nationals

Stephen Walker: Enjoying the journey without knowing the destination

July 31, 2012, 5:16am

The statheads are trying to ruin my delight in the Nationals' 2012 season, including Sunday's comeback win over the Milwaukee Brewers, the club's 24th so far. I'm trying hard not to let them. Now, I love baseball research and statistical analysis. The Society for American Baseball Research, SABR for short, has changed how fans, managers and front office personnel interpret, evaluate, and even enjoy teams and players. What's driving me crazy are recent analyses of the Nationals' chances...

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Josh Wilkie no longer with the Nationals organization

July 30, 2012, 11:17am

Nationals

Right-handed pitcher Josh Wilkie has been given his release by the Nationals. Director of player development Doug Harris confirmed today that Wilkie is no longer with the organization. Wilkie was suspended for 50 games June 2 for using a banned substance, which Wilkie described as Spice, a synthetic form of marijuana. He was eligible to return to the team last week after staying in shape pitching in Venezuela. Wilkie last pitched for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs on May 29, and was 0-2 with...

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The road warriors do it again

July 30, 2012, 4:58am

Nationals

Now that's the way you perform on a road trip. Over the last seven days, the Nationals played seven games away from home. They won six of the seven, including yesterday's dramatic comeback victory over the Brewers. The Braves played well over the weekend, sweeping the Phillies in a three-game set by a combined score of 14-4. But despite Atlanta's strong play of late, they still trail the Nats by four games in the National League East. The Phillies, on the other hand, now find themselves...

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Werth and Tracy again connect with hits for Triple-A Syracuse

July 29, 2012, 7:17pm

Nationals

Werth and Tracy again connect with hits for Triple-A Syracuse

The Nationals pulled off one their most memorable comebacks in recent memory by dropping Milwaukee 11-10 in 11 innings Sunday. Meanwhile, in the nightcap of a Triple-A doubleheader, veterans Jayson Werth and Chad Tracy combined to go 3-for-3 as Syracuse beat Lehigh Valley 6-1. Tracy (right adductor) smacked a pinch-hit solo homer in the sixth inning. Werth (left wrist) went 2-for-2 with two runs and two walks, playing right field for the Chiefs. That is back-to-back nights where both...

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Ted Leavengood: Thanks to Johnson, Nats morph into a contender

July 30, 2012, 6:12am

Nationals

Ted Leavengood: Thanks to Johnson, Nats morph into a contender

The 2012 Nationals have moved beyond any centennial comparisons to Clark Griffith's inaugural year at the helm in D.C. Davey Johnson coming aboard in Washington 100 years after the Old Fox is a nice parallel. However, at this juncture, Johnson's ability to connect with his players and mold a winning club has put his team at a far more historic juncture. After Sunday's unbelievable comeback win against Milwaukee, the Nationals' 61-win record can be matched only by Cincinnati. The improbable...

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Harper back in Nats lineup (Nats release Nady)

July 29, 2012, 7:50am

Nationals

Harper back in Nats lineup (Nats release Nady)

A day after being scratched from the Nationals lineup due to a stomach virus, Bryce Harper is back in there as the Nats try and take three of four from the Brewers. Harper has been battling the virus for the last few days and yesterday marked the first game that he has not appeared in since his promotion to the big leagues. Harper and the Nats will face 26-year-old righty Mark Rogers, who will be making his first major league start since 2010. Rogers got called up from Triple-A to start...

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Nats notch a thrilling win

July 29, 2012, 11:49am

Nationals

The Nationals have signed reliever Mike MacDougal to a minor league contract, according to the transactions page on the team's Web site. MacDougal, 35, has been assigned to Triple-A Syracuse. He started the season with the Dodgers, recording a 7.94 ERA in seven major league appearances. This is the righty's second go-round with the Nats; he appeared in 52 games with Washington in 2009, posting a 3.60 ERA and notching 20 saves in 21 chances. MacDougal will give the Nationals some relief...

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Zimmermann just keeps on rollin'

July 28, 2012, 9:37pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann will enter the month of August with a 2.28 ERA, fourth-best in the majors. He'll go into his next start having allowed either zero or one run in seven straight outings. He wraps up July having worked at least six innings in all 21 of his starts this season, a streak topped by only Justin Verlander. He's only lost one game in the last two months. Yeah, the guy's on a decent little run right now. Last night, Zimmermann put on a clinic in his first big league start in his...

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Werth and Tracy deliver in rehab game; Souza monster home run to win; Wang struggles a bit for Sens

July 28, 2012, 6:47pm

Nationals

Werth and Tracy deliver in rehab game; Souza monster home run to win; Wang struggles a bit for Sens

Nationals rehabbers Jayson Werth (left wrist) and Chad Tracy (right adductor) delivered for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Werth went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Tracy went 3-for-4 with an RBI as the Chiefs outlasted Lehigh Valley, 6-4. Werth had a RBI double in the fifth and a two-run single in the seventh. Manager Davey Johnson had said pregame that it looked like Tracy could be the first activated for Tuesday when the Nationals return from Milwaukee to play Philadelphia. But, it is a good...

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Anthony Rendon returns to Auburn lineup tonight at third base, will DH on Monday

July 29, 2012, 7:46am

Nationals

Anthony Rendon returns to Auburn lineup tonight at third base, will DH on Monday

Nationals top infield prospect Anthony Rendon returns to the lineup Sunday night for short-season Single-A Auburn's game at 6:05 p.m., as he continues his rehab assignment from a fractured left ankle. Rendon got Saturday off to rest. Rendon will play third base for six innings today, according to a club source. Then on Monday, Rendon will be the designated hitter. It has not been announced where Rendon will play when he completes his rehab with the Doubledays, whether he will get a few...

