nationals

Johnson believes Span leading off and LaRoche down in the order will lead to offensive success

August 10, 2013, 1:29pm

Manager Davey Johnson went back to Denard Span as his leadoff hitter on Aug. 6 against the Braves. With Span starting to hit again and get on base, Johnson felt it was the best time to go back to the way the lineup should have been aligned. Span has led off and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has batted second for three straight games. They will be in the same spots again Saturday against the Phillies. "Scoring nine runs, man, I am staying right there," Johnson said. Johnson admitted that...

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Werth's 1,000th career hit is a doozy (Nats win 8-5)

August 10, 2013, 5:38pm

Nationals

Werth's 1,000th career hit is a doozy (Nats win 8-5)

Just one pitch after Bryce Harper's popped-up bunt turned into a game-tying safety squeeze, Jayson Werth reached the 1,000-hit mark in style. Werth lofted the first pitch of Zach Miner's outing just over the left field wall, giving the Nationals a 6-4 lead. The Nats right fielder got greeted warmly upon his return to the dugout, and the fans got in on the act, as well, requesting a curtain call. Werth obliged, bounding out of the dugout and giving the fans a wave. The fact that his 1,000th...

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A Ruf inning for Jordan (the deficit is trimmed further)

August 10, 2013, 3:52pm

Nationals

A Ruf inning for Jordan (the deficit is trimmed further)

After facing the minimum in his first inning of work tonight, Taylor Jordan nearly didn't get out of the second. Jordan allowed four runs on five hits in the second inning, allowing nine Phillies hitters to come to the plate and forcing the Nationals bullpen into action early. Darin Ruf delivered the big blow for the Phillies, crushing the first pitch he saw from Jordan out to left for a two-run homer. It was Ruf's sixth longball of the season, and marked just the third homer Jordan has...

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On Jordan's innings limit and plans for Ohlendorf

August 10, 2013, 1:56pm

Nationals

On Jordan's innings limit and plans for Ohlendorf

Two years ago, in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery, Jordan Zimmermann was shut down at 161 1/3 innings. Last season, Stephen Strasburg was shut down after 159 1/3 innings. This year, it's Taylor Jordan that the Nationals are putting on an innings limit as he comes back from 2011 Tommy John surgery. Jordan, the 24-year-old right-hander who gets the ball for the Nats tonight, is already at 131 innings between two minor league affiliates and the Nats this season, meaning he...

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Nats, Phillies lineups

August 10, 2013, 11:42am

Nationals

Taylor Jordan gets a tough test tonight, matching up against Phillies starter Cliff Lee and his 3.13 ERA in game two of this three-game set between the Nationals and Phils. Lee has fared well against the Nats over the course of his career, but the Nats got to him for four homers (all solo shots) the last time they faced the left-hander, in Philly back on July 10. The Nats won that game 5-1. Jordan's team-imposed innings limit is quickly approaching; he said after his last outing he thought...

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Some leftovers from last night

August 10, 2013, 6:18am

Nationals

Dan Haren's 2013 season is starting to directly mirror his 2012 campaign. Awful start to the season, DL stint in June/July, really strong finish. It was that strong finish last season (Haren pitched to a 2.76 ERA over his final seven starts with 34 strikeouts to five walks) that convinced the Nationals that Haren still had plenty of left in the tank and led to them giving him a one-year, $13 million deal this offseason. The way Haren has pitched the last month (he's the owner of a 2.43...

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Haren: "I was a bad start or two away from getting released. That's just the truth"

August 09, 2013, 7:21pm

Nationals

Haren: "I was a bad start or two away from getting released. That's just the truth"

When you look at the numbers, the about-face really is remarkable. In his first 15 starts of the season, Dan Haren posted a 6.15 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and was averaging 2.09 home runs per nine innings. He went on the DL with right shoulder inflammation, got a cortisone shot, and took some time to get right mentally. In his last six starts for the Nationals, Haren has pitched to a 2.43 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and has allowed 0.49 home runs per nine innings. "This is definitely more like it," Haren said...

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LaRoche and Zimmerman on getting to old teammate Lannan in 9-2 win

August 09, 2013, 7:02pm

Nationals

LaRoche and Zimmerman on getting to old teammate Lannan in 9-2 win

The Nationals were finally able to solve their old teammate, John Lannan, in a 9-2 win at Nationals Park. The Nationals pounded out 12 hits, nine of them off of Lannan, including a two-run homer by Anthony Rendon, a solo shot by Ryan Zimmerman and two hits and an RBI courtesy Adam LaRoche. Lannan had gone 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts in Philadelphia this season versus the Nationals, surrendering only two earned runs in those 13 innings. Facing the left-hander, manager Davey Johnson put...

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Social Media Weekend continues Saturday at Nats Park

August 09, 2013, 6:27pm

Nationals

Social Media Weekend continues Saturday at Nats Park

One day of Social Media Weekend is in the books. We rewarded fans for their social media usage Friday, providing people who tweeted at us and tagged their Instagram photos with signed gear, seat upgrades and more. And we're at it again Saturday. Check out what's on deck by looking at the schedule below. Even if you can't make it to Nats Park, we're offering chances to win some great prizes for all of our social media followers. You can enter to win lunch with Gio Gonzalez here....

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Johnson on Haren's turnaround, offensive breakthrough

August 09, 2013, 6:46pm

Nationals

Johnson on Haren's turnaround, offensive breakthrough

The happy moments have been few and far between for the Nationals lately, but tonight was a chance to revel in an offensive explosion and another stellar outing from a well-liked guy who has completely turned his season around in the last month. The Nats pounded out nine runs on 12 hits in tonight's 9-2 win over the Phillies, and they got seven innings of two-run ball from Dan Haren, who has a 2.43 ERA in six starts off the DL. "Well that's more like it. I can sleep now," Davey Johnson...

