nationals

Given more consistent at-bats, Frandsen heating up in August

August 27, 2014, 7:08am

PHILADELPHIA - Being a bench player is never easy. The inconsistent playing time, the tough late-game match-ups against hard-throwing relievers, the lack of live pitching to build timing before at-bats - it's all part of the gig, and it all makes the gig difficult. Add in the frustration that can build (and sometimes fester) when you don't succeed in your very limited opportunities, and it becomes mentally taxing as well. Imagine only having maybe three chances to come through for your...

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A pair of left-handers battle in Philly (Phillies win 4-3)

August 26, 2014, 3:29pm

Nationals

A pair of left-handers battle in Philly (Phillies win 4-3)

A pair of southpaws doing battle tonight in Philadelphia. Cole Hamels was off to smooth start with two quick outs in the first. Against Anthony Rendon, a grounder to third base was fielded by Andres Blanco, who threw to first for the out. But first base umpire Gary Cederstrom ruled that first baseman Darin Ruf drifted off the bag and called Rendon safe. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg requested a video review. The video replay in New York overturned the call and Rendon was out. Nationals...

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Hearing from Williams, Frandsen, Desmond and Gonzalez after Nats' 4-3 loss

August 26, 2014, 6:25pm

Nationals

Hearing from Williams, Frandsen, Desmond and Gonzalez after Nats' 4-3 loss

PHILADELPHIA - In a game that was seemingly filled with close, questionable calls, the Phillies got the benefit of the doubt on a few key ones, and they escaped with a hard-fought 4-3 win. The Nationals battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the eighth on Asdrubal Cabrera's solo homer. But the Phillies won a challenge in the bottom of the eighth, when Kevin Frandsen's foot was ruled to be just off first base and Ben Revere was called safe upon review, and then they...

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Rachel Levitin: Keeping score enriches the experience of baseball

August 27, 2014, 5:18am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Keeping score enriches the experience of baseball

It's safe to say at this point that this year's Nationals are pretty good at baseball. They've been a thrill to watch, especially the last couple of weeks. Close games turned nail-biters turned walk-off wins - that's a few of the ways the 2014 Nats will be remembered. And the good news is there's several ways to commemorate a good season of well-played baseball. Today, I'll share one of my favorite ways to commemorate a season with you - keeping score. I didn't actively keep score on a...

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Rendon keeps on rolling deep into his first full big league season

August 26, 2014, 7:04am

Nationals

Rendon keeps on rolling deep into his first full big league season

PHILADELPHIA - It will go down as a solo homer in a 3-2 loss, but Anthony Rendon's sixth-inning longball got the Nationals back into last night's game and added to what has quietly been a really strong first full big league season. After last night's action, Rendon now is hitting .276/.336/.461 on the year, with 17 homers, 69 RBIs and 93 runs scored. He's played in 126 of the Nats' 130 games, trailing Ian Desmond by one for the team lead in that department, and his 563 plate appearances...

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Harper, LaRoche out of lineup against lefty Hamels

August 26, 2014, 11:40am

Nationals

Harper, LaRoche out of lineup against lefty Hamels

PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche will not start tonight against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. Kevin Frandsen will get the start at first base and bat eighth while Scott Hairston will start in left field and bat sixth for the Nationals. Hairston is batting .386 with five doubles, five homers and nine RBIs in 44 career at-bats against Hamels. Gio Gonzalez will face Hamels. Gonzalez is looking to build on his last start in which he pitched seven scoreless innings and only...

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LaRoche out with tight back, Wednesday time change, Roark's innings and more

August 26, 2014, 2:47pm

Nationals

LaRoche out with tight back, Wednesday time change, Roark's innings and more

For those planning to watch Wednesday night's Nationals game at Citizens Bank Park, you'll have to tune in 30 minutes later than normal. First pitch has been backed up to 7:30 p.m. because the Phillies will be honoring the Mid-Atlantic Little League champion Taney Dragons in a pregame ceremony. As for tonight, first baseman Adam LaRoche is out of the Nats lineup, but not because left-hander Cole Hamels is starting for the Phils. Manager Matt Williams told reporters in Philadelphia that...

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Williams, Harper and Ramos discuss Nats' 3-2 loss to Phillies

August 25, 2014, 6:36pm

Nationals

Williams, Harper and Ramos discuss Nats' 3-2 loss to Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - The rally magic couldn't quite carry the Nationals tonight. The Nats trailed by two runs entering the top of the ninth, and they looked like they might be piecing together another late comeback when Wilson Ramos homered with two outs and Asdrubal Cabrera delivered a pinch-hit single to extend the rally. But Nate Schierholtz grounded out sharply to short to end the game, handing the Nats a 3-2 loss in the opener of this three-game set. Here are reactions from the clubhouse...

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Burnett not allowing contact (Phillies win 3-2)

August 25, 2014, 3:43pm

Nationals

Burnett not allowing contact (Phillies win 3-2)

Right-hander A.J. Burnett is on his game after two innings. He already has three strikeouts, including the last two of the second inning. He caught both Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper looking at a called strike three. Right-hander Tanner Roark was not as fluid as he wanted to be in the first inning. He gave up a hit to Jimmy Rollins who stole second base. He also walked Ryan Howard. But he was able strike out Marlon Byrd to end the threat. Roark then rebounded with a three-up, three-down second...

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Opposite dugout: Last-place Phillies starting to play spoiler for postseason contenders

August 25, 2014, 5:55am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Last-place Phillies starting to play spoiler for postseason contenders

Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 58-72 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Marlon Byrd (.269/.317/.466, 24 doubles, 23 HR, 75 RBIs); 2B Chase Utley (.280/.349/.428, 29 doubles, 11 HR, 69 RBIs); CF Ben Revere (.314/.333/.368, 58 R, 38 SB); LHP Cole Hamels (7-6, 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 5-8, 41 runs scored, 63 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 25: A.J. Burnett vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 26: Cole Hamels vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 27: Kyle...

