nationals

Strasburg focusing on breaking stuff as he looks to next level (video)

August 22, 2011, 6:20pm

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg had another positive rehab start in Hagerstown, improving on last Wednesday's five-run outing, with six strikeouts, allowing just two singles and one earned run in three innings of work at Municipal Stadium. Strasburg sat between 95 and 97 mph and topped out at 98 mph during his 60-pitch, 40-strike performance, notching six punchouts of the nine outs, two of those looking. He admitted that he still gets pumped up for every start and...

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Strasburg allows two runs, one earned, striking out six over three innings

August 22, 2011, 4:14pm

Nationals

Strasburg allows two runs, one earned, striking out six over three innings

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg went three innings, allowed two hits, two runs, one earned and struck out six in his fourth overall rehab start, third with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Strasburg hit 98 mph and sat around 95 to 97 mph, firing 60 pitches, 40 for strikes. He struck out six Hickory hitters, two of them looking. He fell behind a few hitters in the first inning, and walked one. Hickory scored a run in the first and third frames. He had his best inning in...

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Ryan Zimmerman named National League co-Player of the Week

August 22, 2011, 1:53pm

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman named National League co-Player of the Week

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman today was named the National League Co-Player of the Week. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon on MLB Network. Zimmerman, 26, hit .500 (12-for-24) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs, one walk and five runs scored on the week to earn citation. Zimmerman's efforts helped the Nationals go 4-2 on the week and post series victories over the Reds and Phillies. In Friday's home win, Zimmerman hit a game-ending...

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Hagerstown/Hickory lineups for Strasburg's fourth rehab start

August 22, 2011, 1:55pm

Nationals

Hagerstown/Hickory lineups for Strasburg's fourth rehab start

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Hagerstown Suns lineup is in against the Hickory Crawdads from Municipal Stadium. Stephen Strasburg is starting for the Suns again, his third rehab start at Municipal Stadium this month. He is scheduled to go four innings and a max of 65 pitches. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is in attendance to watch Strasburg pitch. Hickory lineup: Jurickson Profar SS Odubel Herrera 2B Tomas Telis DH Christian Villanueva 3B Jack Skole CF Alejandro Selen 1B Josh Richmond...

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Why Strasburg will have a shutdown performance tonight

August 21, 2011, 7:54pm

Nationals

Why Strasburg will have a shutdown performance tonight

Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to pitch four innings and a maximum of 65 pitches tonight for Single-A Hagerstown Suns in his fourth rehab start. Strasburg pitched at Hagerstown's Municipal Stadium on Wednesday and gave up five runs on 49 pitches in 1 2/3 innings. He said he liked his velocity but knew his breaking stuff wasn't hitting the spots he intended. Strasburg said he understood the decision to keep his work down after a rough first inning. "I didn't want them to pull me out (in...

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Be aggressive: Johnson has no problems sending the runner

August 20, 2011, 6:59pm

Nationals

Be aggressive: Johnson has no problems sending the runner

It is a decision made by the third base coach that comes up sometimes two or three times in a game: when to send the runner. In the first inning with two outs in a scoreless game Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Zimmerman at first, Michael Morse doubled to right field. Zimmerman raced around second and as Hunter Pence gathered the ball, Nationals third base coach Bo Porter held up Zimmerman at third. The next batter, Laynce Nix struck out looking to end the threat. After...

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Dave Nichols: On the verge of something pretty good

August 22, 2011, 5:26am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: On the verge of something pretty good

The Washington Nationals start play today with a record of 61-64. They eclisped a milestone of sorts last week without anyone recognizing it, which I guess should be taken as a good thing. Two seasons ago, in 2009, the Nationals won just 59 games. In years past, the mere fact that the Nats moved past a previous year's win total with so many games left to play would have been cause for celebration. Last season, they picked up 10 wins for a total of 69 victories. Barring an historical collapse,...

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On the road, Yankees and Phillies are baseball's biggest draws

August 22, 2011, 4:31am

Nationals Orioles

On the road, Yankees and Phillies are baseball's biggest draws

They clogged subway cars and traffic routes to Nationals Park. They wore red T-shirts sporting the names of Utley, Howard and Halladay. They erupted in cheers when Jayson Werth struck out, and they chanted, "Ruuu,'' when Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz came to bat. And, when the Phillies' Raul Ibanez scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, the crowd noise was so loud, it was more like Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Thanks to thousands of Phillies fans, the Nationals' Sunday...

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Flores: Solano is prime example of catching depth in organization

August 20, 2011, 2:18pm

Nationals

Flores: Solano is prime example of catching depth in organization

Nationals catcher Jesus Flores said that Jhonatan Solano is progressing well at Triple-A Syracuse. Solano is batting .293 in 65 games with five homers and 32 RBI, including a .375 hot streak last 10 games. He got to play alongside Solano for a few games while with the Chiefs and was able to get a measure of how well the Colombian receiver is progressing. Flores said the just turned 26-year old Solano is improving every day on his defense. He has been focusing on blocking pitches softly instead...

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Back-to-school drive

August 20, 2011, 1:20pm

Nationals

Fans attending this weekend's series against the Philadelphia Phillies will have a chance to donate new school supplies for students in the surrounding area of District of Columbia Public Schools. Before both Saturday's 7:05 contest and Sunday's 1:35 series finale, fans heading the Nationals Park can stop by the Center Field Gates from the time gates open until the end of the second inning and do their part by donating supplies. All donations are welcomed, but supplies being requested...

