nationals

Span: "It's just an unbelievable feeling, I'll be honest"

September 19, 2013, 7:44pm

Denard Span's 29-game hitting streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 performance tonight in a 3-2 win over the Marlins, but while Span was a little disappointed with the end result, he still was able to reflect on the last month with a smile on his face. When Span was done with an on-field MASN interview immediately after the game, he walked down the dugout tunnel and saw the entire Nationals team waiting for him at the front of the clubhouse. All his teammates and coaches were there...

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Harper joins 20-homer club, Knorr ejected (Nats win 3-2)

September 19, 2013, 3:44pm

Nationals

Harper joins 20-homer club, Knorr ejected (Nats win 3-2)

We've already had some drama here at Nationals Park tonight, and the game isn't even an inning old. The Marlins got to Gio Gonzalez for a run in the top of the first when Donovan Solano, who doubled leading off the game, came around on an Ed Lucas RBI single. But things heated up in the bottom of the first, when the Nats took the lead and saw their bench coach get ejected just minutes later. Bryce Harper smoked a three-run homer to center off Henderson Alvarez, giving the Nats a 3-1...

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Desmond, Span and Gonzalez react to hit by pitch warnings

September 19, 2013, 7:22pm

Nationals

Desmond, Span and Gonzalez react to hit by pitch warnings

In the Nationals' 3-2 win over the Marlins, shortstop Ian Desmond was hit by a pitch thrown by Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez in the first inning. Just four pitches after Bryce Harper had connected on a three-run homer. The home run was only the second home run Alvarez had allowed this season in 15 starts. Manager Davey Johnson talked about how the dynamics of the game changed a bit when home plate umpire Bill Welke warned both benches for pitching inside in the bottom of the first...

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Johnson on the argument, the win, and Span's hitting streak

September 19, 2013, 7:21pm

Nationals

Johnson on the argument, the win, and Span's hitting streak

Before we get to all the pieces that actually factored into tonight's 3-2 Nationals win, let's get manager Davey Johnson's reaction to Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez hitting Ian Desmond just below the left shoulder on a 3-0 fastball just after Bryce Harper had crushed a three-run homer in the first inning. Immediately after Desmond was hit, many Nats players jumped up to the top step of the dugout, angered by what they felt was an intentional plunking. Home plate umpire Bill Welke...

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Nationals acquire Spann from Rays to complete DeJesus deal

September 19, 2013, 8:24am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired left-handed pitcher Matthew Spann as the player to be named to complete the August 23 trade that sent outfielder David DeJesus to the Tampa Bay Rays. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Spann joins the Nationals organization after going 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games/four starts for Bowling Green of the Single-A Midwest League this season. After pitching primarily as a starter the previous two...

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Nats lineup in opener vs. Marlins

September 19, 2013, 11:35am

Nationals

After Stephen Strasburg was scratched from tonight's start due to some lingering right forearm tightness, Gio Gonzalez will start on full rest in the first of four games against the Marlins. The Nationals plan to follow Gonzalez with Jordan Zimmermann tomorrow night, Strasburg on Saturday and Dan Haren on Sunday in the season finale between these two teams. Gonzalez is 2-0 in two starts against the Marlins this season and has yet to allow a run in 13 innings against Miami. The Nats will...

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Johnson on Saturday, Strasburg and Span

September 19, 2013, 2:44pm

Nationals

Prior to Saturday's game against the Marlins, the Nationals are going to hold a special ceremony honoring manager Davey Johnson, whose final homestand as Nats manager is winding down. There's going to be a video montage on the JumboTron and general manager Mike Rizzo will present Johnson with an award. It sounds like it'll be a nice tribute, but Johnson, who isn't too fond of being the center of attention in such situations, isn't looking forward to it. "I'm thinking about checking...

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Nats acquire lefty Matthew Spann from Rays, completing DeJesus trade

September 19, 2013, 8:32am

Nationals

Nats acquire lefty Matthew Spann from Rays, completing DeJesus trade

The Nationals acquired left-hander Matthew Spann from the Rays today, completing the trade that sent outfielder David DeJesus to Tampa Bay for a player to be named. Spann, 22, went 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 games (four starts) for Bowling Green of the Single-A Midwest League this season. After working primarily as a starter the last two seasons, Spann was moved to the bullpen most of this year, and posted a 2.50 ERA in 15 relief appearances. The lefty had just 35 strikeouts and 21 walks in...

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The straw that broke the camel's back?

September 19, 2013, 5:21am

Nationals

Over the last month, the Nationals have done well to right the ship and start running off wins. They've gotten their record back above .500 and slowly chipped away at the massive deficit they had built up behind the wild card leaders. Unfortunately, as we all know, when you build up such a massive deficit, you need to be close to perfect to overcome your previous struggles. You also need a lot of help. The Nats have been playing at an incredibly high level for the last five weeks or so, but...

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After loss, Ohlendorf, Desmond and LaRoche discuss Nationals' desperate situation

September 18, 2013, 7:32pm

Nationals

After the Nationals won 27 of their previous 37 games, losing a game became pretty rare. But losing a game to first-place Atlanta late in September with the NL wild card still not within their grasp hurts even more. Starter Ross Ohlendorf cruised through five innings before allowing two home runs and three runs in the sixth. The Braves eventually won 5-2. Ohlendorf said losing this time of year - with the a postseason berth in the balance - stings even more. "All the losses are...

