nationals

Nats lineup for Game 162

October 03, 2012, 7:45am

The bulk of the Nationals' regulars are back in the starting lineup, while the two that started yesterday - Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche - are taking a seat for today's regular season finale. The Nats have a magic number of one to clinch the top seed in the National League, giving them home-field advantage through the playoffs and setting them up to play the wild card play-in winner. If they win today against the Phillies or the Reds lose to the Cardinals tonight, the Nationals will get...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko lineups nationals phillies frontstory_nationals2

Johnson believes Nats' inexperience won't hamper them in postseason

October 03, 2012, 8:41am

Nationals

Johnson believes Nats' inexperience won't hamper them in postseason

Manager Davey Johnson is not thrilled about the playoff setup in 2012 and that is why he was adamant all year long about winning the division so his team would not have its whole season riding on a one-game wild card so early in the playoffs. "I hate it," Johnson said. "I am old school." Of course, Johnson knows that whether it is a Game 7 or an elimination game in a series, that must-win game is eventually going to occur, but the wild card play-in game would have been an uncomfortable...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson nationals frontstory_nationals1

Nats to make select number of standing room only tickets for NLDS available today

October 03, 2012, 8:24am

Nationals

Nats to make select number of standing room only tickets for NLDS available today

Due to unprecedented demand and excitement surrounding the Washington Nationals first NL East Division Championship, the team will release a limited number of Standing Room Only tickets this afternoon in advance of the National League Division Series games. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, October 3, Nationals fans can purchase Standing Room Only tickets at nationals.com/postseason or via phone by calling 888.632.NATS(6287). Standing Room Only tickets can be purchased for $30 each on...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Rachel Levitin: Savor Nats' success because it's been a long wait

October 03, 2012, 5:52am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Savor Nats' success because it's been a long wait

Here it is, Nats fans - today is last the day of the 2012 regular season. Your Nationals secured their first-ever National League East division title and hold the best record in baseball. Can anyone honestly say this is what they thought would happen this season? After Monday night's clinch of the NL East title, outfielder Jayson Werth mentioned that his decision to play baseball for Washington was motivated by the desire to play for a team that had a chance to win for a long time. "And it...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

DeRosa relished opportunity to play shortstop one more time in Nationals' win

October 02, 2012, 7:19pm

Nationals

Mark DeRosa did not remember the last time he started at shortstop. He thought it was 2005. When told it was Sept. 2, 2006, DeRosa nodded his head and said, "OK, that sounds about right." So for the first time as a starter at shortstop in six seasons, DeRosa went 2-for-4 with a single, double and run scored in the Nationals' 4-2 victory over the Phillies. He did have one errant throw from the position, but was in the middle of a 1-6-3 double play to end the second inning. "I botched...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson mark derosa nationals steve lombardozzi frontstory_nationals1

LaRoche has another reason to celebrate

October 02, 2012, 8:16pm

Nationals

Adam LaRoche popped champagne with his teammates last night, celebrating the Nationals clinching the NL East division title. He didn't exactly have any bubbly waiting for him in the clubhouse tonight after reaching 100 RBIs for the season, but he still took pride in a nice individual goal which he feels also symbolizes how effective the Nats have been offensively as a team. "It feels pretty good," LaRoche said. "That's something that, again, anybody in the middle of the lineup, it's...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche dan kolko nationals frontstory_nationals2

Johnson discusses Nats' 4-2 win, chance at top seed

October 02, 2012, 7:31pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' 4-2 win, chance at top seed

Last night, a team made up of the Nationals' regulars was held scoreless and managed just five hits in a 2-0 loss to the Phillies. Tonight, a lineup filled with bench players did the job in a 4-2 win. "How about that goon squad?" said manager Davey Johnson, calling the bench guys by their self-appointed nickname. "Told you they were tough." A night after clinching the division, the guys that round out the roster got a chance to see some action, and they made the most of their...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar

A bullpen battle with an eye on the scoreboard (Nats win 4-2)

