nationals

How a foul ball might have gotten Jayson Werth out of his recent slump

July 02, 2014, 6:09am

With last night's 7-1 win over the Rockies, the Nationals reached their highwater mark so far this season - seven games over .500. They're still a half-game behind the Braves (who have now won six straight) in the National League East, but things are definitely trending upward for Matt Williams' bunch the last few weeks. It's only one game, but things appear to be trending upward for Jayson Werth, as well, this after Werth went 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and two walks last...

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Strasburg and Werth key Nationals' series win over Colorado

July 01, 2014, 7:33pm

Nationals

The Nationals got the all-around performance they wanted from Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday. He almost was able to close out the game, leaving after 7 2/3 innings after he allowed just one run on five hits with eight strikeouts. It was a more consistent outing for Strasburg after three previous starts in which he had allowed 14 earned runs. "I just tried to execute pitches better," Strasburg said. "I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. I think I just wanted to go out there and trust my...

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Strasburg works with early advantage against Rockies (Nats win 7-1)

July 01, 2014, 3:43pm

Nationals

Strasburg works with early advantage against Rockies (Nats win 7-1)

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, as with any starter, pitches better with a lead. But it really seems to help Strasburg, who has had a tendency of giving up early runs, and then never being able to get into a groove. In his last three starts, Strasburg has allowed 14 earned runs. So having his offense give him an early advantage allows him to not have to worry about the game situation and just throw strikes. But on Tuesday, Strasburg was able to exhale early thanks to control issues...

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All-Star voting: No Nationals appear among top vote-getters

July 01, 2014, 5:00pm

Nationals

One thing is for sure: The Nationals will not have a player start in the 2014 All-Star Game. For the first time since online All-Star balloting began in early June, the Nats do not have a single player in the running for a starting gig on July 15. Bryce Harper, who has consistently appeared among the top-vote getters, was not listed in the most recent results announced on Tuesday. Harper had missed nearly two months recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, but...

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Rachel Levitin: Espinosa proves his value to Nats

July 02, 2014, 5:36am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Espinosa proves his value to Nats

It's July, it's almost the All-Star break, and infielder Danny Espinosa is still on the Nationals' 25-man roster. After being sent down to the minors in 2013, he had a choice - either embrace the situation and work harder than ever before or settle for where he'd been sent to. Espinosa chose to embrace the situation and seems to have made his way back to the majors with a reputation for being consistent defensively and occasionally productive offensively. Once 2014's spring training was...

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Williams on Strasburg's mechanics and Harper's comments

July 01, 2014, 1:22pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Matt Williams' two main topics Tuesday prior to their game against the Rockies dealt with Stephen Strasburg's mechanics and Bryce Harper's comments. Williams said Strasburg worked on his mechanics during his side session this week following his last start June 25 at Milwaukee. In that game, Strasburg allowed seven runs, all earned, on eight hits with three walks over 4 2/3 innings. The seven runs were the most he has allowed this season and the eight hits were tied for...

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Harper happy to be back on field, and a take on his center field comments

July 01, 2014, 7:16am

Nationals

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was back in the lineup Monday for the first time in 57 games. He contributed with an RBI single, a run scored and some laser-beam outfield throws. It didn't create an out that time, but his throw was Harper-like stunning for its power and force. "I just thought (Justin) Morneau came off a little hot and tried to back-door him and thought it was a good play," Harper said. "Pretty much had him." But many remembered his pregame quote where he didn't...

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A dangerous lineup, from top to bottom

July 01, 2014, 5:41am

Nationals

A lot has been made of the potential of this Washington Nationals lineup when everyone is healthy. Unfortunately for Mike Rizzo, Matt Williams and everyone associated with the Nationals, we've had the last three months to talk about that potential while players shuttled to and from the disabled list. Yesterday was the first time since the seventh inning on opening day that we got to see the planned eight starting position players in place. Wilson Ramos is now healthy, with his hamate bone...

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Nats field same lineup for second straight day, Strasburg on mound

July 01, 2014, 12:05pm

Nationals

Nats field same lineup for second straight day, Strasburg on mound

The Nationals scored seven runs in their first game with Bryce Harper back in the lineup, so they aren't messing with a good thing. Manager Matt Williams is employing the identical lineup for the second game of the Rockies series, with the only exception being right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the mound. Anthony Rendon is at second, Ryan Zimmerman is at third and Harper is in left. Strasburg will be looking to bounce back from a rough start in Milwaukee, where he allowed a season-high...

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Clubhouse chatter from Harper, Zimmerman, Desmond and Zimmermann after 7-3 win

June 30, 2014, 7:36pm

Nationals

Clubhouse chatter from Harper, Zimmerman, Desmond and Zimmermann after 7-3 win

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper returned to the lineup for the first time since April 25 and contributed an RBI single and a run scored in a 7-3 win over Colorado. He said he was really pumped up when he scored on Ian Desmond's three-run game-changing double in a five-run sixth inning. "I was fired up. I crossed the plate and looked out and Desi yelled," Harper said. "I think having such a deep lineup is huge. One through eight, pick your poison. Because you're gonna get a guy that...

