nationals

Harper's patient approach has returned (plus lineups)

July 05, 2012, 11:42am

When Bryce Harper first got brought up to the big leagues, it was his patience at the plate which impressed me maybe more than anything else. Yes, he was athletic and had a smooth swing and played the game hard. But we knew he'd bring all that to the table. We didn't know that the 19-year-old with massive power and a desire to prove he was a big leaguer would be able to lay off tough pitches out of the zone and wait for something over the fat part of the plate. A couple weeks ago, however,...

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Postgame thoughts from Zimmerman, Solano, Jackson

July 04, 2012, 12:34pm

Nationals

Postgame thoughts from Zimmerman, Solano, Jackson

The cortisone shot continues to work wonders for Ryan Zimmerman. Since getting a pain-killing injection in his inflamed right shoulder 10 days ago, Zimmerman is batting .369 with four home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs. Today, he notched a run-scoring double in the third and a two-run homer in the fifth, a ball which was absolutely smoked over the right-center field fence. Is it fair to assume the cortisone shot is the lone reason for this dramatic increase in production of late? "It was...

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Despite first-half success, Nats still feel best is yet to come

July 05, 2012, 6:17am

Nationals

Despite first-half success, Nats still feel best is yet to come

Hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July festivities yesterday, even if the fireworks show you witnessed wasn't nearly as robust as the one that happened in San Diego. I like San Diego's style on this one. Why wait and save the "grand finale" for the end of a 15-20 minute show? Why not just make it the entire show? Today is now July 5, which means it's the last day for fans to cast their votes to determine who will earn the final spot on the two All-Star Game rosters. With a bit more...

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Johnson talks after Nats' 9-4 win

July 04, 2012, 12:00pm

Nationals

Following today's game, Davey Johnson found his team 15 games above .500, matching their season-high. That gave him plenty to smile about while meeting with reporters. But Johnson isn't satisfied yet. Not by a longshot. His team is now 47-32 on the season, but he's already picked out his next goal - 20 games above .500. "I like to go by fives," Johnson said. "We got to 15 before and we dropped back. I like to progress. The next number I like to get is 20 games over. I always go by...

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Minor notes: Karns does well against Bundy, Meyer short stint "planned"

July 04, 2012, 5:41pm

Nationals

Minor notes: Karns does well against Bundy, Meyer short stint "planned"

The low Single-A Hagerstown Suns have put together an incredible start, which culminated in their 50th victory of the season on July 4. Hagerstown dropped Lexington 3-2, rallying for two runs in the eighth frame. Catcher

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Another offensive explosion nets Nats 9-4 win

July 04, 2012, 10:21am

Nationals

Another offensive explosion nets Nats 9-4 win

Remember that scene in "When Harry Met Sally," when Meg Ryan is slapping the table and the random lady nearby turns to the waitress and says, "I'll have what she's having"? The rest of the league wants whatever the Nationals have been having over their last eight games. Was that a bit of a reach? OK, my bad. Since last Tuesday, the Nats have averaged 8.6 runs per game, which is remarkable, given they hadn't scored eight runs in any of their 25 contests prior to this streak...

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Espinosa improving from the left side

July 04, 2012, 7:03am

Nationals

Of all the positives to come out of last night's dominating win over the National League West-leading Giants - and there were many to choose from - the thing that Davey Johnson was most pleased with was the performance of his second baseman. Danny Espinosa went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI last night, with all three hits coming from the left side, a troublesome side of the plate for Espinosa this season. "I was really pleased to see Espinosa," Johnson said last night. "He's been...

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Jackson settles down, and the laser show continues (and continues)

July 04, 2012, 8:45am

Nationals

Jackson settles down, and the laser show continues (and continues)

For whatever reason, Edwin Jackson stinks it up in the first inning nearly every time he takes the mound. Then, almost without fail, he gets into a groove and dominates the rest of the way out. That pattern has held true today, as Jackson gave up three Giants runs in the first inning, putting the Nationals in an early 3-0 hole. He has settled into a groove since then, however, facing just one over the minimum from innings 2-4. Jackson now has 9.56 ERA in the first inning this season, and a...

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Your Fourth of July lineups

July 04, 2012, 5:35am

Nationals

The Nationals will wear their normal red hats for this afternoon's 11:05 a.m. start, with a patriotic twist: The curly W will be camouflage. Trust me when I say that the special July 4 hats look pretty sweet. Happy Fourth of July to everyone out there. Hope your BBQs are fun, the fireworks shine brightly tonight and we get some good baseball this morning, even if it's far too early for me to be at the stadium. I'll be hitting up the press box coffee machine quite a few times over the...

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Nats smack around a two-time Cy Young award winner (Nats win 9-3)

July 03, 2012, 3:53pm

Nationals

Nats smack around a two-time Cy Young award winner (Nats win 9-3)

It wasn't that long ago that Tim Lincecum was without question one of the top two or three pitchers in baseball. The Giants righty won the National League Cy Young award in 2008 and 2009 and made the All-Star Game each of the last four years. This season has been a little different for Lincecum. He entered today with a 5.60 ERA, and that number has only risen tonight. Lincecum has allowed five runs on eight hits through just three innings. Ian Desmond has two of those hits, including a...

