nationals

Desmond, Werth in Nats lineup at Brewers

June 23, 2014, 11:56am

MILWAUKEE - After Sunday's game, Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated that he hoped to give shortstop Ian Desmond and right fielder Jayson Werth a day off in the near future, but it won't be today. Both Desmond and Werth are starting tonight as the Nats open a series against the National League-leading Brewers at Miller Park. Williams had noted that Desmond seems worn down. The Nats shortstop is 0-for-7 over the last two games and is batting .176 (6-for-34) with one homer, three RBIs...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez ian desmond jayson werth nationals frontstory_nationals2

Back on the road with a jolt of momentum

June 23, 2014, 5:43am

Nationals

Back on the road with a jolt of momentum

MILWAUKEE - The Nationals wake up this morning in first place in the National League East, 1 1/2 games up on the Braves, right where they were prior to the four-game set with Atlanta over the last handful of days. Looking at the standings, it's as if those four games with the Braves never happened. But they did, and while the Nats just earned a split, it felt like more than that. They had been pushed around by Atlanta over the last couple of seasons, including the first two games of that...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals featured_sidebar ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals2

Roark, Zimmerman, Stammen, Espinosa know importance of split against Braves

June 22, 2014, 1:34pm

Nationals

Roark, Zimmerman, Stammen, Espinosa know importance of split against Braves

The Nationals earned a much-needed 4-1 win over the Braves Sunday to split the series between the top two teams in the National League East. Craig Stammen got five outs in relief to help the cause and said the Nationals are too good to not be able to stay competitive with the Braves, despite their recent struggles in the series. "I think the odds were in our favor to finally win a game against them," Stammen said. "Two in a row is definitely good, we were able to split with them in a...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr craig stammen danny espinosa nationals ryan zimmerman sandy leon tanner roark featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Marty Niland: Solstice brings a potential defining moment for the Nats

June 23, 2014, 4:18am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Solstice brings a potential defining moment for the Nats

The Summer Solstice is a day of celebration in many cultures, and now Nationals fans might want to adopt it as a holiday of their own after a magical and momentous series against the Atlanta Braves. Those who paid close enough attention Saturday evening might have actually noticed the Earth tilting and the momentum shifting at Nationals Park. In the waning moments of the year's latest daylight, the Nats rolled back the tide of disappointment against the Braves, and possibly set the tone for...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Williams on Roark, Espinosa, Werth, Desmond, beating Atlanta

June 22, 2014, 2:03pm

Nationals

Williams on Roark, Espinosa, Werth, Desmond, beating Atlanta

Nationals manager Matt Williams was proud the team was able to bounce back after losing the first two games of its series with Atlanta to earn a pair of victories on Saturday and Sunday and remain atop the National League East. "After the first two, I am proud of the guys for staying in there and battling," Williams said. "We have talked about it many times - you have to have a short memory. After the first two, got two real good pitching performances and the guys battled to get some runs...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr matt williams nationals tanner roark frontstory_nationals1

Harper to begin rehab assignment Monday (plus lineups)

June 21, 2014, 12:26pm

Nationals

Harper to begin rehab assignment Monday (plus lineups)

Bryce Harper will begin a rehab assignment Monday at Single-A Potomac, a source confirmed this afternoon. Harper had said he likely wants to play seven to nine rehab games. The news of Harper being cleared to begin rehab was first reported by Ken Rosenthal. The Nationals outfielder has been on the disabled list since April 26 as he recovered from surgery to repair a torn left thumb ligament. Harper hit .289 with one homer and nine RBIs in 22 games before the injury. As for tonight, Doug...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko nationals frontstory_nationals2

Roark on mound for series finale vs. Braves (plus lineups)

June 22, 2014, 7:02am

Nationals

Roark on mound for series finale vs. Braves (plus lineups)

The Nationals are fielding the majority of their regular lineup with a chance to split their four-game series with the Braves this afternoon. The only change from yesterday is Sandy Leon starting behind the plate a day game after a night game. Right-hander Tanner Roark is on the mound looking to continue an extended run of strong pitching. The 27-year-old hasn't surrendered more than three runs since May 3 for a streak of eight straight starts with three earned runs or fewer. During that...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals sandy leon tanner roark