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Bryce Harper and the Nationals take the field (Nats win 7-3)

June 30, 2014, 3:22pm

Nationals

It was subtle, but Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper made his presence felt early in his first game back in the lineup since April 25. Harper, who had missed 57 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb, fired a laser beam to first base after Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau connected on a base hit towards him in the first inning. The throw caught Morneau in no man's land, between first and second baseman. Because Jordan Zimmermann was covering home plate, Adam LaRoche had no one to...

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Stuart Wallace: Turning attention to Nats in the All-Star balloting

July 01, 2014, 5:03am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: Turning attention to Nats in the All-Star balloting

With the turn of the calendar from June into July, baseball collectively diverts its attention, albeit briefly, from the games on the field to the ballots for the All-Star Game, which will be played July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis. It is theoretically a matchup pitting the best of the best of each league against one another for not only bragging rights, but also for home-field advantage in the World Series (thanks, Bud Selig!). It's a heavily hyped process and endeavor, but also one...

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Harper glad to be back, but thinks Zimmerman should be playing left field

June 30, 2014, 1:14pm

Nationals

Harper glad to be back, but thinks Zimmerman should be playing left field

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is back for the first time since April 25. Harper is batting sixth and playing left field. With his team in first place on June 30, Harper is enjoying where the Nationals are as he returns from a torn ligament in his left thumb. "They played well when I was gone," Harper said. "Be able to come back and enjoy this team and enjoy being out there. It's going to be a lot fun. I am excited (to) get back out there and play and see where we are and have some...

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Williams on Harper's return, Desmond's knock, Zimmerman's defense after 7-3 win

June 30, 2014, 7:19pm

Nationals

Williams on Harper's return, Desmond's knock, Zimmerman's defense after 7-3 win

Bryce Harper returned after more than two months on the disabled list and singled, took an extra base, drove in a run, scored a run and made two aggressive, on-the-money throws. Ryan Zimmerman went back to third base for the first time since April 12 and made a dynamite play on a line drive, turning it into a double play. He also went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Ian Desmond, who has been scuffling offensively of late, got brought to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth after the Rockies...

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Zimmerman back to third base, Rendon back to second, Harper hitting sixth

June 30, 2014, 11:23am

Nationals

Zimmerman back to third base, Rendon back to second, Harper hitting sixth

The speculation can now end. Bryce Harper is back from the disabled list, and as we've speculated in recent days, that has left Ryan Zimmerman moving back to third base and Anthony Rendon back to second base. Matt Williams' first lineup with Harper back from the DL is out, and in terms of positions, it's exactly how it looked on opening day, starting pitcher notwithstanding. Zimmerman will play third base for the first time since returning from a fractured thumb nearly a month ago, and...

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Harper set to return tonight (activation official, Cedeno optioned)

June 30, 2014, 5:09am

Nationals

Harper set to return tonight (activation official, Cedeno optioned)

Finally. For the first time since the seventh inning on opening day, the Nationals will have their full roster in place today, when Bryce Harper is activated from the disabled list. Harper played in just 22 games this season before tearing a ligament in his left thumb when sliding into third base on a triple. He's missed the Nats' last 57 games, but tonight, he'll return. And on his bobblehead giveaway night, no less. Harper never really got going prior to his injury, hitting just one homer...

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Nationals activate Harper from DL, option Cedeno to Triple-A

June 30, 2014, 10:08am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated outfielder Bryce Harper from the 15-Day Disabled List, and optioned left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Harper, 21, rejoins the Nationals after missing 59 games with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. During a rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac and Double-A...

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At the halfway point

June 29, 2014, 12:48am

Nationals

You know what's weird? Having a Sunday off. Sundays are never days off in the baseball world. The only times I've had a Sunday off since I started covering the Nationals in 2012 were when football was on my television. I have futbol on my television today, but no football. I'll get past it. With yesterday's doubleheader against the Cubs now in the books, the Nationals are at the halfway point of their season. Eighty-one games have been played, and with the two wins yesterday, the Nats hold...

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Marty Niland: Grading out the Nats at the season's midway point

June 30, 2014, 4:58am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Grading out the Nats at the season's midway point

We've reached the midpoint of the 2014 season, and it's time once again to grade the Nationals on their performance so far. This year, the team stands at 43-38, a half-game behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. A year ago at this time, they were 41-40 and 6 1/2 games behind the Braves. An improvement of two wins may not seem like much, but the Nats have made much bigger gains in the individual components of their play, and appear to be on an upward curve. Starting pitching:...

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Harper crushes three home runs on road back to D.C.

June 28, 2014, 5:37pm

Nationals

Harper crushes three home runs on road back to D.C.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper slammed three homers in his fifth rehab game as Double-A Harrisburg defeated Akron 10-4. Harper has been recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb. Harper hit two of the homers off of Akron right-handed starter Duke von Schamann in the third and fifth innings. The other was a three-run shot in the eighth. Four of his RBIs on Saturday night came with two outs. He finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBIs. He also was caught stealing once...