nationals

Marty Niland: Flashing back to happier times after a lost weekend

April 14, 2014, 5:09am

The Academy Award-winning film "The Lost Weekend" details an alcoholic's troubles in giving up his bad habits during an especially rough weekend. Sound familiar, Nationals fans? There will be plenty of time to reflect on the Nats' lost weekend in Atlanta. The injuries, the errors, the baserunning mistakes and all their other failures in their sweep at the hands of the Braves will no doubt be analyzed ad nauseum in the coming days. Where we choose to begin today, however, is the part of the...

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Hearing from Harper, Desmond and McLouth

April 13, 2014, 1:33pm

Nationals

Hearing from Harper, Desmond and McLouth

Bryce Harper can't explain why the Nationals struggle against the Braves, nor is the slugging outfielder really concerned with Atlanta's early-season dominance. Going 1-5 against one club during the first two weeks of the regular season isn't any reason to panic, Harper said after the Nats were shellacked 10-2 at Turner Field on Sunday, with the Braves finishing off a weekend sweep. "It sucks coming here to lose," Harper said. "Nobody wants to lose. But like I said, it's part of the...

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After weekend sweep in Atlanta, Williams' focus is firmly on the future

April 13, 2014, 1:28pm

Nationals

After weekend sweep in Atlanta, Williams' focus is firmly on the future

Through a quirk in the schedule, the Nationals won't play the Braves again until June 19, when Atlanta comes to D.C. for a four-game series. Washington doesn't return to Turner Field until Aug. 8. After being swept this weekend by the homestanding Braves, it's a good bet manager Matt Williams won't be critical of the schedule-maker. Maybe by the time they next face one another, the Nationals will be healthier, playing better defense and will have figured out a way to beat the Braves. By...

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Braves rake Gonzalez early, lead 6-0 (Nats lose 10-2)

April 13, 2014, 10:21am

Nationals

Braves rake Gonzalez early, lead 6-0 (Nats lose 10-2)

It didn't take long for the Braves to get to Gio Gonzalez. Atlanta took a 3-0 lead over the Nationals in the first inning. Gonzalez issued a leadoff walk to Jason Heyward, and then threw away a bunt attempt by B.J. Upton, placing runners at second and third with no outs. Freddie Freeman followed with a sac fly and Justin Upton homered to center for a 3-0 lead. Andrelton Simmons then tripled, but was stranded at third. In the second, Tyler Pastornicky tripled into the right field corner and...

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Zimmerman hits DL, Walters recalled from Triple-A (plus updated Nats lineup)

April 13, 2014, 7:08am

Nationals

Zimmerman hits DL, Walters recalled from Triple-A (plus updated Nats lineup)

ATLANTA - Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Nationals this morning with a broken right thumb and is expected to be out for four to six weeks. While the Nats will miss their slugging third baseman, they'll at least get right fielder Jayson Werth back in the starting lineup this afternoon for the 1:35 p.m. series finale against the Braves. Werth tweaked his groin in Friday's loss to the Braves, and was out of yesterday's starting lineup, though he pinch-hit. To take...

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Zimmerman, Span talk about their injuries

April 13, 2014, 8:47am

Nationals

Zimmerman, Span talk about their injuries

So much for Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's sizzling April at the plate. Zimmerman, who was hitting .364 with two home runs and six RBIs in his first 10 games, will be lost for four to six weeks with a fractured right thumb. He suffered the injury Saturday night, diving back to second base on a pickoff throw where he was tagged out by Atlanta shortstop Andrelton Simmons. "I probably have more hits this April than I've had my whole career," Zimmerman said Sunday morning after being...

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Rizzo on injuries, Fister's progress, struggles against Braves

April 13, 2014, 9:23am

Nationals

Rizzo on injuries, Fister's progress, struggles against Braves

While fans may lament the Nationals' early-season injury problems, general manager Mike Rizzo thinks having multiple key players on the disabled list gives his team a chance to show the depth it added in the offseason. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (broken right thumb) today joined outfielders Denard Span (concussion) and Scott Hairston (left oblique strain), pitcher Doug Fister (lat strain) and catcher Wilson Ramos (broken hamate bone) on the DL. "We feel as good as we can be with the glut of...

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Replay ruling in 6-3 loss frustrates Nationals

April 13, 2014, 5:15am

Nationals

ATLANTA - If you're getting frustrated by the new instant replay system in Major League Baseball, it might make you feel slightly better to know that you're not the only one. The frustration extends to the Nationals clubhouse, especially after last night's 6-3 loss to the Braves, when the Nats felt they had challenged a call that would be overturned, only to see the umpires stick with the ruling on the field. In the top of the third inning, with a runner on first and the Nats trailing 4-1,...

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Zimmerman out 4-6 weeks with fractured right thumb

April 12, 2014, 7:53pm

Nationals

$Zimmerman out 4-6 weeks with fractured right thumb$

ATLANTA - Add Ryan Zimmerman to the list of injured Nationals. Zimmerman fractured his right thumb in tonight's 6-3 loss to the Braves, an injury that will knock the Nationals' third baseman out for four to six weeks, according to manager Matt Williams. "It is what it is. Nobody's going to feel sorry for us," Williams said. "Gotta play." Zimmerman injured the thumb while trying to dive back into second base on a pickoff attempt in the fifth inning. Braves starter Alex Wood's throw...

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Nationals select right-hander Blake Treinen & recall outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse, option Aaron Barrett & place Denard Span on 7-day disabled list

April 12, 2014, 1:08pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett there. Additionally, the team recalled outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and placed outfielder Denard Span on the 7-day Disabled List with a concussion. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Treinen, 25, made one start for Triple-A this season (April 7 vs. Pawtucket), tossing five...