October 02, 2012, 4:57pm

Nationals

A bullpen battle with an eye on the scoreboard (Nats win 4-2)

Both the Nationals and Phillies went into this game knowing they'd be relying on Johnny Wholestaff. In other words, we were going to see a whole host of relievers take the mound tonight. We've gotten just that so far. Tom Gorzelanny, coming out of the bullpen to spot-start for the Nats, went 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out five. B.J. Rosenberg, a reliever who was called on to start for the Phillies, went four innings, giving up one run over four frames. We now find...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche dan kolko nationals reds tom gorzelanny frontstory_nationals2

Johnson updates Rodriguez, Ramos, Stammen, Jackson and more

October 02, 2012, 3:05pm

Nationals

Johnson updates Rodriguez, Ramos, Stammen, Jackson and more

Reliever Henry Rodriguez and catcher Wilson Ramos will not play winter ball, according to manager Davey Johnson. Rodriguez is recovering well from surgery to remove a bone spur in his throwing elbow. "Henry is doing great," Johnson said. "He was on the bench last night and I shook hands with him and he reached out with that iron fist. He is getting full extension already." Johnson said Rodriguez should be ready for spring training. As for Ramos, who was seen moving pretty well around a...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr craig stammen davey johnson henry rodriguez nationals wilson ramos frontstory_nationals1

Gonzalez to pitch Game 1 in Division Series, Zimmermann to pitch Game 2

October 02, 2012, 2:37pm

Nationals

Gonzalez to pitch Game 1 in Division Series, Zimmermann to pitch Game 2

Despite all the madness that went on in the Nationals' clubhouse last night, it looked good as new this afternoon. The only indication that gallons of champagne, beer, juice and water had been spilled everywhere just 16 hours earlier was the faint odor of beer. Clubhouse manager Mike Wallace stayed until 5:30 this morning cleaning up, and a cleaning crew worked through the night to get the place looking nice and spiffy by the time players showed up this afternoon. Gio Gonzalez got to the...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson gio gonzalez jordan zimmermann nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

How's this for a post-clinch Nats lineup?

October 02, 2012, 1:04pm

Nationals

How's this for a post-clinch Nats lineup?

Davey Johnson got hit with a champagne shower three times last night. After he got dried off from the first attack, Adam LaRoche ambushed Johnson and soaked him again. Johnson may not have loved it, but he took it in stride. "He got me good," Johnson said. Then, rookie reliever Christian Garcia, a guy battling for a spot on the postseason roster, was gutsy enough to soak his 69-year-old skipper yet again. "'Son, that's a no-no,' " Johnson recalled himself saying, chuckling as he...

Comments

Tags:

christian garcia dan kolko lineups mark derosa nationals phillies tom gorzelanny frontstory_nationals2

Bryce Harper named NL Rookie of the Month for second time

October 02, 2012, 1:47pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper named NL Rookie of the Month for second time

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that outfielder Bryce Harper has been named National Rookie of the Month for the month of September. It was the second time Harper has won the honor this season, also taking home the distinction in May. Harper hits .330 (35-for-106) in 28 games in September, with seven homers, 26 runs, 69 total bases, a .651 slugging percentage, seven doubles, three triples, four stolen bases and 14 RBIs. His 26 runs scored was tops in the majors and he was second in...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr davey johnson nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Gorzelanny starting tonight, bumping Gonzalez

October 02, 2012, 11:41am

Nationals

Gorzelanny starting tonight, bumping Gonzalez

Now that the Nationals have locked up the National League East title, they're going about preparing for the postseason. Step one: sitting Gio Gonzalez. Davey Johnson has decided to rest Gonzalez, tonight's scheduled starter, and will instead have left-handed reliever Tom Gorzelanny start against the Phillies. Gonzalez could have started tonight and thrown just a couple innings to stay fresh for a possible Game 1 start Saturday or Sunday, but Johnson will instead give the ball to...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals tom gorzelanny frontstory_nationals3

