nationals

With Harper returning, lineup comes together nicely for Johnson

July 01, 2013, 1:27pm

For the first time it what seems like April, manager Davey Johnson got to put together a lineup that would make his counterpart in the other dugout pause. With the return of left fielder Bryce Harper from the disabled list, Johnson was able to put together one of the better power and contact combinations in quite a while to open the month of July. Denard Span CF Jayson Werth RF Bryce Harper LF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Ian Desmond SS Anthony Rendon 2B Kurt Suzuki C Jordan Zimmermann...

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Johnson discusses Nats' 10-5 win

July 01, 2013, 7:48pm

Nationals

It didn't take more than 15 minutes into tonight's ballgame, Bryce Harper's first in over a month, for the 20-year-old outfielder to make his presence felt. Up with two outs in the bottom of the first, Harper took the first pitch he saw from Yovani Gallardo, then smoked the second on a line over the left-center field fence for a solo homer that got the Nationals rolling towards a 10-5 win. "Wouldn't you know it?" manager Davey Johnson said of Harper's theatrics. "We kinda expected...

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Nats beat Brewers 10-5

July 01, 2013, 6:11pm

Nationals

The Nationals scored 10 runs or more in one of their first 80 games this season. They've now reached the double-digit run mark on back-to-back days. First, it was a 13-2 romp over the Mets. Tonight, it was a 10-5 win over the Brewers. The last time the Nats put up at least 10 runs in consecutive games was June 26-28 of last year, when they actually scored double-digit runs in three straight games against the Rockies. Jayson Werth went 2-for-5 with five RBIs, Denard Span reached base three...

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Harper homers in first at-bat in 36 days (it's a ballgame again)

July 01, 2013, 3:31pm

Nationals

Harper homers in first at-bat in 36 days (it's a ballgame again)

Was there any doubt Bryce Harper would do something special in his return to the Nationals' lineup after missing 31 games while on the disabled list? If you were one to have those doubts, you must not have seen much of Harper over the last two seasons. In his first big league at-bat in 36 days, Harper took the first pitch he saw from Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo for a ball and then smoked a 93 mph fastball over the left field wall and into the visitors' bullpen for a solo home...

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Detwiler will make Wednesday start, Ramos continues rehab, Owings granted his release

July 01, 2013, 2:33pm

Nationals

Detwiler will make Wednesday start, Ramos continues rehab, Owings granted his release

The Nationals got Bryce Harper back today, and they're getting good news on a couple other banged-up players, as well. Ross Detwiler threw a bullpen session today and came out feeling just fine, according to manager Davey Johnson. Detwiler had felt some stiffness in the left side of his lower back after Friday's start against the Mets, and it looked for a bit like the Nats might need to skip his next turn in the rotation - this Wednesday - and go with long reliever Ross Ohlendorf instead....

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Harper reinstated from DL, Davis optioned (Werth hitting second, Rendon seventh)

July 01, 2013, 11:00am

Nationals

Harper reinstated from DL, Davis optioned (Werth hitting second, Rendon seventh)

He's back. The Nationals have activated outfielder Bryce Harper from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for Harper on the active roster, right-hander Erik Davis was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Harper, who missed the last 31 games with left-knee bursitis, is batting .287 with seven doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 23 RBI, 25 walks and two stolen bases in 44 games this season. During his four-game rehab assignment between Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg, Harper batted .354...

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Harper on his return, Johnson on his lineup decisions

July 01, 2013, 1:50pm

Nationals

Harper on his return, Johnson on his lineup decisions

Around 2 p.m. today, while milling around the Nationals' clubhouse, Davey Johnson saw Bryce Harper, his 20-year-old outfielder who had missed the last 31 games while dealing with left-knee bursitis. "Is that really you?" Johnson asked Harper. "Are you OK? You ready to go?" Harper shook Johnson's hand. "Yeah, I'm ready," Harper said. Harper was reinstated from the disabled list today after a four-game rehab assignment, and he'll play left field and return to the Nationals'...

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Haren feels injury might've been more serious than he first thought

June 30, 2013, 6:45pm

Nationals

Haren feels injury might've been more serious than he first thought

Dan Haren will be - and has been - the first to admit that he hasn't thrown the ball well this season. We've seen Haren's brutal honesty on more than a few occasions this year, and he certainly isn't shy about telling you when he isn't getting the job done or pitching to the level he feels he should. But Haren was pleasantly surprised with how good he felt yesterday when he threw a bullpen session at Citi Field, his first time toeing the rubber since landing on the disabled last June 23...

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The Bryce Harper effect

July 01, 2013, 5:38am

Nationals

He did it last season when he burst onto the scene in Los Angeles. Now, 14 months later, coming off an injury to his knee this season, which also ironically happened at Dodger Stadium, he is ready to make his "re-debut" with the Nationals back in D.C. tonight. And similar to that April 28, 2012 moment, Bryce Harper will instantly provide a spark for the Nationals, with his presence alone. Judging from Saturday's rehab game for Double-A Harrisburg at Bowie, Harper looks good to...

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Nationals reinstate Bryce Harper from DL, option Erik Davis to Triple-A Syracuse

July 01, 2013, 11:07am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated left fielder Bryce Harper from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned right-handed pitcher Erik Davis to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Harper, who missed the last 31 games with left knee bursitis, is batting .287 with seven doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 23 RBI, 25 walks and two stolen bases in 44...

