nationals

Roark just keeps getting the job done

June 07, 2014, 12:32am

SAN DIEGO - As pointed out by Nationals manager Matt Williams last night, right-hander Tanner Roark has now delivered nine quality starts in his 12 outings this season. A 75 percent quality start rate? Out of your No. 5 starter? Yeah, that'll do. Roark has worked into the seventh inning seven times in those 12 starts. He's allowed one earned run or fewer six times. He's struck out 61 and walked just 18 in 77 1/3 innings. His ERA on the season is down to 2.91 after last night's eight...

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X-rays negative on Rendon's hand, plus more from Nats' 6-0 win

June 06, 2014, 9:35pm

Nationals

X-rays negative on Rendon's hand, plus more from Nats' 6-0 win

SAN DIEGO - First things first - before I pass along some postgame quotes from Matt Williams after tonight's 6-0 Nationals win, here's an update on Anthony Rendon, who left the game after the fifth inning. Rendon said that Carlos Quentin's ground ball in the fourth inning, which hit him in the right hand, caused the hand to go numb initially. Rendon left the game after the fifth inning, and got an X-ray here at Petco Park, which came back negative. At least for now, the Nats can breathe a...

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Despite rough outing, Gonzalez felt rehab start was progress

June 07, 2014, 9:45am

Nationals

Despite rough outing, Gonzalez felt rehab start was progress

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez had his first rehab start for high Single-A Potomac on Friday night. Gonzalez allowed eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, but Potomac rallied with five runs in the ninth to stun Wilmington 11-10. Despite getting roughed up, Gonzalez said his arm and shoulder feel good after the start. "Good, really good," Gonzalez told reporters. "It was more fatigue. just (my) body trying to get back to where I want it to be. Arm felt great. Just need to get back to...

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Kline recaps second day of Nats' draft

June 06, 2014, 4:38pm

Nationals

On the second day of the draft, which covered rounds three through 10, the Nationals added three pitchers, three outfielders, a catcher and a first baseman. In the third round, the Nats selected high school catcher Jakson Reetz. Washington then selected three college right-handers consecutively in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds - Robbie Dickey (Binn College), Drew Van Orden (Duke) and Austen Williams (Texas State). The Nats drafted center fielder D.K. Carey (Miami) in the seventh round,...

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Fedde "expects to be competitive on the mound at all times"

June 06, 2014, 12:19pm

Nationals

Fedde "expects to be competitive on the mound at all times"

UNLV right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde said Friday that he is thrilled about the opportunity he has in front of him with the Nationals and that he's pleased to be selected in the first round, despite undergoing ligament replacement surgery Tuesday. "After Tommy John, I just was hoping going into the draft that I get selected hopefully in the first round still," Fedde said on a teleconference. "That was my expectation and hope, and I was lucky enough for that to happen." When he initially...

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Birthday blast for Rendon (Roark crafts a gem, Nats win 6-0)

June 06, 2014, 6:29pm

Nationals

Birthday blast for Rendon (Roark crafts a gem, Nats win 6-0)

Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals an early boost in San Diego by celebrating his 24th birthday in style. The third baseman absolutely crushed a two-run shot to left-center in one of baseball's biggest parks, giving the Nats a 2-0 lead with no outs in the first. Denard Span had drawn a leadoff walk from Padres right-hander Tyson Ross before scoring on Rendon's ninth homer. That continues a power surge for Rendon, who has now homered in four of the last six games, hitting four during that...

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Williams on Zimmerman in left and at third, Werth getting day off

June 06, 2014, 5:22pm

Nationals

Williams on Zimmerman in left and at third, Werth getting day off

Ryan Zimmerman's transition to playing left field has been perhaps the most discussed Nationals topic over the last couple of weeks. Zimmerman has played three games in left, recording three putouts in as many chances. Manager Matt Williams spoke extensively about Zimmerman's outfield play, his future defensive position and the possibility of playing third right now to give Anthony Rendon a day off. So how does Williams feel Zimmerman has done in left? "He's fine," Williams said. "I...

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Werth gets a day off

June 06, 2014, 2:36pm

Nationals

SAN DIEGO - Manager Matt Williams had been hoping to give Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth a day off for nearly two weeks now. He just needed to find the right time. Yesterday, with the Nationals having won four of their last five, Williams sat Desmond for the first time all season. Today, with the Nats coming off a sweep of the Phillies and facing Padres righty Tyson Ross, Williams will rest Werth and put the left-handed-hitting Nate McLouth in right field. Here's tonight's Nats lineup in...

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Fedde's college coach: "The guy sold out for me"

June 05, 2014, 8:50pm

Nationals

Fedde's college coach: "The guy sold out for me"

UNLV baseball coach Tim Chambers managed the Nationals' 2014 first round selection right-hander Erick Fedde for three seasons. He had nothing but the highest of praise for the No. 18 selection in Thursday's First-Year Player Draft. "The Nats couldn't have gotten a better kid and a better worker," Chambers said. "I've never had one like him. I want you to know that. He was with me for three years. I never told him to run, never told to throw his pen, never told him to do his bands, I...

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Rizzo on first-round selection Erick Fedde: "He is a plus-stuff guy"

June 05, 2014, 7:05pm

Nationals

Rizzo on first-round selection Erick Fedde: "He is a plus-stuff guy"

Nationals President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo talked about what the team's first-round pick Erick Fedde brings to the table. "He is a plus-stuff guy," Rizzo said. "We scouted him intensely over the last three years. He has got two plus-plus pitches and his third pitch, changeup, is on the come. We think that is going to be an above average pitch. Big physical guy. We had him towards the top of our draft board. We felt the risk of him rehabbing and coming back to pre injury form was...

