nationals

Bryce Harper named to Home Run Derby

July 09, 2013, 2:38pm

With just 1 1/2 years of big league experience under his belt, Bryce Harper has accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time. In his first season alone, Harper was named to the National League All-Star team and was named NL Rookie of the Year. He's followed that up this season by winning a starting outfield spot in the All-Star Game, despite missing 31 contests with left knee bursitis. Well, we can add another accomplishment to his promising career: Home Run Derby participant. Mets...

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A step forward from Haren or more of the same?

July 08, 2013, 10:01pm

Nationals

A step forward from Haren or more of the same?

PHILADELPHIA - With the Nationals dropping the opener of their four-game series with the Phillies last night, the Braves capitalized on the opportunity to put some more space between themselves and Davey Johnson's bunch. Atlanta scored six times in the 14th inning of its game with the Marlins last night, and with that victory, the Braves pushed their division lead back to five games. After getting held scoreless and to just four singles by John Lannan, the Nats' slash line against...

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Ted Leavengood: A closer look at the Lannan-Haren fight

July 09, 2013, 5:44am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: A closer look at the Lannan-Haren fight

In one corner, there was the champ - or at least the one who was supposed to make the Nationals World Series contenders. Dan Haren stood there weighing in at a cool $13 million. In the other corner was John Lannan - dispatched twice last season by general manager Mike Rizzo as a pretender - weighing in at a paltry $2.5 million. Rarely does a personnel decision get such a head-to-head comparison. But Rizzo fired Lannan to begin the 2012 season. He cut him from the team and then did not offer...

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Hearing from Lannan, Desmond and Hairston

July 08, 2013, 7:33pm

Nationals

Hearing from Lannan, Desmond and Hairston

PHILADELPHIA - John Lannan isn't the type to talk openly about wanting to stick it to an organization or shove a strong performance in anyone's face to prove a point. He could go that route, but Lannan just isn't that kind of guy. That's why the left-hander downplayed the fact that his best outing in years - eight scoreless innings of four-hit ball - came against the team that drafted him, sent him to the minors last season and then cut him loose this winter. "The first time back, I...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 3-2 loss

July 08, 2013, 6:59pm

Nationals

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals optioned John Lannan to Triple-A Syracuse the day before opening day last season and then non-tendered him this winter. Today, Lannan got his payback. The left-hander, who was twice the Nats' opening day starter but spent the vast majority of last season in the minors, threw eight shutout innings against his former team today, leading the Phillies to a 3-2 win. The Nats made things interesting in the ninth by getting to Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon for two...

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Rizzo, Johnson discuss Hairston acquisition

July 08, 2013, 3:25pm

Nationals

Rizzo, Johnson discuss Hairston acquisition

PHILADELPHIA - Reporters have still not laid eyes on Scott Hairston since the veteran outfielder was acquired by the Nationals for minor league righty Ivan Pineyro in a trade with the Cubs last night. Hairston's flight out of Chicago was delayed by a couple hours earlier today, and he had yet to arrive in the Nats' clubhouse when the open-media period had ended around 5:30 p.m. That said, the Nats expect to have Hairston in uniform and available tonight, and assuming he is, they feel he...

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Lannan holding Nats in check, Haren survives shaky start (Nats lose 3-2)

July 08, 2013, 4:48pm

Nationals

Lannan holding Nats in check, Haren survives shaky start (Nats lose 3-2)

PHILADELPHIA - Through five innings tonight, John Lannan is outpitching the guy the Nationals replaced him with this offseason and sticking it to his former team in the process. Lannan has held the Nats to just two hits over five scoreless innings, and he and the Phillies hold a 2-0 lead. The Nats had their only real chance against Lannan in the fourth. Bryce Harper walked and then appeared to have second base stolen, but slid into the bag incredibly late, allowing Jimmy Rollins to slap down...

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Bryce Harper to take part in Home Run Derby

July 08, 2013, 2:50pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper to take part in Home Run Derby

PHILADELPHIA - Not only is Bryce Harper going to be a starter in the All-Star Game, he'll also be participating in the Home Run Derby the previous night. Harper has accepted Mets third baseman David Wright's offer to take part in the National League team for the Home Run Derby, joining Wright and the Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer. The American League team will be made up of the Yankees' Robinson Cano (who is the AL captain), the Orioles' Chris Davis and the Tigers' Prince...

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Hairston on lineup card, Moore optioned (with lineups)

July 08, 2013, 11:39am

Nationals

Hairston on lineup card, Moore optioned (with lineups)

PHILADELPHIA - Scott Hairston is not here at Citizens Bank Park just yet, but he is on the Nationals' lineup card and is expected to be in uniform tonight. Tyler Moore is not on the lineup card, and while the roster move is not yet official, he'll be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Hairston. Moore is batting .151/.195/.283 this season, and will now been optioned to Syracuse for the second time in a month. Since returning from Triple-A in late June, Moore went 1-for-11 with...

