nationals

Strikeout total rises as win total stays stagnant

May 10, 2012, 4:58am

What would you rather have first, the good news or the bad news? Let's start with the positive stuff, just to kick the morning off right. Making his third rehab start since suffering a left hamstring injury back in spring training, Chien-Ming Wang went seven innings yesterday for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing two runs on eight hits and earning the win. Wang walked one, struck out one and threw 89 pitches, 61 for strikes. The good news ends there. Here comes the bad. The Nationals struck...

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Nationals select Neary as Honorary Bat Girl

May 08, 2012, 1:46pm

Nationals

How's this for a Mother's Day present? The Nationals and Major League Baseball have announced that Laurie Jo Neary, a mother of three who was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in 2008, is the winner of the team's Honorary Bat Girl program. The program recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated a commitment to "Going to Bat" in the fight against the deadly disease. Neary was diagnosed with the breast cancer four years ago and has since undergone...

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Examining Espinosa's offensive struggles

May 09, 2012, 7:09am

Nationals

Examining Espinosa's offensive struggles

As managers go, Davey Johnson is a patient and trusting one. He believes in his players, giving them a chance to battle through slumps and hard times. It's one of the reasons why guys love playing for him so much. They feel that if they start scuffling, their skipper will have their back. He won't be quick to turn on them, won't worry about being put under the microscope for putting a guy in the lineup who isn't playing well. But talking to reporters last night, even Johnson had to admit...

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Wacky third inning puts Nats in a hole (instant update)

May 09, 2012, 4:28pm

Nationals

Wacky third inning puts Nats in a hole (instant update)

We had a strikeout of the pitcher, who then reached on a wild pitch. We had a ball deflect off Ross Detwiler and go for a single. We had a 5-2-6 putout in which a runner was tagged out trying to score. We had a runner score from second on an infield single. Yeah, it was a strange bottom of the third inning. The Pirates lead 3-0 after three, and despite the fact that Pittsburgh starter Erik Bedard was pulled in the top of the second inning due to an apparent injury, the Nats still don't...

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Military Appreciation Night at Nationals Park

May 09, 2012, 1:18pm

Nationals

In honor of Military Appreciation Night on Wednesday, May 16, the Washington Nationals are proud to offer free tickets to service members and their families when the team goes head-to-head against the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning at 7:05 p.m. Military personnel with a valid military ID (active, retired, reservist or dependent) can receive up to two complimentary tickets to next Wednesday's game. Tickets will be available for pick up on May 16 at the Main Box Office on N Street, SE from 10:00...

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Nats sign lefty Gonzalez to minor league deal

May 08, 2012, 1:13pm

Nationals

Nats sign lefty Gonzalez to minor league deal

The Nationals are bringing on another Scott Boras client. Michael Gonzalez, a left-handed reliever who has spent nine seasons in the big leagues, has agreed to a minor league deal with the Nats, the team announced. Gonzalez will report to the Nationals' Viera, Fla., complex. He has previously spent time with the Rangers, Orioles, Braves and Pirates, posting a career line of 17-21 with a 2.94 ERA and 56 saves. Two of the last three seasons, however, Gonzalez's ERA has been above...

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Moore to start in left field, Harper to center

May 09, 2012, 11:34am

Nationals

Moore to start in left field, Harper to center

Those wanting Tyler Moore to get a shot at more playing time, here you go. Moore will start in left field and hit seventh for the Nationals in tonight's game against the Pirates. It will be the rookie's second major league start, both of which will have been in left. With the Nats facing a left-hander in Erik Bedard, Davey Johnson is going with a lineup stacked with right-handed hitters. He'll put Moore in left and Xavier Nady in right field, with Bryce Harper moving over to center and...

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Rodriguez's blown save costs Nats

May 08, 2012, 5:54pm

Nationals

Adam LaRoche was all set up to be the hero tonight, as his two-run homer leading off the ninth - the 1,000th home run in Nationals team history - gave the Nats a 4-3 lead. Then Henry Rodriguez got the road jitters yet again. Rodriguez allowed a walk-off, two-run homer to Rod Barajas (a .141 hitter this season), giving the Pirates a shocking 5-4 win. It's Rodriguez's second blown save on the season, both of which have come on the road. Rodriguez hasn't allowed a run and has given up just...

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News and notes on Espinosa, Harper, Rizzo and more

May 08, 2012, 6:59pm

Nationals

News and notes on Espinosa, Harper, Rizzo and more

Manager Davey Johnson said on "Nats Xtra" postgame that he is concerned about Danny Espinosa's struggles at the plate after Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He confirmed, however, that Espinosa will be in his lineup Wednesday. Espinosa went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His batting average dropped to .186. Although he struck out in his only pinch-hit, Steve Lombardozzi is hitting .300. Lombardozzi has played third base this season with Ryan Zimmerman out with an injury, but...

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Rachel Levitin: A few words on fan etiquette

May 09, 2012, 5:40am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: A few words on fan etiquette

Phillies fans aside, the atmosphere at Nationals Park over last weekend was vibrant and full of life. The fact is that Nationals Park feels different when the seats are filled. If it takes a division rivalry to pack the place, then so be it. But it's a whole other thing to sink to the level of the proposed enemy of the evening. Nationals fans tend to be well-behaved while a certain contingent of the rival fan base tends to get a bit more riled up than their counterparts. After sitting...

