nationals

Balester felt good but made one mistake that cost him against Marlins

September 17, 2011, 7:31pm

Nationals right-handed relief pitcher Collin Balester said he was not bothered by the cold weather or being extended more than one inning during Saturday's 13-inning loss to the Florida Marlins. Donnie Murphy hit a two-run shot in the 13th to break a 1-1 tie and help the Marlins to a 4-1 victory. Balester said pitching that long in relief wasn't the concern and he felt he was doing pretty well. "I have done it before, probably five or six times this year (having been extended for more...

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Nationals' instructional league list of outfielders features first-rounder Goodwin

September 16, 2011, 4:03pm

Nationals

The Nationals' instructional league conducts their first workout with a roster of 52 players today in Viera, Fla. One of the top three selections by the Nationals in the June First-Year Player Draft, Miami-Dade College speedster Brian Goodwin, heads the list of talented outfielders. Goodwin batted .382 (60-for-157) with 11 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored in 47 games with Miami Dade College in 2011. As a member of the Louisville Slugger All-Freshman team,...

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Mattheus "felt strong" in simulated game; Detwiler and Milone notes

September 18, 2011, 6:43am

Nationals

Mattheus "felt strong" in simulated game; Detwiler and Milone notes

Nationals starter Ross Detwiler will get the call Tuesday in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Rookie Tommy Milone will be handed the ball for Game 2 that night. The other prized recent call up, Brad Peacock, gets the nod Wednesday night at Philadelphia. Also, Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus participated in a simulation game Saturday in which he threw 20 to 25 pitches and faced two batters. "It went well, the arm felt great," Mattheus confirmed. Mattheus is recovering from...

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Dave Nichols: Will Wang be part of new dynasty in Washington?

September 19, 2011, 4:52am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Will Wang be part of new dynasty in Washington?

Sunday was just the latest chapter in the comeback of Chien-Ming Wang. Until he tired in the seventh inning, Wang dominated the Florida Marlins for 6 2/3 innings. The last batter he faced, backup catcher Brett Hayes, lined a sinker that didn't sink into the stands in left field, but up until that point he'd allowed just one earned run on five hits. Wang struck out five and, most importantly, did not walk a batter. Wang was sharp from the very beginning, using his always-present sinker to...

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Tonight's Marlins-Nationals lineups

September 17, 2011, 1:06pm

Nationals

Here are the lineups for tonight's game with Stephen Strasburg making his third start of the season, as the Nationals entertain the Florida Marlins: Marlins: Bonifacio - SS Infante - 2B Stanton - RF Morrison - LF Sanchez - 1B Petersen - CF Buck - C Dominguez - 3B Volstad - P Nationals: Desmond - SS Bernadina - RF Zimmerman - 3B Morse - LF Werth - CF Espinosa - 2B Marrero - 1B Ramos - C Strasburg - P

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Johnson will let Strasburg go over 70 pitches tonight against Marlins

September 17, 2011, 1:03pm

Nationals

Johnson will let Strasburg go over 70 pitches tonight against Marlins

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said before Game Two against Florida Saturday that he will release some of the pitching restrictions the team has had on starter Stephen Strasburg in his first two starts this season as he returns from Tommy John surgery. "I have got a much longer leash," Johnson said. "I will probably let him get over 70 (pitches). It just depends on what I am seeing. I was more worried the first two times out in the big leagues with the pressure of all the publicity coming...

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Rendon highlights Nationals' instructional league roster of infielders

September 16, 2011, 10:08am

Nationals

The Nationals' instructional league team reports today in Viera, Fla., with the first official workout schedule for Saturday. The 14-game schedule commences Sept. 23 against the Braves and runs through Oct. 12. It also includes international matchups against teams from China and Italy. We have previews of the pitchers and catchers reporting and today we will focus on the Nationals' talented roster of infielders invited to the camp. Anthony Rendon, the team's first-round selection out of...

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Why Zimmermann could be the opening day starter in 2012

September 15, 2011, 11:35am

Nationals

Why Zimmermann could be the opening day starter in 2012

The 2012 regular season schedule has the Washington Nationals beginning on the road at historic Wrigley Field with three games in Chicago and then three more contests in New York against the Mets. 2012 has been marked as the year Stephen Strasburg would pitch for the Nationals for the first time in the month of April in his career, and may be the season we see No. 1 hitting prospect Bryce Harper make it to the big leagues. There were a few raised eyebrows when the schedule came out wondering...

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Peacock's resiliency throughout career led him to first major league win

September 15, 2011, 7:42am

Nationals

Peacock's resiliency throughout career led him to first major league win

Right-hander Brad Peacock got his chance to showcase what kind of a starter he was all season in the minors Wednesday in New York, and he did not disappoint. Last week in relief of Stephen Strasburg, he came into a difficult situation and allowed four hits in 1 1/3 innings. You wondered what it would be like for Peacock to start fresh, at the beginning of a game, and be able to control his surroundings from the outset. Well, he showed you what he could do. With five innings of shutout...

