nationals

Strikeouts mount as Nats fall to McDonald, Pirates

May 17, 2012, 8:17pm

For five innings, James McDonald overpowered the Nationals, his mid-90s fastball and dazzling curve holding them without a hit. In the sixth, the Nats finally were able to figure the Pirates starter out, touching McDonald for three extra-base hits and three runs. But it just wasn't quite enough. "We had a chance. We came back," manager Davey Johnson said. "The other guy pitched a heck of a five or six innings, but that was a tough one. We had runners on, we just couldn't get the big...

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Nats lineup to open Battle of the Beltways

May 18, 2012, 11:40am

Nationals Orioles

Nats lineup to open Battle of the Beltways

Starting tonight, the Nationals will play 33 consecutive games against teams from either the American League East or National League East. Good thing none of those teams are any good. Oh, wait... The Nats will face Orioles righty Jake Arrieta today, a guy who has started 2-4 with a 5.21 ERA. Here are the lineups for both teams: For the Nationals SS Ian Desmond LF Roger Bernadina 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Bryce Harper 2B Danny Espinosa CF Rick Ankiel C Jesus Flores P Edwin...

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MedStar Health to host youth baseball clinic

May 17, 2012, 4:23pm

Nationals

MedStar Health to host youth baseball clinic

We all enjoy watching the Nationals, particularly during this hot start to the 2012 season. But from the superstars like Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg, down to the 25th man on the roster, every player started their journey as a young boy, molding their talents and honing their skills in recreation leagues. For every major league player, rec league is where it all began, reminding fans that while it's fun to root for our favorite team in the majors, there wouldn't be professional...

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April 22 postonement to be made up as part of Aug. 3 single-admission doubleheader

May 18, 2012, 6:27am

Nationals

April 22 postonement to be made up as part of Aug. 3 single-admission doubleheader

The April 22 Nationals-Marlins game at Nationals Park has been rescheduled as part of a traditional, single-admission doubleheader on Friday, August 3, with the first game beginning at 4:05 p.m. The second game will follow at 7:05 p.m. or later, depending on when the first game is completed. All tickets for the postponed April 22 game can be exchanged at the Nationals Park Box Office for seats of equal or lesser value for the August 3 doubleheader or any remaining regular or value home game...

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Marty Niland: Harper's shot harkens back to another phenom's first homer

May 18, 2012, 5:38am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Harper's shot harkens back to another phenom's first homer

At 19 years, 211 days old, Bryce Harper wasn't even old enough to buy a beer to celebrate his first major league home run this week. The more than 400-foot blast off San Diego's Tim Stauffer, in Harper's 15th major league game and 54th at-bat, not only added to his lore but evoked memories of another vaunted prospect's first homer, almost 41 years earlier. Like Harper, Jeff Burroughs was the first overall pick in the amateur draft when the Washington Senators selected him in 1969. And like...

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DeRosa making progress in oblique rehab

May 17, 2012, 2:44pm

Nationals

You already know that Michael Morse is progressing in his rehab and is closing in on a return to action. We can file Mark DeRosa into that same category. DeRosa, who went on the disabled list April 29 with a left oblique injury, took dry swings, played catch and did some running today, all at about 50-60 percent. He still isn't ready to come off the DL despite being eligible to do so on Monday, but feels like he's taking positive steps. "I'm starting to do baseball activities, which is...

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Morse could return earlier than expected

May 17, 2012, 1:42pm

Nationals

Morse could return earlier than expected

The Nationals had been targeting June 8 for Michael Morse's return to the lineup. That will be the start of road interleague games for the team, which would allow Morse to slide in as the Nats' designated hitter and give his strained lat - which had been bothering him when he threw - more time to recover before he needed to return to the outfield. But manager Davey Johnson indicated today that Morse could be ready to return earlier than originally expected, possibly as soon as June 1, when...

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Nats can't wait to get McCutchen out of D.C.

May 17, 2012, 7:28pm

Nationals

Nats can't wait to get McCutchen out of D.C.

If there happens to be any issues with the Pirates' team charter, delaying tonight's flight to Detroit, I'm pretty sure the Nationals would be willing to pay for a commercial ticket for Andrew McCutchen. At this point, I think they'll do whatever it takes to get the guy out of D.C. McCutchen has worn out the Nationals in his career, and that didn't change today. The Pirates' center fielder went 2-for-4 with two home runs against the Nats tonight, the second of which came in the sixth...

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Brian Goodwin to be activated Friday and start

May 17, 2012, 2:48pm

Nationals

Brian Goodwin to be activated Friday and start

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Low Single-A outfielder

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Matt Skole's two-homer game helps him shake off slump

May 17, 2012, 2:37pm

Nationals

Matt Skole's two-homer game helps him shake off slump

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns third baseman

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Purke has positive outing in Florida, could make pro debut next week

May 17, 2012, 6:21pm

Nationals

Purke has positive outing in Florida, could make pro debut next week

Southpaw

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Comeback bid comes up short

May 17, 2012, 6:07pm

Nationals

Down 4-0 in the sixth inning and getting no-hit, the Nationals woke up and pounded out three runs to make it a ballgame and chase Pirates starter James McDonald. They just couldn't do quite enough to get over that final hump to even things up or take the lead. The Nats missed out on a couple late opportunities, leaving a runner stranded at third to end the sixth, then stranding runners at second and third in the seventh, and they fell to the Pirates 5-3. Washington hitters struck out 14...