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Lannan getting a rude welcome back to D.C. (Nats win 9-2)

August 09, 2013, 4:00pm

Nationals

Lannan getting a rude welcome back to D.C. (Nats win 9-2)

Coming into tonight's game, John Lannan had allowed just two runs in 13 innings against the Nationals this season. Back in D.C. for the first time since being non-tendered by the Nats last winter, Lannan is getting smacked around pretty good early on. The Nats have put up four runs on six hits through just three innings, with Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman combining to do the bulk of the damage. Rendon crushed a 2-2 Lannan fastball just over the high wall in center field for his sixth...

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Johnson on failing to meet expectations, where blame should lie

August 09, 2013, 2:39pm

Nationals

Johnson on failing to meet expectations, where blame should lie

After Wednesday's loss to Atlanta, a defeat that wrapped up a three-game sweep at the hands of the Braves, we started to see the tone change in comments by Nationals players. Gone was the talk about how the Nats had too much talent to be playing at such a mediocre pace for much longer. Gone were the comments about how the National League East title was still up for grabs. At 15 1/2 games back in the division and nine out of the final wild card, the Nats are starting to see that their chances...

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Updates on LaRoche, Ohlendorf, Detwiler and Porter

August 09, 2013, 1:48pm

Nationals

Updates on LaRoche, Ohlendorf, Detwiler and Porter

A handful of Nationals players and staff used their off day yesterday to hit the links, playing in a tournament hosted by the Lerner family. Manager Davey Johnson was one of those who participated, and he struck it pretty well, posting four bogeys and a birdie on the front nine. "Just sweet-stroking it," Johnson said. Johnson had to take the last few holes off because his back was starting to act up, but even at 70 years old, he was able to out-drive Jordan Zimmermann for much of the...

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LaRoche in lineup against Lannan (updated)

August 09, 2013, 11:38am

Nationals

LaRoche in lineup against Lannan (updated)

The Nationals will face old buddy John Lannan again tonight. But, first baseman Adam LaRoche will take a seat against the lefty. Chad Tracy will play first base tonight. Without Tyler Moore around, the Nats lack a right-handed complement to LaRoche at first base. Lannan returns to D.C. today for the first time since being non-tendered by the Nats this winter. Update: Change of plans. LaRoche is now in the Nats lineup, hitting sixth. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Ryan...

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Social Media Weekend set to kick off Friday

August 02, 2013, 3:37pm

Nationals

Social Media Weekend set to kick off Friday

We're getting close to one of the best times of the year around the MASN headquarters: Social Media Weekend. Thanks to Hair Cuttery, kicking off Friday, Aug. 9 at Nationals Park, we'll be offering fans exclusive prizes and experiences. Each season, particularly in 2013, we have seen our loyal fans tweeting at us, chatting on our Facebook threads and sending us Instagram pictures. And we want to reward you for it. From Friday to Sunday, we'll be live on location at Nats Park, giving away...

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Nationals announce #NatsCaveCrasher Instagram contest

August 09, 2013, 12:14pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals will host a first-of-its-kind, interactive Instagram contest, the third of four social media promotions hosted this season in an effort to provide the ultimate interactive fan experience at Nationals Park. Nationals fans can enter the contest by posting a photo to Instagram using the designated hashtag #NatsCaveCrasher. Five finalists will be selected on a rolling basis, with one submission picked on Aug. 12, Aug. 14, Aug. 16, Aug. 19 and Aug. 21. All five finalists...

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Talking Haren and the waiver wire

August 09, 2013, 5:57am

Nationals

Tired of the doom and gloom talk? Had enough of discussions about the Nationals' "World Series or Bust" season looking a lot like "bust" with a quarter of the schedule still remaining? How about some good news, then? Ready? Dan Haren gets the ball for the Nats tonight when they open a three-game series with the Phillies. A month ago, fans probably wouldn't have seen that as good news, but lately, Haren has been on an absolute roll. The veteran right-hander has posted a 2.40 ERA and...

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Giolito and Johansen garner first pro victories as they gain experience

August 09, 2013, 8:38am

Nationals

Giolito and Johansen garner first pro victories as they gain experience

Right-hander Lucas Giolito recorded a couple of important "firsts" on Wednesday. In the 6-1 with over the GCL Marlins, Giolito won his first professional game, in his longest outing (five innings) with a career-high strikeouts (five). He allowed five hits, one run and one walk in the win. Giolito is now 1-1 and 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and eight walks. He has 12 strikeouts and just two walks in his last three starts. This year's top pick right-hander Jake Johansen...

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Report: Matt Williams could be managerial candidate for Nats in 2014

August 08, 2013, 9:53am

Nationals

Report: Matt Williams could be managerial candidate for Nats in 2014

With Davey Johnson's tenure at manager coming to an end once the 2013 season is completed, speculation has begun as to whom his replacement will be. One name that has jumped out early is former major league player and current Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams, according to a tweet by baseball writer Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com: Matt Williams is said to be among candidates to replace Davey in washington. #nats http://t.co/ZubaYSFnGb— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 8, 2013 Williams,...

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Zimmermann, lefties starting to struggle

August 08, 2013, 10:39am

Nationals

Zimmermann, lefties starting to struggle

I mentioned last night that Jordan Zimmermann has hit a pretty rough patch since the All-Star break, posting a 6.75 ERA and a 1.929 WHIP in four starts after his first Midsummer Classic. This comes after Zimmermann was one of the most consistent starters in baseball in the first half of the season. He allowed more than three runs in an outing just three times prior to the All-Star break and made it through at least five innings in all 19 first-half starts. He also walked just 1.22 batters per...