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Outfield focus: prospect Michael Taylor makes big jump in system

September 21, 2011, 8:30am

The first week of instructional league is under way in Viera, Fla., with the team going through batting practice, fielding drills and bullpen sessions prior to its opening game against the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 23. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris checked in from Florida and told MASNsports.com he is excited about the players they have assembled. We went over several field positions including the outfield, where several of the Single-A Hagerstown players are in...

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Rachel Levitin: Arrive early, stay until the end

September 21, 2011, 4:43am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Arrive early, stay until the end

There's a lesson I learned while I was kid watching ballgames at Wrigley Field: Get there early and stay until it's over - no matter what. That lesson tried my patience for years. Non-baseball fans would ask me, "Why watch such a boring game, especially if the team you're watching isn't making a run for a playoff spot?" Years later, watching baseball in Washington, I know why getting to a game early and staying until it's over (no matter what) makes sense. The game on the field is the...

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Detwiler, Espinosa complete Nats' doubleheader sweep of Phillies, 3-0

September 20, 2011, 4:49pm

Nationals

Detwiler, Espinosa complete Nats' doubleheader sweep of Phillies, 3-0

Nice move by Nationals manager Davey Johnson. Only a few hours before Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, Johnson decided to switch the starters for each game. Tommy Milone pitched the opener and tossed six innings of shutout ball. Ross Detwiler took the nightcap. Did he ever. The Nationals swept a doubleheader from the Philadelphia Phillies behind a career night from Detwiler in a 3-0 nightcap victory. Davey Johnson talks to Debbi Taylor after the Nationals' shutout...

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Rizzo: Strasburg may start season finale at Florida

September 20, 2011, 9:49am

Nationals

Rizzo: Strasburg may start season finale at Florida

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg may not have to wrap his season up with Friday's scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Many believed that might be Strasburg's final start of the 2011 season. But according to MASN television announcer Bob Carpenter during Tuesday's Game 1 of the Phillies series, Strasburg could get the call in the Nationals' final game of the season Sept. 28 at Florida. Carpenter said he talked to general manager Mike Rizzo prior to...

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Nationals reinstate RHP Ryan Mattheus from DL

September 20, 2011, 7:45am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today reinstated right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from the 15-Day disabled list. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus missed the last 22 games after being placed on the DL on Aug. 26 with a right shoulder strain. The 27-year-old is 2-2 with six holds and a 2.40 ERA in 32 relief appearances this season with Washington.

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Peacock was quietly selected in the 41st round, but his game is far from silent

September 19, 2011, 8:00am

Nationals

Peacock was quietly selected in the 41st round, but his game is far from silent

Sshhhhh! Nationals pitcher Brad Peacock is a pretty quiet guy. Even his dad admitted on MASN's game coverage last week during his first major league start, "Brad doesn't get too excited out there." But Peacock is not quiet enough to not want to clear a few things up. He is not from Miami, Fla., but from Wellington, closer to West Palm Beach and 73 miles north of South Beach. He is also not a Miami Hurricanes fan. He prefers the Florida Gators. They never offered him a baseball...

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Mark Hornbaker: Nationals are heading in the right direction

September 20, 2011, 5:29am

Nationals

With the 2011 season winding down, the Nationals find themselves in a battle with the Mets and the Marlins for third place in the National League East. Most Major League Baseball fans would not be too excited if their favorite team was seven games under .500, but Nationals fans have a lot to be happy about with the 2011 team. At the beginning of the season, I told anyone who would listen that a successful season for the 2011 Nats would be placing higher than the Mets in the standings....

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

September 17, 2011, 7:31pm

Nationals

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

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...