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There goes the no-hitter... and the shutout

May 17, 2012, 5:13pm

Nationals

There goes the no-hitter... and the shutout

Remember when James McDonald had a no-hitter through five innings? That seems so long ago. McDonald, who had a perfect game through four innings and had struck out 10 through five, had a disastrous sixth inning, allowing three runs on four hits. He got pulled from the game with two outs in the sixth, ending an outing which had started in dominating fashion. Jesus Flores was the one to get it all rolling for the Nationals, with his leadoff double in the sixth breaking up McDonald's no-no and...

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McDonald dominant; McCutchen, Barajas continue to kill Nats

May 17, 2012, 4:20pm

Nationals

McDonald dominant; McCutchen, Barajas continue to kill Nats

Andrew McCutchen entered today hitting .439 in 23 career games against the Nationals. Rod Barajas came into tonight's game batting just .188 on the season, but was the one who smacked the walk-off two-run home run off Henry Rodriguez last week. Both guys continued terrorizing the Nats tonight. McCutchen smacked a solo homer off Jordan Zimmermann in the first inning to put the Pirates up 1-0. The blast gave him a ridiculous nine homers and 20 RBIs in 23 games against Washington. Those are...

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Lineups for Thursday's Pirates-Nats matchup

May 17, 2012, 12:45pm

Nationals

Lineups for Thursday's Pirates-Nats matchup

Jordan Zimmermann is on the mound tonight for the Nationals, who are looking to sweep the brief two-game series from Pittsburgh. Zimmermann is seeking his second victory in a row after dropping his previous two starts. For the Nationals: Ian Desmond SS Roger Bernadina LF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Bryce Harper RF Danny Espinosa 2B Rick Ankiel CF Jesus Flores C Jordan Zimmermann RHP For the Pirates: Jose Tabata LF Neil Walker 2B Andrew McCutchen CF Pedro Alvarez 3B Garrett Jones...

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Nady trying to slowly lift himself from early-season funk

May 17, 2012, 10:21am

Nationals

Nady trying to slowly lift himself from early-season funk

You look at Xavier Nady's season numbers, and they're still less than ideal. Far less than ideal. Nady is batting just .147, has a .489 OPS and has driven in only four runs in 68 at-bats. But if you look at the last few games, you'll see that perhaps the Nationals' veteran outfielder is slowly starting to trend upward. Nady now has home runs in each of his last two games and has driven in a run in three of his last five contests. His average - down to .119 on May 6 - has jumped nearly 30...

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Standings, saves and strikeouts

May 16, 2012, 8:44pm

Nationals

If you're the type who enjoys monitoring the division standings in May, you'll be thrilled to know that the Nationals wake up this morning atop the National League East. Washington's win over the Pirates last night coupled with the Braves' loss to Miami puts the Nats a half-game ahead of Atlanta in the division. Who's got the champagne? If you're the type who enjoys keeping track of all the latest with the Nationals' closing situation, you'll be interested to know that manager Davey...

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For LaRoche, a milestone moment and another huge hit

May 16, 2012, 7:40pm

Nationals

For LaRoche, a milestone moment and another huge hit

Remember back a few months ago, when a large portion of the Nationals fan base was pushing for the team to sign Prince Fielder, a move which would have essentially kicked Adam LaRoche to the curb? Yeah, Davey Johnson does, too. And he's plenty happy the Nats stuck with LaRoche. "He's making that move look real good. That lack of move," Johnson chuckled after tonight's game. Considering the year LaRoche had last season, with the .172 batting average, the boos he received at Nationals...

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Former Longhorn Keyes making steady progress in Potomac

May 16, 2012, 7:27am

Nationals

Former Longhorn Keyes making steady progress in Potomac

Potomac Nationals outfielder Kevin Keyes made a big splash as one of the top home run hitters in the system with his play in 2011, and although the competition has ramped up in high Single-A, Keyes believes he is making progress in preparing for the better pitching he sees now at this advanced level. "The Carolina League is an adjustment," Keyes said. "It is a harder league than the South Atlantic League. As a team, we are making adjustments that are making everybody better at the plate. We...

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Dave Nichols: Is there reason to be concerned about Tyler Clippard's performance?

May 17, 2012, 5:16am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Is there reason to be concerned about Tyler Clippard's performance?

So far this season, a lot of things have gone right for the Nationals. The starting pitching has been phenomenal. The relievers, for the most part, have been very strong, as well, despite missing their two best closer options to injury most of the season. And the hitting - well, it looks like it might be coming around. Actually, they've been pretty good all season getting runners on base; it's been getting 'em in that's been the problem most nights. As the weather starts to heat up though,...