nationals

Rachel Levitin: Patriotic lids would have capped off perfect military salute

August 17, 2011, 4:54am

It was announced Tuesday afternoon that the Nationals would honor America's fallen heroes, more specifically the service members involved in the deadly Aug. 6 helicopter crash, with pregame activities. The Nationals honored our servicemen and women in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy (including the SEALs division), Marines and all military reserves before the game by donning caps bearing the insignias of the various branches in addition to wearing their patriotic uniform for batting...

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Nationals' Wang takes another positive step, but where are all the strikeouts?

August 16, 2011, 6:42pm

Nationals

After two starts and 12 runs allowed, there was concern about how far Nationals' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang needed to go to get back to his form from 2006 and 2007. Then came wins over the Chicago Cubs and Tuesday over the Cincinnati Reds, where he surrendered four runs in two starts, showing the potential of Wang in a Nationals uniform. He still has a long ways to go, but to see a positive turn in results, where he was pitching out of bad spots, even without his best stuff, was certainly...

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A glimpse into possible September call ups for the Nationals

August 16, 2011, 3:00pm

Nationals

Nationals manager Davey Johnson talked about the 40-man roster Tuesday and speculated as to some of the possibilities offensively in September the Nationals might bring up to the big club when rosters can be expanded. Johnson mentioned first baseman Chris Marrero and a name we had not heard before, outfielder Corey Brown. Both are on the 40-man roster. Marrero is batting .309 in 117 games, with 14 homers and 67 RBIs. It is about time he gets a chance to face major league pitching. Brown is...

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Rizzo said Purke was willing to make every effort to sign with Nationals

August 15, 2011, 7:32pm

Nationals

There had been a lot of skepticism about TCU left-hander Matt Purke's enthusiasm to return to school in hopes of a bigger deal, and possibly a top selection, in next year's draft. After all, figures such as $6 million and $4 million had been connected to his name in the 2009 draft when he tried to work out a contract with the Texas Rangers. Nationals executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo never got the sense that Purke wanted to return to TCU. This...

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Mark Hornbaker: Bullet Ben's cup of coffee with the Washington Senators

August 15, 2011, 11:11pm

Nationals

Mark Hornbaker: Bullet Ben's cup of coffee with the Washington Senators

Since April 2007, I've been writing stories mostly about Washington D.C. baseball history at Nationals Daily News. A lot of my stories are based off of a date in time in D.C. baseball history. Today's story is about a pitcher, Allen "Bullet Ben" Benson, who made his Washington Senators debut this week in 1934. What makes this story so different than any of my other stories is the way I learned about Benson. It happened a little less than two years ago when I received an e-mail from a...

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Strasburg to Hagerstown on Wednesday for third rehab start

August 15, 2011, 4:40pm

Nationals

Strasburg to Hagerstown on Wednesday for third rehab start

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns announced that Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start Wednesday in his third rehab start as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Strasburg is expected to go four innings and throw a maximum of 60 pitches as he continues his road to a healthy return to the Nationals lineup. Friday in Woodbridge, Strasburg fired 33 pitches, 26 for strikes, consistently hitting 98 mph and once touching 99 mph in the second inning. He threw three shutout innings and...

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Nationals reportedly sign-fourth rounder Turnbull

August 15, 2011, 5:41pm

Nationals

The Nationals have signed fourth round selection left-hander Kylin Turnbull, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Turnbull is 6-foot-4, 195-lb., and reportedly inked for $325,000, which is $100,000 over the slot. Turnbull attended Santa Barbara Community College and has a 94 mph fastball, going 5-2 with a 2.47 ERA over 80 innings, striking out 92 hitters. He was selected in the 30th-round of the 2010 draft by the Chicago White Sox.

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Nationals agree to terms with first-round pick Anthony Rendon

August 15, 2011, 8:49pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms with Rice University third baseman Anthony Rendon, their first-round (sixth overall) selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. The Nationals have agreed to terms with 29 players from this year's Draft. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made the joint...

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Nationals agree to terms with Brian Goodwin

August 15, 2011, 8:45pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms with Miami Dade College outfielder Brian Goodwin, their sandwich-round (34th overall) selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. To date, the Nationals have agreed to terms with 27 players from this year's Draft. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made the...

