nationals

Hearing from G. Gonzalez, Storen, Desmond and Werth

October 07, 2012, 6:16pm

ST. LOUIS - Just to recap today's ballgame for all those who were stuck in a cave somewhere all afternoon: National League Cy Young Award candidate Gio Gonzalez walked seven hitters, the Nationals struck out 13 times, left the bases loaded twice and made two errors in the final three innings. Oh, yeah, and they won 3-2. "I don't really know how we won that game, to be honest," reliever Craig Stammen said with a smile creeping onto his face. "But we pulled it out somehow. That's kind of...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche cardinals craig stammen dan kolko gio gonzalez ian desmond jayson werth nationals nlds frontstory_nationals3

Werth's catch at wall helps stave off Cardinals rally

October 07, 2012, 5:39pm

Nationals

Werth's catch at wall helps stave off Cardinals rally

Every postseason story has great plays that become the trademark for a team. A huge double play. A timely run-scoring hit. A game-saving catch. The Nationals had all three Sunday in their first postseason win, a 3-2 stunner at St. Louis in the National League Division Series opener. In the bottom of the sixth, with the Cardinals leading 2-1 and David Freese at first base, second baseman Daniel Descalso launched a long fly ball to deep right field that had a very good chance of leaving Busch...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr cardinals craig stammen daniel descalso jayson werth nationals frontstory_nationals2

Johnson discusses Nats' 3-2 comeback win

October 07, 2012, 4:15pm

Nationals

Johnson discusses Nats' 3-2 comeback win

ST. LOUIS - Where to begin? The Nationals took us all on a ride this afternoon, battling their way to a 3-2 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series, despite seven walks from starter Gio Gonzalez, 10 runners left on base, two errors and 13 strikeouts as an offense. This game was bizarre as could be. It all started with Gonzalez, who somehow allowed only one hit despite completely lacking control of his fastball. The Nationals ace had perhaps his...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson nationals nlds featured_sidebar ryan mattheus tyler moore frontstory_nationals1

Inexperience meant nothing to Mattheus, Moore in big spots

October 07, 2012, 5:30pm

Nationals

Inexperience meant nothing to Mattheus, Moore in big spots

ST. LOUIS - Remember all the talk about the vast difference in playoff experience in this National League Division Series? How the Cardinals had an edge over the Nationals because they'd been through all this before? How the Nats might be affected in big spots because of the added pressure that comes with late-inning, playoff situations? "It obviously didn't affect us," reliever Ryan Mattheus said after today's 3-2 Nationals win. Nope, it sure didn't. That isn't to say that experience...

Comments

Tags:

cardinals dan kolko frontfeatured_nationals gio gonzalez nationals nlds ryan mattheus tyler moore

Gonzalez settles down, Wainwright locks in (Mattheus pulls a magic act)

October 07, 2012, 1:07pm

Nationals

Gonzalez settles down, Wainwright locks in (Mattheus pulls a magic act)

ST. LOUIS - In Gio Gonzalez's first two innings, he threw 55 pitches, only 27 for strikes. He walked five and allowed two runs. Over his next two innings of work, Gonzalez threw 28 pitches, 19 for strikes. He was able to settle down, get ahead in the count and pound the strike zone. Gonzalez faced the minimum over his third and fourth innings of work, allowing only a David Freese groundball single through the hole, which was quickly erased by a nicely turned 6-4-3 double play. Gonzalez is...

Comments

Tags:

adam wainwright cardinals dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals nlds jayson werth frontstory_nationals3

The playoff newbies deliver (Nats win 3-2 in Game 1)

October 07, 2012, 2:25pm

Nationals

The playoff newbies deliver (Nats win 3-2 in Game 1)

ST. LOUIS - These inexperienced Nationals seem to be faring just fine, huh? A half-inning after Ryan Mattheus gets out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with just two pitches in his first career postseason appearance, pinch-hitter Tyler Moore delivers a two-out, two-run, go-ahead single in his first ever playoff at-bat. Mercy. Moore got to a 2-2 count against Cardinals lefty Marc Rzepczynski, got a fastball down in the zone and dropped it into right field. Michael Morse and Ian Desmond came...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals nlds tyler moore frontstory_nationals1

