nationals

The runs are still hard to come by (Nats tie it up)

July 26, 2013, 4:28pm

The Nationals have played 13 innings today. They've scored in none of them. It didn't bode well for the Nats that they were shut out in the opener of today's doubleheader by Jenrry Mejia, Scott Rice and Gonzalez Germen. Yeah, not exactly a star-studded group right there. A matchup with Matt Harvey awaited in the nightcap, and so far, that hasn't gone too well for the Nats either. Harvey has held the Nats scoreless over four innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four. He's...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals

Ohlendorf continues to come up big (Zimmerman's walk-off homer gives Nats 2-1 win)

July 26, 2013, 5:29pm

Nationals

Ohlendorf continues to come up big (Zimmerman's walk-off homer gives Nats 2-1 win)

Who would've thought back in February that the Nationals would be turning to Ross Ohlendorf in July to deliver a quality start to help save the bullpen and give them a much-needed win? Not this guy, that's for sure. Ohlendorf has been spectacular this season, and that didn't change today. He threw seven innings of one-run ball, keeping the Nationals in a game where their offense - again - has been nearly nonexistent and giving quality innings to a team that is dealing with a worn-down...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals ross ohlendorf frontstory_nationals3

More on whether sending Storen down is an option

July 25, 2013, 8:32am

Nationals

More on whether sending Storen down is an option

There's no arguing that Drew Storen is a very talented pitcher who possesses great stuff. You don't save 43 games in a season and post a 2.96 ERA over your first 164 major league games without having elite ability. But during a couple stretches this season, one of which has lasted over the last three weeks, Storen has really struggled. The 25-year-old has allowed either an earned run or an inherited runner to score in each of his last three outings. Over his last 10 appearances, spanning...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson drew storen nationals ryan mattheus taylor jordan frontstory_nationals3

Johnson on Nats' 11-0 loss plus Storen and Harper health updates

July 26, 2013, 2:02pm

Nationals

Johnson on Nats' 11-0 loss plus Storen and Harper health updates

As Davey Johnson entered the press conference room following this afternoon's 11-0 drubbing at the hands of the Mets, he managed half a smile. "Do we have to talk about it?" Johnson asked reporters. Unfortunately for Johnson, yes, he did. The first question Johnson received was in reference to Drew Storen, who Johnson had said pregame would likely be unavailable for both games because of a bout of the flu. Johnson ended up using Storen with one out in the top of the ninth when the game...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals frontfeatured_nationals

Nats face early deficit in opener against the Mets (Nationals lose 11-0)

July 26, 2013, 9:50am

Nationals

Welcome to Nationals Park on a partly sunny Friday afternoon. The first game of the day/night doubleheader features right-hander Jordan Zimmermann against the Mets right-hander Jenrry Mejia. The first game was rescheduled from the June 6 rainout here at Nationals Park. Mejia comes off the 60-day disabled list to make his first appearance of the season. He is the 26th man on the Mets roster today, and has battled elbow tendon inflammation since March 22. He was 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in six minor...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr mets nationals jordan zimmermann frontstory_nationals1

Johnson on Knorr's decision to pull Soriano in favor of Krol in ninth frame

July 26, 2013, 9:13am

Nationals

Johnson on Knorr's decision to pull Soriano in favor of Krol in ninth frame

Nationals manager Davey Johnson was able to speak to the media today for the first time since he was ejected from Thursday's 9-7 win over the Pirates. Randy Knorr spoke postgame because Johnson was not available. Johnson was asked if he agreed with the decision by Knorr to pull closer Rafael Soriano in the ninth after he struggled to get outs, allowing two hits and two walks. "Yeah, I mean, (that is) sometimes what you do," Johnson said. "You go with what you are seeing. I was watching...

