nationals

Offense not living up to its billing

May 01, 2013, 6:08am

ATLANTA - The good news for the Nationals, maybe some of the only good news they've got going right now, is that Jordan Zimmermann will be taking the ball tonight as the Nats look to finally pick up a win over the Braves and snap a three-game losing streak. Is there anyone else the Nats would rather have on the mound right now than Zimmermann, who is 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and is coming off a one-hit shutout his last time out? Ross Detwiler has pitched really well this season, but with...

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Nats at a bit of a loss when trying to explain rocky start

April 30, 2013, 7:30pm

Nationals

Nats at a bit of a loss when trying to explain rocky start

ATLANTA - The Nationals know they're a talented team. They know they're better than what their 13-14 record indicates. So why is their play slacking? Why the 0-5 record against the Braves? What can't this team do that needs to be done right now? "I feel like we can, we're just not," said Ian Desmond, who went around to a number of players after the game to have brief one-on-one chats with them. "I mean, everyone's trying to do better for the team, but I feel like you have to put...

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Johnson discusses another loss to Braves

April 30, 2013, 7:00pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses another loss to Braves

ATLANTA - For the fifth time this season, Davey Johnson met with reporters following a loss to the Braves. "Do we have to talk about this one?" Johnson said with a smirk on his face. Had the Nationals not just finished the month of April with a disappointing 13-14 record, Johnson might've been in full-blown smile mode when making that comment. Knowing how long the season is and how many games remain, he's usually fairly jolly at this point in the year, even after a loss. Instead,...

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David Huzzard: Advanced metrics place Harper in select company

April 30, 2013, 7:08pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Advanced metrics place Harper in select company

As a disappointing 13-14 April comes to an end for the Nationals, the only thing that went right was Bryce Harper. An April OPS of 1.150 is only so impressive on its own, but consider that the tops in all of baseball last season was Miguel Cabrera with .999 and the only regulars with better than that in April 2012 were Matt Kemp, Bryan LaHair, Josh Hamilton and David Ortiz. Harper is off to a hot start, but there are signs that it won't be ending anytime soon. Watch Harper at the plate....

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An incredibly bizarre outing for Gio Gonzalez (Nats lose 8-1)

April 30, 2013, 4:39pm

Nationals

An incredibly bizarre outing for Gio Gonzalez (Nats lose 8-1)

ATLANTA - This is one of the more bizarre outings I've seen turned in by a starting pitcher in some time. Gio Gonzalez has struck out nine batters through four innings. His stuff has been good, his velocity is there and his pitches have plenty life. Outside of the strikeout numbers, however, everything else has gone wrong for Gonzalez. The Nationals left-hander has allowed five runs in his four innings of work. He's allowed seven hits. He's walked five Braves batters. He threw a wild...

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McCatty defends Strasburg; talks mechanics, unrealistic expectations

April 30, 2013, 3:39pm

Nationals

McCatty defends Strasburg; talks mechanics, unrealistic expectations

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg hasn't been pitching at a Cy Young level thus far this season. But he also hasn't pitched poorly. The latter point is one that Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty wants to emphasize. McCatty passionately defended Strasburg this afternoon, saying that the expectations that media members and fans have placed on Strasburg have reached unfair levels, with it getting to the point that Strasburg almost is in a no-win situation. "You guys put these levels on this...

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Strasburg given a clean bill of health, Werth hoping to play tomorrow

April 30, 2013, 2:30pm

Nationals

Strasburg given a clean bill of health, Werth hoping to play tomorrow

ATLANTA - Davey Johnson expressed concern last night after hearing that Stephen Strasburg had been dealing with some tightness in his forearm during his outing in the Nationals' 3-2 loss to the Braves. Today, the Nationals feel confident that all is well with their ace right-hander. General manager Mike Rizzo said that Strasburg has some irritation on his forearm, but reiterated that the Nats expect Strasburg to be able to make his regularly scheduled start on Saturday in...

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Rizzo: Strasburg expected to make next start

April 30, 2013, 11:51am

Nationals

Rizzo: Strasburg expected to make next start

ATLANTA - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo alleviated some concerns about Stephen Strasburg's arm today. Via text message, Rizzo said Strasburg is doing fine and is expected to make his next start. Doctors gave good reports on Strasburg's arm after the right-hander experienced forearm tightness during his start Monday. This news confirms an earlier Washington Post report.

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Looking deeper into Strasburg's outing

April 30, 2013, 5:44am

Nationals

ATLANTA - And so we wait. The Nationals didn't provide much firm information last night on the status of Stephen Strasburg, who manager Davey Johnson said was dealing with some forearm tightness following his start against the Braves. They'll need to monitor Strasburg this afternoon and in the days ahead before really knowing where things stand and how to handle any health issues involving the 24-year-old right-hander. Strasburg said multiple times last night that he felt good on the...

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A handful of pregame notes and quotes (Werth out of Nats lineup)

April 30, 2013, 11:29am

Nationals

A handful of pregame notes and quotes (Werth out of Nats lineup)

ATLANTA - The Nationals are 11-1 when scoring first this season. That's pretty good. When their opponents score first, the Nats have gone just 2-12. That's not as good. In their 13 losses this season, the Nats have scored a measly 1.5 runs per game. In their 13 wins, they've put up a more robust 5.8 runs per contest. The lesson here: If you score more runs, you're more likely to win games. That stat about teams scoring first usually is more relevant in football, where a team taking a...

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Ted Leavengood: In Span, Nats have a glove of a different kind

April 29, 2013, 6:31pm

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: In Span, Nats have a glove of a different kind

Denard Span is no Michael Morse. Morse had the kung-fu warm-up cut - immortalized in his bobblehead - and there was his A-Ha walk-up music. Span had large shoes to fill on many levels. It did not get easier when Morse ripped up the Cactus League for nine home runs and a .357 batting average in spring training. It was reminiscent of the 2011 spring when he had his breakout season, hitting .303 with 31 home runs. There were more than a few call-ins to radio shows bemoaning the loss of Morse and...

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Johnson: Strasburg battling forearm tightness

April 29, 2013, 7:32pm

Nationals

Johnson: Strasburg battling forearm tightness

ATLANTA - The Nationals lost to the Braves 3-2 tonight, but that result took a backseat after the game when manager Davey Johnson said that Stephen Strasburg was dealing with some forearm tightness. Strasburg went six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. He struggled with his fastball command throughout the game but managed to limit the damage. "That was a tough one, but the main thing, I was a little concerned about Strasburg," Johnson said....

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Postgame notes on Werth's health, LaRoche's knock, another Braves win

April 29, 2013, 8:23pm

Nationals

Postgame notes on Werth's health, LaRoche's knock, another Braves win

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg isn't the only one to have some health concerns coming out of tonight's game. Jayson Werth dealt with hamstring cramps tonight, an issue that worsened as the game went on. He told manager Davey Johnson before an eighth inning at-bat that if he reached base, he'd need to have a pinch-runner take over. During the at-bat, Werth fouled a ball off his left ankle. He then struck out for the second out of the inning and was replaced in right field by Roger Bernadina in...

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What to make of this Strasburg outing? (Nats lose 3-2)

April 29, 2013, 5:30pm

Nationals

What to make of this Strasburg outing? (Nats lose 3-2)

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg's stat line will show that he allowed just two earned runs over six innings against the Braves tonight. It'll go down as a quality start. It's hard to believe Strasburg will consider this outing of much quality, though. The Nationals right-hander allowed six hits and four walks tonight. He put the leadoff hitter on in five of his six innings pitched. He got into an animated discussion with pitching coach Steve McCatty during a fifth-inning mound visit....

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LaRoche snaps his skid, both teams make blunders on the bases (Strasburg struggling)

April 29, 2013, 4:41pm

Nationals

LaRoche snaps his skid, both teams make blunders on the bases (Strasburg struggling)

ATLANTA - Adam LaRoche's hitless streak is over. And you have to wonder how much of that is due to Chipper Jones. LaRoche snapped an 0-for-26 skid with a single to left in the second inning tonight. This comes just hours after LaRoche sat down and studied tape with his good buddy and former Braves star Chipper Jones. The Nationals first baseman's leadoff single started a two-run inning, as the Nats strung together four straight singles off Braves righty Julio Teheran and grabbed a 2-1...

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Adam LaRoche getting hitting tips from ... Chipper Jones?

April 29, 2013, 2:21pm

Nationals

Adam LaRoche getting hitting tips from ... Chipper Jones?

ATLANTA - It was a strange sight, really. A pretty cool sight, but a strange one. There was Chipper Jones in the visiting clubhouse here at Turner Field, the park that he called home for 19 years, dishing out hugs and chatting with Nationals players. There Jones was, the former Brave and future Hall of Famer talking shop with his good buddy and former teammate Adam LaRoche. There the two men were, sitting in a hallway adjacent to the Nationals' clubhouse, watching film and breaking down...

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Johnson talks plans for Ramos and a strategy for Strasburg

April 29, 2013, 2:58pm

Nationals

Johnson talks plans for Ramos and a strategy for Strasburg

ATLANTA - With Wilson Ramos getting activated from the disabled list today and Kurt Suzuki having gotten a heavy workload recently, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to expect Ramos to get the start tonight against the Braves. Instead, it's Suzuki behind the plate again. Nationals manager Davey Johnson explained his decision to sit Ramos, saying he's taking a better-safe-than-sorry approach with his catcher after his recent left hamstring injury. "I treat hamstrings anything but...

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"Bryce Begins" to air on ESPN on Tuesday, April 30

April 29, 2013, 3:57pm

Nationals

"Bryce Begins" to air on ESPN on Tuesday, April 30

What were you doing when you were 19? Chances are you weren't roaming the outfields of major league ballparks like Bryce Harper was. Harper, the young Nationals phenom, skyrocketed to superstardom during his rookie season. His accomplishments include earning a trip to the All-Star Game and winning the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year Award. His play helped the Nats win the NL East for the first time since the franchise returned to Washington D.C., in 2005. ESPN will air a one-hour...

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"Bryce Begins" - A film document Bryce Harper's journey to stardom - debuts Tuesday, April 30 on ESPN

April 29, 2013, 3:59pm

Nationals

"Bryce Begins" - A film document Bryce Harper's journey to stardom - debuts Tuesday, April 30 on ESPN

"Bryce Begins," a one-hour film documenting Harper's journey from a teenager through the present day, will debut Tuesday, April 30 at 9:00pm ET on ESPN. A collaboration between Major League Baseball Productions and 3 Penny Films, "Bryce Begins" features extensive behind the scenes access with Harper and his family and rare footage from the years leading up to his Major League debut. The film also features new interviews with Harper, his father Ron Harper, Nationals General Manager Mike...

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Ramos activated, Suzuki behind the plate again (with lineups)

April 29, 2013, 11:48am

Nationals

Ramos activated, Suzuki behind the plate again (with lineups)

ATLANTA - The Nationals have activated Wilson Ramos from the 15-day disabled list, but Ramos is not in today's lineup against the Braves. Kurt Suzuki will start again behind the plate, marking the 15th time in a 16-game span that Suzuki has gotten the nod. He's played every inning of those 15 games. Ramos was sidelined the last 15 days with a left hamstring strain. Jhonatan Solano was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Ramos on the 25-man roster. Solano appeared in three...