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Nats place Zimmerman on DL, recall Walters from Triple-A Syracuse

April 13, 2014, 6:27am

Nationals

Nats place Zimmerman on DL, recall Walters from Triple-A Syracuse

The Washington Nationals today recalled infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Syracuse and placed third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-day Disabled List with a right thumb fracture. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Walters has worked to a .290 batting average in nine games for Triple-A Syracuse this season, with a .303 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage. He's clubbed three doubles and a triple, and driven in three...

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Postgame reactions after Nats' 6-3 loss

April 12, 2014, 8:23pm

Nationals

ATLANTA - The Nationals dropped another one to the Braves tonight, a 6-3 defeat, marking the fourth loss in five tries against Atlanta for Matt Williams' club this season. Here are some postgame reactions from the clubhouse on the defeat, the Nats going 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position, Ryan Zimmerman's injury and the string of loses to the Braves: Anthony Rendon On Ryan Zimmerman's injury: "Terrible. I know how he feels. Luckily it wasn't 4-6 months. I've been through that....

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Jordan off to rough start (Zimmerman removed, Nats lose 6-3)

April 12, 2014, 3:34pm

Nationals

Jordan off to rough start (Zimmerman removed, Nats lose 6-3)

The Upton brothers have struck again. Taylor Jordan gave up an early 1-0 Nats lead in the first inning after allowing a solo homer to Braves outfielder B.J. Upton. Jordan then allowed a single to Freddie Freeman. One out later, Justin Upton doubled home Freeman to give the Braves a 2-1 lead. Dan Uggla and Evan Gattis then followed with doubles of their own. The Braves lead 4-1 after one inning. The game got off to a promising start for the Nats as second baseman Anthony Rendon led off the...

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Williams on Span, Barrett and Werth

April 12, 2014, 2:36pm

Nationals

The Nationals revealed before Saturday's game that outfielder Denard Span is dealing with concussion symptoms. Span collided with Braves second baseman Dan Uggla late in Friday's game and has been dealing with a mild headache since, according to manager Matt Williams. "Given his history we thought certainly erring on the side of caution to go ahead and get him on the seven-day concussion disabled list," Williams said before Saturday's game in Atlanta. The Nats center fielder has...

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Reflecting on a tough loss to a tough division opponent

April 11, 2014, 10:39pm

Nationals

Reflecting on a tough loss to a tough division opponent

ATLANTA - Last night's game had it all. And then some. Ryan Zimmerman was nearly decapitated by a broken bat, then started a 5-4-3 double play after letting the splintered barrel fly over his head. A ball in play drilled second base umpire Angel Hernandez. Denard Span and Dan Uggla collided between first and second base. Adam LaRoche tried to score from second on a wild pitch and nearly made it. Multiple manager/umpire conversations on close calls. Multiple blown leads. Wackiest game I've...

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Treinen called up, Barrett sent down, Souza on lineup card, Span not (updated)

April 12, 2014, 12:26pm

Nationals

Treinen called up, Barrett sent down, Souza on lineup card, Span not (updated)

ATLANTA - Coming off Friday night's extra-inning loss to the Braves, one that was especially taxing to the Nationals bullpen, the team has made at least one roster move before tonight's contest. Right-hander Blake Treinen is in the building and will be called up for the first time in his career. Right-hander Aaron Barrett will be optioned, but said the Nats told him they hope to bring him back up in about 10 days - the minimum time required before recalling a player after he's sent down...

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Werth, Span out of Nats lineup

April 12, 2014, 11:35am

Nationals

ATLANTA - Jayson Werth, who left last night's game with a tightness in his groin, is out of the Nationals lineup today. Also out of the lineup is Denard Span, who will sit today with the Braves starting left-hander Alex Wood. Werth was pulled from last night's game in the 10th inning, and manager Matt Williams said after the game that Werth would be reevaluated today. We'll wait to get an update on his status. Bryce Harper will play center field today for the Nats, with Nate McLouth...

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Barrett perfect addition as Nationals prepare to take on Braves' stingy bullpen

April 11, 2014, 9:41am

Nationals

Nationals right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett is right in the middle of quite a run. Let's begin with spring training. Barrett played in 10 games and finished 10 2/3 innings without allowing a run. He gave up only five hits, struck out eight and walked none. Opposing hitters batted .147 against him. Now nine games into the 2014 regular season, teams are befuddled by Barrett and his stuff. He started it all with three amazing outs on opening day at New York. In the bottom of the ninth, he...

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Clippard discusses his early struggles, issues with Braves

April 12, 2014, 8:26am

Nationals

Clippard discusses his early struggles, issues with Braves

ATLANTA - It could easily be argued that Tyler Clippard was one of the more dominant late-inning relievers in the league last season. Clippard posted a 2.41 ERA in 72 games, had a 3.04-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and allowed just 37 hits in 71 innings. Yeah, 37 hits allowed in 71 innings. This season, things haven't started so smoothly for Clippard. The Nationals right-hander has allowed four runs in seven appearances, has already walked four batters and has surrendered two homers. Two of the...

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Williams discusses Werth's injury, Nats' nutty 7-6 extra-inning loss

April 11, 2014, 9:02pm

Nationals

Williams discusses Werth's injury, Nats' nutty 7-6 extra-inning loss

ATLANTA - We saw another ridiculously entertaining, tight ballgame between the Nationals and Braves tonight, one filled with twists, turns, quirks and plenty of action. In the end, the Braves picked up a 7-6 walk-off win in the bottom of the 10th, their third win in four Washington-Atlanta games so far this season. It was a wild ballgame, and a weird one, too. "Players trying to score from second. Guys running into each other in the middle of the infield. Strange, yeah," manager Matt Williams...