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Ted Youngling: MLB releases 2012 schedule, but was timing right?

September 14, 2011, 7:47pm

Nationals

Ted Youngling: MLB releases 2012 schedule, but was timing right?

It's never too early to think about next season, especially if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Major League Baseball released its 2012 schedule Wednesday morning to the delight and disdain of several fans across the country. Of course, it seems a little odd that the league would release next year's schedule when this season is still happening, but for the 20 or so teams who are out of contention, this means they are one step closer towards the hope and optimism spring training and April...

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My day as the P.A. Announcer at Nationals Park

September 14, 2011, 7:43am

Nationals

Last week, when the Washington Nationals faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, I was asked to be the public address announcer for game one at Nationals Park. It was indeed an honor to be back in the booth. But I have to admit I was a little nervous and had the adrenalin going. After all, I had been the public address announcer for the NBA Washington Wizards, MLS D.C. United and at college at Virginia, but it had been awhile. Okay, they were called the Bullets back then. So, that gives you an idea....

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Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

September 13, 2011, 12:47pm

Nationals

Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

It's no secret the bonds of a major league baseball team can closely resemble those of a fraternity. Twenty-five guys, living in and out of suitcases, spending virtually every minute together for an entire season. Ah yes, the brotherhood of baseball. So what would the spirit of a fraternity be without a little good ole' fashioned hazing, right? As it so happens, pictures, like the one seen below, recently made their way onto Nationals catcher Jesus Flores' Twitter account, showing the...

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Nationals release 2012 schedule

September 14, 2011, 7:15am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today released their 2012 schedule, which includes 81 home dates, beginning with Washington's 79th home opener since 1901 on Thursday, April 12 vs. Cincinnati and is highlighted by a three-game interleague visit from the New York Yankees and holiday matchups against the San Francisco Giants (Independence Day) and Chicago Cubs (Labor Day). The Nationals begin the 2012 season on the road on Thursday, April 5 at Wrigley Field. The Yankees last visited The District, June...

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Desmond is Nationals' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

September 14, 2011, 7:08am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, have announced that shortstop Ian Desmond has been named the Washington Nationals' 2011 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Desmond is one of 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field. Today marks the tenth...

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Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

September 14, 2011, 4:44am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

We're about halfway through September now, which means baseball in Washington is nearing an end for 2011. Things will start to quiet down around the Navy Yard. Patrons' use of the Green Line Metro Station near the ballpark will decline. Street vendors won't be trying to handout hats during the evening hours and no one will be out on Half Street selling cheap water and peanuts. Live music won't wail from the tiny corridor of The Bullpen beer garden. In short: NatsTown will become a ghost...

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Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

September 13, 2011, 5:17am

Nationals

Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

On this day in 1945, a large crowd of more than 24,000 fans turned out to Griffith Stadium to watch the visiting Cleveland Indians play the red-hot Washington Senators. The Senators went into the game having won eight of 10 games and found themselves only one game behind the American League-leading Detroit Tigers. With such a big game in the nation's capital, it would only be fitting that both teams would be starting pitchers who were World War II veterans. The Cleveland Indians' started...

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Catching depth displayed on Nationals' instructional league roster

September 13, 2011, 3:48pm

Nationals

The Nationals instructional league begins in late September and the coaching staff will get a chance to teach and mold top catching talent within the organization. Three of the players on this year's instructional roster finished the season with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns: David Freitas, Cole Leonida and Adrian Nieto. Freitas hit .288 with 13 homers, 73 RBIs in 123 games. Georgia Tech product Leonida battled through injuries to play 39 games with two homers and 16 RBIs. Instructional will...

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Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

September 12, 2011, 7:23am

Nationals

Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

This season, MASNsports.com has seen tremendous growth, thanks in large part to its ability to interact with fans through social media. With in-game alerts via text message, breaking news broadcast through the @masnNationals Twitter account and the MASN Nationals Facebook page, which has created a daily forum for fans to gather together to discuss and cheer for the Nationals, social media has become our best tool when it comes to delivering the latest information to you, the fans. So, as a...

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Nationals' instructional league roster: Pitchers

September 12, 2011, 10:30am

Nationals

The Nationals are preparing their prospects for the instructional league schedule, which will begin Sept. 23 at home in Viera, Fla., against Atlanta. Report date is Sept. 16 and the first workout is Sept. 17. Each day of the current road trip we will focus on the roster and today our focus is on the pitchers. Here is the list of the 24 pitchers expected on the roster: Name (Age) Position Gregori Baez (19) LHP A.J. Cole (19) RHS Paul Demny (22) RHS Brian Dupra (22) RHS Pedro...