nationals

LaRoche optimistic he'll be able to return from DL when eligible

May 17, 2014, 10:04am

When Adam LaRoche went to stretch his strained right quad on Friday, the soreness that had been such a hindrance was gone. And that progress has the Nationals first baseman hoping that when he's eligible to come off the disabled list on May 25, he'll be able to do so. "They were optimistic early on with the 15 days, saying, 'Hey, it could very well be gone or obviously it might not be,' " LaRoche said Saturday at Nationals Park. "They acted like there was a really good chance with...

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Gonzalez looks to get back on track vs. Mets

May 17, 2014, 8:03am

Nationals

Gonzalez looks to get back on track vs. Mets

Gio Gonzalez looks to get back on track this afternoon against the New York Mets. In his last start on Sunday against the Athletics, Gonzalez lasted just 4 1/3 innings, gave up nine hits, seven earned runs and walked three. Gonzalez earned his first win this year against the Mets on April 2 in the Nationals' second game of the season. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 1B Tyler Moore LF Nate McLouth LHP Gio...

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Nats continue to crush lefties

May 17, 2014, 6:24am

Nationals

Mets starter Jon Niese went into yesterday's outing with a 1.67 ERA in 32 1/3 career innings at Nationals Park, with 33 strikeouts and two walks. Those numbers might've inspired some confidence in the 27-year-old starter. Niese got rocked for five runs on eight hits in just four innings, however, thus continuing a recent trend of Nationals hitters demolishing left-handed pitching. After last night's win, the Nats are hitting .286 with a .339 on-base percentage and .434 slugging percentage...

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Williams on Werth's dramatic catch, Soriano's ninth inning, Nats' 5-2 win

May 16, 2014, 7:34pm

Nationals

Williams on Werth's dramatic catch, Soriano's ninth inning, Nats' 5-2 win

What was looking like a quiet 5-2 victory suddenly turned a bit more interesting in the bottom of the ninth, when Rafael Soriano issued two two-out walks and Daniel Murphy sent a fly ball high to right field. Jayson Werth leaped at the wall, made a catch that may or may not have saved the game from being tied, and then dropped a "Mean Girls" reference at me immediately after the dramatic win was complete. Quite a finish. Your browser does not support iframes. The Nationals escaped with the...

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Werth and Ramos on 5-2 win over the Mets

May 16, 2014, 7:41pm

Nationals

Werth and Ramos on 5-2 win over the Mets

The Nationals returned home with a 5-2 victory over the New York Mets, thanks to timely hits by Jayson Werth, Scott Hairston and Tyler Moore. Wilson Ramos also had a big RBI sac fly and scored a run in support of winning pitcher Tanner Roark. Werth went 2-for-4 with a first inning run-scoring single. But his catch at the right field wall to prevent a three-run shot by Daniel Murphy, that would have tied the contest in the ninth inning, turned into a game-changing moment. "When it was hit, I...

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Dobbs fills Nats' need for veteran left-handed bat off bench

May 16, 2014, 1:22pm

Nationals

Dobbs fills Nats' need for veteran left-handed bat off bench

The Nationals needed a veteran left-handed hitter off the bench, and Greg Dobbs was out of work and looking for a job. Four days after signing a minor league deal with the Nats, and after a few days of working to regain his timing in extended spring training at Viera, Fla., Dobbs is back in the majors. The Nationals selected his contract from Triple-A Syracuse earlier today and he's in uniform for the opener of a three-game series against the Mets tonight. "It's been a whirlwind," Dobbs...

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Zimmerman, Harper headed for visits with doctors (plus Ohlendorf, Jordan updates)

May 16, 2014, 1:46pm

Nationals

Zimmerman, Harper headed for visits with doctors (plus Ohlendorf, Jordan updates)

Two injured Nationals are due for doctor's visits next week to have their progress assessed. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right thumb, is due for an X-ray on Monday, roughly the five-week mark since sustaining the injury. "Once the doctor clears him, he can start all of his strengthening exercises," manager Matt Williams said Friday afternoon. Zimmerman can run and catch throws now, but can't yet put any stress on the joint, which has been...

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Nats give Roark an early 3-0 lead (Nats win 5-2)

May 16, 2014, 3:35pm

Nationals

Nats give Roark an early 3-0 lead (Nats win 5-2)

It didn't take long for the Nationals to break through against Mets lefty Jonathon Neise. An RBI single by Jayson Werth, a Wilson Ramos sac fly and a run-scoring ground ball off the bat of Tyler Moore have staked right-hander Tanner Roark to a 3-0 lead after one inning. Right from the start, Neise struggled. He allowed a leadoff single to Denard Span, watched as third baseman David Wright booted Anthony Rendon's grounder and served up a run-scoring single to left to Werth. Both Werth and...

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Nats add Greg Dobbs to active roster, option Leon

May 16, 2014, 9:29am

Nationals

Nats add Greg Dobbs to active roster, option Leon

The Nationals made a roster move to tweak their bench today, selecting the contract of infielder/outfielder Greg Dobbs from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning catcher Sandy Leon to the Chiefs. Minor league outfielder Eury Perez was recalled from Syracuse and placed on the 60-day disabled list with a left toe fracture. Dobbs will take his spot on the 40-man roster. Dobbs was signed to a minor league deal four days ago. The 35-year-old is a career .262 hitter spanning 11 seasons with the Marlins,...