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National League Final Vote takes an interesting turn

July 03, 2012, 2:41pm

Nationals

National League Final Vote takes an interesting turn

Remember that whole "Bryce Harper vs. Chipper Jones for the last spot on the National League All-Star team" thing? Yeah, that won't be happening. Jones has been named to the All-Star team as an injury replacement for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, removing him as a candidate for the Final Vote. It's a little uncertain what will happen now, but Harper clearly now has a better shot of earning that final NL roster spot for the Midsummer Classic. As of earlier today, he ranked third in voting...

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Johnson on roster move, Zimmermann on his consistency

July 03, 2012, 8:10pm

Nationals

Johnson on roster move, Zimmermann on his consistency

As if the later part of tonight wasn't crazy enough, with an 85-minute rain delay which only saw about 15 minutes of rain and a 12-hour turnaround until first-pitch tomorrow, the Nationals had some theatrics go on before the game, as well. This afternoon, while throwing a bullpen session, Chien-Ming Wang felt a little something in his hip. He was checked out by Nationals' doctors, who determined that Wang had a hip strain and needed to be placed on the disabled list. That meant, in order to...

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Nationals' offense starting to keep up with Zimmermann

July 03, 2012, 8:09pm

Nationals

Manager Davey Johnson had preached just two weeks ago about how he wanted his hitters to be "patiently aggressive at the plate." He sensed the hitters were a little anxious and were trying too hard sometimes to make things happen. From the Orioles series to the first game in Colorado, the Nationals managed just seven runs in four games. But Denver is always a good place to start hitting when you get to swing the bat in Coors Field. And the Nationals did just that. The trend continued in...

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Wang heading to DL, Rodriguez activated

July 03, 2012, 2:12pm

Nationals

The Nationals have placed struggling right-hander Chien-Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip strain and reinstated reliever Henry Rodriguez from the DL. Wang's DL stint is retroactive to July 1. This is his second time on the disabled list this season; he missed the first 42 games of the season due to a strained left hamstring which he suffered in spring training. Manager Davey Johnson said today that Wang's personal trainer thought there was an issue with the veteran...

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Nationals' All-Stars Strasburg, G. Gonzalez, Desmond sense "new standard"

July 03, 2012, 2:04pm

Nationals

The Nationals have made headlines and statements with the way they have played this season because of the amount of talent the organization has accrued the past few seasons. It is unchartered territory for the Nationals. The franchise used to be challenging for a top draft pick. Now, they are challenging for the NL East crown. One reason? Or should I say three reasons? I.D., Gio and Stras, of course. The three Nationals honored with invitations to next week's All-Star game represent the...

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Storen to begin rehab assignment Thursday, Rodriguez close to returning

July 03, 2012, 1:18pm

Nationals

Storen to begin rehab assignment Thursday, Rodriguez close to returning

Drew Storen is getting closer to returning by the day. The Nationals reliever, who has yet to appear in a game due to an elbow surgery, will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, likely with Single-A Potomac, according to manager Davey Johnson. The team plans for Storen to pitch every-other day and appear in four games. That puts him on track to return to the Nationals the first game back after the All-Star break. "That's the plan," Johnson said. "I think that would be enough." Storen...

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Updates on Kimball, Karns, Paul and Hague

July 03, 2012, 12:39pm

Nationals

Updates on Kimball, Karns, Paul and Hague

Right-hander Cole Kimball has continued his rehab from a torn rotator cuff at Double-A Harrisburg. Kimball has made stops with the Gulf Coast League Nationals, Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac, accumulating an 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA in five games, four of them starts, totaling 5 1/3 innings. His roughest outing was June 28 at Salem, when he allowed three homers in 2/3 of an inning. It will be a good move for Kimball because he will be reunited with Harrisburg pitching coach Paul...

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Nats lineup vs. Lincecum (with Giants lineup added)

July 03, 2012, 11:07am

Nationals

Nats lineup vs. Lincecum (with Giants lineup added)

The Nationals will square off against the Giants and starter Tim Lincecum tonight. Lincecum is 3-8 with a 5.60 ERA this season, but has put up quality starts his last two times out. He delivered seven shutout innings his last start, which came against the Dodgers. Here's Davey Johnson's lineup for tonight: LF Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jesus Flores P Jordan Zimmermann For the Giants: RF...

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An interesting question regarding Harper's possible All-Star inclusion (updated)

July 02, 2012, 3:59pm

Nationals

An interesting question regarding Harper's possible All-Star inclusion (updated)

Being selected to the All-Star Game is an honor, regardless how a player gets there. Bryce Harper wasn't voted in as a starter or selected as a reserve by his peers or the manager of the National League All-Star team, Tony LaRussa. He will, however, have a shot to participate in the Midsummer Classic thanks to the All-Star Game Final Vote. The Nationals' 19-year-old outfielder is up against Chipper Jones, Michael Bourn, David Freese and Aaron Hill for the final spot on the NL roster. Fans...

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Will Yoder: Hard to choose the Nats' first-half MVP

July 03, 2012, 11:46am

Nationals

Will Yoder: Hard to choose the Nats' first-half MVP

The Nationals are about to wrap up their best first half in franchise history. At 45-32, Washington has the best record in the National League, is 3.5 games ahead of the second place team in the NL East, and is on pace to win 95 games this season. What has been perhaps most impressive about the team's run so far this year is that when former cellar-dwellers come out of nowhere in this fashion, they usually do so on the shoulders of one identifiable superstar. Whether it be a franchise player...