Rachel Levitin: The shirts on fans' backs tell a story

Rachel Levitin: The shirts on fans' backs tell a story
There was a time back in 2005 when I worked at a Major League Baseball team apparel store for extra money before leaving for college. This store specialized in Chicago Cubs gear, but it was that store that garnered my appreciation for team logos and memorabilia from the past. Numerous retailers attempt to recreate some of the most unique logos in baseball history on caps, t-shirts, jerseys, plaques, and just about anything you can think of - and the novelty to that is the fact that baseball is...

Komatsu returns, Tracy won't for a while

Komatsu returns, Tracy won't for a while
The Nationals are getting back outfielder Erik Komatsu, the 2011 Rule 5 pick who had stints with the Cardinals and Twins this season.

Purke to make pro debut Wednesday morning in Greensboro

Purke to make pro debut Wednesday morning in Greensboro
Nationals pitching prospect Matt Purke will make his professional debut Wednesday for Hagerstown, according to a club source. Purke will start for the Suns, the Nationals' Single-A affiliate, as they finish up a three-game series Wednesday morning at Greensboro. Game time 10:45 a.m. No details on if Purke is on an innings limit or pitch count for this first start. For Purke, 2012 has been spent exclusively in extended spring training, where the left-hander has been working since April. The...

In-game update for Michael Morse at Potomac with walk and strikeout

In-game update for Michael Morse at Potomac with walk and strikeout
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Nationals left fielder Michael Morse, batting third, is the designated hitter for the Potomac Nationals in their contest against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. In the bottom of the first with two outs, against Pelicans' right-hander Roman Mendez, Morse walked on a 3-2 count. He swung and missed with the count 2-0 and then fouled back the fourth pitch to the screen. Morse was left on base when cleanup hitter David Freitas flied out to left to end the inning. Morse said...

Looking back on a wild holiday weekend

Looking back on a wild holiday weekend
No, I'm not talking about my trip to Vegas, which was lots of fun but will not be discussed in this space. I can tell you that I'm back on the East Coast in one piece, sunburn-free and with more money than when I left. So that's all good news. Not much went down Nationals-wise while I was away, unless you count an injury to the Nats' top pinch hitter, a change in the starting rotation, a sweep of a hot division rival, another (yes, another) Nats catcher being knocked out of a game due to...

Solano activated, Espinosa gets a day off

Solano activated, Espinosa gets a day off
The Nationals have officially called up catcher Jhonatan Solano from Triple-A Syracuse, giving them a third catcher on the 25-man roster and providing some insurance in case Jesus Flores isn't able to return from a hamstring injury as quickly as hoped. Solano, who batted .250 with two doubles, two RBIs and eight runs scored in 13 games with Syracuse this season, will wear No. 23. The 26-year-old threw out 40 percent of runners trying to steal (4-of-10) for the Chiefs this season Carlos...

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt

Nationals' Morse batting third as designated hitter tonight in Potomac rehab tilt
The Potomac Nationals have announced their lineup for tonight's 7::05 p.m. matchup with Myrtle Beach. Michael Morse bats third: Blake Kelso 3B Adrian Sanchez 2B Michael Morse DH David Freitas C Ricky Hague SS Justin Bloxom 1B Michael Taylor CF JP Ramirez RF Kevin Keyes LF LHP Matt Grace (2-6, 6.70) His future rehab schedule is predicated on how batting practice and the game goes tonight. I will have updates throughout (twitter: @bkerr32) and postgame beast-blog.

Nationals recall C Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse

Nationals recall C Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solano, who will wear No. 23 when he joins the Nationals for tonight's game at Miami, batted .250 with two doubles, two RBIs and eight runs scored in 13 games this season with Syracuse. The 26-year-old gunned down 40 percent (4 of 10) of would-be basestealers for the...

Nats can't solve Hamels, fall to Phillies 4-1

Nats can't solve Hamels, fall to Phillies 4-1
PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals have won 10 series this season. They still only have one sweep, and that was of the two-game variety. For the ninth time this season, the Nationals entered a series finale with a chance to earn a sweep and came up short. They lost to the Phillies 4-1, with Cole Hamels again cruising through an outing against Nats hitters. He held them scoreless over eight innings, allowing just four hits and three walks and striking out eight. The Nats had chances, but Hamels was...

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run

Nationals' NL East dominance a good sign for pennant run
The Nationals have now won every series they have played against National League East opponents, currently 10-3 versus Atlanta (2-0), Philadelphia (4-2), Miami (2-0) and the N.Y. Mets (2-1). This is a good time to be playing well because the schedule is all within the division for two weeks. The Nationals are in the middle of 15 straight games against NL East combatants. After tonight's finale at Atlanta, they go to Miami for three games beginning Monday afternoon. Next week, the Nationals...

Will Yoder: Nobody's second-guessing Gonzalez deal now

Will Yoder: Nobody's second-guessing Gonzalez deal now
When the Nationals traded four major prospects for Gio Gonzalez this winter, many fans in D.C. were hesitant about the potential reward such a risky move could bring. Gonzalez, 26, had two All-Star caliber seasons under his belt, and was one of the best left-handed strikeout pitchers in baseball, but some wondered about his potential to be an elite pitcher moving into the future. While he had succeeded in 2010 and 2011 with Oakland, he had also allowed more walks than any other pitcher during...

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury

Harrisburg's Hood placed on disabled list, Kobernus out with thumb injury
Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder Jeff Kobernus. Lecroy said they are watching Kobernus' status and being careful with him as well. "Kobernus has been bothered with a thumb (injury)," Lecroy said. "He hasn't played the last four games. We are resting him on the precautionary side to make sure he is healthy when he comes back. "He has had a solid year so far. The way he prepares every day for each game is just showing his maturity as a player. Hopefully, when we get him back, he...

Moore optioned to Syracuse, Solano to be recalled

Moore optioned to Syracuse, Solano to be recalled
The Nationals made a roster move after today's 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins, optioning first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A Syracuse. They are expected to recall catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse before Tuesday's game to serve share duties with catcher Carlos Maldonado, who went 0-for-4 in today's defeat. The only other catcher on the active roster is Jesus Flores, who left Sunday's game with a mild right hamstring strain. The impending arrival of the 26-year-old Solano...

Who says pitchers can't hit? (Nats trail 5-3 after seven)

Who says pitchers can't hit? (Nats trail 5-3 after seven)
What is it with Nationals starting pitchers with a bat in their hands? Jordan Zimmermann became the latest starting hurler to homer, crushing a Carlos Zambrano pitch to left-center for a 1-0 lead over the Marlins in the third inning. It was his first career homer. Last night, you'll recall, Gio Gonzalez - who only had to wield a bat in anger in a rare interleague start as an Oakland A before this year - ripped a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 2-2. It was his first career RBI. Last...

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves

Nationals not waiting til next year with latest moves
The Nationals are signaling with their latest moves that this is the year. In the past, if a starter labored or went into a bad two- or three-start slump, the Nationals would stand pat, not able to make a significant change because they did not have the depth or alternative to solve the problem instantly. But through the work of ownership, general manager Mike Rizzo and the coaching staff, the Nats have shown they will make a move. Phenom Bryce Harper was called up earlier than most people...

Gonzalez, hot bats help Nats break out brooms

Gonzalez, hot bats help Nats break out brooms
Even as the Nationals were winning at a first-place pace, their quiet bats were a mild concern into early May. The Nats scored at least five runs just seven times in their first 31 games, riding their pitching to a 19-12 start. Since then, Washington has scored five or more 10 times in 16 contests with the latest offensive outburst carrying the team to a 7-2 win Sunday night in Atlanta. The Nats overcame an early 2-0 deficit, tying the Braves with two in the fourth and then taking the lead...

Nationals option Tyler Moore to Syracuse

Nationals option Tyler Moore to Syracuse
Following today's game at Miami, the Washington Nationals optioned infielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Moore, 25, batted .158 (3-for-19) in 12 games this season with Washington.

Maldonado in for Flores as Nats open series in Miami (updated)

Maldonado in for Flores as Nats open series in Miami (updated)
The Nationals get their first look at brand-new Marlins Park in Miami today, after playing an ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" game in Atlanta last night. It's a quick turnaround made easier by the fact that Memorial Day dawns with the Nats in first place in the NL East. The only change in today's lineup is the presence of catcher Carlos Maldonado instead of Jesus Flores behind the plate. Flores sustained a mild right hamstring strain in the finale of the Braves series, and gets today off,...

Nationals select Brown from Triple-A, place Tracy on DL

Nationals select Brown from Triple-A, place Tracy on DL
The Washington Nationals today selected outfielder Corey Brown from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed infielder Chad Tracy on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 27, with a right adductor strain. Additionally, Washington transferred outfielder Jayson Werth to the 60-Day DL. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Brown batted .297 with nine doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 30 RBI and...

Ted Leavengood: A different kind of rolling thunder

Ted Leavengood: A different kind of rolling thunder
Every Memorial Day weekend, the sound of the Harleys resonates in Washington, D.C., as they circle the city. Rolling Thunder has become an iconic part of somber Memorial Day remembrances across the city. There was, however, a very different rolling thunder that swept through Atlanta this weekend, as the Nationals pushed 22 runs across the plate at Turner Field over three days to steamroll the Braves. The bats up and down the lineup took part, as clutch hit after clutch hit rained down...