nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets the NL's hottest team as they welcome Nats to New York

September 11, 2014, 4:21am

Manager: Terry Collins, fourth year Record: 71-75 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 1B Lucas Duda (.248/.347/.477, 23 doubles, 27 HR, 81 RBIs); 2B Daniel Murphy (.301/.344/.422, 34 doubles, 9 HR, 53 RBIs, 73 R); RHP Bartolo Colon (13-11, 3.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP); RHP Zack Wheeler (10-9, 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-10, 34 runs scored, 62 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 11: Bartolo Colon vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 12: Dillon Gee vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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Nationals deflect clinching queries, continue to focus on next game

September 11, 2014, 7:26am

Nationals

It is a question that Nationals players and their manager have deflected for what seems like an entire six-game homestand. Do the Nationals feel like they're close to clinching the National League East? Manager Matt Williams has repeated the mantra, whether his team wins or loses, of "one game at a time." His players have followed suit. Whether they are winning two in a row to take a series from the Braves or falling 6-2 in the finale, the company line has been don't get too high or too low...

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Hearing from Strasburg, Harper and Span after 6-2 loss to Braves

September 10, 2014, 4:21pm

Nationals

Hearing from Strasburg, Harper and Span after 6-2 loss to Braves

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was fairly pleased with his outing, even though he took the loss in a 6-2 setback to the Braves. In a scoreless game in the fifth, B.J. Upton was able to connect on Strasburg's first offering and hit it over the fence for a 1-0 Atlanta lead. "Ball just found his bat," Strasburg said. 'I just got to make a better pitch 0-0. I felt great out there. I felt like I was hitting my spots and just couple hits that (were) just out of our reach that was the ball game."...

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David Huzzard: How will Nats construct their postseason roster?

September 11, 2014, 5:33am

Nationals

David Huzzard: How will Nats construct their postseason roster?

It feels like it has been months that people have been debating who should be on the Nationals' postseason roster. The main focus of the debate has been which starter should go to the bullpen. All I'll say about that is tonight is a big start for Tanner Roark, who has regressed to the mean a bit since the beginning of August pitching 44 1/3 innings to a 3.65 ERA (while, in the same time period, Gio Gonzalez has pitched 40 2/3 innings with a 3.54 ERA). Not much difference in those numbers, but...

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Strasburg lasts six innings (Braves win 6-2)

September 10, 2014, 12:45pm

Nationals

Strasburg lasts six innings (Braves win 6-2)

The Nationals, looking for the series sweep against the Braves, got a couple of men on against right-hander Aaron Harang in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a single. After a loud out to deep right field by Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa singled to put men on the corners. But Jose Lobaton was caught looking and Stephen Strasburg lined out to first base. Strasburg has allowed one hit and struck out three in two innings. No score heading to the top of the third. Update: B.J. Upton,...

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Desmond, Rendon out of Nationals lineup

September 10, 2014, 9:06am

Nationals

The Nationals go for a sweep of the Braves this afternoon at Nationals Park, but their lineup will have a markedly different look. Shortstop Ian Desmond, who left last night's game with back tightness, is out today. He'll be replaced at short by Danny Espinosa. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is getting a day off to deal with a flu-like illness, with Kevin Frandsen taking over at the hot corner. For the Braves RF Jason Heyward SS Phil Gosselin 1B Freddie Freeman LF Justin Upton 3B Chris Johnson...

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Williams recaps Nats' 6-2 loss to Braves

September 10, 2014, 3:48pm

Nationals

Williams recaps Nats' 6-2 loss to Braves

There won't be a sweep, but the Nationals will head out on their 11-game road trip with an eight-game lead over the Braves, needing a combination of Nats wins or Atlanta losses equaling 10 to clinch the National League East. Matt Williams' team might very well return home with the division crown locked up. Today, the Nats dropped a 6-2 ballgame to Atlanta, with Aaron Harang stymieing them over seven innings. Stephen Strasburg allowed three runs over six innings, striking out eight and walking...

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Williams on Soriano, Strasburg, Rendon, Desmond and more before Braves finale

September 10, 2014, 10:23am

Nationals

Williams on Soriano, Strasburg, Rendon, Desmond and more before Braves finale

Nationals manager Matt Williams said it is important for reliever Rafael Soriano to get into today's game after spending a few days refining his mechanics following a rough stretch. During Soriano's time off, Drew Storen has saved three consecutive games. "Oh, yeah, very important," Williams said of getting Soriano some game action. "We gave him a couple of days. He worked on some things. He had a day (off) after that work. Now it's important for him to get in a game, of course. We want...

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Taking a peek at the postseason picture

September 10, 2014, 6:28am

Nationals

I saw a graphic on one of the national sports highlight shows last night that listed the teams in the National League wild card race. There were the Giants, holding the top spot, four games clear of the Pirates, who would earn the second wild card if the season ended today. A couple of the teams chasing them: the Braves, now 1 1/2 games back of Pittsburgh after losing the first two games of this three-game set with the Nationals, and the Brewers, who are in an absolute freefall the last few...

