nationals

Fifth-inning rally stakes Nats to 3-0 advantage (Fister, Nats win 4-2)

July 27, 2014, 10:15am

So much for the notion that yesterday's baserunning follies were a one-game aberration. The Nationals ran themselves out of a possible rally in the first inning of today's game against the Reds, after Anthony Rendon had walked and stolen second. Jayson Werth shot a ground ball deep into the hole at short and Rendon, perhaps thinking it would sneak through, took off for third. Shortstop Ramon Santiago gloved the ball and easily caught Rendon at third base. Yesterday, a couple of baserunning...

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With right-handers on the schedule, it's time to play Walters

July 26, 2014, 6:56pm

Nationals

With right-handers on the schedule, it's time to play Walters

With more indications that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be out for most of the rest of the summer, the Nationals have a few days until the trade deadline to make a decision. Should they go out and add a bat or stand pat? Should it be an infielder with experience or another solid bench bat? Could they possibly, as Ray Knight told us on "Nats Xtra" the other night, consider a blockbuster deal to acquire Chase Utley from the Phillies? Did you see all the scouts at the Phillies game Saturday...

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Espinosa at second base, Lobaton behind plate (under way after rain delay)

July 27, 2014, 6:50am

Nationals

Espinosa at second base, Lobaton behind plate (under way after rain delay)

CINCINNATI - Danny Espinosa is back at second base today for the finale of the Nats' three-game series at Great American Ball Park against the Reds. Jose Lobaton is behind the plate, catching Nationals right-hander Doug Fister. In the seven games Lobaton has been his batterymate, Fister has worked to a 2.09 ERA and opposing batters have hit only .214. Fister will be opposed by righty Mat Latos. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond...

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Williams, Harper and Gonzalez on Nats' 1-0 loss to Reds

July 26, 2014, 3:51pm

Nationals

Williams, Harper and Gonzalez on Nats' 1-0 loss to Reds

CINCINNATI - The Nationals had some early chances, putting two on in the first and getting the leadoff hitter aboard in four of the first five innings today. They were unable to score in those spots, however, and the missed opportunities combined with a few baserunning errors led to a 1-0 loss to the Reds. The Nats ran into three outs on the bases, two by Bryce Harper, who was doubled off first base on a deep fly ball in the second and then thrown out trying to advance to third base on an...

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Frandsen starts at second base vs. Cueto

July 26, 2014, 8:38am

Nationals

Frandsen starts at second base vs. Cueto

CINCINNATI - With the Nationals facing another right-handed starter today, Matt Williams isn't using either of his switch-hitting options at second base. Instead, right-handed-hitting Kevin Frandsen gets the start at second with the Nats taking on Reds righty Johnny Cueto. Zach Walters started at second base yesterday against a righty, going 1-for-4 with an RBI double, and Danny Espinosa also could give the Nats a left-handed bat in the lineup today because of his switch-hitting ability. But...

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Zimmerman's latest injury will create playing time for reserves

July 26, 2014, 12:01pm

Nationals

Zimmerman's latest injury will create playing time for reserves

Remember early in the season when Ryan Zimmerman's fractured thumb led to some interesting lineup combinations as first-year Nationals manager Matt Williams juggled the batting order to get keep his bench players fresh? Get ready for more of the same, which should make the guys riding the pine happier. With Zimmerman landing on the 15-day disabled list because of a right hamstring strain, and the Nationals not releasing any definitive information on the severity of the injury or the timetable...

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Scoreless draw heads to fourth inning (Nats fall 1-0)

July 26, 2014, 12:54pm

Nationals

Scoreless draw heads to fourth inning (Nats fall 1-0)

Lots of zeroes on the scoreboard so far, as the Reds' gloves have done a nice job of blunting a couple of potential scoring opportunities for the Nationals. In the first, the Nats had runners on first and second with one out when Adam LaRoche struck a ball that appeared destined to sail over the head of center fielder Billy Hamilton. But Hamilton caught up to the drive and hauled it in for an out. An inning later, after Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk, Wilson Ramos crushed a ball to...

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With Roark leading the charge, Nats expand division lead

July 26, 2014, 6:12am

Nationals

With Roark leading the charge, Nats expand division lead

CINCINNATI - I love stories about athletes who seemingly came out of nowhere, players who didn't break into the pros as heralded, hyped prospects but who worked hard and maximized their ability. Tanner Roark could certainly fit into that group. And his journey over the past few years continues to look cooler with each passing start. You've heard it all by now plenty of times. Roark came to the Nationals as one piece of the Cristian Guzman deal in 2010. He lost 17 games at Triple-A Syracuse...

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Roark and Simon in rematch of May 21 battle (Nats win 4-1)

July 25, 2014, 3:26pm

Nationals

Roark and Simon in rematch of May 21 battle (Nats win 4-1)

The Nationals managed only a Denard Span home run in their last meeting with Reds right-hander Alfredo Simon. In the first inning Friday night, the Nationals managed an Anthony Rendon single and Jayson Werth was hit by a pitch. With one out, the Nationals had men on first and second. But Adam LaRoche struck out and Ian Desmond grounded out to second. But at least they made Simon work in that first inning. Simon, who had been a reliever for most of his career, is starting exclusively this...

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Williams and Roark discuss Nats' 4-1 win

July 25, 2014, 7:11pm

Nationals

Williams and Roark discuss Nats' 4-1 win

CINCINNATI - Tanner Roark keeps on grooving. And so do the Nationals as a whole. Roark worked seven strong innings tonight, allowing just one run, picking up his 10th win of the year and dropping his ERA to 2.82 on the season, and the Nats picked up a 4-1 win in the opener of this three-game set with the slumping Reds. Denard Span had four hits, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base to pace an offensive performance that saw the Nats pound out 12 hits. This was the eighth straight game...

