nationals

Ted Leavengood: Build it and we will come

June 04, 2012, 6:16am

For years now the fans of D.C. have been whispering, "Build it and we will come," in response to questions about attendance. In 2005, when the Nationals were the newest thing on the block, they drew 2.7 million. When Nationals Park opened in 2008 and there was another new toy, attendance went back up to 2.3 million despite a woeful team. As the team has fallen, attendance has as well. Which has left the guys in the press box questioning why there are no local fans. But they got their answer...

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G. Gonzalez, Harper earn NL honors

June 03, 2012, 9:39am

Nationals

The Nationals keep piling up the hardware. Gio Gonzalez has been named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May, after going 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 32 innings last month. Bryce Harper joins Gonzalez on the MLB press release, as the 19-year-old was named NL Rookie of the Month. Harper hit .271 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in May, and led National League rookies with 21 runs scored and four triples. These honors come after Stephen Strasburg was named National...

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Early hook for Gonzalez (Nats lose 3-2)

June 03, 2012, 11:16am

Nationals

The National League Pitcher of the Month for May couldn't get the job done in his first start of June. Gio Gonzalez wasn't able to get out of the fifth inning today, getting pulled after allowing a two-run single to Jason Heyward with two outs in the fifth. Heyward's knock put the Braves up 3-2 and forced manager Davey Johnson from the dugout. Craig Stammen came on and got the Nats out of a jam after walking catcher David Ross to load the bases. Gonzalez's day is done after 4 2/3...

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Lombardozzi, Harper get this thing started right

June 03, 2012, 10:08am

Nationals

Lombardozzi, Harper get this thing started right

The first home run of Steve Lombardozzi's major league career was a bomb. Lombardozzi, a wiry 23-year-old, crushed a Tommy Hanson fastball off the back of the wall in the Nationals' bullpen in right field, giving the Nats a 1-0 lead. It was a cool moment for Lombardozzi, who came into the Nats' dugout to a host of smiles and pats on the back from teammates and coaches. Then Bryce Harper had to go and top it. Harper absolutely demolished the first pitch he saw from Hanson, sending it at...

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Nationals activate reliever Michael Gonzalez (updated with Rizzo comments)

June 03, 2012, 7:39am

Nationals

The Nationals have selected the contract of left-handed reliever

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Nats, Braves Sunday lineups

June 03, 2012, 6:41am

Nationals

Davey Johnson's Sunday lineup looks exactly same as Saturday's. Except Stephen Strasburg isn't pitching again. That'd just be weird and uncalled for. Gio Gonzalez takes the hill for the Nationals, looking to improve on his 7-1 record. Gonzalez went 5-0 in May. He'll try and carry that success into a new month and give the Nats a mini two-game sweep over the Braves. Here are the lineups for the two teams: For the Nationals LF Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B...

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Gio Gonzalez and Bryce Harper capture National League Pitcher and Rookie of the Month awards

June 03, 2012, 9:28am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez and Bryce Harper capture National League Pitcher and Rookie of the Month awards

Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez was named National League Pitcher of the Month, while outfielder Bryce Harper was named National League Rookie of the Month, for the month of May. Major League Baseball made the announcements this afternoon. Gonzalez and Harper's monthly citations are the second and third earned by the Nationals this season. Right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg was named National League Pitcher of the Month in April after going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and...

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Strasburg back on track after dominant effort against Braves

June 02, 2012, 4:11pm

Nationals

Strasburg back on track after dominant effort against Braves

Notoriously hard on himself after a poor performance - or at least what he considers a poor performance - Stephen Strasburg has nothing to complain about today. Strasburg went seven scoreless innings, marking the first time in his career that he has worked seven shutout frames, allowing just four hits, striking out nine and earning his sixth win in the Nationals' 2-0 victory over the Braves. This comes after three straight starts where Strasburg failed to work into the sixth inning and...

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Morse appreciative of fans' support in his return

June 02, 2012, 4:47pm

Nationals

Morse appreciative of fans' support in his return

When Michael Morse stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the first inning today, he was focused on his approach in what would be his first at-bat of the 2012 season. The Nats were threatening, with two runners on base, and Morse was facing Braves starter Brandon Beachy, who came into today with a 1.77 ERA this season. This was not the time for Morse to let his mind drift elsewhere or start reflecting on the long road he took to battle through a lat injury and rejoin the...

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Why aren't the Nats saving Strasburg's innings for later this season?

June 02, 2012, 12:56pm

Nationals

Why aren't the Nats saving Strasburg's innings for later this season?

Twice already this season, rainouts have allowed manager Davey Johnson the opportunity to skip Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. With Strasburg's innings adding up and his team-imposed limit of somewhere around 160 innings this season looming, Johnson could choose to jump Strasburg in these situations and throw Gio Gonzalez on normal rest. That would allow him to save Strasburg's innings for later in the season, when the Nationals will hopefully be fighting for a playoff spot. Both times...

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Wilkie "disappointed and embarrassed" by suspension

June 02, 2012, 9:28am

Nationals

Wilkie "disappointed and embarrassed" by suspension

Triple-A Syracuse right-handed reliever Josh Wilkie has been suspended 50 games for use of a banned substance, according to a club source. Wilkie said in a text message that he was suspended for a substance called Spice, which was mixed with a flavored tobacco. Spice is sold and distributed legally in some places, although it is increasingly being banned at the state and local levels. A chemical in Spice is not permissible according to Major League Baseball's banned substance...