Nationals hit Santana and Braves early to grab lead (Nats win 4-1)

June 22, 2014, 10:00am

Nationals

Braves right-hander Ervin Santana has lost two in a row, to the Rockies and the Phillies. He has given up 10 runs, nine of them earned during those stints. He came in 0-0 with a 3.67 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals, allowing 11 runs and 24 hits in 27 innings with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks. On Sunday, the Nationals jumped on him quickly in the first inning. After almost plunking the hot-hitting Anthony Rendon on his first delivery, Santana walked him. Jayson Werth followed...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals tanner roark frontstory_nationals3

Williams impressed with how Fister "controlled the strike zone"

June 21, 2014, 7:37pm

Nationals

Williams impressed with how Fister "controlled the strike zone"

Nationals manager Matt Williams was impressed with Doug Fister's 117 pitches over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 shutout of the Braves Saturday night and what it meant to a tired bullpen. "Really good. Picked up the bullpen," Williams said. "We pushed his pitch count a little bit, but he felt great. Pitched really well. Controlled the zone all night." Williams said Fister's start prevented the Braves from getting going because he forced the issue with good command. "Just that he...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr doug fister matt williams nationals wilson ramos frontstory_nationals1

Hearing from Rendon, Fister, Zimmerman and Lobaton after 3-0 win over Braves

June 21, 2014, 7:12pm

Nationals

Hearing from Rendon, Fister, Zimmerman and Lobaton after 3-0 win over Braves

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon continued his clutch hitting in the last two games with a 3-for-4 performance, with a double and two RBIs in a 3-0 shutout of the Braves. "It was good. We executed the small things," Rendon said. "Small ball comes into play. That is how you play the game." Winning pitcher Doug Fister went eight innings and threw 117 pitches, allowing no runs on five hits. Fister continued his trademark quick work, wasting no time on the mound between pitches. "We...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr doug fister jose lobaton nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Williams updates Harper rehab, Ramos heading on rehab assignment and more

June 21, 2014, 1:16pm

Nationals

Williams updates Harper rehab, Ramos heading on rehab assignment and more

While multiple reports, including one on this very website, have said that Bryce Harper will head out on a rehab assignment Monday to Single-A Potomac as he works back from a torn ligament in his left thumb, Nationals manager Matt Williams wasn't able to confirm those reports this afternoon. "At some point during the next road trip, he'll go out," Williams said. That could be Monday, it could be Friday, Williams said. But once Harper does start his rehab assignment, he'll ease into...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko matt williams nationals wilson ramos featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals look to get on the board in series vs. Braves (Nats win 3-0)

June 21, 2014, 3:33pm

Nationals

The Nationals step into Game 3 of their series against the Braves searching for a win. They have not defeated Atlanta since a 2-1 win on April 6. Starter Doug Fister got out a jam in the first inning with some sterling defense from second baseman Danny Espinosa. With men on first and third and two out, Espinosa grabbed Jason Heyward's hot shot right up the middle and flipped to shortstop Ian Desmond covering the bag at second to get Freddie Freeman. Atlanta did not score in the inning. The...

Comments

Tags:

braves byron kerr doug fister nationals frontfeatured_nationals

Trying to pull positives from the defeat

June 21, 2014, 12:01am

Nationals

Trying to pull positives from the defeat

There were some positives in last night's ballgame that the Nationals pointed to in the late hours of Friday night after their 13 innings with the Braves were through. They had come back to tie the game in the ninth inning against Craig Kimbrel, arguably the top closer in the majors, a guy who has a 1.25 ERA and 113 saves since the start of the 2012 season. Anthony Rendon's two-out, two-run homer off Kimbrel knotted things up at 4-4 in the ninth and gave the Nats life. "We came back against...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals adam laroche featured_sidebar matt williams