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Update on Desmond's back and the pitchers speak after 6-4 win

September 09, 2014, 7:37pm

Nationals

Update on Desmond's back and the pitchers speak after 6-4 win

The Nationals' quick start paid dividends late in a 6-4 series-clinching victory over the Braves on Tuesday night. First baseman Adam LaRoche, the co-Player of the Week in the National League, had two singles and two RBIs has the Nationals built a 5-0 lead against right-hander Ervin Santana after two innings. "That doesn't happen too often against that guy," LaRoche said. "He's a pretty good pitcher. He's got a few different pitches and a lot of times they all look the same coming out of...

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Williams recaps win after Nats up division lead to nine games (Desmond update)

September 09, 2014, 7:16pm

Nationals

Williams recaps win after Nats up division lead to nine games (Desmond update)

The Nationals' division lead is now nine games, the largest it's been since baseball came back to D.C. in 2005 You can pretty much lock up the National League East, folks. Matt Williams' ballclub took another game from the Braves tonight, this one by a 6-4 score, their fifth win in their last seven games against Atlanta. This win locked up a third straight series win over an above-.500 team, trimmed the magic number to 10 and left the Nats up nine games over the Braves with 19 games...

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Zimmerman takes live batting practice for first time since injury

September 09, 2014, 3:02pm

Nationals

Zimmerman takes live batting practice for first time since injury

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman took another step in his rehabilitation from a right hamstring strain by taking live batting practice on the field prior to Tuesday's game with the Atlanta Braves. Zimmerman was happy to get back on the field, but he said that running at full speed will be more critical to him getting back into games. And he is still a ways away from from that milestone. "Running is the biggest thing," Zimmerman said. "I don't want to downplay hitting and throwing...

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Rachel Levitin: Storen showing 2012 collapse behind him during latest turn as closer

September 10, 2014, 4:57am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Storen showing 2012 collapse behind him during latest turn as closer

For three consecutive days, the Nationals have not only beaten their National League East opponents and whittled their magic number to 10, but relief pitcher Drew Storen has found himself closing out games and tallying saves. It's nice to see him back in that role after the rough end of season he found himself a part of in 2012 with the Game 5 collapse during the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Since 2012, the Nats have invested in multiple bullpen arms and...

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Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)

September 09, 2014, 3:39pm

Nationals

Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)

Never underestimate the importance of getting the leadoff man on base. Factor in that your team is facing a 14-game winner in Ervin Santana and the importance ramps up. The Nationals offense has scored three runs or less in eight of its last 11 nine-inning games. So if Santana could get going, it would add pressure to the offense as the innings progressed. Denard Span made everything easier for his teammates in his first at-bat, smacking a 1-2 Santana offering into right field for a double....

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Zimmermann set to face Braves

September 09, 2014, 12:18pm

Nationals

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will try to win his fifth consecutive decision when the Nationals attempt to take an important September series from the Atlanta Braves tonight at Nationals Park. Zimmermann is 4-0 in nine starts since his last loss, a 6-2 defeat in Philadelphia on July 11. He's 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA in nine second-half starts. He will be opposed by right-hander Ervin Santana. For the Braves CF Emilio Bonifacio2B Phiil Gosselin 1B Freddie Freeman LF Justin UptonRF Jason Heyward 3B...

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With expanded rosters, Williams not afraid to play the match-ups

September 09, 2014, 6:42am

Nationals

With expanded rosters, Williams not afraid to play the match-ups

The team goal is always most important in professional sports. Personal accomplishments are cool and all, but at the end of the day, players will tell you that batting titles, Gold Gloves and other individual achievements don't mean nearly as much if the team hasn't had success. Professional athletes are still proud, competitive people, however. They want to be put in situations where they can help the team and pull their share of the weight. But now that we're in the final stages of the...

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Nationals sign two-year working agreement with Single-A Potomac

September 09, 2014, 12:40pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Potomac Nationals of the Single-A Carolina League through the 2016 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint...

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Williams' confidence in Fister key to 2-1 win over Braves

September 08, 2014, 7:01pm

Nationals

Williams' confidence in Fister key to 2-1 win over Braves

It was an important decision in a nail-biting moment of the game. With the Nationals leading 1-0 over the Braves and two out in the seventh, right-hander Doug Fister had walked two batters. The dangerous Andrelton Simmons was ready to dig in. Manager Matt Williams jumped out of the dugout and made his way to the mound. Fister at first did not see Williams coming toward him, but he knew he wanted to have a shot and getting Simmons. "I always hope for that chance," Fister said. "My back was...

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Dave Nichols: Defining moment is Nationals' to seize

September 09, 2014, 4:55am

Nationals

On Monday night, the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but as each game passes we inch closer to the end of the regular season, with every game taking on additional meaning and importance. The past few seasons, the Braves have stood in the way of the Nats' playoff hopes, as the Phillies once did before they all got old at the same time. The divisional rivalry with the Braves has been studded with losses - particularly late, close losses that...

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Opposite dugout: Braves hope to seize chance to get back in NL East race

September 08, 2014, 8:17am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves hope to seize chance to get back in NL East race

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 74-69 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Justin Upton (.284/.359/.511, 31 doubles, 26 HR, 91 RBIs); 1B Freddie Freeman (.289/.386/.473, 38 doubles, 18 HR, 70 RBIs, 89 R); RHP Ervin Santana (14-7, 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP); LHP Mike Minor (6-9, 4.65 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 9-4, 53 runs scored, 38 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 8: Mike Minor vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 9: Ervin Santana vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m.,...