nationals

Quite a pitchers' duel here in Philly (Nats lose 3-2)

September 02, 2013, 5:03pm

PHILADELPHIA - Stephen Strasburg and Cole Hamels are locked in a pitchers' duel through six innings. Each All-Star has allowed just one run on two hits. Strasburg has struck out 10 and allowed just three balls out of the infield. Hamels has allowed just two baserunners since the first inning. The difference in this 1-1 game is that Strasburg is going to need to exit after six innings, while Hamels should be good for a little while longer. Strasburg was mowing Phillies batters down with...

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A strong start from Strasburg (but a tie game)

September 02, 2013, 4:07pm

Nationals

A strong start from Strasburg (but a tie game)

PHILADELPHIA - Stephen Strasburg couldn't have asked for a much better start than the one he's gotten through three innings. Strasburg has held the Phillies hitless thus far, has struck out six, and has yet to allow a ball out of the infield. The lone blemish on his line so far is a two-out walk to Chase Utley in the first. Other than that, it's been smooth sailing for the Nationals' right-hander. Strasburg struck out the side in the first, with all three Ks coming on curveballs. He then...

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Five more call-ups coming tomorrow; Johnson explains tonight's lineup decisions

September 02, 2013, 2:44pm

Nationals

Five more call-ups coming tomorrow; Johnson explains tonight's lineup decisions

PHILADELPHIA - Expect five more minor leaguers to get called up to join the Nationals tomorrow. The Nats plan to promote left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno and four position players tomorrow, rounding out their September call-ups. Cedeno and the bulk of the position players are already on the 40-man roster, so the Nats won't need to do much maneuvering there. Even if that was necessary, they only currently have 38 players on the 40-man. Outfielders Jeff Kobernus, Corey Brown and Eury Perez...

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Bernadina on his release and his time with Phillies

September 02, 2013, 2:06pm

Nationals

Bernadina on his release and his time with Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - Prior to his release exactly two weeks ago today, Roger Bernadina was the longest-tenured member of the Nationals organization. Tonight, he'll face off against his former team for the first time, wearing the colors of a hated division rival. After having a career season last year, hitting .291/.372/.405 in 261 plate appearances with the Nats, Bernadina's production dropped off mightily this season. He hit just .178/.247/.270 in 167 plate appearances, with just two homers and...

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Nats face Bernadina in opener of three-game set with Phillies

September 02, 2013, 11:38am

Nationals

Nats face Bernadina in opener of three-game set with Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals will cross paths with Roger Bernadina tonight for the first time since Bernadina was released Aug. 19 by the only major league organization he'd ever known. After his release, Bernadina pulled a John Lannan and signed with the Phillies, choosing to stay in the National League East and play in a park with which he has a good bit of familiarity. Bernadina will hit eighth and play right field for the Phillies tonight, and he'll dig in against Nats righty Stephen...

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September calls for new prizes from MASN's "Touch 'Em All" Nationals Rewards

September 02, 2013, 10:38am

Nationals

Launched in July, MASN has been rewarding its top fans on social media with exclusive Nationals prizes. By sharing Facebook posts, retweeting our writers, tagging Instagram pictures with #masnNationals and more, fans have earned points, which at the end of the month, accumulated and earned them signed gear from their favorite Nationals. Well, this month is no different. Signed Denard Span baseballs and a bat autographed by the center fielder are on deck for September. Be sure to sign up for...

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Jordan wraps up 2013 stint with Nats

September 02, 2013, 8:38am

Nationals

For much of the last two-plus weeks, Taylor Jordan's actual baseball responsibilities have been pretty limited. Since being shut down for the season, partially due to a back strain that landed him on the disabled list and mostly due to Jordan reaching his team-imposed innings limit, the rookie right-hander has played catch every day, and, well, that's about it. There isn't a heck of a lot pitchers can do when they're on the DL, and there's even less pitchers can do when they're on the...

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Johnson discusses Harper's bunt, Nats' wild 6-5 win

September 01, 2013, 8:39pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Harper's bunt, Nats' wild 6-5 win

There might not have been a play more crucial to the outcome of today's 6-5 Nationals win than Bryce Harper's sac bunt in the bottom of the eighth that pushed the tying runs into scoring position with one out. There might not have been a more controversial play, either. Those that are anti-bunt would certainly have issue with Harper - arguably the Nats' best hitter not named Jayson Werth - giving away an out late in the game. Those that are pro-bunt would certainly say that with Harper...

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Hope is still alive

September 02, 2013, 12:39am

Nationals

It's crazy how quickly things can shift this time of year. Twenty-four hours ago, the Nationals were waking up 7 1/2 games back of the Reds in the wild card chase and looking at a possible sweep at the hands of the lowly depleted Mets. They'd just been smoked 11-3 a night before, marking their second straight defeat, dropping them back to one game over .500. The mood in the clubhouse was somber. Players talked about how their time was running out to make a late push. Last night, a late,...

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Dave Nichols: Harper's eighth-inning sacrifice was case of results trumping process

September 02, 2013, 5:38am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Harper's eighth-inning sacrifice was case of results trumping process

The Washington Nationals salvaged the last of the three-game weekend set with the New York Mets on EPSN's Sunday Night Baseball, overcoming an early deficit with a three-run eighth inning to win 6-5, spurred by Bryce Harper's sacrifice bunt with men on first and second and no outs, trailing by two runs. The percentages say it was a bad play. Statheads throughout Natstown winced. The Nationals only had six outs left and Harper gave one away on purpose. The next batter, rookie Anthony...

