Skole reaches 100 RBIs, Ortega gets close to cycle in N.C. wins for Nats affiliates

Skole reaches 100 RBIs, Ortega gets close to cycle in N.C. wins for Nats affiliates
High Single-A Potomac got a big win in North Carolina Tuesday. The squad is now 1-16 in the Tar Heel State this season following a 4-1 win at Carolina. Matt Skole, Adrian Sanchez and Kevin Keyes had two hits apiece. Keyes hit his 20th homer of the season and added a double. Sanchez also had a double and scored two runs. But Skole's two RBIs are notable because he has reached 101 RBIs for the season. Skole joined teammate Jason Martinson (106 RBIs) and Tyler Moore (2010, 111 RBIs) as the only...

A couple of streaks snapped for Strasburg (Nats drop fifth straight)

A couple of streaks snapped for Strasburg (Nats drop fifth straight)
Stephen Strasburg entered tonight's game having not allowed a run to the Marlins in 18 innings this season. He also entered tonight having not allowed a first-inning run in 16 straight starts, which was the longest active streak in the majors, according to Elias. Both of those streaks quickly were rendered moot this evening, as the Marlins jumped on Strasburg for two runs in the first, taking an early 2-0 lead. Justin Ruggiano jumped on the first pitch he saw from Strasburg, the righty's...

Nats must play better ball, plain and simple

Nats must play better ball, plain and simple
The Nationals gained more of a buffer on the Braves without even stepping on a field yesterday, as the Padres shut out Atlanta 3-0 to make Washington's lead in the National League East a full five games and six in the loss column. Don't look now, but the Braves have dropped seven of their last 10 contests. I wonder if they're starting to get as antsy down in Atlanta as some are getting here in the DMV. The Nationals arrived in Miami yesterday after having their travel adjusted due to...

Both Desmond and Morse return to Nats lineup (with Marlins lineup)

Both Desmond and Morse return to Nats lineup (with Marlins lineup)
The Nationals will get a jolt to their lineup as they look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight. Both Ian Desmond and Michael Morse will return after missing almost the entirety of the Nats' recent three-game series with the Phillies due to injuries. Desmond (strained right hamstring) technically appeared in Sunday's game when he was announced as a pinch-hitter, but that was just a ploy by manager Davey Johnson to get the Phillies to bring in a right-handed reliever. Desmond was then...

Potomac goes on road in search of postseason bid

Potomac goes on road in search of postseason bid
After Sunday's 10-7 loss to Frederick, the high Single-A Potomac Nationals are now three games back, behind Wilmington with seven games to play. Tonight, the P-Nats (29-33) begin a four-game set at Carolina (29-34). The final three games are at Wilmington (33-31). So, if the P-Nats can stay within three games of the Blue Rocks, they will have a chance at the second-half division title. Wilmington has six games remaining, all at home. The Blue Rocks face Myrtle Beach tonight. The Pelicans...

Lannan heating up, Phils looming down the stretch

Lannan heating up, Phils looming down the stretch
John Lannan is starting to heat up at the right time. The expected replacement for Stephen Strasburg in the Nationals rotation (once Strasburg is shut down) was named the International League Player of the Week for August 20-26. Lannan, who has spent nearly this entire season with Triple-A Syracuse, threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout Saturday in a 1-0 win over Gwinnett. The left-hander threw just 87 pitches, walked one and struck out two. Over his last four starts for Syracuse, Lannan...

Addressing a few key topics after a weekend to forget

Addressing a few key topics after a weekend to forget
If it's not too painful, let's take a little time to nibble on some leftovers from this weekend's three-game sweep in Philadelphia. Settle in. Grab some coffee. There are a few topics to discuss. Topic No. 1: Mike Rizzo and Davey Johnson met after yesterday's game and Johnson was heard getting a bit heated during the discussion in his office, shouting, "You come down and manage the team!" Yes, this happened. Is this a big deal? Is it a sign of the team morale deteriorating or an...

During losing string, bullpen having trouble bridging

During losing string, bullpen having trouble bridging
One reason for the Nationals' four-game losing streak is the bullpen's inability to hold the game at one or two runs. In every one of the four games the Nationals have lost since Wednesday, relievers have allowed at least one run. On Thursday, the Braves scored three runs in the ninth to extend a 2-1 lead to 5-1. Atlanta won the game by that score. On Friday, the Phillies tallied a crucial run in the eighth after the Nats had pulled with 3-2 on a Tyler Moore two-run homer just an inning...

Stephen Walker: Drawing motherly comparisons to Davey Johnson

Stephen Walker: Drawing motherly comparisons to Davey Johnson
Few people in this world are as unique as my mother, now 74. Often, I marvel at her peerless insights into human nature. Other times, her devil-may-care unpredictability makes me want to scream. Davey Johnson, the Nationals' excellent skipper, is a lot like my mother. Here are seven ways they are alike: Unpredictability: My mother's behavior and schedule are impossible to pin down. She could be anywhere at any time. For my sons' birthday parties, she might show up before, during or after...

Werth, LaRoche own up to baserunning gaffe

Werth, LaRoche own up to baserunning gaffe
PHILADELPHIA - Both Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche took full responsibility for their share of the baserunning error in the seventh inning of today's 4-1 loss to the Phillies, an error which turned a promising Nationals rally into just a one-run inning. The veterans both thought LaRoche's fly ball to right had left the yard and let up on the gas, Werth casually jogging into third base and LaRoche making a turn around second and heading for third. The logjam that resulted allowed the Phillies...

