nationals

Werth named NL Player of the Month, Souza gets reacquainted with teammates

August 04, 2014, 1:44pm

The Nationals surged for most of July with the offense igniting for the first time in a while. A lot of that offense centered around the bat of right fielder Jayson Werth. On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that Werth has been named the National League Player of the Month for July. Werth hit .337 (28-for-83) in July with 11 doubles, six home runs, 24 RBIs, 17 runs scored and 14 walks. Werth also earned the Player of the Month in July 2013, when he hit .367 with seven home runs and 22...

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McLouth lands on DL with shoulder inflammation, Souza recalled (with lineups)

August 04, 2014, 9:57am

Nationals

McLouth lands on DL with shoulder inflammation, Souza recalled (with lineups)

The Nationals placed outfielder Nate McLouth on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon, and have recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse to take McLouth's place on the 25-man roster. McLouth's DL stint is retroactive to Aug. 2. The veteran outfielder has struggled offensively this season, hitting .179 in 139 at-bats. He has stolen four bases, drawn 16 walks and played solid defense when called upon, but the playing time has been sparse of late for the 32-year-old. Souza has...

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Jayson Werth named National League Player of the Month for July

August 04, 2014, 12:40pm

Nationals

Jayson Werth named National League Player of the Month for July

Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was named National League Player of the Month for July. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon. Werth hit .337 (28-for-83) in July with 11 doubles, six home runs, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored and 14 walks to earn the second monthly citation of his 13-year Major League career. Coincidentally, Werth earned the first Player of the Month award of his career in July of 2013 (.367 average, seven home runs, 22 RBI). This July, the...

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A chance to open things up

August 04, 2014, 6:05am

Nationals

Don't look now, but the Nationals have their largest division lead since the end of the 2012 season. Yesterday's win over the Phillies coupled with Atlanta's loss to the Padres gave the Nats a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League East. That's the widest margin between a first- and second-place team in the NL. Currently, the Tigers are the only division-leading team in the majors with a larger lead. Detroit is five games up over the Royals in the American League Central. The Nats have...

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Nationals recall OF Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A, place OF Nate McLouth on 15-day DL

August 04, 2014, 10:16am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed outfielder Nate McLouth on the 15-day Disabled List (retroactive to Aug. 2) with right shoulder inflammation. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Souza, who rejoins the Nationals for his second Major League stint of the season, currently leads the International League in batting average (.354), on-base...

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Opposite dugout: Gausman on hill as hot-pitching O's look to take season series from Nats

August 04, 2014, 6:19am

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Gausman on hill as hot-pitching O's look to take season series from Nats

Manager: Buck Showalter, fifth year Record: 62-48 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: LF Nelson Cruz (.262/.332/.518, 19 doubles, 29 HR, 75 RBIs, 61 R); CF Adam Jones (.284/.311/.480, 21 doubles, 21 HR, 68 RBIs, 63 R); 3B Manny Machado (.276/.320/.432, 13 doubles, 11 HR, 28 RBIs); RHP Kevin Gausman (5-3, 3.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 14 runs scored, 11 runs allowed Pitching probable Aug. 4: Kevin Gausman vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Series breakdown The Orioles and...

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Williams recaps Nats' 4-0 win

August 03, 2014, 1:16pm

Nationals

Last night, the Nationals pounded out 11 runs and cruised to a shutout win over the Phillies. Today, the shutout victory came a little tougher. Stephen Strasburg and Cole Hamels battled it out in the finale of this four-game set, each going seven strong innings and combining to allow just one run (which was unearned). Luckily for the Nats, that run was theirs, and they added three more in the bottom of the eighth to turn a tight ballgame into a fairly comfortable 4-0 win. With the win, the...

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Opposite dugout: Nationals send Roark to hill for final '14 edition of Battle of the Beltways

August 04, 2014, 5:12am

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Nationals send Roark to hill for final '14 edition of Battle of the Beltways

Manager: Matt Williams, first year Record: 60-49 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Anthony Rendon (.280/.338/.470, 29 doubles, 14 HR, 62 RBIs, 78 R); RF Jayson Werth (.278/.365/.433, 26 doubles, 12 HR, 61 RBIs, 62 R); SS Ian Desmond (.249/.301/.425, 18 doubles, 17 HR, 66 RBIs); RHP Tanner Roark (11-6, 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 1-2, 11 runs scored, 14 runs allowed Pitching probable Aug. 4: Tanner Roark vs. Kevin Gausman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Series breakdown Instead of resting...

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Marty Niland: Resilience, luck have Nats in good position

August 04, 2014, 5:03am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Resilience, luck have Nats in good position

We've all heard that it's better to be lucky than good, but a resilient Nationals team has offered proof over the past week that it's best to be both. The Nats were clinging to a 1 1/2 game lead over Atlanta in the National League East just a week ago. Since then, they have lost four of seven games, some in spectacular spirit-crushing fashion. Yet, they have added two games to their lead over the Braves, who may be flatlining at an opportune time. Is that luck, grit or a little bit of...

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Strasburg and Span after 4-0 win over the Phillies

August 03, 2014, 1:48pm

Nationals

Strasburg and Span after 4-0 win over the Phillies

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg appeared in control throughout, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 shutout of the Phillies. Strasburg allowed just three hits, one walk and struck out 10 batters. It was the first time he struck out 10 or more hitters since his June 4 win over the Phillies (11). "Yeah, just trying to get better, working on some things with (pitching coach Steve McCatty) in the bullpen," Strasburg said. "Just getting more comfortable." What did you work on...