Comments

Tags:

braves byron kerr danny heep davey johnson mets nationals pirates rafael soriano randy knorr ron darling frontstory_nationals3

Storen not available today because of flu, Mattheus likely to pitch in both games (updated)

July 26, 2013, 8:02am

Nationals

Storen not available today because of flu, Mattheus likely to pitch in both games (updated)

Right-handed reliever Drew Storen has been hit by the flu bug, and is not available for the doubleheader today against the Mets, according to Nationals manager Davey Johnson. Johnson said Storen is being "sequestered in the back" of the clubhouse. Johnson said Storen's ailment appeared similar to the flu-like symptoms suffered by first baseman Adam LaRoche that forced him to miss two games early in the current homestand. Johnson joked that he didn't think Storen and LaRoche hung out, even...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson drew storen nationals ryan mattheus frontstory_nationals3

Updated Mets-Nats lineups for day game (Mattheus returns)

July 26, 2013, 7:04am

Nationals

Updated Mets-Nats lineups for day game (Mattheus returns)

Here are the lineups for the first game of today's day/night doubleheader against the New York Mets at Nationals Park: For the Nationals: Bryce Harper LF Steve Lombardozzi 2B Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Jayson Werth RF Ian Desmond SS Denard Span CF Kurt Suzuki C Jordan Zimmermann P For the Mets: Eric Young, Jr. LF Daniel Murphy 2B David Wright 3B Marlon Byrd RF Ike Davis 1B Juan Lagares CF Anthony Recker C Omar Quintanilla SS Jenrry Mejia RHP Right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus has...

Comments

Tags:

lineups nationals ryan mattheus frontstory_nationals3

Some of this, some of that (Mattheus activated)

July 26, 2013, 5:35am

Nationals

Some of this, some of that (Mattheus activated)

The six-game losing streak is over. The nine-game deficit in the National League East has been cut to eight. A lot more needs to go right before the Nationals are able to legitimately threaten the Braves for the top spot in the division. A lot more. But my goodness, is the NL East ever a flawed, jumbled mess right now. The Braves have lost four of their last six games and are 8-11 since putting together a four-game winning streak a little over three weeks ago. They just lost Tim Hudson, one...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals rafael soriano randy knorr ross detwiler featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals reinstate right-hander Ryan Matheus from disabled list

July 26, 2013, 6:38am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus, who missed the last 58 games with a fractured right hand, has three holds and a 4.96 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season. The 29-year-old posted a 2.35 ERA (4 ER/15.1 IP) in his initial 13 appearances. In six appearances during his rehab...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Randy Knorr discusses Nats' 9-7 walk-off win

July 25, 2013, 1:32pm

Nationals

Randy Knorr discusses Nats' 9-7 walk-off win

Boy, what a wild one that was. The Pirates made three errors in the first inning. The Nationals had a four-run inning after failing to score more than two runs in five of their last six games. Davey Johnson was ejected. The Nats blew a four-run ninth-inning lead. Bryce Harper hit his first career walk-off homer, snapping a six-game losing streak. Yeah, wild would describe it. Bench coach Randy Knorr inherited managerial duties in the fifth inning of today's rollercoaster game when Johnson...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals randy knorr frontstory_nationals3

Hearing from a happy clubhouse

July 25, 2013, 1:45pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman was asked to describe the vibe in the Nationals' clubhouse following this afternoon's thrilling, up-and-down 9-7 walk-off win that snapped a six-game losing streak. "Just normal. You know," Zimmerman deadpanned, before cracking a big smile. "I mean we needed a win. It didn't really matter how we got it. Obviously that's probably the most exciting way you can get a win. This team, we stick together. "It's been a rough go this year. Nobody's more disappointed than all...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez ian desmond ian krol nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Johnson ejected in fifth inning (Harper saves the day with walk-off homer)

July 25, 2013, 10:36am

Nationals

Johnson ejected in fifth inning (Harper saves the day with walk-off homer)

Davey Johnson had joked in recent weeks that he was waiting to getting ejected for the first time this season. He wanted to pick a good spot, but figured his time was coming soon. It happened today. Johnson was ejected in the fifth inning of today's game for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Mike Winters. It's the third time Johnson has been ejected as Nationals manager. Johnson came out to argue a called third strike to Ian Desmond, a call that left Desmond furious and...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals bryce harper frontstory_nationals1

Nationals watch lead vanish, then win it with dramatic bottom of ninth on Harper walk-off

