nationals

A Mattheus update plus Johnson's outlook on the second half

July 19, 2013, 3:32pm

The Nationals have 11 home games in the next 10 days, a lengthy homestand coming out of the All-Star break and a chance to get things going in the right direction after playing a disappointing first half of the season. Davey Johnson's club has gone 27-18 (.600) at home this season, leading you to believe the Nats will have a bit of an edge over the next week and a half. But Johnson doesn't necessarily see things that way. In his mind, the Nats just need to play better, and if they do, it...

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LaRoche battling flu, Detwiler's return not imminent

July 19, 2013, 1:14pm

Nationals

LaRoche battling flu, Detwiler's return not imminent

I approached Adam LaRoche in the Nationals' clubhouse a bit ago to check in on him and ask if he was feeling OK, seeing as how he's been held out of the Nats' lineup for tonight's game against the Dodgers. "You might want to keep your distance," LaRoche responded in a quiet, somewhat raspy voice. LaRoche has been dealing with the flu over the last couple of days, an illness that has left him drained and his body feeling achy. As a result, he'll sit tonight's game out, meet with a team...

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Pitching match-ups and a pitcher that could be relocating

July 19, 2013, 5:30am

Nationals

Pitching match-ups and a pitcher that could be relocating

If you've struggled with the lack of real baseball this week, if you feel like there's been a hole in your summertime routine without the Nationals and hundreds of

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A look at what lies ahead

July 18, 2013, 5:20am

Nationals

We've taken a peek back at the Nationals' first 95 games. It might not have been a pleasant experience for you, but we did it. Now, let's look ahead. The Nats have 67 games remaining, 67 chances to chip away at the Braves' six-game lead in the National League East and the five-game deficit for the final Wild Card spot. How tough a road do the Nats have ahead of them? Well, it's not easy, but there are some chances here to get things going in a positive direction. Of the Nats' 67...

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The big remaining questions

July 17, 2013, 5:37am

Nationals

For those questioning the decision to name Mariano Rivera the Most Valuable Player of last night's All-Star Game, let me ask you this: Who would you have selected? No player on either team had more than one hit. Two of the three runs that were scored all game came in on a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout. Should Jose Bautista earn MVP honors for flying out to center, plating the game-winning run in the fourth inning? The only run-scoring hit came off the bat of Jason Kipnis, whose...

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Harper goes 0-for-2 in American League's 3-0 All-Star Game win

July 16, 2013, 5:45pm

Nationals

Harper goes 0-for-2 in American League's 3-0 All-Star Game win

The National League All-Stars trail 1-0 after four innings in the Midsummer Classic, and much like the Nationals, the lack of offense has been an issue for the NL squad tonight. Only one National League hitter has reached base tonight - Carlos Beltran - and the NL squad wasn't able to make anything of that lone opportunity, even after pinch-runner Andrew McCutchen stole second base. Facing White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, arguably one of the toughest southpaws in the game right now, Bryce...

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As the second half kicks off, a look at the Nats and other National League contenders

July 17, 2013, 1:49pm

Nationals

As the second half kicks off, a look at the Nats and other National League contenders

The Nationals won 98 games last year. They aren't going to cruise to the National League East title this year, and it's going to be a grind just to make October. This time, they have to improve their hitting and get consistent pitching from No. 4 and No. 5 in the rotation. Dan Haren has pitched well in his return from the disabled list, and Ross Detwiler should be back next week. They need to pitch well. The depth is not there. The Nats offense is perplexing. At times, they surge....

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Handing out some first-half hardware (Mattheus bumped up in rehab assignment)

July 16, 2013, 6:47am

Nationals

Handing out some first-half hardware (Mattheus bumped up in rehab assignment)

Yeah, Bryce Harper didn't bring home the Home Run Derby trophy, finishing in second place behind Athletics slugger Yoenis Cespedes, but there is a silver lining here: With Harper just 20 years old, imagine how many more times we'll get to watch him hit bombs in the Derby and take a run at that hardware. Harper put on quite a show last night, and it had to be truly special to compete on that stage with his dad, Ron, pitching to him. I don't know of many father/son activities that are better...

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Osceola County commissioners delay Kissimmee stadium vote until Aug. 19

July 15, 2013, 7:59pm

Nationals

Osceola County commissioners delay Kissimmee stadium vote until Aug. 19

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,...