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Brown notches first career hit in style (Nats win 4-1)

July 28, 2012, 4:26pm

Nationals

Brown notches first career hit in style (Nats win 4-1)

Since making his major debut on Sept. 6 of last year, Corey Brown has had to wait quite a while for his first big league hit. I have a feeling the wait was worth it. Brown got in both the hit column and the home run column with one fourth-inning swing tonight, taking a Randy Wolf curveball out over the center field wall. The 26-year-old, who is only in the starting lineup tonight because Bryce Harper was a late scratch with a stomach virus, made his way around the bases and was greeted at...

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Things escalate quickly on Detwiler, Nats (Nats lose 6-0)

July 27, 2012, 6:00pm

Nationals

Things escalate quickly on Detwiler, Nats (Nats lose 6-0)

Ross Detwiler was cruising along through 3 2/3 innings tonight. He'd allowed just two hits, had struck out three and was making quick work of a tough Brewers lineup. Then Detwiler got hit fairly hard, and it happened in a hurry. The lefty allowed three straight extra-base hits with two outs in the fourth, the middle of which was a two-run homer by Corey Hart. In the fifth, Detwiler again retired two quick outs before the Brewers brought another run across. Norichika Aoki ripped a double,...

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One area which must be improved

July 28, 2012, 5:57am

Nationals

Sometimes, you just run into a hot pitcher. You face a guy that can't be touched. Last night was one of those times. Mike Fiers has come out of nowhere. He was selected in the 22nd round of the 2009 draft out of little-known Nova Southeastern University and didn't make his first appearance in the big leagues until he was 26. Apparently the guy is a late bloomer. Fiers dominated the red-hot Nationals last night, allowing just four hits and striking out nine over 6 1/3 scoreless...

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Harper scratched with stomach virus

July 28, 2012, 2:54pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper has been scratched from tonight's game due to a stomach virus, forcing manager Davey Johnson to shuffle his starting lineup just a bit. Corey Brown will now play center field as the Nationals take on the Brewers in Milwaukee. Brown will also take over Harper's No. 2 spot in the batting order. According to the Nationals, Harper will be available to pinch hit tonight, indicating that the virus isn't anything serious. It has been enough to knock the rookie out of the starting...

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Early on, Nationals' 33rd-rounder McQuillan showing he could be "sleeper" of draft

July 27, 2012, 11:37am

Nationals

One of the younger prospects displaying his talent early is draft pick Mike McQuillan, a left-handed second baseman out of the University of Iowa, who is getting noticed for his nice start at short-season Single-A Auburn. McQuillan is hitting .293 with two doubles, two triples, one homer and five RBIs in 13 games for Auburn. Don't remember seeing McQuillan on the depth chart? McQuillan was selected in the 33rd round as pick No. 1,014. The Nationals selected only eight players after...

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Zimmermann goes home (Espinosa back hitting leadoff)

July 28, 2012, 10:02am

Nationals

Zimmermann goes home (Espinosa back hitting leadoff)

Jordan Zimmermann will take the ball tonight for his 21st start of the season. He'll also take the ball in his home state of Wisconsin for the first time in his major league career. The Auburndale, Wisc., native and former star at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point will face the Brewers tonight as he looks for his eighth win of the season. Zimmermann has been on fire lately, allowing a total of four earned runs over his last six starts. Earlier this week, a reporter asked...

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Nationals release Rick Ankiel (with lineups)

July 27, 2012, 12:40pm

Nationals

The Nationals have announced the unconditional release of outfielder Rick Ankiel. The 33-year-old was designated for assignment last week. He cleared waivers, but was unclaimed, and now becomes a free agent. The center fielder was batting .228/.282/.411 on the season for the Nats, with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Meanwhile, the Nats are set to face the Brewers after taking the first game of the four-game set last night 8-2. Sandy Leon will be behind the plate, as Ross Detwiler looks to lead...

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Rendon homers in Auburn rehab debut, starts as DH tonight; Karns shines again

July 27, 2012, 10:50am

Nationals

Rendon homers in Auburn rehab debut, starts as DH tonight; Karns shines again

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon homered for the third consecutive game in his rehab debut with short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Rendon smacked a solo shot in his first at-bat Thursday, struck out twice and walked. Rendon will continue his rehab tonight as the designated hitter. He will then get Saturday off. Auburn manager Gary Cathcart confirmed yesterday that the plan with Rendon would be for him to play third base, serve as the designated hitter and get some days off. Rendon is...

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Rendon to start at third base tonight for Auburn

July 26, 2012, 9:09am

Nationals

Rendon to start at third base tonight for Auburn

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon will continue his rehab from a fractured left ankle and start at third base tonight for the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Doubledays manager Gary Cathcart said Rendon will also serve as the designated hitter for some games and have some days off. Rendon is expected to be with the Doubledays for at least one week, but it could be longer. With the GCL Nats, Rendon played three, five or seven innings as they slowly ramped him up. He never got more...

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Jackson getting it done in all three phases (Nats win 8-2)

July 26, 2012, 6:07pm

Nationals

Jackson getting it done in all three phases (Nats win 8-2)

The Nationals have scored a touchdown and split the uprights with the extra point. They're up 7-0 over the Brewers in the sixth inning thanks to a dominant offensive performance and some nice work on the mound from Edwin Jackson. But the mound isn't the only place Jackson has been effective tonight. After Adam LaRoche hit his third home run in as many days to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the bottom of the order kept the inning alive. That included Jackson, who...