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Strasburg strong in subduing Phillies (Nats win 4-0)

August 03, 2014, 10:25am

Nationals

Strasburg strong in subduing Phillies (Nats win 4-0)

The two San Diego County natives square off again Sunday in D.C. as left-hander Cole Hamels faces right-hander Stephen Strasburg. It is their fourth meeting. Strasburg holds a 1.37 ERA in games against Hamels, and is 1-0 with two no decisions. Strasburg was rolling in the first two innings, recording four strikeouts. The Phillies' lone hit in three frames was a Cody Asche single. The Nationals went 1-2-3 in the first and second innings against Hamels. But Jose Lobaton reached on a fielding...

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Harper sits, Hairston in left for Phillies-Nats finale

August 03, 2014, 7:31am

Nationals

Harper sits, Hairston in left for Phillies-Nats finale

Bryce Harper is not in the starting lineup for today's series finale against the Phillies as the Nationals seek a four-game split. Harper had started the Nats' last 11 games and has appeared in all 27 contests since coming back from the disabled list on June 30. Instead, Scott Hairston is starting in left against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. Hairston has had tremendous career success versus the Philadelphia southpaw, batting .390/.432/.878 with five homers, five doubles and nine RBIs...

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Zimmermann, Rendon and Span after 11-0 shutout of Phillies

August 02, 2014, 7:51pm

Nationals

Zimmermann, Rendon and Span after 11-0 shutout of Phillies

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon had three hits, including a double and a three-run shot, with four RBIs in an 11-0 shutout of the Phillies Saturday night. Rendon needed a triple in one of his final two at-bats to hit for the cycle, but grounded out and flew out. "I heard people in the stands, 'Get the triple, get the triple.' I didn't want to. That means I've got to run more," Rendon smiled. "So I can just stop at second base." Rendon was happy to be able to get just one base...

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Rendon homers, Burnett and Sandberg tossed soon after (Nats win 11-0)

August 02, 2014, 3:35pm

Nationals

Rendon homers, Burnett and Sandberg tossed soon after (Nats win 11-0)

Friday night, manager Matt Williams repeated a famous line by actress Susan Sarandon, playing Annie Savoy in the movie "Bull Durham," where she said, 'Hit 'em where they ain't.' The Nationals had only seven hits in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Phillies, their sixth loss in the past nine games. On Saturday, the Nationals started the game by listening to Sarandon's character with a pair of base hits in the bottom of the first against Phillies right-hander A.J. Burnett. Denard Span singled...

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Williams discusses Nats' 11-0 romp over Phillies

August 02, 2014, 7:16pm

Nationals

Williams discusses Nats' 11-0 romp over Phillies

Nationals fans can't possibly find much wrong with tonight's ballgame. The Nats pounded out 14 hits, pushed across 11 runs and shut out the Phillies, earning a nice 11-0 win. Jordan Zimmermann worked seven scoreless, Anthony Rendon drove in four and came up a triple away from the cycle and Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits - including a triple - in the win. Here's manager Matt Williams after the game. On Rendon and Denard Span combining to give the Nats a lead two batters into the bottom of...

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Williams on Harper and bunting, Cabrera at second base and no pregame BP

August 02, 2014, 2:18pm

Nationals

Williams on Harper and bunting, Cabrera at second base and no pregame BP

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper had a single in his first at-bat Friday night. He grounded out to short in the fourth. His final two at-bats were strikeouts. But the last at-bat, in a critical bottom of the ninth situation with two men on and one out, Harper worked Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon to a 3-2 count before finally succumbing to a wicked splitter. Manager Matt Williams talked about what a hitter like Harper goes through as he tries to get into a better rhythm to find...

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Zimmermann faces Burnett, plus Phillies-Nats lineups

August 02, 2014, 1:31pm

Nationals

Zimmermann faces Burnett, plus Phillies-Nats lineups

In the third game of the Nationals' four-game series with the Phillies, they will be fielding the same lineup as they did for Friday night's 2-1 loss. Asdrubal Cabrera makes his second appearance since being acquired from Cleveland on Thursday. He'll again bat seventh and play second base. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is on the hill against Phillies right-hander A.J. Burnett. Zimmermann is coming off a strong start in Miami where he allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings. That...

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Nats missing Zimmerman

August 02, 2014, 6:31am

Nationals

How much can one man change how a team performs? Depends how you look at it. The facts are these: the Nationals are 33-19 when Ryan Zimmerman is in the starting lineup this season. Without him, they're 25-30. Since Zimmerman landed on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain a week and a half ago, the Nats are 3-6. In those nine games, they've scored 27 runs and haven't hit a homer. Yes, the Nats miss Zimmerman. Yes, he's a big part of their lineup, both in terms of production...

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Cabrera, Werth and Fister following 2-1 setback to Phillies

August 01, 2014, 6:47pm

Nationals

Cabrera, Werth and Fister following 2-1 setback to Phillies

New second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera went 0-for-4 in his Nationals debut, but was able to hit three balls hard and made an impressive sliding play to prevent a base hit and record the out on defense in the third inning against Jimmy Rollins. Cabrera was not able to record a hit despite three line outs. "That's baseball, man," Cabrera said. "I got to keep doing what I'm doing. Tomorrow is another day." His debut was the first time he had started at second base since 2009 and he admitted...

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Nationals answer Phillies quickly in second (Phils win 2-1)

August 01, 2014, 3:44pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has been a perfect 5-0 in five starts at Nationals Park this season. But he struggled a bit in the second inning of Friday's matchup against the Phillies. After notching the first two outs, Grady Sizemore hit a ball to deep left field. Bryce Harper was able to get a glove on the hit, but was unable to catch the ball. Sizemore was given a double on the play. Following a walk to Carlos Ruiz, Cody Asche smacked a single to score Sizemore and the Phillies led...