nationals

Marty Niland: Hail to "The Chief" and Cordero's return for first-pitch ceremony

July 19, 2012, 6:49pm

For fans who have followed the Nationals since they moved from Montreal, it's not hard to forget the last time they were in first place this late in the season - that wonderful summer when baseball returned to the nation's capital in 2005. A big part of that success will be at Nationals Park tonight to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the opening of this weekend's National League East showdown with Atlanta. "The Chief," Chad Cordero, has been in town to conduct a celebrity...

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Plenty of positives from 9-5 loss (plus Lannan, Desmond notes)

July 19, 2012, 1:16pm

Nationals

Plenty of positives from 9-5 loss (plus Lannan, Desmond notes)

It's easy to look at a 9-5 loss to a division rival and say not much went right. Gio Gonzalez got hit hard and lasted just 3 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the year. Craig Stammen didn't fare much better in relief. Bryce Harper went 0-for-5, the Nationals were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and they left 12 on-base. But Davey Johnson isn't looking at today's loss that way. He doesn't view this as a missed opportunity to earn a sweep and won't leave Nats Park frustrated...

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Gonzalez endures shortest outing of season, "felt a little flat"

July 19, 2012, 1:26pm

Nationals

Gonzalez endures shortest outing of season, "felt a little flat"

That was a rare experience to see Gio Gonzalez not get to the fifth inning in a start for the Nationals. Coming into Thursday's assignment against the Mets, Gonzalez had gone at least five frames in 16 of his initial 18 starts in a Nationals uniform. There was June 3 when he lasted only 4 2/3 innings in a loss against the Braves. You had to go back to the opening week and his Nationals debut to see a shorter stint, just 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision April 7 at the Cubs. But Gonzalez lasted...

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Christmas in July at Nationals Park this weekend

July 19, 2012, 4:54pm

Nationals

Just writing the title of this entry makes me wanna run jump into my Santa suit. On, Dasher! On, Dancer! On, Prancer and Vixen! On, Strasburg! On, Harper! On, Desmond, um ... Wait, I'm getting confused. Anyway, this weekend when the Nationals host the Braves, the team will host its annual Christmas In July Toy Drive to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Throughout the weekend series, volunteers from the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve will accept donations of new,...

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Dream Foundation hosts K Street Cocktails reception

July 19, 2012, 4:49pm

Nationals

Dream Foundation hosts K Street Cocktails reception

It's easy to look at the Nationals on the field and be impressed. The team is atop the National League East and seems destined for a playoff berth. But off the diamond, the success of the Nationals organization is just as potent. The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation has been touching the lives of children all throughout our nation's capital and has been a beacon of hope for so many in the area. Recently, the Foundation announced it will host K Street Cocktails, a fundraising reception...

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This one's gotten ugly (Nats lose 9-5)

July 19, 2012, 10:36am

Nationals

You could tell Davey Johnson was throwing in the towel on today's ballgame when he let reliever Craig Stammen hit for himself in the fifth inning. Johnson really waved the white flag when he had Mark DeRosa take over for Ryan Zimmerman at third base in the top of the sixth. This one hasn't been pretty from the Nationals' perspective, as they trail 9-2 through six innings. And Johnson's decided to rest a couple of his starters, including Jesus Flores, with the game seemingly out of...

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Rizzo on decision to designate Ankiel for assignment

July 19, 2012, 8:32am

Nationals

Rizzo on decision to designate Ankiel for assignment

Talk about rough timing for Rick Ankiel to find out that he'd been designated for assignment by the Nationals. Today is his birthday. Ankiel turns 33 today, but he now finds himself in a state of flux after being let go in order for the Nationals to activate reliever Drew Storen from the disabled list. General manager Mike Rizzo said the decision to let Ankiel go wasn't an easy one, but that the veteran outfielder took the news like a pro. "It was very difficult, just because of the guy...

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Rizzo feels comfortable with current catching corps (Gio leaves early)

July 19, 2012, 9:39am

Nationals

Rizzo feels comfortable with current catching corps (Gio leaves early)

The Nationals have used five different catchers at the major league level this season. Currently, with Jhonatan Solano landing on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, their duo consists of Jesus Flores, who came into today hitting .230 on the season, and backup Sandy Leon, who has just four innings of major league experience. That's led some to wonder if the Nats would consider adding an experienced, offensive-minded catcher before the trade deadline. But general manager Mike Rizzo...

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Storen to be activated, Ankiel likely designated for assignment

July 19, 2012, 6:28am

Nationals

Storen to be activated, Ankiel likely designated for assignment

The lineup card has been posted in the Nationals clubhouse for today's 12:35 p.m. game against the Mets, and right-hander Drew Storen is listed among the available pitchers. That's a signal Storen has been activated from the disabled list following recovery from surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. Outfielder Rick Ankiel is not listed among the bench players. His locker has been cleaned out and his nameplate has been removed. It appears the veteran outfielder has been...

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Nationals activate Storen, recall Leon, disable Solano; Ankiel designated for assignment

July 19, 2012, 8:18am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Drew Storen from the 15-Day Disabled List, recalled catcher Sandy Leon from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League, placed catcher Jhonatan Solano on the 15-Day DL (retroactive to July 18) with a left oblique strain and designated outfielder Rick Ankiel for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Storen began the season on...

