nationals

First impressions on Darvish's near perfection, Hicks' tough start, Harper's blasts and more

April 03, 2013, 4:24am

The first two days of the season are complete. Here are some first impressions: * Yu Darvish's perfect game was broken up with two outs in the ninth in the Rangers' 7-0 win in Houston on Tuesday night. It brought back memories of April 4, 2001, when the Red Sox's Hideo Nomo, who, like Darvish is from Japan, threw a no-hitter versus the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Orioles' Delino DeShields made the final out. Red Sox second baseman Mike Lansing's tumbling catch of a Mike Bordick's pop...

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A glimpse into what could be a special few years

April 01, 2013, 9:38pm

Nationals

A glimpse into what could be a special few years

It's hard, after seeing what we saw yesterday at Nationals Park, not to think big picture. It's hard not to think about what could be happening two or three years down the road, possibly more. It's hard not to envision Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg putting together dominating performances like Monday's in front of consistently packed houses, with fans clamoring for tickets to watch the dual phenoms in person. Despite their relative lack of big league experience, we still got to see...

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Ted Leavengood: On opening day, an elegant masterpiece

April 02, 2013, 5:22am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: On opening day, an elegant masterpiece

Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg made a compelling case on opening day to be considered the two best talents ever to play Major League Baseball in Washington, D.C. Facing a depleted Miami Marlins roster, Strasburg seemed to hardly work up a sweat as he breezed through seven innings on 80 pitches without allowing a run. On a day when Ricky Nolasco had his good stuff, Harper hit two laser shots that bored through a slight incoming breeze to easily reach the right field stands. The final score...

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Harper on his highlight-filled day: "It was a pretty special moment"

April 01, 2013, 1:58pm

Nationals

Harper on his highlight-filled day: "It was a pretty special moment"

With his mom and dad in attendance along with 45,272 others, Bryce Harper put on a show in the Nationals' regular season opener. Harper crushed two home runs in his first two at-bats of the season, scored the Nationals' only two runs of the day and started a dramatic double play in the seventh inning that brought an end to a would-be Marlins rally and preserved a two-run lead. Talk about an impressive start to a season in which some are projecting Harper as one of the favorites for the...

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Nationals revel in watching Harper, Strasburg at work

April 01, 2013, 12:40pm

Nationals

Having trouble deciding on the right word to describe Bryce Harper's two-homer performance in the Nationals' 2-0 win over the Miami Marlins in Monday's season opener? How about the double play Harper started in the seventh with a laser throw from left field? Or the way, after going deep twice, he faked a bunt that would have caught Placido Polanco so by surprise that Harper might have run to second before the Marlins third baseman could react? Consult your thesaurus. Nationals shortstop Ian...

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Johnson discusses Nats' opening day victory

April 01, 2013, 1:14pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' opening day victory

Davey Johnson probably couldn't have drawn up a more perfect game if he tried. Johnson and the Nationals got two home runs from Bryce Harper, seven exceptional innings from starter Stephen Strasburg, a couple tremendous defensive plays, a strong eighth inning from Tyler Clippard and a perfect 1-2-3 ninth from Rafael Soriano. Add it all up, and it's a 2-0 Nats win. There was plenty for Johnson to like about today's effort, but Strasburg and Harper were paramount in his mind. "Oh, Stras...

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Opening day not about the strikeouts for Strasburg in win

April 01, 2013, 1:05pm

Nationals

Opening day not about the strikeouts for Strasburg in win

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a seamless start to the 2013 season, going seven innings and allowing no runs in a 2-0 Nationals win over the Marlins. Strasburg allowed a hit to Juan Pierre to lead off the game and then recorded 19 consecutive outs. He walked none. But probably his most impressive feat to begin a long season? He struck out just three batters. That's right, just three. He got comebackers and weak grounders. He relied on stellar defense by Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and...

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Rizzo on Young, Desmond contract talks and hoisting a championship banner

April 01, 2013, 8:09am

Nationals

Rizzo on Young, Desmond contract talks and hoisting a championship banner

A sea of red is spilling into Nationals Park through the center field gate, and we're just about an hour away from first pitch here between the Nationals and Marlins. Wilson Ramos is ready for his first regular season game in nearly 11 months, saying he's as excited as he could possibly be. Denard Span is pumped for his first meaningful game in a Nats jersey, and says he had trouble sleeping last night because of all the excitement. General manager Mike Rizzo is ready to go, as...

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Opening day even more special to Nationals after last season's success

April 01, 2013, 7:57am

Nationals

Opening day is always a special time for the fans but is it just another game to the players? Far from it. Especially with what the Nationals were able to accomplish in 2012. A pregame banner ceremony will commemorate the National League East crown from last season, and then it is time to go to work to try to do it again. "I enjoy opening day," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "It is an absolute necessity. It is kind of the parade that kicks this thing off." And repeating...

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Johnson on his future, Harper and Garcia

April 01, 2013, 9:15am

Nationals

Johnson on his future, Harper and Garcia

The Nationals have just been introduced to the large crowd at Nats Park, with Bryce Harper, Davey Johnson and Stephen Strasburg receiving the loudest ovations. Jayson Werth opted not to give a high five to Screech, the mascot standing next to the players and team staffers along the first base line, drawing a laugh from reporters here in the press box. Adam LaRoche received his Gold Glove, and Silver Sluggers were handed out to LaRoche, Ian Desmond and Stephen Strasburg. Johnson was given his...