Hearing from Blevins, Rendon, Strasburg and LaRoche

June 20, 2014, 8:45pm

Nationals

Hearing from Blevins, Rendon, Strasburg and LaRoche

Third baseman Anthony Rendon smacked a dramatic two-run homer in the ninth Friday that erased Atlanta's lead and tied the game at 4-4. The Braves ended up winning the game 6-4 in 13 innings. Rendon's blast came against the Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, who arrived with 21 saves. "I was just looking for a ball to barrel up and that one just happened to go out, and we just couldn't get it done in extra innings," Rendon said. "I just try to see the ball. Try not to do too much. He is...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche anthony rendon byron kerr jerry blevins nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals2

Even vs. Strasburg, Braves start with upper hand (Atlanta wins 6-4 in 13th)

June 20, 2014, 3:19pm

Nationals

Even vs. Strasburg, Braves start with upper hand (Atlanta wins 6-4 in 13th)

The Nationals need their stopper to come through. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is attempting to slow the Braves roll against his team. The Nationals have lost four straight against the Braves, and six of their last seven overall. I won't mention 2013. You're welcome. Strasburg has made 13 starts against Atlanta. His last win against the Braves was August 21, 2012. The Braves got the first run of the game again. In the first inning with two outs, Freddie Freeman launched a long fly ball...

Comments

Tags:

braves byron kerr nationals stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Williams won't let recent difficulty against Braves cloud preparation

June 20, 2014, 1:55pm

Nationals

Williams won't let recent difficulty against Braves cloud preparation

The Braves have now won six of the first seven games against the Nationals this season following Thursday's 3-0 series-opening win. The Nationals have lost four straight against Atlanta, with their only victory a 2-1 decision April 6. Nationals manager Matt Williams said he takes the series with the Braves one game at a time and will not let the recent downslide against Atlanta cloud his team's preparations for tonight. Williams said Gavin Floyd's curveball last night was as one reason why...

Comments

Tags:

braves bryce harper byron kerr matt williams nationals wilson ramos frontstory_nationals3

Nats lineup for Game 2 vs. Braves

June 20, 2014, 11:48am

Nationals

The Nationals are looking to get back in the win column tonight after dropping last night's series opener to the Braves. Tonight's starter, Stephen Strasburg, has recorded 11 consecutive quality starts. For the Nats: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche LF Ryan Zimmerman SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jose Lobaton RHP Stephen Strasburg

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals

Trying to find a reason for the troubles against Atlanta

June 19, 2014, 9:08pm

Nationals

Trying to find a reason for the troubles against Atlanta

The Nationals came into this four-game series against the Braves having won 12 of their last 16 games. They sent Jordan Zimmermann, a guy who had allowed just one run in his last 26 innings, to the mound last night. The Braves entered the series losers of 13 of their previous 21. They had just gotten swept by the Phillies in Atlanta, and were playing last night's game without left fielder Justin Upton, who didn't start because of dizziness. Even though a number of factors seemed to be in...

Comments

Tags:

braves dan kolko nationals adam laroche featured_sidebar ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals2

Nats agree to terms with 24 player selected in First-Year Player Draft

June 20, 2014, 9:06am

Nationals

Nats agree to terms with 24 player selected in First-Year Player Draft

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 24 players selected in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft: catcher Jakson Reetz (third round), right-handed pitcher Robbie Dickey (fourth round), right-handed pitcher Drew Van Orden (fifth round), right-handed pitcher Austen Williams (sixth round), center fielder Dale Carey (seventh round), right fielder Matthew Page (10th round), right-handed pitcher Weston Davis (11th round), right-handed pitcher Domenick Mancini (12th round), third baseman...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Harper crushes homers in batting practice, Williams details rehab progression

June 19, 2014, 2:42pm

Nationals

Harper crushes homers in batting practice, Williams details rehab progression

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper completed batting practice Thursday prior to the team's game against the Braves. Harper came out of it with a positive update on his thumb. He has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a left thumb sprain. "I feel good," Harper said. "But still trying to see where my swing's at and trying to get in shape in the outfield. And just trying to feel how I go about everything every single day and try to get a strong as I can." Manager Matt Williams said...