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Some more draft talk and a road trip primer

June 06, 2014, 12:38am

Nationals

Some more draft talk and a road trip primer

SAN DIEGO - If it seems like the Nationals have taken a boatload of Scott Boras clients with first-round picks over the last handful of years, well, that's because they have. Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Alex Meyer and Brian Goodwin are all Boras clients who were made Nats first-round selections in the previous five drafts. If it seems like the Nats have used a few high draft picks in recent years on players with injury questions surrounding them, well, that's because...

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Nats select UNLV's Erick Fedde in first round of First-Year Player Draft (updated)

June 05, 2014, 4:57pm

Nationals

Nats select UNLV's Erick Fedde in first round of First-Year Player Draft (updated)

The Nationals selected UNLV right-hander pitcher Erick Fedde with the No. 18 selection in the First-Year Player Draft. Fehde underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday, according to media reports. The 6-foot-4, 180-lb., right-hander was highly regarded by his college coach. "Great competitor with tremendous work ethic," UNLV coach Tim Chambers said of Fedde. "He is the hardest worker I have ever coached in 27 years." Update: Fedde went 8-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 11 starts for the Rebels as a...

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Fister's flexibility aids in fourth straight win, LaRoche cranks two-run shot

June 05, 2014, 3:48pm

Nationals

Fister's flexibility aids in fourth straight win, LaRoche cranks two-run shot

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister won his fourth consecutive start Thursday in a 4-2 victory over the Phillies. It is the first time a Nationals pitcher has won four straight decisions since Jordan Zimmermann accomplished the feat in September 2013. Fister allowed only four hits for a second straight start. Fister has issued only two walks in six starts this season. But the media really wanted to ask him about how he was able to do a full splits on one ground ball at first base early in the...

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Williams looks ahead to tough road trip after Nats sweep Phillies

June 05, 2014, 3:30pm

Nationals

Williams looks ahead to tough road trip after Nats sweep Phillies

An announced crowed of 33,016 saw starting pitcher Doug Fister put on a show. The right-hander pitched seven innings, scattering four hits and surrendering two runs in the Nats' 4-2 win over the Phillies. However, Fister also showcased his athleticism off the mound with some nice plays, including going into a full split at first base. "He's a good athlete though. We saw him come off the mound a couple of times to get balls today that most pitchers don't get to, so he's a good athlete,"...

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Utley gives Phillies first lead of series (LaRoche homers, Nats win 4-2)

June 05, 2014, 12:27pm

Nationals

Utley gives Phillies first lead of series (LaRoche homers, Nats win 4-2)

The Phillies have lost five in a row and needed to at least start off their final game of the series with the Nationals well. Veteran Chase Utley answered the bell. In the top of the first, following a leadoff double by Ben Revere and a sacrifice that moved him to third, Utley delivered a run-scoring single past starter Doug Fister into center field to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead, their first of the series. Fister got out of the inning without any further damage. He is seeking his fourth...

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Harper in positive mood as rehab continues, won't rush return

June 05, 2014, 11:45am

Nationals

Harper in positive mood as rehab continues, won't rush return

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper met with the media prior to Thursday's series finale against the Phillies and appeared upbeat and in a positive mood as he recovers from left thumb surgery. Harper has been on the disabled list since April 26. "It's in a good spot right now," Harper said of his thumb. "I think every day it's getting a little bit better. Just feeling better every day." As to when the former Rookie of the Year will get back to playing baseball, Harper would not confirm...

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Williams on Desmond's day off and Zimmerman's status

June 05, 2014, 10:39am

Nationals

Williams on Desmond's day off and Zimmerman's status

Nationals manager Matt Williams gave shortstop Ian Desmond the day off in Thursday's series finale with the Phillies. It marked the first time in 58 games Desmond will not start a game for the Nationals. Williams has said for a few weeks he has wanted to give all his regulars a day off and Thursday seemed a natural spot to give Desmond the breather. Wednesday was a late game where the Nats had to start and stop because of the rain delay. "He came in last night a little tight after (the...

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Desmond gets a rare day off

June 05, 2014, 8:53am

Nationals

Ian Desmond will not be in today's starting lineup for the series finale agains the Phillies. Manager Matt Williams has been saying for the last several weeks that he wanted to give the Nationals shortstop a day off. Desmond has started all 57 of the Nats' games this season. Danny Espinosa will slide over to shortstop while Anthony Rendon will get the start at second base. Kevin Frandsen will enter the lineup playing third base. Catcher Wilson Ramos will also get the day off and Jose Lobaton...

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A step in the right direction

June 04, 2014, 10:30pm

Nationals

In their last five contests, the Nationals have recorded four wins, giving them their best five-game stretch since April 25-May 2, when they won five of six. In this span, they've outscored their opponents by a whopping 24 runs (34 runs scored, 10 runs allowed). They've put up 19 extra-base hits. They've allowed just six earned runs and have seen their team ERA drop from 3.30 after last Wednesday's loss to the Marlins to 3.11 as of today, fourth-best in the majors. They're back over .500...

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Ryan Zimmerman's fifth annual A Night at the Park to take place June 16

May 20, 2014, 1:18pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman's fifth annual A Night at the Park to take place June 16

On Monday, June 16, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will host his fifth annual A Night at the Park, presented by MASN. In addition to silent and live auctions, country singers Billy Currington and Jerrod Niemann will perform at the fundraiser. The event will raise money for Zimmerman's charity, the ziMS Foundation, which is dedicated to the treatment and the ultimate cure of Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system. Zimmerman's mother Cheryl was...