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More on Hairston, some on Harper (Nats send pitcher Pineyro to Cubs)

July 08, 2013, 5:23am

Nationals

More on Hairston, some on Harper (Nats send pitcher Pineyro to Cubs)

If you've seen the news that the Nationals have acquired outfielder Scott Hairston from the Cubs and find yourself unimpressed by Hairston's .172/.232/.434 slash line this season, well, you're probably not alone. As a team, Nats pinch-hitters are batting .174/.208/.313 this season, so why do they need another guy who is hitting well below the Mendoza line and isn't reaching base at a solid clip? Well, if you fall into that line of thinking, I've got two stats for you. * As a team, the...

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Nationals reinstate right-hander Dan Haren from DL, option 1B/OF Tyler Moore to Syracuse

July 08, 2013, 2:13pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today reinstated right-handed pitcher Dan Haren from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Haren, who missed the last 14 games with right shoulder inflammation, is slated to start tonight's series opener in Philadelphia. Haren is 4-9 with a 6.15 ERA in 15 starts this...

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Report: Nats acquire outfielder Scott Hairston from Cubs

July 07, 2013, 8:03pm

Nationals

Report: Nats acquire outfielder Scott Hairston from Cubs

The Nationals have been looking around for a right-handed bench player, someone who can provide some pop and depth in the outfield. They reportedly got such a guy tonight. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Nats have acquired outfielder Scott Hairston from the Cubs for a minor league pitcher. I don't expect to be able to confirm details at this late hour, but we'll know more tomorrow. The 33-year-old Hairston hit 20 home runs with the Mets last season, and after homering...

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MASN launches innovative social media rewards program for Orioles and Nationals fans

July 08, 2013, 10:12am

Nationals Orioles

MASN launches innovative social media rewards program for Orioles and Nationals fans

The Mid-Ã‚ÂAtlantic Sports Network launches its new "Touch 'Em All" program today, becoming the first regional sports network to execute a social media rewards program through FanScore. The platform gives Orioles and Nationals fans the opportunity to earn exclusive prizes through social media interaction. "MASN viewers are some of the most passionate and engaged sports fans in the country, and we are thrilled at how we've been able to connect with them through social media," said...

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Win exclusive Nationals prizes with MASN's "Touch 'Em All" social loyalty program

June 28, 2013, 4:10pm

Nationals

When you're watching a ballgame at Nationals Park or on MASN, do you ever find yourself checking your Twitter or Instagram? Maybe you're signed up for our text message alerts so you know when the Nats hit a big home run. When Ryan Zimmerman or Ian Desmond smack a ball out of Nats Park or glove a tough line drive in the infield, do you send out a quick tweet about it? For many fans, social media is a natural way to communicate with us and other Nationals enthusiasts. Well, we think it's...

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Nationals acquire outfielder Scott Hairston from Cubs

July 08, 2013, 6:51am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder Scott Hairston and a player to be named later from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor-league right-handed pitcher Ivan Pineyro and a player to be named later. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The acquisition of Hairston adds a veteran right-handed power threat to Washington's roster. Hairston has posted a double-digit home run total five times in the last six...

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Marty Niland: With All-Star start, Harper joins elite company

July 08, 2013, 5:09am

Nationals

Marty Niland: With All-Star start, Harper joins elite company

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper made history last season when he became the youngest position player selected to the All-Star Game at the age of 19, and he's doing it again with his second appearance at 20. Not only will Harper be the youngest position player ever to start for the National League, he is also the first National to be selected to the team twice. Ian Desmond, who was named last year but missed the game with an oblique strain, can join him in that distinction if he wins the...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 11-7 win, sweep of Padres

July 07, 2013, 2:26pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' 11-7 win, sweep of Padres

At close of business today, the Nationals look up and find themselves four games over .500 for the first time since May 17. They also find themselves four games back of the Braves in the National League East, the lowest deficit in the division since May 20. Today's 11-7 win over the Padres - a win that finished off a three-game sweep - combined with Atlanta's loss to the Phillies got the Nats to this point. They've talked for months about wanting to start playing better baseball. That...

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If Desmond doesn't make NL All-Star team, it's an unforgivable snub

July 07, 2013, 1:13pm

Nationals

If Desmond doesn't make NL All-Star team, it's an unforgivable snub

When it comes to All-Star Games, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond hasn't had good luck. Last season, he was selected as a reserve for the National League team, but couldn't make the trip to Kansas City because of injury. This season, he deserves a spot on the NL's 34-man squad, but he has to go up against Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig, 24, in the fans' voting for the final roster spot. Puig is a five-tool player who has developed into a rock star sensation since coming to the big leagues a...

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Harper heating up (Nats sweep away Padres)

July 07, 2013, 10:07am

Nationals

Harper heating up (Nats sweep away Padres)

Apparently, all Davey Johnson needed to do to get Bryce Harper back on track was threaten to take him out of the lineup. Since Johnson did so, Harper has four RBIs in five at-bats. His last four plate appearances have all resulted in an RBI. Harper went 1-for-2 with three RBIs yesterday, and he came through again in his first trip to the plate this afternoon, slapping a run-scoring single to left that plated Denard Span. It was the type of run we haven't seen the Nationals put up many times...

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Nationals place Ross Detwiler on disabled list with back strain

July 07, 2013, 9:39am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today placed left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to July 4, with a low back strain. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Detwiler, 27, is 2-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 starts with Washington this season.