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Shooting for the sweep, looking forward to Leon

July 18, 2012, 10:25pm

Nationals

Shooting for the sweep, looking forward to Leon

In case you didn't happen to see it, reliever Miguel Batista called his squad "the best team in baseball" after last night's game. Yes, the same Miguel Batista who allowed two huge runs over two-thirds of an inning in yesterday's 4-3 Nationals win. Yes, the same Miguel Batista who suits up for the New York Mets, who are currently a game above .500 and eight games back of the Nationals in the National League East. "Right now they're playing good baseball, but I don't believe they're a...

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David Huzzard: This time, Nats winning without smoke and mirrors

July 19, 2012, 5:49am

Nationals

David Huzzard: This time, Nats winning without smoke and mirrors

On September 17, 2005, the Nationals stood at 77-71 and had a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the ninth against the San Diego Padres. Since entering the All-Star break with a record of 52-36 and 2 1/2-game lead in the National League East, the Nationals had fallen back to fourth place and stood eight games back in the division. The wild card was vaguely in reach, but it would take a near miracle run to claim it. If they could take this series against the Padres, they could get back in the race....

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Another gem from Zimmermann (plus roster move)

July 18, 2012, 7:42pm

Nationals

Another gem from Zimmermann (plus roster move)

The move isn't official just yet, but the Nationals will place catcher Jhonatan Solano on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique and recall Sandy Leon from Double-A Harrisburg to serve as their backup catcher. Leon played one game (well, four innings, really) with the Nats this season before suffering a high-ankle sprain on a play at the plate, landing him on the DL. He's expected to be with the Nationals for Thursday's 12:35 p.m. start. Davey Johnson got a kick out of Tuesday's...

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Clippard not fazed by recent struggles, manages 15th save

July 18, 2012, 7:20pm

Nationals

Clippard not fazed by recent struggles, manages 15th save

Nationals closer Tyler Clippard was cruising along in his new role until the last few games. He had converted 14 of 14 save opportunities, but had one somewhat shaky outing in Miami. Then, returning home, Clippard has allowed five runs in the last two games. On Wednesday, Clippard notched his 15th save by striking out the side in the ninth. But he also allowed a pair of solo homers to the Mets' David Wright and Jason Bay. Clippard said that can happen when you go out and attack with...

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LaRoche to go with "Plan C" against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey

July 18, 2012, 7:48pm

Nationals

LaRoche to go with "Plan C" against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey

First baseman Adam LaRoche has nothing scientific in his approach to facing Mets knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey on Thursday. He won't be studying multiple DVDs on the lack of spin to the knuckleball or break down every aspect of his at-bat. LaRoche said you have to keep it simple because there isn't anything similar than facing a pitcher as unique as Dickey. "I remember facing (Tim) Wakefield just a handful of times and thinking, 'This is pretty good,' after not seeing it every...

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Clippard shaky again, but Nats beat Mets 4-3

July 18, 2012, 6:06pm

Nationals

Clippard shaky again, but Nats beat Mets 4-3

As much as the Nationals might not enjoy facing the Marlins, they apparently love squaring off against the Mets. The Nats improved to 6-2 against the Mets this season with tonight's 4-3 win. For the time being, the Nationals move to four games up in the National League East, with the Braves still battling the Giants down in Atlanta. Jordan Zimmermann got the win tonight, pushing his record above .500 for the first time this season. He's now 7-6 on the year and sports a 2.35 ERA, currently...

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Jordan Zimmermann is a machine (updated again)

July 18, 2012, 4:34pm

Nationals

Jordan Zimmermann is a machine (updated again)

The level of consistency that Jordan Zimmermann has delivered this season has been remarkable, if not a little freaky. Zimmermann has thrown five shutout innings again tonight, lowering his season ERA to a miniscule 2.37 and leaving him one frame short of his 19th straight outing of at least six innings. The Mets have notched just three hits off Zimmermann, two of which were bloops off the bat of David Wright. Zimmermann hasn't walked a batter, has struck out four and has needed just 77...

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Get ready for some roster shuffling (Werth to begin rehab assignment)

July 18, 2012, 2:00pm

Nationals

Get ready for some roster shuffling (Werth to begin rehab assignment)

The tarp is on the field at Nats Park, the wind is howling and the skies are pretty freakin' dark. They're expecting "severe storms" here in D.C., but we haven't gotten any rain yet and it looks like the heavy stuff might miss us. We shall see. There's a ton of injury news to pass along today, starting with Jayson Werth, who took batting practice today. This marked a major step in the right direction after Werth broke his wrist back in early May. Manager Davey Johnson said today that...

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Johnson confident in Flores; Solano hurt, Leon likely call

July 18, 2012, 1:26pm

Nationals

Johnson confident in Flores; Solano hurt, Leon likely call

You can see the frustration on the face of Jesus Flores after a few rough at-bats recently, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson is not concerned. Flores has gone 3-for-29 (.103) in the last nine games with four RBIs and eight strikeouts. Tuesday he went 0-for-4 with a pair of whiffs, including a strikeout in the bottom on the ninth with two outs and the winning run at second base. Johnson has met a few times with the first-string backstop and believes the veteran is being too hard on himself...

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Werth back taking batting practice (with Nats lineup)

July 18, 2012, 11:39am

Nationals

Werth back taking batting practice (with Nats lineup)

Still no Nationals lineup just yet, as the team could yet again be checking on Ian Desmond's status before setting their starting nine for tonight's game against the Mets. While we wait on the Nats lineup, I've got some good news to pass along on Jayson Werth, who is currently taking part in some early batting practice along with Chad Tracy. This is the first time I've seen Werth taking BP since suffering a broken wrist back in early May. Manager Davey Johnson said yesterday he expected...