Suzuki comes up big again (Gonzalez nearly melts down in the second)

October 07, 2012, 11:50am

Nationals

Suzuki comes up big again (Gonzalez nearly melts down in the second)

ST. LOUIS - Remember this note for trivia question purposes: Kurt Suzuki drove in the first run in Nationals playoff history. General manager Mike Rizzo's trade for Suzuki after the non-waiver trade deadline continues to pay major dividends. The catcher came through with a big two-out RBI single to left field in the second inning, bringing in Adam LaRoche to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. LaRoche, far from the swiftest guy on the team (and that's putting it nicely), had gone first to third on...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko kurt suzuki nationals nlds frontfeatured_nationals

Pregame chatter with the skipper

October 07, 2012, 10:12am

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - During his pregame session with reporters late this morning, Davey Johnson was asked if he said anything to his team this afternoon leading up to the first playoff game in Nationals team history. "If I had a meeting, they'd think I'm panicking or something," Johnson responded. Instead of having an organized team meeting, Johnson went around and said a few words to players individually. Part of that message was not to force anything and to treat this just like any other...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko nationals davey johnson featured_sidebar gio gonzalez frontstory_nationals1

Nationals playoff viewing party at Fairgrounds moved to Monday at 4:30 p.m.

October 05, 2012, 8:01am

Nationals

Maybe you can't watch the first playoff game in Nationals history from your favorite spot in Nationals Park. But you can still watch the historic game Sunday afternoon, and not be far away from the home team's home park. Join MASN on Sunday for its official viewing party, which will be held at Fairgrounds, right across from Nationals Park's center field gates. The fun begins at 3 p.m., just a few minutes before first pitch, at 25 M St., SE (at Half Street) Fairgrounds will be the perfect...

Comments

Tags:

nationals nationals buzz pete kerzel postseason frontstory_nationals3

Familiar lineup for NLDS Game 1 at St. Louis

October 07, 2012, 8:17am

Nationals

Familiar lineup for NLDS Game 1 at St. Louis

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals have posted their lineup for Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series against the Cardinals. It looks pretty familiar. RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Gio Gonzalez Here is the Cardinals lineup that will face Gonzalez: CF Jon Jay RF Carlos Beltran LF Matt Holliday 1B Allen Craig C Yadier Molina 3B David Freese 2B Daniel Descalso SS Pete Kozma P Adam...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko frontstory_nationals1 lineups nationals nlds

A scouting report on Wainwright, plus a tie-in to Strasburg

October 07, 2012, 8:01am

Nationals

A scouting report on Wainwright, plus a tie-in to Strasburg

ST. LOUIS - I'm going to do my very best not to discuss Stephen Strasburg during the Nationals' playoff run. The story, as Strasburg would tell you, is not about him right now. He's been shut down, won't pitch in the postseason and will spend his time during games watching from the bench. But as Strasburg looks out to the mound at Busch Stadium later this afternoon, he'll see a guy who has gone through a lot of the same stuff that he has. Last season, while recovering from Tommy John...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche adam wainwright dan kolko nationals nlds stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals3

Nationals announce 25-man roster for National League Division Series

October 07, 2012, 7:13am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Manager Davey Johnson's roster includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders: Pitchers (12 - 5 LHP/7 RHP) LHP Sean Burnett LHP Ross Detwiler LHP Gio Gonzalez LHP Michael Gonzalez LHP Tom Gorzelanny RHP Tyler Clippard RHP...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

How much does experience matter? Depends who you ask

October 06, 2012, 11:17pm

Nationals

How much does experience matter? Depends who you ask

ST. LOUIS - This much seems clear after yesterday - those who have playoff experience seem to believe it'll be a benefit during their current postseason run. Those who don't, well, as you might expect, they don't feel it'll hurt them much. The contrast between the Nationals and Cardinals when it comes to postseason experience is pretty dramatic. Of the 25 guys on the Cardinals' roster for the National League Division Series, a whopping 22 have played in a playoff game, and 18 of those...