July 25, 2013, 1:39pm

Nationals

The ninth inning had a little bit of everything for the Nationals on Thursday in a thrilling 9-7 victory over the Pirates. In a game the Nationals led throughout, they watched as the Pirates went right at their closer, Rafael Soriano, and scored four runs to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Reliever Ian Krol, in a rare move, replaced the Nationals closer and survived a rocky outing himself to strikeout Garrett Jones to end a tumultuous top half of the inning. Pittsburgh handed the ball...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr ian krol nationals randy knorr ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals2

The bats come alive as the Pirates fall apart

July 25, 2013, 9:29am

Nationals

The bats come alive as the Pirates fall apart

The Nationals seemingly hadn't gotten a break in weeks. They seemingly hadn't gotten a hit with a runner in scoring position in weeks, either. They got both of those things in the first inning of today's game, and both the breaks and the hits came in rapid-fire succession. The Pirates made three errors in the first inning, two of which allowed runs to score. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez dropped a throw when the Pirates had Bryce Harper caught in a rundown, allowing Harper to score the...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals bryce harper denard span ian desmond ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals1

Harper returns to Nats lineup, so does Desmond (updated)

July 25, 2013, 7:10am

Nationals

Harper returns to Nats lineup, so does Desmond (updated)

Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals' lineup today after getting yesterday off to rest his left knee, which he received treatment on recently. Ian Desmond, however, is not in the Nats' lineup for the second straight day. Desmond had hoped to receive a special patch today that he could put on top of the blister that's on his left palm, but the patch wasn't able to arrive this morning. As a result, Desmond will sit out another game and manager Davey Johnson hopes to have his shortstop back...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko ian desmond lineups nationals frontstory_nationals3

Ramos on Storen's struggles, Span on the team's struggles

July 24, 2013, 8:11pm

Nationals

Ramos on Storen's struggles, Span on the team's struggles

Let's get the blown-call quotes out of the way early in this entry. Hey, Wilson Ramos, did Neil Walker tag you before flipping to first for what second base umpire Laz Diaz ruled was a game-ending double play? "Nope. Not even close," Ramos said. "He never tagged me." What did Diaz tell you when you argued the call, Wilson? "He told me, 'He tagged you. I don't hear, but I saw it,' " Ramos said. "I said, 'Sure, you didn't see anything. Not even close.' But I don't know, maybe...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko denard span drew storen nationals wilson ramos featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Detwiler to miss another month

July 24, 2013, 7:11pm

Nationals

Ross Detwiler has already been out the last three weeks with a lower back injury. It appears the Nationals' left-hander will miss at least another month on top of that. Detwiler met with Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist out in the Los Angeles area, today to get a second opinion on his ailing back, and the word from Dr. Watkins wasn't great. Manager Davey Johnson reported after tonight's 4-2 loss to the Pirates that Detwiler has a disc problem, which is leading to the discomfort in...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals ross detwiler featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Rachel Levitin: Time to light a fire under Nationals

July 25, 2013, 5:29am

Nationals

Every weekend from April through the end of July, I play softball in a co-ed league in Glover Park, and every weekend between those months, the Nationals comes up in conversation. It's the usual fare of "Were you at that game?" or "Did you see that play?" But last weekend, my first base coach shared a thought with me that I hadn't considered yet this season: The Nationals aren't getting angry enough about the fact that they're on a legitimate skid right now. After wasting yet another...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

Strasburg: "Six innings isn't cool anymore for me "

July 24, 2013, 7:34pm

Nationals

Strasburg: "Six innings isn't cool anymore for me "

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg put together one of his most complete outings Wednesday yet, because of the Nationals' anemic offense, walked out with the loss, 4-2 to the Pirates. Strasburg (5-8) went eight innings and struck out a season-high 12 hitters. He allowed two hits, one run on a homer by Pedro Alvarez, and no walks. His career-high in strikeouts in a game was 13 at Boston on June 8, 2012. Strasburg fired 118 pitches, 80 for strikes. His 47 strikeouts in his career against the...