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Comeback fueled by huge at-bat from Jayson Werth

August 19, 2011, 7:50pm

Nationals

Comeback fueled by huge at-bat from Jayson Werth

The Nationals trailed the first-place Phillies 4-2 heading into their last at-bats with Ryan Madson and his zero blown saves staring them down from the pitcher's mound. Eight batters later, Ryan Zimmerman crushed a grand slam to complete the stunning turnaround for a 8-4 victory over Philadelphia. So how did the Nationals come back in the ninth against a pitcher as good as Madson? Patience. Former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth set the tone for the big ninth inning by fighting back from...

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Johnson: Desmond in leadoff a "work in progress"

August 19, 2011, 2:11pm

Nationals

Johnson: Desmond in leadoff a "work in progress"

Nationals' manager Davey Johnson believes Ian Desmond in the leadoff spot is a work in progress as they continue to search for the answer to the biggest question mark in the batting order for 2011. Recently, Desmond has hit leadoff the last two games against the Reds and again Friday versus the Phillies. He is 0-for-6 in those two games, the first time he has hit leadoff since a stretch from March 31 to April 14. On Thursday, Desmond induced a walk and laid down a nice 3-4 sacrifice to...

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Bryce Harper strains right hamstring, will be re-evaluated Friday

August 18, 2011, 6:40pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper strains right hamstring, will be re-evaluated Friday

Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper injured his right hamstring running the bases in the eighth inning Thursday for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators in Akron, Ohio. The Nationals announced Harper suffered a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated Friday. Harper was injured rounding second base in front of a double by Archie Gilbert. Harper was replaced by outfielder Chris Rahl. Harrisburg won the game 4-2 over the Aeros. Harper went 1-for-3 in the game and had walked to lead off the...

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Gomes parlays big catch, timely hit into victory for Nats

August 18, 2011, 8:06pm

Nationals

Gomes parlays big catch, timely hit into victory for Nats

The Nationals' Jonny Gomes said he had three choices as he watched Joey Votto's blast approach him in left field corner. One, he could watch it drop and Votto would have a double. Two, he could turn and see if the ball ricocheted off the wall and Votto would be standing at second base. Or, three, Gomes could go after the ball and get the out. Gomes took option No. 3, a running catch where the foul line meets the green outfield wall. Gomes caught the ball and collided hard into the padding in...

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Johnson says Strasburg to Hagerstown again Monday, then Syracuse

August 18, 2011, 2:12pm

Nationals

Johnson says Strasburg to Hagerstown again Monday, then Syracuse

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said right-hander Stephen Strasburg will make his fourth rehab start Monday night in Hagerstown for the Suns against Hickory. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. Johnson said Strasburg would be scheduled to go four innings and maximum of 65 pitches. He also said that Strasburg would then go to Syracuse August 27 and pitch for the Chiefs in his fifth rehab start. Strasburg will throw Friday at Nationals Park. Johnson and Nationals pitching coaches will...

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Hagerstown's Keyes displaying power surge with mammoth home runs

August 18, 2011, 9:43am

Nationals

Hagerstown's Keyes displaying power surge with mammoth home runs

Hagerstown Suns outfielder

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Strasburg pleased with velocity, trying to improve breaking ball command

August 17, 2011, 6:29pm

Nationals

Strasburg pleased with velocity, trying to improve breaking ball command

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg left his fastball up a bit and struggled with his breaking stuff in his third rehab assignment Wednesday night for the Hagerstown Suns against the Lexington Legends at Municipal Stadium. Strasburg finished up with 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, five runs, all earned, two walks, three strikeouts and one wild pitch on 49 pitches, 29 for strikes. Despite getting roughed up early, Strasburg was able to get his velocity in the 96-99...

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Strasburg struggles in third rehab start, allows five runs in Hagerstown

August 17, 2011, 4:25pm

Nationals

Strasburg struggles in third rehab start, allows five runs in Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said last week in Potomac that there would be times where he would get knocked around, that it was all a part of the rehab process. Wednesday night in Hagerstown, in his third rehab start, Strasburg got knocked around, allowing five runs, all earned, with two walks, three strikeouts, one wild pitch in 1 2/3 innings. He threw 49 pitches, 29 for strikes, and was relieved in the second inning after recording the second out. The...

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Ted Youngling: Patience is the key with Werth

August 17, 2011, 7:01pm

Nationals

Ted Youngling: Patience is the key with Werth

Jayson Werth is suffering through arguably one of the most disappointing seasons for any player in Major League Baseball right now, as Dan Uggla seemed to turn his around, stringing together a 33-game hit streak. Werth cashed in this past winter, literally jumping from the best to the worst team in the National League East. It's hard to blame him - I mean, what would you do in that situation? Lots of people have been ragging on him because of his dismal performance so far in 2011, where in...

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I. Rodriguez continues extended rehab from strained oblique; fighting boredom, frustration

August 16, 2011, 2:20pm

Nationals

I. Rodriguez continues extended rehab from strained oblique; fighting boredom, frustration

It has been a frustrating couple of weeks for veteran Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez as he continues to rehab from a right oblique strain suffered in early July. He had a setback last Wednesday in Harrisburg and has been in Washington ever since. Rodriguez played catch with Livan Hernandez on Tuesday and expects to play catch again Wednesday, but there is not a set timetable as to when he will swing a bat again. Rodriguez met with team doctors prior to Tuesday's game against the...