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Hamels' old-school opinion an insult to intimidating pitchers

May 09, 2012, 5:10am

Nationals Orioles

Hamels' old-school opinion an insult to intimidating pitchers

Before we move on from the new-found and legitimate Nationals-Phillies rivalry, there's one question that has to be clarified: What does Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels mean when he says he was bringing back old-fashioned baseball by drilling Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the back? Hamels hasn't said a word since he was suspended. Hamels, who deserved the five-game suspension that he received from Major League Baseball, is confused on the term. In old-school baseball, pitchers never...

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Jackson done after seven strong (Nats come back in ninth)

May 08, 2012, 5:11pm

Nationals

Jackson done after seven strong (Nats come back in ninth)

Outside of the two long solo homers allowed by Edwin Jackson tonight, he really delivered a strong outing. The Nationals starter went seven innings, allowing just the two solo shots to Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones in the fourth inning. He gave up just three Pirates hits, walked one and struck out five. The pitches to McCutchen and Jones were both demolished, but little else tonight was hit hard by Pirates hitters. Unfortunately for Jackson, he finds himself in a tie game as he watches...

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Zimmerman activated, Werth to DL

May 08, 2012, 9:21am

Nationals

The Nationals announced this afternoon that they have reinstated third baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the disabled list. Jayson Werth will, in essence, take Zimmerman's place. Werth has been placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 7, after having surgery yesterday to repair a broken left wrist. The Nats' right fielder is expected to return somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 weeks from now. This DL stint is Werth's first since 2008. He entered this season as one of just nine National...

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LaRoche returns, Harper will hit second

May 08, 2012, 11:01am

Nationals

Both Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche return to the Nationals' lineup tonight against the Pirates. And just in time, with Jayson Werth going to the DL. Take a look at Davey Johnson's new 2-3-4 in the batting order. Bryce Harper takes over in the No. 2 spot and will play right field tonight. Here are the lineups for both teams: Nationals Ian Desmond, SS Bryce Harper, RF Ryan Zimmerman, 3B Adam LaRoche, 1B Danny Espinosa, 2B Rick Ankiel, CF Wilson Ramos, C Roger Bernadina, LF Edwin...

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Injury-free, Oduber adjusting to new level of competition

May 07, 2012, 1:45pm

Nationals

Injury-free, Oduber adjusting to new level of competition

Right-handed hitter Randolph Oduber is making the step-by-step transition from low Single-A Hagerstown to high Single-A Potomac and getting adjusted to his new surroundings and new teammates. Oduber said teammates Kevin Keyes, Michael Taylor and Wade Moore have developed good camaraderie working the Pfitzner Stadium outfield through the first month of the season. "It is going really good," Oduber said. "Our communication is really good right now. Every inning, we talk and every situation,...

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And now we move on

May 07, 2012, 11:12pm

Nationals

Anyone else heard enough about that Phillies pitcher hitting that 19-year-old phenom? OK, good. We can talk about something else now. While tonight will mark the first game of many that the Nationals will play without right fielder Jayson Werth, they could very well be getting both Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche back in their lineup in Pittsburgh. We can be almost certain Zimmerman will come off the disabled list today after missing the last 17 days because of inflammation in his right...

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Hamels suspended five games for plunking Harper

May 07, 2012, 2:05pm

Nationals

Hamels suspended five games for plunking Harper

What's the price of honesty these days? Five games, apparently. Phillies starter Cole Hamels has been suspended five games for intentionally throwing at Bryce Harper last night. In reality, however, Hamels was suspended not because of his actions, but because he was honest about his actions. If he had denied any wrongdoing, no suspension would have come down. Major League Baseball did not announce any disciplinary action had been taken against Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann, who hit Hamels...

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Will Yoder: Lombardozzi quietly making his mark

May 08, 2012, 5:23am

Nationals

Will Yoder: Lombardozzi quietly making his mark

Even though he has played just eight games this season, Bryce Harper already ranks among the top rookies in baseball in Wins Above Replacement. As crazy as that sounds, that makes him a viable Rookie of the Year candidate. We shouldn't be surprised, though. Harper is the type of player who was born to win the Rookie of the Year award. He has been ranked the No. 1 prospect in baseball the last two seasons, his pro debut was national news and he even appeared on the cover of Sports...

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Werth out around 12 weeks after wrist surgery is deemed a success

May 07, 2012, 12:20pm

Nationals

Werth out around 12 weeks after wrist surgery is deemed a success

Jayson Werth, who suffered a broken left wrist while diving for a ball in last night's loss to the Phillies, was set to have surgery today, an industry source confirmed this afternoon. The surgery is expected to keep Werth out somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 weeks, which means the Nationals right fielder is not expected to return until August. Werth was examined by a specialist today, and was expected to consult with the Mayo Clinic. The 32-year-old Werth had played in all but one game...

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Final thoughts on the Hamels/Harper situation

May 07, 2012, 9:34am

Nationals

Final thoughts on the Hamels/Harper situation

I swear, this is my last entry on the Cole Hamels/Bryce Harper plunking and subsequent stealing of home. Well, that is until someone else steps in and tosses more fuel on the fire and makes this an even bigger deal. Hey, it could happen. This story has taken on a life of its own over the last 14 hours or so, after Hamels admitted that he hit Harper on purpose because he wanted to carry on the "old school" way of handling things and then Nationals GM Mike Rizzo called out Hamels, telling the...