nationals

Osceola County commissioners delay Kissimmee stadium vote until Aug. 19

July 15, 2013, 7:59pm

The Osceola County Board of Commissioners met tonight to discuss whether to proceed with a $98 million proposal to construct a new spring training facility for the Nationals in Kissimmee, Fla., but delayed until Aug. 19 a vote on the matter. By delaying the vote for slightly more than a month, reported the Orlando Sentinel, the commissioners will allow taxpayers, opponents of the proposed complex and the Chamber of Commerce of Kissimmee/Osceola County additional time to review details of the...

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A look back at the first half

July 15, 2013, 5:38am

Nationals

We've officially finished up the first half of the 2013 season. We'll ignore the fact that the Nationals have already played 95 games (59 percent of their season) and continue calling the pre-All-Star break portion of the schedule the first half. Is it weird that's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine? Yes? I thought so. The Nationals head into the All-Star break with a 48-47 record. They went 27-18 at home, 21-29 on the road and have a run differential of minus-14 to this point. They've...

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Harper advances to second round of Home Run Derby (Harper is runner-up)

July 15, 2013, 5:40pm

Nationals

Harper advances to second round of Home Run Derby (Harper is runner-up)

Yoenis Cespedes has set the bar pretty darn high, crushing 17 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby. Bryce Harper didn't quite get to that level, but he showed well in his first-round hacks, hitting eight homers off pitches thrown by his dad, Ron. Performing in his first home run derby since taking part in an aluminum bat showcase at Tropicana Field when he was 15 (the event that made Harper a YouTube sensation), Harper got off to a strong start tonight, roping a line drive homer...

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Harper batting ninth in NL All-Star lineup

July 15, 2013, 12:05pm

Nationals

Harper batting ninth in NL All-Star lineup

You know what's weird? Seeing Bryce Harper's name in the No. 9 spot in a batting order, that's what's weird. Harper will hit ninth for the National League All-Star team, which makes me wonder whether Harper has ever, in his life, hit ninth before. It probably ensures that Harper will only get on at-bat in the Midsummer Classic. Harper will play center field. Here's the National League starting lineup: 2B Brandon Phillips RF Carlos Beltran 1B Joey Votto 3B David Wright LF Carlos...

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Marty Niland: Home cooking will be crucial to Nats' stretch run

July 15, 2013, 6:28am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Home cooking will be crucial to Nats' stretch run

Even after Sunday's 5-2 extra-inning win over the Marlins, it's hard to describe the Nationals as doing anything but limping into the All-Star break with a 48-47 record. However, the Nats still have a chance to take advantage of a post-break schedule that's loaded with home games, division opponents - and for the most part - kinder, gentler road trips. After starting July with a 5-2 homestand in which the offense finally seemed to be getting in gear, last week's disastrous 2-5 swing...

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New-look lineup produces early lead (Nats win 5-2, back over .500)

July 14, 2013, 9:46am

Nationals

New-look lineup produces early lead (Nats win 5-2, back over .500)

Well, that didn't take long. The Nationals' new-look lineup has staked rookie right-hander Taylor Jordan to a 1-0 lead in the second, courtesy of an RBI double by Denard Span. Adam LaRoche led off the frame with a single off Henderson Alvarez and, after Ian Desmond struck out, Denard split the gap in right-center to put the Nationals on the scoreboard. It's early, but a lead is a lead. And if it prevents the Nats from heading into the All-Star break on the wrong side of .500, who's to...

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Dissecting the disaster in Miami

July 13, 2013, 11:42pm

Nationals

There's plenty to discuss coming out of last night's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Marlins. So let's dive right in. On Bryce Harper getting ejected in a 1-0 game in the eighth inning: Can't happen. It just can't. I know Harper was frustrated by a couple of Hunter Wendelstedt's calls during a sixth-inning at-bat in which he was called out on strikes. Two called strikes in that at-bat was actually on the black. Regardless of all that, you simply cannot get thrown out of a one-run game...

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Trying to avoid sweep in Miami, Johnson juggles lineup

July 14, 2013, 7:38am

Nationals

Trying to avoid sweep in Miami, Johnson juggles lineup

If you're one of those people who gives a cursory glance to a game's lineup, here's a warning: Get ready to blink, rub your eyes and react with general surprise when you see the batting order Nationals manager Davey Johnson has penned for today's first-half finale in Miami. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Johnson - a manager who really likes the sameness of a regular lineup - has juggled things substantially in hopes of avoiding a three-game sweep by the Marlins. A night...

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Harper ejected in eighth inning (Nats lose 2-1 in 10 innings)

July 13, 2013, 5:47pm

Nationals

Harper ejected in eighth inning (Nats lose 2-1 in 10 innings)

Bryce Harper has been ejected in the top of the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. After getting called out on strikes for the second time tonight, Harper threw up his hands and gave Wendelstedt a piece of his mind. Wendelstedt was less than pleased with the display, and tossed Harper from the game. This is the second time this season that Harper has been ejected, and the third time in his career. Harper was also tossed in Miami last...

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LaRoche's turnaround continues, Strasburg roughed up (plus Owings note)

July 12, 2013, 3:53pm

Nationals

LaRoche's turnaround continues, Strasburg roughed up (plus Owings note)

A notoriously slow starter, Adam LaRoche followed that career-long trend this season. Boy, did he ever. Through his first 25 games this season, LaRoche hit a miniscule .129/.204/.247 with three homers and eight RBIs. Yes, his slugging percentage was well below his career batting average, and he was barely reaching base 20 percent of his plate appearances. In LaRoche's 63 games since, however, the Nationals' first baseman has gotten back on track. Over his last 251 plate appearances,...