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Strasburg on inability to get loose: "I don't really know why it is happening"

September 18, 2013, 7:47pm

Nationals

Strasburg on inability to get loose: "I don't really know why it is happening"

Manager Davey Johnson announced after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Braves that Stephen Strasburg would be scratched from Thursday's start. Gio Gonzalez will start the opener against the Marlins while Jordan Zimmermann will get the call Friday. Johnson said Strasburg would now be scheduled to pitch next on Saturday. Strasburg last pitched September 8. If Strasburg does pitch Saturday, that would mark 13 days between starts. Strasburg said today's throwing session went well, but he is having...

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Strasburg scratched from Thursday start

September 18, 2013, 7:07pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from tomorrow's scheduled start after having trouble getting loose when throwing earlier today, manager Davey Johnson said after tonight's 5-2 loss to the Braves. Strasburg had been scratched from last Friday's start due to right forearm tightness, and the Nationals had pushed him back to Thursday, hoping that some extra time would allow him to get over that forearm discomfort. Things had been progressing well over the last few days, but when Strasburg...

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Rachel Levitin: September baseball is family time

September 19, 2013, 5:21am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: September baseball is family time

For just a few minutes (or at least while you read this blog post) let's try and forget that the openly-hyped 2013 Nationals are 5 1/2 games behind the Reds for the second National League wild card. Instead, I'd like to give my two cents on September baseball. It's the end of summer and the start of the school year come September. Fall is here, even in D.C., and the conversation I had with my buddy Tom on Tuesday helped cement in my mind something that I've already felt to be true for...

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Johnson recaps Nats' 5-2 loss

September 18, 2013, 6:59pm

Nationals

Under normal circumstances, the Nationals would be happy winning two of three in a series with the first-place Braves. These are not normal circumstances. The Nats need wins. Lots of them. And even though they took the series with Atlanta by sweeping yesterday's doubleheader, they needed a win tonight as well. They didn't get it, falling to the Braves 5-2. "It's just not enough. We just can't afford to lose," manager Davey Johnson said. "It's that simple. We just need to get back at...

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Span extends the streak, but Nats still trail (Nats lose 5-2)

September 18, 2013, 5:54pm

Nationals

Span extends the streak, but Nats still trail (Nats lose 5-2)

When Denard Span walked from the on-deck circle to the plate leading off the seventh inning, a large portion of the 30,636 at Nationals Park tonight started cheering, trying to spur Span on as he attempted to extend his hitting streak in the late innings. The fans got even louder after Span laced a single to right-center, pushing that hitting streak to 29 games. Span had been 0-for-3 tonight entering that at-bat, and I'm sure he was aware as he made his way into the batter's box that it...

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Ohlendorf on top of his game against Atlanta (a lot of drama in the middle innings)

September 18, 2013, 4:36pm

Nationals

Ohlendorf on top of his game against Atlanta (a lot of drama in the middle innings)

I'm not sure anyone could have expected a game started by Ross Ohlendorf and Alex Wood to be scoreless through 4 1/3 innings. I'm also not sure that anyone could have expected Ohlendorf and Tanner Roark to have combined to throw 12 straight scoreless innings against the Braves. But that's where we are. Ohlendorf has put up five scoreless frames tonight, allowing just one baserunner, striking out five and needing just 57 pitches to this point. He set down the first 10 Braves he saw before...

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Detwiler unlikely to return to Nats in regular season

September 18, 2013, 2:12pm

Nationals

Detwiler unlikely to return to Nats in regular season

Given how long he's been out while working back from a herniated disc in his back, it always seemed somewhat unlikely that Ross Detwiler would be able to return and pitch in major league games before the end of this season. Detwiler, who has been sidelined since July 4 due to the back injury, threw three simulated innings today at Nationals Park, and is continuing to progress in his rehab. But while the Nationals have been optimistic that Detwiler would be able to come back and pitch out of...

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Nationals' Stammen reflects on Navy Yard tragedy, looks forward

September 17, 2013, 8:25am

Nationals

Nationals players were welcomed in the clubhouse by U.S. Navy four-star Admiral James A. Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prior to their Tuesday doubleheader against the Braves. Winnefeld handed out U.S. Navy caps for the players to wear during batting practice today, one day after Monday's tragic shootings at nearby Washington Navy Yard. Nationals players Craig Stammen, Chad Tracy, Tyler Moore and Jeff Kobernus were the first to greet the admiral and share some time...

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Notes on Span's streak, plus series finale lineups

September 18, 2013, 11:43am

Nationals

Notes on Span's streak, plus series finale lineups

Denard Span's hitting streak has reached 28 games, and is now the longest streak in the big leagues since Dan Uggla had a hit in 33 consecutive games in 2011. Over this stretch, Span is hitting a ridiculous .378/.414/.504. He's continued his strong defensive play and even seen his production improve on the basepaths, where he's 7-for-8 in stolen base attempts. Since the start of his hitting streak, Span's season average has improved 25 points. His on-base percentage has jumped 23 points....

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Roark on current run with the Nationals: "It is a blast"

September 17, 2013, 6:49pm

Nationals

It was certainly a smart move by the Nationals to move Tanner Roark from the bullpen back to a starting role in Triple-A Syracuse this season. And whether he was relieving or starting, Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams told manager Davey Johnson that Roark was a pitcher. Williams was right. In three starts for the Nationals, Roark has shown he can be successful in the big leagues. Combining his relief work with these three starts, Roark is now 7-0 following a stunning 4-0 victory...