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Harper on sacrifice bunt that ignited game-winning rally

September 01, 2013, 8:56pm

Nationals

Harper on sacrifice bunt that ignited game-winning rally

Center fielder Bryce Harper, known for power and big hits at crucial times, came up with a stellar bunt with two men on during the Nationals' decisive three-run rally in the eighth inning Sunday night versus the Mets. Down 5-2, the Nationals rallied to score four runs in a 6-5 comeback victory. So was Harper bunting for a base hit? Bunting to get the two runners over? Did he decide to bunt on his own? "No, he was doing it on his own," said manager Davey Johnson. "I didn't think it was...

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A much-needed late comeback (Nats win 6-5)

September 01, 2013, 7:11pm

Nationals

A much-needed late comeback (Nats win 6-5)

Trailing 5-2 going to the bottom of the seventh, the Nationals were nine offensive outs from a sweep at the hands of the Mets. They now lead 6-5 as we go to the ninth. A Wilson Ramos RBI single in the seventh cut the Mets' lead to two, and then the Nats exploded for three runs in the eighth, with Jayson Werth's double to the gap in right-center scoring Ryan Zimmerman from first to cap the comeback. Scott Hairston and Denard Span singled to start the eighth, and after a sac bunt front Bryce...

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Ohlendorf scuffling out of the gates (the deficit increases)

September 01, 2013, 4:33pm

Nationals

Ohlendorf scuffling out of the gates (the deficit increases)

The Reds lost in Colorado today, so if the Nationals can pick up a win tonight, they can get back to 6 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the wild card chase. They're certainly not off to a good start. The Nats trail 2-0 after a half inning thanks to a shaky start by Ross Ohlendorf. The veteran right-hander allowed back-to-back doubles to Eric Young and Daniel Murphy to start the game, then surrendered an RBI single to Lucas Duda to give the Mets a two-run lead. The first four Mets hitters to...

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Krol, Davis, Leon discuss their return to the majors

September 01, 2013, 2:56pm

Nationals

Krol, Davis, Leon discuss their return to the majors

None of the Nationals' first three September call-ups are new faces. We've seen left-hander Ian Krol, right-hander Erik Davis and catcher Sandy Leon up with the Nats before. That doesn't mean those three guys aren't thrilled to be back in the big leagues. Krol was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse just 11 days ago after a rough stretch with the Nats, but he quickly finds himself back at Nationals Park. And the call-up couldn't have come soon enough. "Seems like a month (ago)," Krol said...

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Moore playing first, Hairston in left

September 01, 2013, 12:34pm

Nationals

With the Mets starting left-hander Jon Niese, Nationals manager Davey Johnson is going with a right-handed heavy lineup. Tyler Moore will play first base and Scott Hairston will play left field. For the Nationals: CF Bryce Harper 2B Anthony Rendon 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth SS Ian Desmond C Wilson Ramos 1B Tyler Moore LF Scott Hairston RHP Ross Ohlendorf

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Davis, Krol, Leon part of Nats' first wave of call-ups

September 01, 2013, 11:28am

Nationals

Davis, Krol, Leon part of Nats' first wave of call-ups

The Nationals' first wave of September call-ups includes one right-handed pitcher, one left-handed pitcher and one catcher. Righty Erik Davis and lefty Ian Krol have been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, and catcher Sandy Leon has been called up from Double-A Harrisburg. This will be Davis' second stint with the Nationals this season. He posted a 6.23 ERA in five June appearances at the big league level. The righty was acquired by the Nationals in March of 2011 in exchange for infielder...

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Two losses do some major damage

September 01, 2013, 6:30am

Nationals

What's two losses in the grand scheme of a baseball season? When you play 162 games, two losses shouldn't really mean all that much until the final week or so of the season, right? The Nationals dropped two straight to the Mets the last two days, but they still have 27 games left on their schedule. Yeah, yesterday's loss to the Mets combined with the Reds' win out in Colorado pushed the Nats back to 7 1/2 games back in the race for the final wild card. That obviously stings, but how much...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 11-3 loss

August 31, 2013, 7:09pm

Nationals

As Davey Johnson walked into the press conference room following tonight's 11-3 Nationals loss, he delivered a one-liner with as much sarcasm as a one-liner can possibly have attached to it. "That was fun," Johnson said. Tonight's blowout defeat was anything but fun for the Nats, not just because of the manner in which it happened but also because of its implications on their playoff chances. The Nats entered this series 6 1/2 games back of the Reds for the final wild card spot in the...

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Johnson: Harper might need offseason knee surgery

August 31, 2013, 2:00pm

Nationals

Johnson: Harper might need offseason knee surgery

After leaving last night's game in the fourth inning due to a bout of dehydration, Davey Johnson will be back in the Nationals dugout tonight. Johnson said he made sure to drink lots of water, got a good night's sleep last night and is feeling rejuvenated. He declared himself good to go for tonight. "I'm feeling like my old ornery self," said Johnson, who joked that he pinch-hit for himself last night when he called on bench coach Randy Knorr to take over managerial duties. A lot has...

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Nationals picked the wrong time for an 11-3 loss

August 31, 2013, 7:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals have a very thin line of opportunity to grab the final wild card spot in the National League. A loss this time of year can be devastating, but two losses in a row to the Mets with the second loss an 11-3 setback? It is one of those losses. The Mets put the game away early against starter Dan Haren, scoring two runs in the second and six runs in the third. Haren (8-12) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits and seven runs. The Mets had one span where nine of 12 hitters...