nationals

Clubhouse quotes from a host of Nats

August 30, 2012, 8:37pm

Edwin Jackson's overall season statistics won't blow you away. He's 8-9 with a 3.53 ERA over 158 innings of work. That's pretty solid, especially for a team's fourth starter, but not spectacular. Jackson has had a few outings this season, however, in which he shows how special a pitcher he can be. Tonight was one of those outings, one of the times when Jackson reminds the baseball world that the Nationals' starting staff as a whole is pretty darn good, and it will remain that way, even...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko edwin jackson jayson werth jesus flores nationals frontstory_nationals1

Marty Niland: A lesson to be found in losing streaks

August 31, 2012, 4:54am

Nationals

Marty Niland: A lesson to be found in losing streaks

It's been one interesting week since my prediction that the Nationals would make the playoffs with the best record in baseball. It didn't seem so bold at the time, given their 6 1/2-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East and their two-game lead over Cincinnati for the major leagues' best mark. It's amazing, though, how a losing streak can rock some people's faith. Five days later, it seemed I was talking some people down from the ledge. The terms "choking" and "cracking...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Johnson: Strasburg likely has two to three starts left

August 30, 2012, 2:54pm

Nationals

Johnson: Strasburg likely has two to three starts left

As the Nationals were flying back from Miami last night, Davey Johnson had a brief chat with Stephen Strasburg. "You've got a few more to go," Johnson told his ace, in an effort to reassure Strasburg that his next start won't be his last. Johnson said today that Strasburg will make two to three more starts this season, meaning his final outing of 2012 will likely come either on Sept. 7 at home against the Marlins or Sept. 12 at the Mets. General manager Mike Rizzo has said all along that...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko davey johnson nationals stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Jackson's fast start fuels big win for Nats over Cardinals at home

August 30, 2012, 7:08pm

Nationals

Jackson's fast start fuels big win for Nats over Cardinals at home

Former Cardinals starter Edwin Jackson got his old buddies Thursday with an 8-1 victory for the Nationals over visiting St. Louis. The right-handed Jackson (8-9) struck out 10 hitters, allowed no earned runs, four hits, and lasted eight innings with a season-high 123 pitches, notching his eighth win of the season. It also marked his first win at home since July 4 and snapped a three-game skid at home. "I wouldn't have any problem letting him go to 130 pitches," manager Davey Johnson said....

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr cardinals davey johnson edwin jackson nationals frontstory_nationals2

Matt Skole "excited" to receive South Atlantic League MVP honor

August 30, 2012, 1:10pm

Nationals

Matt Skole "excited" to receive South Atlantic League MVP honor

Nationals prospect Matt Skole was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Year today, after racking up 27 home runs and 92 RBIs for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns this season. Skole told reporters in Zebulon, N.C., what an honor it was to receive the Most Valuable Player award. "I was really excited. It felt great," he said. "I was happy for myself and the way I played in that league. It is a very prestigious award." The 2011 fifth-round selection out of Georgia Tech played 101...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr hagerstown mark harris matt skole nationals potomac frontstory_nationals2

Harper stays hot, Jackson dominating (Nats roll to 8-1 win)

August 30, 2012, 4:15pm

Nationals

Harper stays hot, Jackson dominating (Nats roll to 8-1 win)

Bryce Harper is starting to look like the Bryce Harper we saw in May and June. The 19-year-old is turning on pitches inside, staying short and quick to the ball and squaring it up on the barrel. Harper crushed a two-run homer into the Nationals' bullpen in right in the first inning tonight, giving the Nats a 2-0 lead and giving the rookie outfielder his third homer in the last two days. Harper nearly had his second straight two-homer game when he sent a ball to the wall in center in his...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko edwin jackson nationals frontfeatured_nationals

