nationals

Ted Leavengood: John Lannan, the perfect National

September 10, 2012, 7:21am

The conventional wisdom early in 2004 was that Washington, D.C., might not be ready for baseball quite yet. In upstate New York, much the same was said of John Lannan as a college pitcher who was not really ready for the big leagues. And yet here they both are, together, at this critical juncture in 2012. Every game for the next two weeks will take on added importance. It is all on the line now as Lannan steps in this week for Stephen Strasburg. Lannan and Washington both came out of nowhere...

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Nats get nada off Nolasco

September 09, 2012, 2:36pm

Nationals

You'd think that when a team faces a starting pitcher twice in a 13-day span that they'd have a pretty good idea what was coming the second time around, wouldn't you? "Yeah, you would think," Adam LaRoche said. That didn't help the Nationals against Ricky Nolasco. The Marlins right-hander, who came into today with a 4.64 ERA this season, shut out the Nationals back on Aug. 28, and he did the same thing this afternoon, giving up just four hits over nine strong innings. "He did the...

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It's all Marlins early on (Nats lose 8-0)

September 09, 2012, 10:58am

Nationals

It's all Marlins early on (Nats lose 8-0)

A day after the Nationals packed an offensive punch, put together some late-inning dramatics and smacked four more home runs, their bats have been dead silent through four innings against Ricky Nolasco. Same can't be said for the Marlins' bats against Edwin Jackson. The Nats trail 5-0 after four innings, as they've yet to record a hit against Nolasco and also watched as Miami has put up seven hits and two multi-run innings. Jackson allowed three runs in the second inning on four straight...

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Johnson talks after Nationals' 8-0 loss

September 09, 2012, 2:08pm

Nationals

Davey Johnson sat down for his postgame press conference and flashed a smile. "Well, there's not much to say about that one," he said. Not much positive stuff, anyway. The Nationals lost to the Marlins 8-0 today, putting the wraps on a 8-3 homestand. All in all, the Nats should be pretty pleased with how they played over the last week and a half, but they did very little today against Ricky Nolasco, who has thrown back-to-back shutouts against them. "He can get nasty when he starts...

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Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

September 08, 2012, 3:37pm

Nationals

Karns preparing to repeat this season's success in 2013

Right-hander Nathan Karns is most thankful to be able to complete a full season with the Nationals organization. Karns missed 2010 because of shoulder surgery and half of the 2011 season rehabbing from the surgery. Karns, who was honored Friday as the minor league Pitcher of the Year within the organization, said being healthy this season will really important to advancement of his career. "To have a full season and stay healthy was an accomplishment for me," Karns said. "I have to thank...

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Zimmerman, Desmond get day off in finale vs. Marlins

September 09, 2012, 7:20am

Nationals

Zimmerman, Desmond get day off in finale vs. Marlins

After Saturday's marathon, rain-delayed, 10-inning victory over the Marlins, the Nationals lineup will have a different look for the Sunday series finale. Both third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and shortstop Ian Desmond will get the day off, meaning a new left side of the infield. Chad Tracy will play third and Danny Espinosa will man shortstop, with Steve Lombardozzi taking over for Espinosa at second base. Here's the lineup that will face right-hander Ricky Nolasco: 2B Steve Lombardozzi CF...

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Strasburg on shutdown: "I don't know if I'm ever going to accept it"

September 08, 2012, 4:01pm

Nationals

Strasburg on shutdown: "I don't know if I'm ever going to accept it"

Stephen Strasburg left little doubt that he still disagrees with the Nationals' decision to shut him down for the season. Regardless of whether the plan was accelerated - the Nats pulled the plug on his 2012 season Saturday, even though they had previously announced he would make his final start Wednesday at Citi Field against the Mets - or not, the idea of sitting while his team continues to play leaves a sour taste in the ace's mouth. "I don't know if I'm ever going to accept it, to be...

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Back in the saddle again

September 09, 2012, 8:10am

Nationals

Yesterday was the first Nationals home game I've missed all season. Good thing I didn't miss anything. Oh, Stephen Strasburg was shut down, the Nats and Marlins played a game which finished nearly six hours after it was scheduled to begin, Jayson Werth hit a dramatic game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth and the Nats then won it in the bottom of the 10th? Yup, sounds about right. You step away for one day and everything goes nuts. Thanks to Pete Kerzel for filling in yesterday...

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Resolute Rizzo on Strasburg edict: "I believe in my heart it's the right thing to do"

September 08, 2012, 9:32am

Nationals

Resolute Rizzo on Strasburg edict: "I believe in my heart it's the right thing to do"

If you expected any sense of relief from Mike Rizzo that Stephen Strasburg's shutdown day had finally arrived - albeit five starts earlier than anticipated - think again. The Nationals general manager painted Saturday's announcement that his prized right-hander had thrown his last pitch with resolution rather than resignation. "Business as usual," Rizzo said at the end of a conversation with reporters following the news that Strasburg would not pitch again in 2012. "It's a plan we put...

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A weird finish to a long day at Nationals Park

September 08, 2012, 4:04pm

Nationals

When the word finally came down from the umpires that Saturday's game would resume after what wound up being a rain delay of 2 hours, 33 minutes, Nationals manager Davey Johnson noticed a spring in the steps of everyone in the clubhouse. Never mind that the Nationals were three outs away from absorbing a loss to the Miami Marlins on a day when it was announced that their ace, Stephen Strasburg, was done for the season. Never mind that the deluge interrupted whatever momentum Washington had...

