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...

Wang to rotation, Detwiler to bullpen

Wang to rotation, Detwiler to bullpen
After last night's game, Davey Johnson told reporters in Atlanta that Chien-Ming Wang will move into the Nationals' rotation and Ross Detwiler will shift to the bullpen. Wang has made one relief appearance this season after missing nearly all of the first two months because of a strained hamstring. The 32-year-old allowed one run in three innings Friday at Atlanta. He is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Detwiler's season got off to an excellent start, as the...

Lombardozzi leading off, Gonzalez starting as Nats seek sweep

Lombardozzi leading off, Gonzalez starting as Nats seek sweep
Steve Lombardozzi is back in the Nationals' lineup after not playing Saturday, earning his fifth start in eight contests. Lombardozzi owns a team-best .310 batting average to go with eight runs and five RBIs. Gio Gonzalez is on the mound as the Nats look to close out a sweep of the Braves. Gonzalez can overtake Stephen Strasburg for the team strikeouts lead. The left-hander has fanned 69 on the season, which stands one behind Strasburg, and enters the night 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA. Gonzalez...

Another crack at Komatsu?

Another crack at Komatsu?
The Nationals lamented losing outfielder Erik Komatsu to the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, posturing that he was an important piece of organizational depth. Now, they might have another crack at reacquiring the 24-year-old, who came to Washington from the Brewers in exchange for utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., last July 30. This morning, the Twins designated Komatsu for assignment to open up a roster spot, meaning he will have to pass through waivers in order...

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta

Zimmerman hit solidifies 7-4 Nationals win in Atlanta
It has not been the start Ryan Zimmerman wanted to have this season. Recovering from an injury and mustering only eight extra-base hits, his average has hovered below .250 in 30 games. You could tell the veteran was waiting for a game or an at-bat to break out of it. Baseball is a game of opportunity. That chance knocked on the door in the latter stages Friday night in Atlanta. Zimmerman had the answer. Braves starter Tim Hudson got into trouble in the seventh inning. Down 4-3 with two outs,...

Lombardozzi capitalizing on increased role

Lombardozzi capitalizing on increased role
Not so slowly, Steve Lombardozzi's story is becoming more than a feel-good local angle. As Lombardozzi continues to perform, his role with the Nationals appears to be increasing. The Maryland native was back in the lineup Friday in Atlanta, leading off and playing left field for his third start in four games and fourth in six contests. He had started just 13 of the team's first 39 games this season. The versatile 23-year-old has played second, third, short and left for the Nats so far this...

Strasburg so-so, Tracy hurt as Nats best Braves

Strasburg so-so, Tracy hurt as Nats best Braves
Stephen Strasburg wasn't at his best and pinch-hitting ace Chad Tracy hurt himself on the same play he drove in the eventual winning run. But that might've been the extent of the negative for the Nationals in Saturday's series-clinching 8-4 win over the Braves in Atlanta. Every Nats starter other than Tyler Moore had at least a hit with Danny Espinosa's three-run homer being the big knock. Adam LaRoche added two RBIs while Bryce Harper hit his third homer and first since May...

Former Nationals hurler Milone right at home in California

Former Nationals hurler Milone right at home in California
Continuing to display the promise demonstrated in his Nationals late-season introduction, left-hander Tommy Milone is off to a great start with the Oakland Athletics. Through nine starts, the former Nationals hurler has gone 6-3 with a 3.75 ERA, recording 32 strikeouts to lead the Athletics. The southpaw has adjusted well, returning to his home state in a trade with pitchers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, and catcher Derek Norris, during the offseason. The Nationals received pitchers Gio...

Moore back in Nats lineup, Strasburg on the hill

Moore back in Nats lineup, Strasburg on the hill
For the first time since last Sunday, Tyler Moore is back in the Nationals' lineup, batting seventh and playing left field. Moore hasn't touched the field since starting the Nats' series-ending rout of the Orioles. Moore has been with the Nationals since being called up April 29, but has been seldom used. Today marks just his fifth start and 12th appearance overall. The 25-year-old utility man has struggled at the plate in his limited chances, batting .176 (3-for-17) with no walks, no...

Nats get "good news" on Zimmerman, LaRoche in limbo

Nats get "good news" on Zimmerman, LaRoche in limbo
Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he got some "good news" today regarding third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been sidelined because of right shoulder inflammation. Zimmerman rigorously threw today and hit off a tee at about 75 percent force, Johnson said, and felt no discomfort. The 27-year-old will take part in batting practice tomorrow, and the Nats will see how he feels. Zimmerman is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday. Johnson said he "wouldn't be averse" to...

Purke with another solid step forward in Florida

Purke with another solid step forward in Florida
One week after his last extended spring training game, left-hander Matt Purke took to the mound yesterday in Viera, Fla., for six innings and a club official said he "pitched well." Purke threw five innings last week, according to a club source, and his fastball hit 92 mph. On Thursday, Purke threw one more inning than last time and his velocity was "good," the official said. The Nats will wait a few days to decide what the next move would be. But I imagine if Purke can throw six innings,...

Nationals and Braves lineups for Friday opener in Atlanta

Nationals and Braves lineups for Friday opener in Atlanta
Fresh off taking two of three from the Phillies, the Nationals venture to Turner Field tonight to take on the Atlanta Braves. Here is Davey Johnson's lineup: Steve Lombardozzi LF Bryce Harper RF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Rick Ankiel CF Jesus Flores C Ross Detwiler LHP Detwiler is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA. This will be his ninth start of the season. He has lost three of his last four decisions. Detwiler is 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA against the Braves in six games...

A big night for Detwiler (with note)

A big night for Detwiler (with note)
Ross Detwiler's first six outings of this season were about as good as the Nationals could have hoped for when they named the lefty their No. 5 starter at the end of spring training. Over those six starts, Detwiler pitched to a 2.10 ERA, posted a 1.02 WHIP by allowing just 35 baserunners in 34 1/3 innings, and held opponents to just a .208 average and a lowly .280 slugging percentage. He was pitching exceptionally well, making Nats fans forget about Chien-Ming Wang, who was rehabbing a left...

Marty Niland: The start of summer - and a division race?

Marty Niland: The start of summer - and a division race?
Memorial Day weekend traditions abound in the Washington area. From tributes to America's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and other resting places to the rumble of Rolling Thunder motorcyclists honoring MIAs to parades, picnics, pool openings and beach vacations, we have our own ways of marking the unofficial start of summer. Now, thanks to the Nationals' surprising play this season, we have a new one: watching meaningful baseball. Until now, this was usually the weekend when...

Could the Nationals have three or four players in the All-Star Game?

Could the Nationals have three or four players in the All-Star Game?
Every year, as the All-Star Game chatter gets going, the talk in Nationals nation is who they hope might get asked to be invited as a manager's choice, not which Nationals will actually be voted in or even how many will go. And usually the conversation centers around a Ryan Zimmerman or a Drew Storen. Every once and awhile a deserving Tyler Clippard or Dmitri Young gets the call. Not this season. There is an incredible Nationals buzz about this team throughout the league. This year's...

Still harping on Harper

Still harping on Harper
You know what's fun? Being around opposing team's reporters and members of the national media and hearing them discuss Bryce Harper. Those of us who watch the 19-year-old play every day are accustomed to his speed, power, baseball awareness (most of the time) and hustle. Those who haven't witnessed Harper in action as much are wowed by what they see even on days when the youngster doesn't light up the stat sheet. As I wrote last night, Harper's statistical performance in yesterday's...