nationals

Werth scratched from Nats lineup (with Braves lineup)

August 09, 2014, 11:51am

ATLANTA - Jayson Werth has returned to the Nationals lineup one day after sitting out with shoulder and ankle ailments. Werth will bat third and play right field. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is still listed on the Nats' active roster one day after he crashed into the right field chain-linked fence. Tanner Roark will face Braves right-hander Aaron Harang. Bryce Harper is 4-for-8 with a double and a triple in his career against Harang. Roark is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 18 strikeouts in...

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Hearing from Williams, Strasburg and Ramos after Nats' 7-6 loss

August 08, 2014, 8:40pm

Nationals

Hearing from Williams, Strasburg and Ramos after Nats' 7-6 loss

This was very nearly the Nationals' biggest comeback of the season, a comeback that could've delivered a blow to their top division rival both psychologically and in the standings. Instead, it goes down as a 7-6 loss. The Nats trailed 6-0 after two innings and 7-0 after five, but clawed back to within one thanks largely to Anthony Rendon's three-run homer and Wilson Ramos' solo shot. They were unable to complete the comeback, however, and they see their division lead drop to 3 1/2 games...

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Souza diagnosed with shoulder inflammation

August 08, 2014, 8:34pm

Nationals

Souza diagnosed with shoulder inflammation

The Nationals' roster may have suffered another hit this evening in Atlanta. In the second inning, right fielder Steven Souza Jr., who was filling in for Jayson Werth, attempted to catch Freddie Freeman's two-run homer. Instead Souza slammed into the right field wall which is actually a chain link fence. Souza stayed in the game through the bottom of the inning, but was removed in the top of the third for Kevin Frandsen, due to shoulder inflammation. After the game manager Matt Williams...

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Baseball Prospectus evaluator examines Nats' handling of Giolito

August 09, 2014, 8:14am

Nationals

Baseball Prospectus evaluator examines Nats' handling of Giolito

Nationals top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito's record stands at 8-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts for low Single-A Hagerstown. He has pitched 88 innings and struck out 99 batters. In his most recent start on Aug. 5, Giolito allowed an early home run and a total of three runs. But he finished five innings, scattering seven hits with no walks and five strikeouts. It was his fourth straight victory. The Nationals have been determined to bring Giolito along slowly as he recovers from Tommy John...

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Nats down early to Braves (Nats fall 7-6)

August 08, 2014, 3:59pm

Nationals

Nats down early to Braves (Nats fall 7-6)

The Nationals find themselves in a hole early in Atlanta. After being retired in order in the first, Stephen Strasburg took the mound in the bottom of the inning. Strasburg retired the first two batters he faced, but then issued a walk to Freddie Freeman. Justin Upton followed with a two-run homer to center field. Strasburg then walked Jason Heyward, but struck out Evan Gattis to end the inning. The Nats trail 2-0 at the end of one inning. Update II: Strasburg's struggles continued...

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Good vibes arrive with Nationals in Atlanta for key series

August 08, 2014, 5:12am

Nationals

The Nationals are playing better baseball on both sides of the ball compared to the last time they faced off against the Braves. Especially when you consider the games in early April when Atlanta set the tone, winning five of the first six meetings between the clubs. Atlanta is in their worst spiral of the season, losers of eight straight. On July 28, the Braves were 58-48 and had won three in a row. They trailed the Nationals by 1/2 game and the D.C. squad was still trying to figure out...

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Williams on Werth, Souza, the bullpen and more

August 08, 2014, 2:28pm

Nationals

Williams on Werth, Souza, the bullpen and more

Jayson Werth is noticeably absent from the lineup for tonight's series opener against the Braves. Over the last few days, Werth has been dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries, and Nationals manager Matt Williams wanted to give the veteran a night off. This comes one night after Werth played all 13 innings in the Nats' 5-3 win over the Mets. "He's pretty banged up. He's been dealing with the shoulder, the ankle," Williams told reporters prior to Friday's game in Atlanta. "Long...

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Opposite dugout: Braves hope to halt slide with critical home series against Nats

August 08, 2014, 5:33am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves hope to halt slide with critical home series against Nats

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 58-56 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: C Evan Gattis (.279/.337/.522, 13 doubles, 17 HR, 43 RBIs); LF Justin Upton (.281/.350/.496, 27 doubles, 19 HR, 64 RBIs); RHP Ervin Santana (10-6, 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP); LHP Alex Wood (7-9, 3.20 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 7-3, 42 runs scored, 27 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 8: Ervin Santana vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7:30 p.m., MASN2 HD Aug. 9: Aaron Harang vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN2...

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A big swing yesterday and a big series beginning today

August 08, 2014, 6:35am

Nationals

A big swing yesterday and a big series beginning today

ATLANTA - Yesterday's 13-inning walk-off win over the Mets was significant for the Nationals as a whole. It probably was even more significant for Bryce Harper individually. The victory gave the Nationals a 4 1/2 game lead in the National League East, their largest advantage in the division since September 24, 2012. And now they head into their big three-game set with the Braves riding a wave of momentum. But for Harper, his opposite-field, walk-off homer might've just been the spark that...

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Werth out of lineup in Atlanta (with Braves lineup)

August 08, 2014, 12:32pm

Nationals

Werth out of lineup in Atlanta (with Braves lineup)

ATLANTA - The Nationals begin a crucial three-game series with the Braves tonight, but will be without the services of right fielder Jayson Werth. Werth has dealt with right shoulder soreness and an ankle injury in the past few days. Steven Souza Jr. will get the start in right instead and bat eighth. Asdrubal Cabrera will hit second and play second for the Nats. Stephen Strasburg will take the mound and face Ervin Santana. Strasburg has allowed just one run in 14 innings pitched over...