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Williams on Cabrera and maintaining the momentum

August 25, 2014, 1:59pm

Nationals

Williams on Cabrera and maintaining the momentum

It's difficult to find anything negative going on for the Nationals right now. The team is coming off of a near-perfect homestand, has won 13 of its last 14 games overall and currently holds a league-best eight-game division lead over the Braves. Oh, by the way, they hold the best record in the National League at 75-54. Forget half-full. The Nats' glass is practically overflowing. But despite the fact that it's been practically all sunshine and rainbows for the NL East leaders, nothing...

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LaRoche on magic number: "My advice is to keep winning"

August 25, 2014, 5:00am

Nationals

LaRoche on magic number: "My advice is to keep winning"

It felt like it happened in the blink of an eye. Eight hits in one inning. Some wondered when the Giants would be able to record an out after all the hits in a row. "I tell you what, you talk to the opposing pitchers on that, and it happens real quick," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "I've been on that end, too, unfortunately. Just keep putting pressure on them. Again it was nice to be able to pick (Stephen) Strasburg up. He had a rough start, obviously. We could easily (have)...

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Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base

August 25, 2014, 11:36am

Nationals

Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base

PHILADELPHIA - Asdrubal Cabrera, who experienced tightness in his side while swinging in yesterday's game, will not be in the starting lineup at second base when the Nationals open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Instead, Danny Espinosa will get the nod at second base. Washington's Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.80 ERA) faces Philadelphia's A.J. Burnett (6-14, 4.42 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The Nats are seeking their 13th win in 14 games. For the Nationals CF...

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Everyone contributing

August 25, 2014, 6:24am

Nationals

PHILADELPHIA - After that ridiculous homestand, the Nationals are in pretty good shape with 33 games left on their schedule. They are 21 games over .500 on the season, and hold the best record in the National League. They have an eight-game lead over the Braves in the NL East, the largest division advantage in baseball. Their largest margin at any point during 2012 was 8 1/2 games, so they aren't too far off from matching that mark. They've won 12 of 13, with yesterday's win over the Giants...

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Hearing from Strasburg, Lobaton, Hairston, Harper and Espinosa after 14-6 win

August 24, 2014, 3:00pm

Nationals

Hearing from Strasburg, Lobaton, Hairston, Harper and Espinosa after 14-6 win

It did not work out for right-hander Stephen Strasburg on Sunday, after allowing five runs on eight hits in four innings. But his teammates got back in the game and then overtook the Giants 14-6. "Yeah, it's huge. They picked me up," Strasburg said of his teammates. "Obviously, I didn't go out there and pitch like I wanted to, but there's going to be games like that and they came up big." Home runs by leadoff man Gregor Blanco and Travis Ishikawa set the tone as the Giants piled up a...

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Williams breaks down Nats' 14-6 win over Giants

August 24, 2014, 2:45pm

Nationals

Williams breaks down Nats' 14-6 win over Giants

In the fourth inning of the Nationals' finale against the Giants, the team was down 5-0 and held hitless. At that moment it was hard to predict what would happen. The Nats' bats broke out for 18 hits and scored 14 to runs to earn a series win over the Giants and finish their homestand 9-1. Stephen Strasburg was out after four innings and manager Matt Williams relied on his bullpen to complete the game. Here is what Williams told reporters following the Nats' win. On what comeback says...

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Marty Niland: Homestand for the ages shows Nats have character

August 25, 2014, 5:08am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Homestand for the ages shows Nats have character

Has there ever been a better time to be a Nationals fan? A team that some baseball experts called the biggest disappointment of the season just a few weeks ago now sits atop the National League after a 9-1 homestand for the ages - the most remarkable this team has seen since moving to town. This one wasn't quite as successful as the 12-1 run in 2005 that included the team's last 10-game winning streak. But it will take some doing to match the drama at Nationals Park in the past 10 days: five...

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Nats score 12 runs after fifth inning, stun Giants 14-6

August 24, 2014, 9:48am

Nationals

Nats score 12 runs after fifth inning, stun Giants 14-6

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg allowed another first inning run and it came from the lead off man. Center fielder Gregor Blanco launched a 3-2 95 mph fastball over the right field wall and the Giants led 1-0. It was Blanco's second career leadoff home run after hitting one at Turner Field against the Braves last season. It was also the third leadoff home run by a Giants player this season. Angel Pagan accomplishing the feat the other two times. It is the second game in a row the...

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Williams discusses Nats' 6-2 win over Giants

August 23, 2014, 4:47pm

Nationals

Williams discusses Nats' 6-2 win over Giants

The Giants held a 2-0 lead two batters in, but then Jordan Zimmermann bounced back. And the Nationals as a whole bounced back from dropping the opener of this three-game set, a defeat that snapped a 10-game winning streak. The Nats took the middle game of this series by an 8-2 score, with Zimmermann working eight stellar innings, Jayson Werth contributing two hits and two RBIs, Asdrubal Cabrera smoking a solo homer into the red seats in left-center and Denard Span again setting the table,...

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Lobaton gets start in finale vs. Giants (with Giants lineup)

August 24, 2014, 6:48am

Nationals

Lobaton gets start in finale vs. Giants (with Giants lineup)

The Nationals are seeking their fourth straight series win this afternoon. With a win over the Giants, the Nats will finish their 10-game homestand with a 9-1 record. Stephen Strasburg will face the Giants' Ryan Vogelsong. Strasburg is 2-0 with 0.60 ERA in 15 innings pitched over his last two starts. Catcher Jose Lobaton was behind the plate in both of Strasburg's previous two starts. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF...