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Dietrich goes deep on Roark, Werth ties it (Walters homers, Nats win 6-3)

April 16, 2014, 4:09pm

Tanner Roark and Jose Fernandez were swapping zeroes... until Derek Dietrich stepped to the plate in the Marlins' half of the fourth. With two on and one out, Dietrich took Roark deep to right-center, breaking a scoreless tie with the three-run homer and putting the Nationals in a familiar position - comeback mode. This time, they're charged with erasing a 3-0 deficit against the Marlins ace, who has held the Nats scoreless on one hit while fanning five and walking none through four frames....

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During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)

April 16, 2014, 8:15am

Nationals

During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)

MIAMI - OK, so last night's 11-2 loss wasn't exactly the most enjoyable three hours for Nationals fans, players or coaches, but there were two moments last night that brought a smile to my face sitting next to the Nats' dugout. In the sixth inning, with the Nats down 11 runs, Steven Souza Jr. came into the ballgame, replacing Jayson Werth in right. Two innings later, Souza stepped into the batter's box at Marlins Park, took a first-pitch slider for ball one, and then scorched a 92 mph...

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A couple of issues through the season's first two-plus weeks

April 15, 2014, 10:38pm

Nationals

A couple of issues through the season's first two-plus weeks

MIAMI - There have been very few times early in Matt Williams' managerial career when we've seen or heard him legitimately frustrated about something. Last night, after watching his team drop a ballgame 11-2 to the Marlins, Williams sure sounded frustrated when discussing the Nationals' defensive play to begin the season. The Nats made two more errors last night, giving them 15 errors through 14 games this season, the most in the majors. Williams' team also has the major leagues' worst...

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Postgame reactions after Nats' 11-2 loss

April 15, 2014, 7:14pm

Nationals

Postgame reactions after Nats' 11-2 loss

MIAMI - This was most certainly one of those games a team would like to just toss out the window and forget about. The Nationals were outscored 11-2 by the Marlins tonight. They were outhit 15-2. They made two errors, giving them 15 errors through 14 games. Yup, try and forget about it and start fresh tomorrow morning. Here are postgame reactions from the Nationals clubhouse: Matt Williams: On Stephen Strasburg's rough outing, in which he allowed six runs in four innings: "I don't know. They...

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Nationals Chatter: Injury plague strikes, Williams on replay, more on Harper and Robinson

April 15, 2014, 7:28am

Nationals

Much of the past week was dominated by the Nationals' injury woes. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and center fielder Denard Span are the latest Nats to hit the disabled list. Zimmerman is expected to be out four to six weeks after fracturing his right thumb on Saturday, while Span was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list after a collision with the Braves' Dan Uggla last Friday. In between injuries, the Nats were swept by Atlanta, but got back on the winning side of things after...

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Rachel Levitin: A few thoughts about expectations

April 15, 2014, 8:32pm

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: A few thoughts about expectations

After being swept by their most formidable division rival in Atlanta over the weekend and an 11-2 loss to Miami, the Nationals are struggling to establish a steady, winning momentum. It's only April, so the standings aren't an accurate representation of where all teams will end up at the end of the season. But that doesn't mean this isn't the perfect time for a little wake-up call. When I posted up shop at a local D.C. bar for happy hour waiting for a friend, the fellow sitting next to me...

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Rendon staying healthy and delivering big hits for Nationals

April 16, 2014, 3:36am

Nationals

Remember during draft time when all the naysayers complained about Anthony Rendon and his ability to stay healthy? I do too, and I asked a professional who was there. He recollected what the apprehension was for Rendon when the Nationals selected him in 2011. Jim Callis was the executive editor for Baseball America back then. He is now the senior writer for MLBpipeline.com "He had two right ankle injuries I thought were fluky in college and thought he was the best guy in that 2011 draft,"...

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Harper, McLouth, Leon in Nats lineup

April 15, 2014, 11:41am

Nationals

MIAMI - As expected, Bryce Harper is in the Nationals lineup tonight against the Marlins, after he left last night's contest in the seventh inning after feeling some tightness in his quad. The quad issue is considered minor and is something Harper has dealt with for the last handful of days, according to manager Matt Williams. Harper will play left field tonight, with Nate McLouth playing center. McLouth was scratched from Sunday's game against the Braves due to left knee soreness, but...

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Walters homers, but Nats fall 11-2

April 15, 2014, 3:36pm

Nationals

If the Nationals are going to continue their mastery of the 2014 Marlins, they're going to have to come from behind. Three batters into tonight's game, Stephen Strasburg was down 3-0. Christian Yelich singled off Strasburg's second pitch and Marcell Ozuna followed by whackin a first-pitch fastball into left field. That brought Giancarlo Stanton to the plate and Stanton mashed a 2-1 changeup over the fence in straightaway center for a three-run homer. The Marlins are being aggressive early in...

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Rounding up the Nationals' injury udpates

April 15, 2014, 2:29pm

Nationals

I wonder which part of the "How to Be a Major League Manager" handbook covers addressing your team's injuries with the assembled media before every game. Nationals skipper Matt Williams has been spending an inordinate amount of time each day recapping the various ailments that have befallen the Nats and how players are progressing, and Tuesday in Miami was no different. So without any further ado ... Outfielder Bryce Harper's quad is fine, as is outfielder Nate McLouth's sore left knee....