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Harper, Strasburg carry Nats to 2-0 opening day win

April 01, 2013, 11:20am

Nationals

Harper, Strasburg carry Nats to 2-0 opening day win

The Nationals plated two runs today. Both came off the bat of Bryce Harper, who clubbed solo home runs in his first two at-bats of the season. The Nats shut out the Marlins. Seven of those scoreless innings came from Stephen Strasburg, who retired 19 in a row at one point, allowed just three hits and failed to walk a batter. A sellout crowd of 45,274 - the largest paid attendance in Nats Park history - got quite a show this afternoon, as the Nats beat the Marlins 2-0 in their 2013 regular...

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Harper starts 2013 off with a bang (more Harper, more Strasburg)

April 01, 2013, 9:36am

Nationals

Harper starts 2013 off with a bang (more Harper, more Strasburg)

Bryce Harper might just do some things this season. In his first at-bat of the season, just some 20 minutes after receiving his 2012 National League Rookie of the Year award, Harper crushed a 1-0 pitch from Ricky Nolasco into the right field bleachers. Two pitches, one home run and a lot more talk about what could be to come from Harper in his age-20 season. The homer came on a hanging curveball over the inner half, and it left the park in a hurry. It's 1-0 Nationals. Harper sprinted...

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Your Marlins-Nats opening day lineups

April 01, 2013, 5:19am

Nationals

We couldn't have asked for a much nicer day for a ballgame, at least on April 1 in Washington, D.C. It's supposed to be around 63 and sunny at first pitch here at Nationals Park, with no rain in the forecast. I'll take it. For those of you coming to the game, you might want to get here early. The opening day ceremonies will begin at 12:08 p.m., with James Brown serving as the master of ceremonies. The Nationals are scheduled to unveil their National League East division champions sign at...

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Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

March 31, 2013, 4:16pm

Nationals

Mattheus thrilled to come into a season where he can just pitch

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus feels like 2013 is different. Of course, he has to prove himself. But this feels better than in years past where he came into camp trying to make the team. This season, he felt like his spot was his to lose. He felt more in control during spring training. "It's huge," Mattheus said. "I finally had the pressures of making the team. I guess I could have went in and lost the job. I came in this spring and it was my job to lose. And that is just comforting, that I...

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Nats finalize opening day roster

March 31, 2013, 12:10pm

Nationals

We knew this was coming, but the Nationals officially reassigned left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to minor league camp this afternoon, a move that finalizes their opening day 25-man roster. Romero will open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Syracuse and serve as insurance in case of injury or if the Nats need more left-handed presence in their 'pen. The Nats will break camp with 13 position players and 12 pitchers, opting to go with a five-man bench and a seven-man bullpen, as they did...

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Nats' quest for a World Series begins today with Strasburg leading the way

April 01, 2013, 2:55am

Nationals

Nats' quest for a World Series begins today with Strasburg leading the way

A long winter and a seemingly even longer spring training are behind us. The first pitch of the regular season was thrown last night in Houston, and this afternoon, the Nationals will kick off their 2013 campaign, one that comes with the highest of expectations. Happy opening day, everyone. This day couldn't come soon enough for the Nationals, who saw their 2012 World Series hopes come crumbling down last Oct. 12. Same goes for their opening day starter, Stephen Strasburg, whose season ended...

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Nationals finalize opening day roster

March 31, 2013, 2:12pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today reassigned left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero to minor league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The move finalizes the Nationals' 25-man opening day roster.

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Espinosa: "I feel like I can hit anybody"

March 31, 2013, 5:34am

Nationals

Espinosa: "I feel like I can hit anybody"

Prior to the Nationals' exhibition game against the Yankees on Friday, with spring training all but over, I asked Danny Espinosa when the last time was that his left-handed swing had felt as good as it currently does. "More than two years," Espinosa responded. "Since I've been in the big leagues. By far." When Dr. Lewis Yocum, perhaps the leader in treatment for shoulder and elbow injuries among athletes, told Espinosa this offseason that he felt the Nationals second baseman could rehab...

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Nationals release rosters for Hagerstown, Potomac and Syracuse

March 30, 2013, 8:36am

Nationals

Here are the 2013 opening day rosters for Nationals' affiliates at Single-A Hagerstown, Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Syracuse. Double-A Harrisburg released its roster yesterday. Potomac Nationals PITCHERS A.J. Cole Robbie Ray Taylor Jordan Taylor Hill Kylin Turnbull Tyler Herron Matt Grace Richard Mirowski Gregory Holt Ben Hawkins Christian Meza Colin Bates Derek Self CATCHERS Adrian Nieto Cole Leonida INFIELDERS Kevin Keyes Adrian Sanchez Jason Martinson Cutter Dykstra Blake...

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Owings feels strong spring validated change to position player

March 30, 2013, 8:24am

Nationals

Owings feels strong spring validated change to position player

If Micah Owings had any doubts at all that he'd made the right decision by opting to become a position player after six big league seasons as a pitcher, those doubts were erased this spring. Owings came into camp knowing he had a tough task ahead of him as he pursued a bit of a career change, putting aside bullpen sessions and instead working on getting reads on fly balls in the outfield and fine-tuning his hitting. It was unlikely Owings would be able to crack the Nationals' opening day...