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Harper on his walk-off winner; Zimmermann on the seventh inning

August 07, 2014, 2:24pm

Nationals

Harper on his walk-off winner; Zimmermann on the seventh inning

Left fielder Bryce Harper hit his 46th career home run, the second walk-off homer of his career, as the Nationals beat the Mets 5-3 in 13 innings. The two-run shot off of Carlos Torres earned the Nationals their first win in the last 10 extra-inning games at home. Your browser does not support iframes. "I knew it was gone. I felt it," Harper said. "It was a ball that I thought I hit pretty well. Torres got me last night with a curveball down and in. I didn't think I would really see...

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Desmond's homer gives Nats quick lead (Harper homer wins it 5-3 in 13)

August 07, 2014, 9:13am

Nationals

Desmond's homer gives Nats quick lead (Harper homer wins it 5-3 in 13)

The rubber match between the Nationals and Mets features a pair of right-handers who have been pitching well. Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom has won five straight games while Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is coming off a dominant performance. Zimmermann went seven innings on August 2 in an 11-0 win over the Phillies. He struck out eight, walked none, allowed only five hits and no runs for his first win since June 30. In the bottom of the second, Adam LaRoche doubled to lead off...

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Social Media Weekend styled by Hair Cuttery coming up this weekend

August 05, 2014, 5:57am

Nationals Orioles

Social Media Weekend styled by Hair Cuttery coming up this weekend

We're back at it again, Orioles fans! MASN's Social Media Weekend (#masnSMW) styled by Hair Cuttery starts this Friday, Aug. 8 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. By being social with MASN, you'll have chances to win during the entire Cardinals series at the ballpark. If you plan on heading to the Yard, you could win an opportunity to swap your seats for an upgraded view! Fans who are at the Yard and tag their tweets with #SeatSwap will be eligible to win a seat upgrade courtesy of...

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Williams on Espinosa switch-hitting, Span, Rendon (Ramos reinstated)

August 07, 2014, 7:57am

Nationals

Williams on Espinosa switch-hitting, Span, Rendon (Ramos reinstated)

Second baseman Danny Espinosa hit a three-run homer Wednesday in the Nationals' 7-1 win over the Mets. The discrepancy in his splits has been well documented from the right side (.310 vs. left-handers) and the left side of the plate (.184 vs. right-handers). Espinosa said after last night's game that he wasn't against abandoning switch-hitting, but that he can't just do that midseason. Manager Matt Williams said he has seen players in the past that have been able to do that. "Sure,...

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Nationals lineup for series finale vs. Mets

August 07, 2014, 7:19am

Nationals

Jose Lobaton will once again get the start behind the plate for the Nationals this afternoon. Wilson Ramos, who has been on the Paternity List since Tuesday, is still at the hospital with his family following the birth of his first daughter. Jordan Zimmermann will take the mound for the Nats. Over his last two starts, Zimmermann is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and has struck out 14. He will be facing rookie Jacob deGrom. For the Nats CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam...

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Hearing from LaRoche, Fister and Espinosa after 7-1 rout of Mets

August 06, 2014, 7:03pm

Nationals

Hearing from LaRoche, Fister and Espinosa after 7-1 rout of Mets

The Nationals' home runs returned in a 7-1 rout of the Mets. Adam LaRoche hit a pair of homers while Danny Espinosa cranked a three-run shot. Starter Doug Fister did his part, too. He went 7 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run to post his 11th win of the season. LaRoche hadn't hit a home run since July 22. The two homers were his first at home since June 30. Did he feel any different at the plate Wednesday night? "Not really. Other than it's nice to see them go in the seats and...

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Williams on Fister, LaRoche, Espinosa and more after Nats' 7-1 win

August 06, 2014, 6:41pm

Nationals

Williams on Fister, LaRoche, Espinosa and more after Nats' 7-1 win

The division lead is now the largest it's been all season, as the Nationals' 7-1 win over the Mets combined with Atlanta's loss to the Mariners has given Washington a four-game edge in the National League East. Doug Fister went 7 1/3 strong innings today, allowing just one run on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, Adam LaRoche slugged two homers, Danny Espinosa had a three-run shot himself, and the Nats cruised to the win, making Fister 11-3 on the season. Here's manager Matt...

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Nationals go after Niese in first at-bat (Nats win 7-1)

August 06, 2014, 3:21pm

Nationals

The Nationals strung together three straight hits to jump on Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese in the first inning. Anthony Rendon doubled off the wall in right-center to start the rally. Jayson Werth connected on an RBI single and the Nationals led 1-0. Adam LaRoche followed with his 14th homer of the season, a two-run shot over the right-center field wall and the Nationals advantage increased to 3-0. Nationals starter Doug Fister set the tone with a 1-2-3 top of the first. After one inning...

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David Huzzard: Nats excelling with baserunning

August 07, 2014, 4:34am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats excelling with baserunning

The Washington Nationals have scored 4.19 runs per game, which ranks them fourth in the National League and above the NL average of 3.97 runs a game. They've done this with a below average slugging of .382 and while hitting the seventh fewest home runs in the NL. The perception still exists that the Nationals are a team perpetually waiting for the three-run homer and with hand injuries to Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth's power diminishing with age, Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche...

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Nats activate Thornton, option Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse (with lineup)

August 06, 2014, 11:21am

Nationals

Nats activate Thornton, option Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse (with lineup)

The Nationals' newest reliever has arrived in D.C. and will be active for tonight's game against the Mets. Left-hander Matt Thornton, acquired yesterday in a waiver trade with the Yankees, has been added to the Nats' roster. Right-hander Blake Treinen was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to open a roster spot for Thornton. This means the Nats will carry three left-handers in their bullpen for now. The 37-year-old Thornton joins fellow southpaws Ross Detwiler and Jerry Blevins. Thornton...