Comments

Tags:

adam wainwright cardinals dan kolko mike matheny nationals nlds ryan zimmerman frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar

Gio Gonzalez preparing for his "childhood dream"

October 06, 2012, 4:31pm

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez preparing for his "childhood dream"

ST. LOUIS - As Gio Gonzalez took a seat in the press conference room at Busch Stadium late this afternoon, he rubbed his upper arms and leaned down towards the microphone with a smile on his face. "I'm trembling right now," he said. "It's not my nerves, it's just the cold." Gonzalez will get the ball for the Nationals tomorrow afternoon for Game 1 of the National League Division Series. It'll be the first postseason start of his career, so you could forgive him if he was feeling a bit...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko gio gonzalez nationals nlds featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nerves? What nerves?

October 06, 2012, 5:22pm

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals watched last night's National League wild card game, knowing they'd be facing the winner Sunday. Like the rest of us, they saw the controversial infield fly call, Atlanta fans covering the turf with beer cans, the do-over strike three that resulted in David Ross' home run and the Braves' 23-game winning streak in games started by Kris Medlen come to an end. "Obviously, it was just a boring game where nothing crazy happened," Ryan Zimmerman...

Comments

Tags:

adam laroche bryce harper dan kolko nationals nlds ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Nats finalize NLDS roster, set their rotation

October 06, 2012, 2:30pm

Nationals

Nats finalize NLDS roster, set their rotation

ST. LOUIS - Before stepping foot on the field at Busch Stadium for their full team workout, the Nationals finalized their roster for the National League Division Series. The roster hasn't been filed with the league office, so it's not official as of yet. Manager Davey Johnson commented - perhaps half-seriously and half-jokingly - that since the Nats hadn't seen the Cardinals' roster yet, they weren't going to announce theirs. Johnson has, however, informed all of his players about their...

Comments

Tags:

dan kolko davey johnson edwin jackson gio gonzalez jordan zimmermann nationals nlds ross detwiler featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals frontstory_nationals3

Can Suzuki play the role of Cody Ross for Nationals in postseason?

October 06, 2012, 5:10am

Nationals

The postseason can sometimes be the coming-out party for a player who had a pretty good regular season but then turns it up a notch in the playoffs. Sometimes it is a player who wasn't even with the postseason team when the season began. Take the amazing run of right fielder Cody Ross, who arrived in San Francisco on August 10, 2010 and played just 33 games with the Giants, hitting .288 with three home runs. Then, he turned in one of the most amazing postseason performances in quite some...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr cody ross giants kurt suzuki nationals frontstory_nationals2

Heading back to St. Louis

October 06, 2012, 3:41am

Nationals

Sunday should be a pretty special day in D.C./Maryland sports. The Redskins play the Falcons at 1 p.m. The Ravens play the Chiefs, also at 1 p.m. The Nationals start their NLDS series with the Cardinals at 3:07 p.m. The Orioles open their ALDS set with the Yankees at 6:07 p.m. That's a lot happening in one 12-hour span. And for the first time in a long time, the football teams will be taking a backseat to meaningful October baseball. Just eight days after the Nationals flew into St. Louis...

Comments

Tags:

cardinals dan kolko nationals edwin jackson gio gonzalez featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Setting up shop at Busch Stadium

October 06, 2012, 11:44am

Nationals

ST. LOUIS - Hello from Busch Stadium, where both the Nationals and Cardinals will spend today taking part in team workouts in advance of tomorrow's NLDS opener between the two teams. They've done some quick work around here getting the stadium ready for playoff baseball. Bunting is hanging from the facade of all the different decks, (there's bunting everywhere) and Major League Baseball's postseason logo has been painted on the grass down both the first and third base lines. I'll admit...

Comments

Tags:

cardinals dan kolko nationals nlds gio gonzalez frontstory_nationals1

Nats to face Cardinals in NLDS (updated)

October 05, 2012, 4:39pm

Nationals

Nats to face Cardinals in NLDS (updated)

The Nationals are going to St. Louis. We think. In the first game of the new wild card era, the Cardinals beat the Braves 6-3, and will move on to the National League Division Series. They'll host the Nats for Games 1 and 2, which will be held Sunday at 3:07 p.m. and Monday at 4:37 p.m., respectively. The topic that everyone will be discussing tomorrow, however, was the incredibly bizarre play in the bottom of the eighth inning when Aldrelton Simmons' fly ball to shallow left was ruled an...