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Nats roll over Braves - again

June 02, 2012, 2:45pm

Nationals

I feel like we've seen this type of win once or twice this season. A Nationals starter goes deep into the game, delivering a dominating outing, the offense provides just enough run support and the bullpen closes it down. All the familiar pieces were there in the Nats' 2-0 win over the Braves this afternoon. Stephen Strasburg bounced back off three consecutive subpar outings (by his lofty standards) and tossed seven shutout frames, allowing just four hits without a walk and striking out...

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Locked in a pitchers' duel (Strasburg done after seven)

June 02, 2012, 1:41pm

Nationals

Locked in a pitchers' duel (Strasburg done after seven)

We've got a fantastic pitchers' duel here at Nats Park, with Stephen Strasburg and Brandon Beachy trading zeros and strikeouts. Beachy was the first to blink, allowing a solo home run to Jesus Flores leading off the fifth inning. It was the second homer of the season for Flores, and it gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Runs will be precious in this one, as both starting pitchers have been in a zone. Strasburg has needed just 70 pitches to get through his five innings, which is remarkable...

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Ramos will need two knee surgeries (plus Lidge, Mattheus updates)

June 02, 2012, 10:55am

Nationals

Ramos will need two knee surgeries (plus Lidge, Mattheus updates)

The damage to Wilson Ramos' shredded right knee is so severe, it turns out he'll need two surgeries to fully repair it. Ramos recently underwent surgery on the meniscus in the knee, but doctors could not repair the torn ACL at this time. Manager Davey Johnson said doctors will need to wait to operate on the catcher's ACL. Johnson said he fully expects Ramos to be ready for spring training next year, but there's no chance of the 24-year-old returning this season. There is some positive...

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Lombardozzi leading off, Morse hitting fifth

June 02, 2012, 11:04am

Nationals

Lombardozzi leading off, Morse hitting fifth

Steve Lombardozzi wasn't in the Nationals' lineup yesterday. But after rain washed out the opener of this three-game series with the Braves, Lombardozzi is back in the leadoff spot and playing left field for Davey Johnson today. Michael Morse will hit fifth today against Braves righty Brandon Beachy, with the left-handed-hitting Adam LaRoche staying in the cleanup spot. Strangely, the Braves will hit Beachy eighth today, with left fielder Jose Constanza batting ninth. Here are the lineups...

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Mattheus, DeRosa both closing in on a return

June 01, 2012, 6:32pm

Nationals

Mattheus, DeRosa both closing in on a return

You already know all the details regarding outfielder Michael Morse and his return from what he said today was an injury to the teres major tendon around his right shoulder. Quickly, here are a handful of additional injury updates: Catcher Jesus Flores was in the lineup today and was set to play for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain Sunday. Flores said he could've played on Wednesday, but the Nats held him out just to be sure. Tonight's rain delay will give him an additional...

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Ramirez back with Potomac and hitting to all fields

June 02, 2012, 8:42am

Nationals

Ramirez back with Potomac and hitting to all fields

Outfielder J.P. Ramirez returned to high Single-A Potomac after showing well again at low Single-A Hagerstown, where he displayed his knack for getting on base and making good contact at the plate. The 22-year old Ramirez has gone back and forth a couple of times between Hagerstown and Potomac, but that is not a signal that he is not worthy of playing at Potomac. There has been a logjam of talented players at both stops and there were not enough roster spots available on opening day. Now that...

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Nats feel when they hit their stride, "it's going to be a lot of fun"

June 02, 2012, 6:48am

Nationals

Nats feel when they hit their stride, "it's going to be a lot of fun"

We're all plenty aware how much injuries have ravaged this Nationals team this season. But bring yourself back to April 4, the day before opening day, for a second. If I had told you back then that the Nationals would be without cleanup hitter Michael Morse and closer Drew Storen for 50 games (and counting, for Storen), face of the franchise Ryan Zimmerman for 17 days, right fielder Jayson Werth for the last three weeks and the bulk of the summer, catcher Wilson Ramos for the last two weeks...

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Nationals-Braves game postponed due to severe weather (updated)

June 01, 2012, 2:48pm

Nationals

Tonight's game between the Nationals and Braves has been postponed due to severe weather in the area. Details on a makeup date have not yet been announced, but I will obviously pass them along as soon as I hear anything. Conditions in the area have been terrible tonight, and it's been raining nearly nonstop for the last couple hours. There have been tornado warnings nearby, as well. Update: Tonight's game will not be made up during this homestand, and will instead be pushed back later in...

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Morse: "It's better late to the party than never"

June 01, 2012, 2:39pm

Nationals

Morse: "It's better late to the party than never"

When Michael Morse first was scratched from the Nationals' lineup just prior to a spring training game on March 6, the team diagnosed the injury as a strained lat, something which both the Nats and Morse thought would only keep the slugger out for a day or two. If someone had told Morse then that he would be out nearly three months because of the injury, "I would've laughed in their face," Morse said today. Yet, here we are on June 1, and only now is the 6-foot-5, 245-lb. outfielder...