Storen progressing and coming up big, even if it's not in the ninth

August 30, 2012, 2:13pm

Nationals

Storen progressing and coming up big, even if it's not in the ninth

As could be expected, Drew Storen has had a few hiccups since coming back from elbow surgery, which wiped out his entire first half of the season. A little over two weeks ago, Storen gave up four runs and registered just a single out in an outing against the Giants, turning a 2-1 Nationals deficit into a 6-1 ballgame. Since then, however, Storen has really started rounding into form. He's had six straight scoreless outings, spanning 5 2/3 innings, and hasn't allowed a single baserunner over...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson drew storen nationals tyler clippard frontstory_nationals3

Nats, Cardinals lineups for series opener

August 30, 2012, 11:41am

Nationals

Nats, Cardinals lineups for series opener

Jesus Flores is behind the plate for the Nationals tonight as they kick off a four-game set with the Cardinals, while St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina has returned to the lineup after missing one game with upper-body strains resulting from a violent home plate collision. A night after Kurt Suzuki hit his first homer as a National, he'll back Flores up. Neither catcher has faced Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia in their career. It'll be Garcia and Edwin Jackson on the mound tonight in the...

Comments

Tags:

cardinals dan kolko lineups nationals frontstory_nationals3

Wednesday's Nats, Marlins lineups

August 29, 2012, 12:22pm

Nationals

Davey Johnson has his regulars back and healthy, so he'll run them out there. The Nationals were held scoreless yesterday and managed just five hits, but Johnson will keep his lineup the same for tonight's game against the Marlins. The Nats will take their hacks against 21-year-old right-hander Jacob Turner, making his second start for the Marlins since coming over from the Tigers in the Anibal Sanchez trade. For the Nats: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko lineups marlins nationals frontfeatured_nationals

Storen's stopper routine stuns Marlins

August 29, 2012, 7:36pm

Nationals

It was his seventh hold of the season. He managed to get three straight outs. Oh, yes, and did I mention the Marlins had two men in scoring position? And it was the eighth inning? And the Nationals had watched their 5-0 lead dwindle away until they led 6-4 as they looked to snap a season-high five-game losing skid? And the heart of the Marlins order was due up, led by the big bat of Carlos Lee? I didn't? Well, I should have. I am talking about closer-turned-eighth-inning-super-saver Drew...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr cardinals davey johnson drew storen marlins nationals frontstory_nationals3

Right back on track

August 29, 2012, 9:52pm

Nationals

It wasn't easy. It also wasn't easy on the blood pressure. Regardless, the Nationals found a way to end their five-game losing streak last night. Let's tuck the panic meter back into the garage for a while. Toss away the stress balls. Pick up the shredded box scores from the last few games that were flung all over the living room floor. The Nationals' 8-4 win over the Marlins (the score makes it seem a whole lot more lopsided than it actually was, doesn't it?) coupled with Atlanta's...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko drew storen nationals ross detwiler featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

David Huzzard: There is only one September

August 30, 2012, 5:49am

Nationals

David Huzzard: There is only one September

On Sept. 1, 2011 the Boston Red Sox had the best record in the American League, a 1 1/2-game lead over the Yankees for the AL East and a nine-game lead over the Rays for the wild card. On that same date, the Atlanta Braves had a nine-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL wild card. Both teams ended 2011 by missing the playoffs. One year earlier, the Braves entered September with a three-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. That season, the Braves fell into the wild card,...

Comments

Tags:

david huzzard guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

A much-needed offensive outburst (Nats win a big one)

August 29, 2012, 4:29pm

Nationals

A much-needed offensive outburst (Nats win a big one)

The Nationals didn't have a hit off Jacob Turner their first time through the order. The second time through, the Nats did some damage. Finally. The Nats put up a four-spot in the fourth inning, giving Ross Detwiler a 4-0 buffer and finally giving them a lead. Bryce Harper's two-run home run to right (his 13th homer of the season) got the party started, but he wasn't the only guy to hit the ball hard in the fourth. Michael Morse destroyed a ball to center which went for a triple but...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper dan kolko marlins michael morse nationals frontfeatured_nationals ian desmond ross detwiler