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Lineups for Friday's Mets-Nationals opener

May 16, 2014, 11:27am

Nationals

With left-hander Jonathon Neise on the mound for the Mets, Scott Hairston will return to left field for tonight's opener of a three-game series at Nationals Park. Right-hander Tanner Roark starts for the Nationals in the 7:05 p.m. For the Mets LF Eric Young Jr.2B Daniel Murphy3B David WrightCF Curtis GrandersonRF Bobby Abreu1B Lucas DudaC Anthony ReckerSS Ruben TejadaLHP Jonathon Niese For the Nationals CF Denard Span3B Anthony RendonRF Jayson WerthC Wilson RamosSS Ian DesmondLF Scott...

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Nationals select contract of 1B/3B Greg Dobbs, option C Sandy Leon to Syracuse

May 16, 2014, 9:22am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected the contract of first baseman Greg Dobbs, optioned catcher Sandy Leon to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and recalled outfielder Eury Perez from Syracuse and placed him on the 60-Day Disabled List (left toe fracture). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The left-handed hitting Dobbs is a career .262 (542-for-2069) with 105 doubles, 46 home runs and 272 RBI in 938 games spanning 11...

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Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo

May 13, 2014, 2:01pm

Nationals

Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo

PHOENIX - The Nationals face veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo tonight here at Chase Field in the second game of this three-game set against the Diamondbacks. Manager Matt Williams is going with Kevin Frandsen in left field today, this after Frandsen slugged a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth last night. Stephen Strasburg makes his ninth start this season, looking to improve upon his 3-2 record and 3.42 ERA. Arroyo is also 3-2 this season, but sports a 4.89 ERA. He started the...

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Williams discusses Nats' 3-1 loss

May 13, 2014, 8:44pm

Nationals

PHOENIX - Stephen Strasburg pitched pretty well tonight, allowing three runs over seven innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Bronson Arroyo was better, however, throwing his 16th career complete game, allowing just one run, walking one and striking out seven. The Nationals had a few chances against Arroyo, but outside of Ian Desmond's RBI triple in the second inning, they weren't able to push anything across. The D-backs tied it up in the fourth on Miguel Montero's RBI single and...

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Fister gearing up for round two in a Nats uniform

May 14, 2014, 12:43am

Nationals

Fister gearing up for round two in a Nats uniform

PHOENIX - As Doug Fister's Nationals debut approached last week, manager Matt Williams cautioned that fans shouldn't expect too much in the big right-hander's first start of the season. After all, not only was it the first time Fister was taking the mound in a regular season game this season, but he was coming off six weeks on the disabled list with a strained right lat. Add in that Fister was likely going to be a little fired up for his first start in a Nationals uniform, and we all knew...

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Desmond hitting cleanup, McLouth in left for series finale

May 14, 2014, 8:43am

Nationals

Desmond hitting cleanup, McLouth in left for series finale

PHOENIX - The Nationals will try to end their six-game road trip on a winning note. Ian Desmond will be batting cleanup while Nate McLouth will hit eighth and play left field in the series finale against the Diamondbacks. Doug Fister will make his second start of the season. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 1B Tyler Moore C Jose Lobaton LF Nate McLouth RHP Doug Fister

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We have a pitchers' duel in the desert (Nats win 5-1)

May 14, 2014, 12:29pm

Nationals

We have a pitchers' duel in the desert (Nats win 5-1)

We've got a pitchers' duel in Arizona. After scoring a combined 15 runs in the last two games, the Nationals and Diamondbacks are scoreless through three innings. Doug Fister has thrown 52 pitches, allowing three hits and striking out four in three innings. Three of Fister's outs have come via the groundball, which is a good sign for the Nats' sinker ball pitcher. Fister's counterpart on the mound, Brandon McCarthy, has not allowed a hit and has struck out two through three. Update:...

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Williams, Fister and Desmond weigh in on Nats' win over Diamondbacks

May 14, 2014, 3:20pm

Nationals

Williams, Fister and Desmond weigh in on Nats' win over Diamondbacks

After falling behind in today's series finale, the Nationals were on the verge of returning to D.C., with a 1-5 record from their six-game road trip. To say today's game was a must-win might be a little exaggerated, but boy was it important. The Nats capitalized on seven strong innings from Doug Fister and a bases-loaded hit from Ian Desmond in the top of the ninth for to beat the Diamondbacks 5-1. Denard Span's leadoff walk in the ninth started the Nats' rally. Anthony Rendon then...

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Williams: Desmond getting better defensively, doesn't need days off

May 15, 2014, 7:26am

Nationals

Williams: Desmond getting better defensively, doesn't need days off

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond had a home run early in the Arizona series. On Wednesday, he delivered a clutch two-run single to put the Nationals ahead for good in a 5-1 series-clinching victory over the Diamondbacks. He finished with five RBIs in the three-game set. Thursday marks a rare day off for Desmond. Despite this week's recent uptick at the plate, does manager Matt Williams believe Desmond needs a day or two off? "I want to give him some time, but we have had a lot of off-days,"...

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At the quarter pole

May 14, 2014, 10:53pm

Nationals

Hello, East Coast. Nice to see you again. It seems like we haven't had an off-day at home in years. In reality, it's been five weeks. But still, nice to be home, get to sleep in your own bed and relax for a day. The Nationals come back to the area with a 21-19 record, now trailing the Braves by 1 1/2 games in the National League East. Not where they'd like to be, for sure. But yesterday's big comeback win, their 12th come-from-behind victory of the season, gave them a series win on the road...

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David Huzzard: Time to let pitching carry injured Nats

May 15, 2014, 4:39am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Time to let pitching carry injured Nats

With Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper out, the Nationals are missing three of their best hitters, and in the cases of LaRoche and Zimmerman, they are missing the two highest OPS players on the team. While the addition of Kevin Frandsen, the emergence of Zach Walters and the resurgence of Danny Espinosa have improved the Nationals bench with so many key offensive weapons missing, it is like putting a band-aid on a bullet hole. Scoring runs is going to be a daily struggle for the...