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Williams on Zimmerman's status, Walters at second

July 25, 2014, 2:19pm

Nationals

Williams on Zimmerman's status, Walters at second

The Nationals get back to work after the off-day, starting a brutal stretch where they play 17 straight days and 33 of 34. And they'll have to go through at least a good chunk of that without third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury on Wednesday. Manager Matt Williams had nothing new about the timetable for Zimmerman's return before Friday's series opener at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. "It's really early. His plan right now is...

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Walters gets first career start at second base

July 25, 2014, 11:25am

Nationals

Walters gets first career start at second base

CINCINNATI - On Wednesday, in his first at-bat back in the big leagues after taking the roster spot of the injured Ryan Zimmerman, Zach Walters dropped a pinch-hit single into center, extending the ninth inning and nearly leading to a Nationals comeback from a four-run deficit. Today, Walters is in the Nats' starting lineup, getting his first career big league start at second base. This is Walters' fourth career start overall, and they've come at four different positions - shortstop, third...

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Span quietly putting together a strong 2014 campaign

July 25, 2014, 6:14am

Nationals

Span quietly putting together a strong 2014 campaign

CINCINNATI - The Nationals sure are catching the Reds at the right time. Cincinnati had won seven of its last nine games going into the All-Star break, sat seven games over .500 and was 1 1/2 games back of the National League Central-leading Brewers. Now, the Reds have lost six in a row coming out of the break, are just a game over .500 and sit six games back of the Brewers. Not a bad time for Matt Williams' squad to swoop into the Great American Ballpark for three games, hoping to push...

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Bullpen's success due to solid contributions from one to seven

July 25, 2014, 7:12am

Nationals

Bullpen's success due to solid contributions from one to seven

It is amazing to think about how productive the bullpen has been this season for the Nationals. Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano have been very efficient in the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Soriano is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA with 23 saves this season. Storen is 2-1 with a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings. Clippard is 6-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 42 innings. What is truly amazing is the trio's recent ability to close out games. Soriano did have one hiccup, but these numbers are nothing short...

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The Nationals lost Wednesday, and yet, Aaron Barrett earned a win

July 24, 2014, 6:34am

Nationals

In no way was it planned. The two men barely knew each other, having only had a brief conversation in the weight room after Monday night's game. Aaron Barrett had struck out Brandon Barnes that night, leaving the bases loaded with Rockies. And yesterday afternoon, those two squared off again, before the series finale between the Nationals and Rockies had even started. The contest: an on-field stand-off, to see which player could remain on the field in front of his respective dugout the...

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Opposite dugout: Winless since the break, Reds look to get back on track

July 24, 2014, 8:51am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Winless since the break, Reds look to get back on track

Manager: Bryan Price, first year Record: 51-50 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Todd Frazier (.283/.344/.488, 17 doubles, 20 HR, 54 RBIs, 15 SB); C Devin Mesoraco (.288/.359/.572, 15 doubles, 16 HR, 46 RBIs); RHP Johnny Cueto (10-6, 2.18 ERA, 0.92 WHIP); RHP Alfredo Simon (12-4, 2.74 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 10 runs scored, 13 runs allowed Pitching probables July 25: Alfredo Simon vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 26: Johnny Cueto vs. Gio Gonzalez, 4 p.m., MASN...

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Before game even started, Barrett was victorious in standoff

July 24, 2014, 5:11am

Nationals

Before game even started, Barrett was victorious in standoff

The national anthem had been sung. Most of the players had left the field. Coors Field was ready for baseball to begin. Or was it? After pregame, two players remained on the field: Brandon Barnes of the Rockies and the Nats' Aaron Barrett. Stuck in a standoff, they both refused to move from their places on the field. Before Denard Span stepped in the box, the dueling players were helped out by their teammates and were brought sunscreen, water and more. Hilarity ensued, but more...

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Rendon's extra-base capability an important asset for Nationals

July 24, 2014, 6:27am

Nationals

One main reason the Nationals have been able to get on a roll since late June has been their ability to compile extra-base hits on offense. The Nationals have gone 11-6 in July and 14-6 since June 28. The offense has averaged 5.24 runs per game in the past 17 games, totaling 89 runs. The Nats are enjoying a stretch of 23 consecutive games with at least one double dating to June 25. Third baseman Anthony Rendon has done a nice job of compiling extra base hits himself during the team's...

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Zimmerman: "To be able to deal with things like this is one of our strong suits"

July 23, 2014, 3:57pm

Nationals

Zimmerman: "To be able to deal with things like this is one of our strong suits"

After today's loss to the Rockies, Nationals manager Matt Williams was able to shed some light on Ryan Zimmerman's MRI results. Not much is known regarding a timetable for the third baseman's recovery, but Williams indicated that Zimmerman's hamstring strain isn't a minor one. "It's a pretty substantial strain of the hamstring," Williams said. "So he's going to fly with us to Cincinnati and he'll get back from there in the next day or so and start getting some work done on it with...

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David Huzzard: The Nationals and offense through the years

July 24, 2014, 5:05am

Nationals

If Nationals fans were polled on which area of the team needed to improve during the stretch run, most of them would say the offense. It would come as a surprising fact to those fans that the Nationals are third in the National League in runs per game at 4.24, but their answer isn't the least bit surprising. With the strike in 1994, baseball lost a good many fans, and in 1998, the home run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire brought in new fans. Those fans that watched baseball in the...