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On Espinosa's strong start to 2014

April 15, 2014, 5:13am

Nationals

MIAMI - With Ryan Zimmerman out 4-6 weeks with a fractured right thumb, Danny Espinosa will be getting a good bit of playing time at second base in the near future. And while Zimmerman will be missed during his absence, the Nationals sure don't mind having Espinosa in the lineup given the way the 26-year-old is playing right now. Espinosa is 9-for-26 (.346) with four doubles, a triple, two walks, five strikeouts and a stolen base on the young season. He's reaching base at a .414 clip and...

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Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 romp over Marlins

April 14, 2014, 7:11pm

Nationals

Williams discusses Nats' 9-2 romp over Marlins

MIAMI - The frustration that might have built up over the weekend when the Nationals got swept by the Braves melted away tonight, as the Nats pounded out 11 extra-base hits, got seven strong innings from Jordan Zimmermann and routed the Marlins 9-2. Bryce Harper went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple before being pulled from the game due to what manager Matt Williams said was some minor quad tightness, Tyler Moore had three hits, including a homer, while Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendon...

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Harper on his health, Zimmermann on his outing, Leon on his first big league homer

April 14, 2014, 7:22pm

Nationals

Harper on his health, Zimmermann on his outing, Leon on his first big league homer

MIAMI - Despite being removed from the game in the seventh inning of tonight's 9-2 Nationals win, Bryce Harper says he's fine, and some minor quad tightness that he's been feeling lately won't keep him out of tomorrow's lineup. "I just fell," Harper said of the play when he dropped to the infield dirt when trying to move from second to third in the seventh inning. "Tripped on my foot. Nothing with my hamstring or my quad or anything like that. Tripped over my ankle and just ran...

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Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2014 class

April 15, 2014, 7:07am

Nationals

Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2014 class

Charles "Lefty" Driesell, Johnny Holliday, Olaf "Olie" Kolzig, Ted Lerner, George Solomon, Michael Weiss and Chris Weller will be awarded the prestigious honor before April 27 Nationals-Padres Game Seven new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored during pregame festivities prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, April 27 at Nationals Park. This year, the renowned sports club will enshrine the following inductees: *...

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Stuart Wallace: Decrease in Jordan's velocity is troublesome development

April 14, 2014, 6:38pm

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: Decrease in Jordan's velocity is troublesome development

It has been a rough start to the season for sinkerballer Taylor Jordan. An ERA a little under 5.00, a FIP a little under 4.00 and a hike in walks/nine innings (3.18 compared to 1.92 in 2013) all point to the 11-plus innings pitched so far not being kind to the young righty after an encouraging spring training that solidified his standing as the Nationals' No. 5 starter. While this tiny selection of numbers is troublesome, there is one other set of numbers that are more concerning for the...

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Nats' bats break out against Marlins (Nats win 9-2)

April 14, 2014, 3:58pm

Nationals

Nats' bats break out against Marlins (Nats win 9-2)

Apparently, there's nothing like the Miami Marlins to bring a team out of its offensive woes. Going to the bottom of the third in Little Havana, the Nationals have a 5-1 lead, with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on the mound. Zimmermann has given up a run on three hits and struck out three over two frames. In the first inning, it was Washington's extra-base power on display. Jayson Werth doubled off the top of the wall in left-center and then scored easily when Bryce Harper tripled. Tyler...

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Williams provides updates on Fister, Span, McLouth

April 14, 2014, 2:18pm

Nationals

Williams provides updates on Fister, Span, McLouth

Injured right-hander Doug Fister, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a right lat strain, threw a 50-pitch bullpen in Miami this afternoon. If he feels good tomorrow, the Nationals will work a simulated game into his upcoming rehabilitation schedule. "Fifty pitches, and he was a little winded, he told me afterward, but physically he was good," manager Matt Williams said. "Everything felt good. He's progressing. It's a very good sign for him to go through that today and have no...

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LaRoche sits, Moore in Nats starting lineup vs. Marlins

April 14, 2014, 11:31am

Nationals

LaRoche sits, Moore in Nats starting lineup vs. Marlins

MIAMI - Adam LaRoche is out of the Nationals starting lineup for the first time this season, as the Nats face off against Marlins left-hander Brad Hand tonight. The right-handed-hitting Tyler Moore will get the start at first base in LaRoche's stead. The red-hot Kevin Frandsen will bat second for the Nats tonight. Frandsen is 7-for-15 with two walks to begin the season. Bryce Harper will again play center field with Denard Span on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Frandsen will play...

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In utility role, Frandsen has to be ready for anything

April 14, 2014, 12:54pm

Nationals

In utility role, Frandsen has to be ready for anything

Before this season, Kevin Frandsen had trotted to the outfield only 14 times in 398 career games. Now, with the Nationals thin in the outfield because of injuries that sent Denard Span (concussion) and Scott Hairston (oblique strain) to the DL, and with Nate McLouth nursing a sore left knee, Frandsen is quickly becoming reacquainted with warning tracks, walls and tricky bounces in opposing ballparks. Tonight marks the veteran's third straight start in left field, but to hear Frandsen tell it,...

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Moving on to Miami

April 14, 2014, 4:54am

Nationals

MIAMI - I swear the Nationals will play teams other than the Braves and Marlins this season. It might not seem that way, given the schedule of late, but you'll have to trust me on this. The Nats open a three-game set in Miami tonight, a series that will cap off 12 straight games against the Braves and Marlins and 15 straight games against division opponents to begin the season. Given the way things went in Atlanta over the weekend, the Nats might be pretty pleased that they won't be seeing...