Anthony Rendon leads Nationals' contingent to Arizona Fall League

August 29, 2012, 10:52am

Nationals

Nationals top infield prospect Anthony Rendon will get to extend his season against the best competition in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters. Rendon joins Jason Martinson, Brian Goodwin and one other yet to be named infielder from the Nationals organization. Pitchers selected from the Nationals are Paul Demny, Ryan Perry, Christian Garcia and one other pitcher to be named. Martinson will be the taxi squad participant, eligible to play Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mark...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr nationals ryan perry frontstory_nationals3

Harper ejected, even though he shouldn't have been

August 29, 2012, 6:56pm

Nationals

Harper ejected, even though he shouldn't have been

Bryce Harper crushed two home runs tonight and the Nationals pulled out a big 8-4 win over the Marlins to snap a losing skid. Unfortunately, I fear that the one play tonight which will generate much of the national attention was Harper getting ejected in the top of the ninth inning. Harper grounded into a double play with no outs in the ninth, and the play at first was a close one. Harper was ruled out by first base umpire C.B. Bucknor, and as soon as he saw the call, Harper spiked his helmet...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper c.b. bucknor dan kolko nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals decide to rest Alex Meyer with six games left; AFL next?

August 28, 2012, 7:26pm

Nationals

The Nationals have shut down a pitcher for the season. Well, this team only has six games remaining, plus a possible postseason run, but still. After reaching 129 innings between low Single-A Hagerstown and high Single-A Potomac, the Nationals don't want to push it with right-hander Alex Meyer and his season is done. At least with Potomac. Meyer could very easily be selected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He told me two weeks ago that his high innings count might be the reason he...

Comments

Tags:

alex meyer byron kerr nationals potomac frontstory_nationals3

Hagerstown's Caleb Ramsey named South Atlantic League Player of the Week

August 29, 2012, 8:49am

Nationals

Hagerstown's Caleb Ramsey named South Atlantic League Player of the Week

Hagerstown Suns All-Star outfielder Caleb Ramsey was named South Atlantic League Player of the Week for Aug. 20-26 following an incredible six-game run. Ramsey hit .556 (10-for-18) with two doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs, five runs, two walks and one stolen base. He struck out just once. From Aug. 19-23, Ramsey smacked 11 hits and had 10 RBIs in a five-game span. Ramsey joins former teammates in outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and right-hander Alex Meyer as South Atlantic League Player/Pitcher...

Comments

Tags:

alex meyer byron kerr caleb ramsey hagerstown nationals steven souza frontstory_nationals3

Detwiler looks to snap the skid

August 29, 2012, 9:06am

Nationals

One more game, then it's home sweet home. Who knew a little five-game road trip could seem so long? The plane ride back to D.C. after tonight's game will seem a heck of a lot shorter if the Nationals can pick up a win tonight. The 25 guys in the clubhouse would like nothing more than to snap this skid and walk into Nats Park tomorrow with a clean slate, of sorts. A win tonight would give them that. The Nats have an 11-game homestand to look forward to after this road trip to forget. Four...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko marlins nationals ross detwiler featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

The slide reaches five

August 28, 2012, 10:44pm

Nationals

For the first time in a while, the Nationals wake up this morning no longer possessing the best record in baseball. That mark now belongs to the Reds. More importantly, however, Washington's lead in the National League East has been cut to four games thanks to yesterday's 9-0 shellacking at the hands of the Marlins and Atlanta's win over the Padres. No, it wasn't a banner day for the Nats yesterday. They made it through the game without Michael Morse or Ian Desmond aggravating their...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Rachel Levitin: No matter what happens from here, Nats' season a success

August 29, 2012, 5:47am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: No matter what happens from here, Nats' season a success

The past week has been as good a time as ever to reflect on the 2012 baseball season. The kids are back in school, Labor Day's next week, the dog days of summer are behind us, and we've got just over one month of baseball left. That's where everything stands. To break it down, the Nationals are four games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings and are still the best team in all of baseball record-wise despite their five consecutive losses. Might I also add that...