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Strasburg shut down, effective immediately

September 08, 2012, 8:01am

Nationals

Strasburg shut down, effective immediately

Citing media speculation more intense that they could have imagined and a lack of effectiveness in recent starts, the Nationals have decided to shut down right-hander Stephen Strasburg effective immediately, manager Davey Johnson said this morning. "I just told Stephen his year is over," Johnson said in his morning session with reporters before today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Miami Marlins. "He's had a great year. I know what he's gone through nationally the last couple of weeks. The...

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Nationals lineup against Marlins

September 08, 2012, 7:35am

Nationals

Fresh off of a 10-inning loss, the Nationals will get set to bounce back as they enjoy an afternoon game against the Marlins. Jesus Flores will be behind the plate and bat in the eighth slot, as he'll work with the left-hander Ross Detwiler as the Nats look for win No. 86. Flores replaces Kurt Suzuki in the lineup. For the Nationals: Werth RF Harper CF Zimmerman 3B Morse LF LaRoche 1B Desmond SS Espinosa 2B Flores C Detwiler LHP

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Harper's defensive play continues to progress

September 08, 2012, 5:16am

Nationals

Harper's defensive play continues to progress

The Marlins challenged the arm of Bryce Harper late in the game and came up short. In the ninth inning, on a short fly out to mid-center field, Harper fired home to catcher Kurt Suzuki. Greg Dobbs slid right into Suzuki's tag. Suzuki held the ball with two hands, one inside the glove, and blocked the plate with his right foot. The ball beat the runner by three to five feet and Suzuki easily tagged him out. "Harp has got a good arm," Suzuki said. "It wasn't hit fairly deep. But, who...

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More from Johnson on the Strasburg shutdown

September 08, 2012, 8:25am

Nationals

More from Johnson on the Strasburg shutdown

Nationals manager Davey Johnson's announcement that Stephen Strasburg has thrown his final pitch in 2012 caught many off guard. Just last night, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope that his shortened outing against the Marlins might prod the Nationals to scrap plans for the right-hander's final start to be Sept. 12 at Citi Field versus the Mets. Instead, the Nats moved to distance themselves from the intense spotlight surrounding their unprecedented plan to shut down their ace in the...

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Focusing on Strasburg's focus

September 07, 2012, 9:26pm

Nationals

Some fans and media pundits wondered why the Nationals waited so long to tell Stephen Strasburg about their plan to shut him down. They questioned the Nats' decision to keep Strasburg out of the loop and implied that it was a case of mismanaging by the front office and coaching staff. You want to know why the Nats didn't tell Strasburg about the shutdown plan earlier in the season? Because they didn't want that clouding his focus or giving him anything out of the ordinary to think about...

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After short outing, Nationals "might" consider delaying Strasburg's shutdown

September 07, 2012, 6:17pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg lasted three innings in a no-decision Friday against the Marlins, giving up five runs on two doubles and two home runs, matching the shortest outing of his career. The Marlins eventually outlasted the Nationals 9-7 in 10 innings. It was the third time in his career he pitched only three innings, and the second time this season, equaling the three innings he pitched in a 7-5 loss in sweltering 104-degree heat at Atlanta on June 30. But manager Davey...

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Strasburg's 2012 home finale is a brief one (Nats lose 9-7 in 10 innings)

September 07, 2012, 4:11pm

Nationals

Strasburg's 2012 home finale is a brief one (Nats lose 9-7 in 10 innings)

Pitching for the final time at Nats Park this season, Stephen Strasburg didn't exactly go out on a high note. The Nationals' ace has seen his night end after just three innings of work. He was hit hard early, allowing five runs on six hits, walking three batters and surrendering four extra-base hits, two of which were homers. His location was off, with a number of fastballs coming in thigh-high and right over the middle for Marlins hitters to hammer. Strasburg had trouble locating his...

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Top 100 prospect list features three Nationals in Meyer, Goodwin and Rendon

September 07, 2012, 3:02pm

Nationals

Nationals prospects Anthony Rendon, Brian Goodwin and Alex Meyer all were promoted this season, and with good reason. All three have top-of-the-line talent and have excelled at each level they have played this season. MLB.com recognized the trio in its latest Top 100 list. Prospect expert Jonathan Mayo had Rendon at No. 37, Meyer at No. 57 and Goodwin No. 75. Mayo said of Rendon: "When healthy, he is a plus defender at third. At the plate, (Rendon) has the kind of advanced approach that...

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Ozzie Guillen talks Strasburg shutdown, Wang has strong bullpen session

September 07, 2012, 2:49pm

Nationals

Ozzie Guillen talks Strasburg shutdown, Wang has strong bullpen session

Finally, an outsider's opinion on Stephen Strasburg's shutdown which makes sense to me. Asked before today's game about the Nationals' decision to shut down their ace, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen went all Ozzie Guillen on reporters.

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Minor leaguers Skole and Karns honored at Nationals Park

September 07, 2012, 2:02pm

Nationals

The Nationals' Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year were honored and picked up their awards during a pregame ceremony at Nationals Park before Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins. Third baseman Matt Skole, a 2011 fifth-round selection out of Georgia Tech, was the Nationals' Minor League Player of the Year. His power numbers were jaw-dropping - he had 27 homers and 92 RBIs for low Single-A Hagerstown. He was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Year and was named...