The two-run homer came with two outs in the inning,...

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Nats and Mets lineups

September 12, 2014, 12:06pm

Nationals

The Nationals will continue their four-game series with the Mets tonight. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will face right-hander Dillon Gee. Gonzalez is 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 starts against the Mets, while Gee is 7-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 13 starts against the Nats. First baseman Adam LaRoche is 6-for-28 in his career with three home runs against Gee. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 2B Asdrubal Cabrera 3B Anthony Rendon 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Bryce Harper C Wilson Ramos RF...

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Rendon, Desmond return to lineup for Mets opener (with MLB postseason schedule)

September 11, 2014, 11:13am

Nationals

Rendon, Desmond return to lineup for Mets opener (with MLB postseason schedule)

The flu-like symptoms that caused third baseman Anthony Rendon to miss yesterday's game against the Braves are apparently no longer an issue, and he's back in the Nationals lineup for today's opener of a four-game series at Citi Field against the Mets. Ditto for shortstop Ian Desmond, who sat out yesterday's contest after leaving Tuesday's game early with tightness in his back. Tanner Roark (12-10, 2.91 ERA) faces Bartolo Colon (13-11, 3.96 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. For the...