Ted Leavengood: Getting some perspective

Ted Leavengood: Getting some perspective
The month of August - and July before it - have been the two best months in the history of the Nationals franchise. The Nationals have a winning record for every month of this season. But so far they are a combined 33-18 for these past two months, even after the weekend disaster in Philadelphia. In 2005, there was the magical month of June when the team went 20-6. But what followed - a 9-18 July - was misery. It is important to remember the history of the franchise in order to gain some...

Johnson sees no need for team meeting after 4-1 loss

Johnson sees no need for team meeting after 4-1 loss
PHILADELPHIA - Davey Johnson didn't hold a team meeting following today's 4-1 loss to the Phillies, the Nationals' fourth straight defeat. With his team still holding the best record in baseball, Johnson didn't feel it was necessary. He did, however, have a closed-door discussion with general manager Mike Rizzo following the game which got heated at one point. Some shouting could be heard from Johnson's office, although that's not necessarily anything out of the ordinary. Emotions can...

Baserunning blunder costs Nats (swept away in Philadelphia)

Baserunning blunder costs Nats (swept away in Philadelphia)
PHILADELPHIA - Adam LaRoche thought his fly ball was out. Jayson Werth did, too. Heck, much of the stadium probably thought that LaRoche's deep fly to right had bounced off a seat or something before caroming back into the playing field. Turns out, it hadn't. The ball had bounced off the very top of a metal railing atop the scoreboard, a railing which is in play. LaRoche calmly circled the bases, as did Werth, who had only made it to third base on the play after starting the at-bat on...

First team to score wins? (Phillies lead 4-0)

First team to score wins? (Phillies lead 4-0)
PHILADELPHIA - The way Jordan Zimmermann and Cliff Lee have been dealing today, the first team to finally get on the board might just take this series finale. We're scoreless through 4 1/2 innings today, and neither team has really threatened much thus far. Tyler Moore's one-out double in the top of the fifth has provided the lone runner in scoring position for either team. The two starters have allowed a combined five hits thus far this afternoon, only one of which has been surrendered by...

Potomac has chance to move closer to playoffs tonight versus Frederick

Potomac has chance to move closer to playoffs tonight versus Frederick
High Single-A Potomac Nationals shut out Frederick 3-0 in a rain-shortened affair Saturday night to move within one game of the Keys and two games of the division with a week to play. Tonight, in an early 6:05 start, the P-Nats can complete the sweep of the Keys. Left-hander Robbie Ray (4-11, 4.52 ERA) gets the call against left-hander Tim Berry (4-5, 4.52). On Saturday, right-hander Matt Swynenberg scattered five hits and four walks, but managed to keep the Keys off the scoreboard. Jason...

Espinosa leading off as Nats face Lee (plus brief Morse, Desmond updates)

Espinosa leading off as Nats face Lee (plus brief Morse, Desmond updates)
PHILADELPHIA - Cliff Lee has one more win than Orioles first baseman Chris Davis this season. He has two more wins than you and I. Baseball is such a strange game. Lee leads the majors in strikeout-to-walk ratio and his 3.78 ERA is far from awful. But his record this season is just 2-7, an incredibly bizarre mark this late in the season for a pitcher as talented as he is. The lefty will oppose Jordan Zimmermann this afternoon in what should be a pretty nice battle for the final game of this...

Potomac Nationals name 35th anniversary team

Potomac Nationals name 35th anniversary team
The fans voted for the Potomac Nationals' 35th anniversary team, and it is an impressive lineup, featuring home run hitters Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla, and pitchers Andy Pettitte and Dan Haren. Potomac Franchise 35th Anniversary Team C - Jorge Posada (1993) 1B - Albert Pujols (2000) 2B - Adam Kennedy (1997-78) SS - Rafael Belliard (1981) 3B - Roberto Bonilla (1985) OF - Bernie Williams (1988) OF - Barry Bonds (1985) OF - Magglio Ordonez (1995) P - Andy Pettitte...

Johnson talks after Nats' 4-2 loss

Johnson talks after Nats' 4-2 loss
PHILADELPHIA - For the second time in as many nights, the Nationals fell behind the Phillies early, battled back in the middle innings, allowed a big insurance run in the eighth and dropped a game to their division rivals. This one was a 4-2 loss which saw Gio Gonzalez allow three runs over six innings. The key tally was a sixth-inning solo home run off the bat of John Mayberry which turned a 2-2 game into a one-run Phillies lead. "Felt like a replay of last night," manager Davey Johnson...

Nats far from concerned over three-game mini-skid

Nats far from concerned over  three-game mini-skid
PHILADELPHIA - Look out, everyone. The Nationals have lost three games in a row. The best team in baseball is starting to fall apart. "Three! Ugh. We're ready to quit," Ryan Zimmerman said last night, tongue firmly planted in cheek. "Everything's going to go into shambles." In all seriousness, from the reaction of many fans on Twitter last night, you'd think the Nationals' season was crumbling to the ground. They've dropped three straight games, yes, but still hold the best...

Johnson talks injuries, Harper, Dodgers trade

Johnson talks injuries, Harper, Dodgers trade
PHILADELPHIA - Davey Johnson said last night that he planned to give Ian Desmond the weekend off to let him deal with his strained right hamstring before hopefully having him back against the Marlins on Tuesday. The same likely goes for Michael Morse, who is dealing with some tenderness in his right hand after getting hit by a pitch last night. If Morse doesn't play tomorrow, he'd have a chance to capitalize on three straight days off, including Monday's off-day. "I don't see any chance...