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Nationals agree to terms with Alex Meyer

August 15, 2011, 8:46pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms with University of Kentucky right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, their first-round (23rd overall) selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. To date, the Nationals have agreed to terms with 28 players from this year's Draft. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made...

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Nationals agree to terms with third-round selection Matt Purke

August 15, 2011, 8:43pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms with Texas Christian University left-handed pitcher Matt Purke, their third-round (96th overall) selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. To date, the Nationals have agreed to terms with 26 players from this year's Draft. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline...

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Nationals agree to terms with fourth-round pick Kylin Turnbull, two others

August 15, 2011, 8:41pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms with Santa Barbara City College left-handed pitcher Kylin Turnbull, their fourth-round (127th overall) selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Additionally, the Nationals have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Bryan Harper (30th round) and outfielder Billy Burns (32nd round). To date, the Nationals have agreed to terms with 25 players from this year's Draft. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General...

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Another homestand means more offers for fans

August 15, 2011, 8:49am

Nationals

Another homestand means more offers for fans

It's hard to believe it's already mid-August, but here we are, with the Nationals set to begin another lengthy homestand. This 10-game stand will welcome the Reds, Phillies and Diamondbacks to our nation's capital and, as usual, there are plenty of offers and events for fans to enjoy at the ballpark. On Tuesday, as the Nationals open a three-game series with Cincinnati, the Nats will honor local military veterans as part of the "Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life" program. The...

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Potomac starters looking to copycat relievers' success

August 15, 2011, 6:05am

Nationals

Potomac starters looking to copycat relievers' success

The Single-A Potomac Nationals have seen outstanding pitching from their bullpen recently and are looking for their starters to follow suit. Fresh off the boost of Stephen Strasburg's appearance Friday, starter Paul Demny fired eight strong innings Saturday in a 3-2 win. Cameron Selik started off well Sunday before getting into some trouble and falling to 4-9. Sammy Solis is close to returning from elbow soreness while Evan Bronson picked up for Strasburg and helped to guide the P-Nats to a...

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Jenn Jenson: How's your team doing?

August 12, 2011, 4:57am

Nationals

Earlier this week it occurred to me that I didn't know the Nationals' record. It felt like we were a bit under .500, but before looking it up, I couldn't tell you if we were two games under .500, five games under, or worse. I also didn't know if the team was again in last place in the National League East, or instead in next-to-last or maybe even within sight of third place behind the Phillies and the Braves. It's not a good sign when I don't know where my Nationals stand because it...

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Jenn Jenson: Trade deadline highlights Nats fans' passion for their team

August 05, 2011, 8:57am

Nationals

Jenn Jenson: Trade deadline highlights Nats fans' passion for their team

The non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone and I think it's fair to say the most drama centered around whether Nationals' closer Drew Storen would stay with the team or be traded with who knows who else to the Minnesota Twins for center fielder Denard Span. Oversimplifying a bit, the debate in NatsTown about this potential transaction boiled down to: "Of course you should trade Storen for the right return"; versus "Oh no! Don't trade Drew. He's a talented, homegrown closer and a...

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Dave Nichols: Signing day brings intrigue to Nationals Park

August 15, 2011, 4:53am

Nationals

The deadline to sign draft picks from June's First-Year Player Draft is midnight tonight. As of this post, the Washington Nationals still have not signed their top five picks from this year's draft. It's not an unusual scenario, due to Major League Baseball's antiquated rules governing the draft and the slotting system the league recommends for draft pick bonuses. Even though it's a yearly ritual by now, it still brings hand-wringing and hair-pulling until the clock strikes midnight and...

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Bryce Harper walk-off highlights historic night in Nationals' system

August 13, 2011, 6:58am

Nationals

Aug. 12, 2011. A pretty good night in the Nationals' system. Every team, from low Single-A to high Single-A was victorious with the biggest of prospects delivering, from Bryce Harper to Brad Peacock and even Stephen Strasburg. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris was in Woodbridge, Va., to watch Strasburg's performance. He took away a tremendous amount of pride for the organization following a successful night across the board. "Absolutely," Harris said. "Wins and...

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Potomac's Solis to return Monday; Higley slated for Aug. 27

August 14, 2011, 5:23am

Nationals

Potomac's Solis to return Monday; Higley slated for Aug. 27

Potomac Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis threw a bullpen session Friday and everything felt good with his elbow and his throwing arm. