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Solis zeroes in on strike zone for tonight's second Arizona start

October 12, 2011, 9:41am

Scottsdale Scorpions left-hander Sammy Solis makes his second start of the Arizona Fall League campaign tonight as he takes to the mound against Salt River. Solis went three innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and no strikeouts in a no-decision against the very same Salt River Rafters, Oct. 6. Despite the three walks, Solis was pleased with the outing and came away confident. Scorpions pitching coach Paul Menhart agreed, saying Solis threw "quality pitches, Solis was...

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Lehman allows two runs, Walters RBI hit, Harper plays right field in Scottsdale loss

October 12, 2011, 2:53am

Nationals

Lehman allows two runs, Walters RBI hit, Harper plays right field in Scottsdale loss

Mesa dropped Scottsdale 3-2 in Arizona Fall League play Tuesday with George Washington product pitcher Pat Lehman getting knocked around for four hits and two runs. An Aaron Hicks triple, which glanced off the glove of Bryce Harper in right field, and a home run by Brandon Short were the big hits for the Solar Sox off Lehman in two innings of work. Rafael Martin finally got into an AFL game for the Scorpions, pitching one inning in front of Lehman, allowing no hits, one walk and one...

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I mustache you a question (updated with Balester in mustache contest)

October 07, 2011, 8:51am

Nationals

I mustache you a question (updated with Balester in mustache contest)

It's that time of the year! No, not fall or football or the closing weeks until Christmas. It's that time of year when men all over put aside their dignity and penchant for not looking like a creepy old guy and do what men do best - grow facial hair. In the mustache world, it's referred to as Movember, and the Nationals' Collin Balester is on board. At the Movember Web site, Balester's profile shows the Nationals pitcher with a mean-looking 'stache, coupled with the tagline of...

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Keep music alive by helping Hungry For Music choose diamond tunes

October 10, 2011, 7:31pm

Nationals

Keep music alive by helping Hungry For Music choose diamond tunes

It's no secret that the arts and music programs in schools nationwide are on the decline, particularly among schools with younger students. As someone who took part in band from the age of 9 through high school, it pains me to think about the future of kids getting involved in local arts programs. Fortunately, there are people out there trying to make a difference. Jeff Campbell, a former member of the Nationals' press corps who used to freelance for SportsTicker, is one of those...

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Harper tallies first hit, RBI as Scottsdale comes back to win in Arizona

October 10, 2011, 11:36pm

Nationals

Harper tallies first hit, RBI as Scottsdale comes back to win in Arizona

The Nationals' top prospect, left fielder Bryce Harper, contributed in a big way as the Scottsdale Scorpions ralled to beat the Mesa Solar Sox 4-3 in the Arizona Fall League Monday night. Harper had a single for his first hit in the fall and added an RBI groundout. He showed off his speed with a pair of stolen bases. Harper's batting average is now 1-for-16 (.063). Zach Walters went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter. Derek Norris had the night off. Harper flew out and grounded out in his...

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Martin's big leap earns ticket to Arizona Fall League

October 05, 2011, 11:08am

Nationals

Martin's big leap earns ticket to Arizona Fall League

Right-handed pitcher Rafael Martin had one of the best seasons for a reliever in the Nationals' chain in 2011. It all clicked for the 27-year-old, who mesmerized hitters in the Double-A Eastern League. After starting the season at Single-A Potomac, Martin rolled at Harrisburg, earning a spot on the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League. The 6-foot-2,195-lb., San Fernando, Calif., native went 5-1 with a career-best 1.65 ERA in 38 games, striking out 54 batters and allowing just 11...

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Solis struggles with command; Harper hitless as Scottsdale falls again

October 06, 2011, 6:26pm

Nationals

Solis struggles with command; Harper hitless as Scottsdale falls again

The Scottsdale Scorpions were able to get the early lead they needed, but left-hander Sammy Solis was not able to last long enough to earn the victory Thursday. The Scorpions led at one point 2-1, but fell 3-2 at Salt River in the Arizona Fall League, after allowing two late runs. Scottsdale is now 0-2. Solis allowed only one run, but walked three hitters in three innings, throwing 53 pitches, 30 for strikes. He allowed two hits with no strikeouts. Bryce Harper went 0-for-5 and is now...

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Solis will work on breaking pitches in first AFL start

October 05, 2011, 6:22pm

Nationals

Solis will work on breaking pitches in first AFL start

Scottsdale Scorpions left-hander and former University of San Diego standout Sammy Solis makes his 2011 Arizona Fall League debut today against Salt River Rafters. The Scorpions (0-1) fell to Surprise 10-1 in the season opener Wednesday. Nationals prospect Zach Walters went 1-for-3, but Bryce Harper (0-for-3, one strikeout) and Derek Norris (0-for-3) did not register a hit in the first game. Reliever Pat Lehman faced one batter and recorded an out. Solis is in his second season in the AFL,...

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IBWAA announces season awards

September 30, 2011, 12:09pm

Nationals

With the season over for the Nationals, it's time for the local and national media outlets to determine the annual winners of baseball's postseason awards. While some Nationals are likely in contention for some of the higher profile awards - Danny Espinosa for Rookie of the Year and Michael Morse for breakout player of the year, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America announced Thursday its annual team awards for the Nationals. For those who aren't aware, the IBWAA is an...

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GW product Lehman ready to showcase stuff in Arizona

October 05, 2011, 3:28am

Nationals

GW product Lehman ready to showcase stuff in Arizona

Right-hander Patrick Lehman, a George Washington University product, advanced very well in 2011 from Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg and now looks to cap off the season with a good run in the Arizona Fall League. Lehman had such a quality campaign that he was selected to the Scottsdale Scorpions roster as one of the representatives from the Nationals organization. Lehman went a combined 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 42 games in 2011. He had 34 strikeouts and only four free...

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Purke to join AFL soon, Rendon to stay at instructional league

October 04, 2011, 7:21am

Nationals

Purke to join AFL soon, Rendon to stay at instructional league

Left-hander Matt Purke, the former Texas Christian star, will join the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of fall instructional league in Viera, Fla., according to a Nationals source. Former Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, however, will stay at instructional league for now, and the Nationals' future plans for him are not known. Rendon, the team's first-round selection in June's First-Year Player Draft, was previously announced as part of the Scorpions'...

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Instructional prospect updates: Keyes, Hood, Perez, Goodwin

October 03, 2011, 3:09am

Nationals

Instructional prospect updates: Keyes, Hood, Perez, Goodwin

While in Hagerstown to see Stephen Strasburg rehab, one of the outfield stories that really caught my eye was the power displayed by Kevin Keyes. Keyes is continuing his season at the Nationals' instructional camp in Florida. Single-A Potomac Nationals hitting coach Mark Harris is one of the many coaches at instructs and likes what he sees from the former Texas Longhorn. "I think he opened some eyes with his production," Harris said. "A lot of coaches are anxious to see how he will do at...

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Nationals' instructional prospect updates: Walters, Leon, Skole

October 01, 2011, 4:06am

Nationals

The intructional league season, which continues for two more weeks at the Nationals complex in Florida, benefits players who have not had much time in the Nationals' organization, and others who are getting back from injury and need extra at-bats under the watchful eye of the coaching staff. Shortstop Zach Walters, acquired in the July trade from Arizona for Jason Marquis, started to get on a roll with the Single-A Potomac Nationals at the end of the season and that has carried over into...

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Nationals 2011 season: By the numbers

September 30, 2011, 8:51am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals' season is over and the team improved its record by 11 wins since 2010. The 80 wins is also 21 victories better than 2009's low water mark. Manager Davey Johnson was asked what 80 wins meant in Wednesday's postgame interview on MASN, and he certainly was not jumping for joy. That showed to me how determined he is to get this team to the next level. "Not a whole lot," Johnson said. "We are not playing in postseason. But it shows how far these guys have come. I...

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Triple-A Syracuse gets eight extra "home" games in 2012

September 30, 2011, 12:37pm

Nationals

Triple-A Syracuse gets eight extra "home" games in 2012

Due to renovation construction on the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's home PNC Field during the 2012 baseball season, 10 of the Yankees "home" games will be played at Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. The International League made the announcement Friday that eight of the games will be against the Chiefs and the other two against Buffalo. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will be the home team in Syracuse on April 14-15, June 14-17, and...

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Harper, Rendon, Solis and others arrive at Arizona fall league

September 28, 2011, 6:24pm

Nationals

Harper, Rendon, Solis and others arrive at Arizona fall league

Nationals instructional league camp continues for another couple of weeks, but few notables left Wednesday for the Arizona fall league. Bryce Harper, Sammy Solis, Derek Norris, Pat Lehman, Rafael Martin and Anthony Rendon head the list of Nationals prospects playing this year for the Scottsdale Scorpions. The groups traveled to Arizona on Wednesday. The Scorpions won the league championship last fall. Harper has looked good in instructional camp, swinging the bat well, according to Potomac...

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Rizzo: Nationals' pitching depth necessary currency to pull off major trade

September 28, 2011, 7:36am

Nationals

The Nationals' September call-ups of left-hander Tommy Milone and right-hander Brad Peacock signal a big step in the organization from a talent perspective. Since the Nationals arrived in D.C., never has the team been able to bring up a pair of starters at this point of the season who show they are ready to pitch right now at the major league level. Couple that with the resurgence of Ross Detwiler, the re-emergence of Chien-Ming Wang and steady pitching of veteran John Lannan, and general...

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Stammen states case for long relief role in 2012

September 27, 2011, 7:41am

Nationals

Stammen states case for long relief role in 2012

Nationals right-handed reliever Craig Stammen has quietly put together a nice month of pitching as he gears up for the offseason and 2012 spring training. That is not the way the year started off for Stammen. He was sent to Triple-A Syracuse out of spring training, then struggled in his first call to the majors this season. On June 6 in San Francisco, Stammen gave up two hits and a costly earned run in two-thirds of an inning. But since that night, he has not allowed a run in six straight...

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Rachel Levitin: Respect in hand, Nats look to 2012

September 28, 2011, 4:48am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Respect in hand, Nats look to 2012

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and, now, the Nationals' 2011 season comes to a close. Moments of loss, like the end of Jim Riggleman's time as manager in Washington, made way for Davey Johnson to take the helm and lead the team to their most successful season in recent memory. The triumph of a 31-homer season for Michael Morse begs the question, "Is this a fluke, or is that guy as good as his 2011 numbers?" Drew Storen matured in both age and pitching prowess to earn...

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Mark Hornbaker: A season to remember

September 27, 2011, 5:00am

Nationals

With only two games remaining for the Washington Nationals and the team making one last run at a .500 record, it is hard not to be excited about the 2012 team. The 2011 team will go down in history as a team that never gave up on themselves. On three different occasions this season, the Nats have looked like they were going into a free fall in the standings. On May 18, the team had a record of 18-18 and wasn't playing all that great but they were able stay around .500 level. Over the next 12...