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The worst outing of Strasburg's career (Nats lose 8-3)

July 12, 2013, 4:31pm

Nationals

The worst outing of Strasburg's career (Nats lose 8-3)

Stephen Strasburg has now made 63 major league starts. Tonight's outing was his worst. By far. Strasburg is done after just two innings of work tonight. He allowed a career-high seven earned runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out two, and only half of his 66 pitches were for strikes. Strasburg had thrice allowed six earned runs in an outing (Aug. 10, 2010, July 31, 2012 and April 7 of this year). But in each of those outings, Strasburg went at least four innings of...

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Moving in the wrong direction

July 13, 2013, 5:49am

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg has had shortened outings due to injury reasons. That kind of stuff can happen to any pitcher. You don't expect to see Strasburg leaving games after two innings when he's completely healthy. That kind of stuff also can, of course, happen to any pitcher. It's just surprising to see it happen to Strasburg. Strasburg's ERA jumped from 2.45 to 2.99 yesterday thanks to a two-inning, seven-run performance. He'd dominated the Marlins in 10 previous starts in his career,...

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Rendon getting a day off (with Marlins lineup)

July 13, 2013, 11:38am

Nationals

Rendon getting a day off (with Marlins lineup)

Davey Johnson will give Anthony Rendon the day off today in Game 2 of this three-game set against the Marlins. Steve Lombardozzi will play second base for the Nationals today, giving him his first start since June 23, while Rendon gets a rest. This will be the first time Rendon isn't in the starting lineup since June 14. Dan Haren gets the start for the Nats looking to build off his first outing off the DL, when he allowed two runs over five innings in a loss to the Phillies. The...

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An impressive beginning for Haren (Haren outduels Fernandez)

July 13, 2013, 4:39pm

Nationals

An impressive beginning for Haren (Haren outduels Fernandez)

You cannot predict baseball. Try as hard as you might, you just can't. Stephen Strasburg entered last night's game with a 2.45 ERA. He allowed seven runs over just two innings in a loss to the Marlins. Dan Haren entered tonight with a 6.00 ERA. He's thrown four scoreless innings against the Marlins, with six strikeouts. Haren has looked really sharp thus far tonight, allowing just two measly singles and a walk and pitching out of the only real jam he's been in - when Jeff Mathis reached...

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Strasburg faces the Fish

July 12, 2013, 12:47pm

Nationals

The Nationals open their final series before the All-Star break tonight in Miami, with Stephen Strasburg taking on Nathan Eovaldi in a battle of young, talented right-handers. Eovaldi, acquired by Miami last season in the Hanley Ramirez trade, has made just four starts with the Marlins this season since coming up from the minors. The 23-year-old has gone 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA, 13 strikeouts and nine walks in 24 2/3 innings. Strasburg has a 2.45 ERA over 106 1/3 innings this season, but is just...

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Closing out the first half; Desmond reflects on Final Vote campaign

July 12, 2013, 6:49am

Nationals

Closing out the first half; Desmond reflects on Final Vote campaign

The Nationals leave Philly and head to Miami for the final series before the All-Star break trailing by six games in the division. They snagged just one of the four games against the Phillies this week, leaving them with a 47-45 record. Five games above .500 is the best the Nats can hope for heading into the break, and with the Marlins playing much better ball of late (they're 20-17 since a 13-40 start), you can no longer guarantee a series win when they're in the opposing dugout. Some...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 3-1 loss to Phillies

July 11, 2013, 7:17pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' 3-1 loss to Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - It might be a little deceiving when you look at the box score and see the Phillies committed four errors behind starter Kyle Kendrick tonight. One of those errors came on a dropped foul pop-up. Two came on one play with the bases empty. Another came on a diving stop by third baseman Michael Young, who stole a single and then handed Kurt Suzuki two bases. Still, the fact of the matter is that the Phillies committed four errors and the Nationals didn't turn any of them into a...

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Span on his rough night, plus quotes from Harper and Frandsen

July 11, 2013, 7:59pm

Nationals

Span on his rough night, plus quotes from Harper and Frandsen

PHILADELPHIA - Denard Span's night got off to a rough start from the get-go. He sent a pop-up foul leading off the first inning, only to have Chase Utley's error give him another shot in the at-bat. He then shot a liner at Utley, who skied to make the catch and rob Span of a hit. In his second at-bat, Span laid down a bunt that he thought rolled foul. He stood near the batter's box for a couple seconds until he saw that the ball had stayed fair and was going to be turned into an easy 2-6-3...

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Nats, Phillies lineups for finale in City of Brotherly Love

July 11, 2013, 11:46am

Nationals

Nats, Phillies lineups for finale in City of Brotherly Love

PHILADELPHIA - After facing left-handers each of the last three days, the Nationals will take their hacks against Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick tonight in the finale of this four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. With a win, the Nats would salvage a split in this set despite dropping the first two games. Bryce Harper is 7-for-14 career off Kendrick with a homer and three doubles and Ian Desmond is 10-for-28 with two homers, a triple and two doubles off the righty. Jordan Zimmermann...

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Nationals' Kissimmee plans appear back on track

July 11, 2013, 8:38am

Nationals

Just when it seemed like the Nationals' long trek toward a new spring training home had gained some traction, there are indications that the team's hopes for a new complex in Kissimmee, Fla., may have encountered an unexpected road block. According to this blog from the Orlando Business Journal, Osceola County has temporarily tabled talks on construction of a new two-team complex that would house both the Nationals and Houston Astros. The Nationals, who currently play Grapefruit League...