Harper, Clippard, Stammen and Morse react to NL East clinching Monday

October 01, 2012, 8:59pm

Nationals

Harper, Clippard, Stammen and Morse react to NL East clinching Monday

"We were at the bottom of the barrel when I came over to this organization, it was in shambles," Tyler Clippard said. "A lot of great things have happened since then. We have worked our tails off to get to this point, and it is extra special because of that. "That is what has been great about this team. Guys have went down. Injuries have happened. Young guys have stepped up. Everyone has played a part. It has been a storybook kind of season for us so far. That is just motivation to keep...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr craig stammen michael morse nationals tyler clippard frontstory_nationals2

Bryce Harper voted NL Rookie of the Month for September

October 02, 2012, 1:22pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper voted NL Rookie of the Month for September

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been voted National League Rookie of the Month for the month of September. In 28 September contests, Harper led the Majors with 26 runs scored while ranking second among all National Leaguers with a .651 slugging percentage and 69 total bases. Harper's seven homers and 35 hits ranked first among N.L. rookies, while his .330 (35-for-106) batting average was good for second. The 19-year-old added seven doubles, three triples and 14 RBI to his...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

So, what now?

October 02, 2012, 9:11am

Nationals

There was one quote from last night's celebration that I didn't get around to dropping into any of my earlier entries, but wanted to make sure to pass along before the night fades away. The quote comes from Bryce Harper, who was asked about Stephen Strasburg's role in getting the Nationals to the NL East title despite last taking the mound for the team on Sept. 7. "He frickin' pitched his butt off this year," Harper said. "It really sucked that he had to be shut down, but it's OK....

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals bryce harper gio gonzalez featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

What's to come for the postseason-bound Nats?

October 02, 2012, 7:07am

Nationals

What's to come for the postseason-bound Nats?

Now that the Nationals have become the new champions of the National League East, they have a chance to finish with the best record in the league. They are tied with Cincinnati for that position, and if they finish with the best record, they'll have home-field advantage if they make it to the National League Championship Series. If they tie, the Nationals have the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series. And the best record means they'll start the Division Series on Sunday, and...

Comments

Tags:

frontstory_nationals4 mel antonen nationals

A night to remember

October 01, 2012, 10:39pm

Nationals

As the Nationals sprayed champagne, beer, Gatorade, orange juice, water, baby powder, shaving cream and any other substance they could find last night, there was plenty of great stuff going on. On the MASN broadcast, Gio Gonzalez called principal owner Mark Lerner, whose foot is in a boot after recent surgery, "the pimp with the limp." While on the field, Ryan Mattheus sprinted over to Teddy, the giant racing president, and dumped a beer all over him. Wilson Ramos - surgically repaired...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez jordan zimmermann nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Guys who have been through the lows react to the new high

October 01, 2012, 9:46pm

Nationals

Guys who have been through the lows react to the new high

Shortly after Gio Gonzalez dumped a beer on the head of the Nationals' managing principal owner Ted Lerner, his son, Mark Lerner, stood on the field with players celebrating all around him, talking about what the NL East title meant to the organization after years of losing. "When Commissioner (Bud) Selig gave us the team, it was a big decision on his part," Lerner said. "First of all, our family wants to thank him for having the trust that we could do it the right way, and I hope he's...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko jordan zimmermann mark lerner nationals ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals3

Stephen Walker: A lifetime of waiting ends in rejoicing

October 02, 2012, 6:40am

Nationals

Stephen Walker: A lifetime of waiting ends in rejoicing

To those born after 1971, this is how it was supposed to be in Washington all along. Enjoy it to the fullest. To those who remember the Senators, the sadness of September 30, 1971 is now gone. Forever. Let it go. Let peace wash over you. Rest in peace, Robert E. Short and all those who allowed the National Pastime to depart the nation's capital. The Washington Nationals are the 2012 National League East Division Champions. Say it again and again until joy fills your heart. No one, no...