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Hitting the halfway point

June 30, 2013, 6:05pm

Nationals

The Nationals have reached the halfway point of their 2013 season the owners of a 41-40 record. Not where they thought they'd be right now, that's for sure. The first three months have been one extended dance, with the Nats taking a step forward with a positive showing, like yesterday's 13-2 romp over the Mets, followed - usually immediately - by a step backwards. It leaves the team many considered to be World Series favorites entering the season, one that's still hovering around .500...

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Nationals need to improve clutch hitting, Orioles' ascent to top of AL East won't be easy

July 01, 2013, 6:59am

Nationals Orioles

Nationals need to improve clutch hitting, Orioles' ascent to top of AL East won't be easy

As baseball moves into the third month of the season, here are some things to think about as burgers go on the grill: * If you think the Nationals' first half has been marked by a lack of clutch hitting, check out the Braves: Going into Monday, they have the National League's worst average (.221) with runners in scoring position. The Nats are at .247. Both teams are running on parallel tracks: Each has a strong rotation and bullpen, but no ability to sustain rallies. * It is obvious that...

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Johnson recaps Nats' 13-2 blowout win

June 30, 2013, 2:09pm

Nationals

NEW YORK - If the Nationals' win Friday was their "biggest win of the year," was today's victory the most enjoyable one this season? The Nationals pounded out 13 runs on 13 hits this afternoon. They connected on four home runs (one each by Adam LaRoche, Jayson Werth, Kurt Suzuki and Ian Desmond) and six doubles, and had every position player in the starting lineup produce at least one run and one RBI. This was the first time in team history that all eight starting position players had an...

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Hearing from Gonzalez, Suzuki and LaRoche

June 30, 2013, 2:52pm

Nationals

Hearing from Gonzalez, Suzuki and LaRoche

NEW YORK - The roller-coaster season continues. A big win Friday, a downer of a game Saturday in which the Nationals scored just one run and a dominating showing in a 13-2 victory today. The Nats' pitching has been pretty consistent the last couple months, but the offense sure hasn't. Today, the Nats exploded offensively, to the point that the Mets ended up sending catcher Anthony Recker to the mound in the ninth, looking for someone to just eat an inning and save their bullpen in what they...

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Marty Niland: At the midpoint, a mid-season Nationals report card

July 01, 2013, 5:01am

Nationals

The halfway point of the season is an ideal time to take stock of what the Nationals have accomplished so far and what they need to improve. Here are the grades so far: Starting Pitching: B-plus. Jordan Zimmermann (11-3, 2.28 ERA) is the main reason the Nats are still in contention in the National League East. He has accounted for 11 of their 41 wins and only 29 of their 283 earned runs. He is unbeatable (8-0, 1.09 ERA) at home and has given up more than three earned runs only twice this...

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Getting the wheels turning in the second (Nats crush Mets 13-2)

June 30, 2013, 9:58am

Nationals

Getting the wheels turning in the second (Nats crush Mets 13-2)

NEW YORK - Making his third major league start, Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler retired the Nationals in order in dominating fashion in the first inning, striking out two. Things went a little differently in the second. The Nats scored four runs on Wheeler in the second inning, putting five runners on base, three via extra-base hits. Adam LaRoche demolished the first pitch Wheeler threw in the inning, turning around a 95 mph heater and sending it off the railing of the second deck in right....

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Detwiler thinks he'll make his next start (plus Haren update and lineups)

June 30, 2013, 8:14am

Nationals

Detwiler thinks he'll make his next start (plus Haren update and lineups)

NEW YORK - The stiffness that Ross Detwiler felt in the left side of his lower back following his start Friday is all but gone, manager Davey Johnson said today. Johnson reported that Detwiler felt much better today than he did yesterday, and the left-hander thinks he'll be able to make his scheduled start Wednesday against the Brewers. Detwiler played catch in the outfield at Citi Field just a few minutes ago and seemed to be throwing at full force. He'll throw a side session tomorrow, and...

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Harper after playing nine innings: "I really think I could help the team" (plus audio)

June 29, 2013, 6:26pm

Nationals

Harper after playing nine innings: "I really think I could help the team" (plus audio)

BOWIE, Md. - Left fielder Bryce Harper is anxious. That is the best sign of all that the knee is not bothering him and he is ready to get back with his teammates. On Saturday, he played nine innings for Double-A Harrisburg in what is likely his final rehab game before returning to the Nationals. Harper has been recovering from left knee bursitis since late May. On Saturday night, he faced off against Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, also on a rehab assignment. Harper went 0-for-3 with a...

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Hearing from Johnson, Jordan, Zimmerman and Desmond after 5-1 loss

June 29, 2013, 1:51pm

Nationals

Hearing from Johnson, Jordan, Zimmerman and Desmond after 5-1 loss

NEW YORK - Last night, the Nationals picked up what manager Davey Johnson and a couple players called their "biggest win of the year." They came back from three runs down, scored five runs in the final two innings and earned a hard-fought road victory in a game in which they faced arguably the toughest starter in the league. Today, the Nats scored just a single run, got shut down (yet again) by a starter with a 4.60 ERA and made three errors in a 5-1 loss to the Mets. How do you explain the...

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Dissecting the defensive issues

June 30, 2013, 6:10am

Nationals

NEW YORK - If the Nationals were putting up six runs a game to go along with their strong pitching, their defensive woes this season would be easier to stomach. After all, if you have double-digit run totals on the board a couple of times a week or are in the process of coasting to another victory, it's easier to put up with a defensive miscue here and there that extends an inning or allows a relatively harmless unearned run to come across. Unfortunately for the Nats, that's not...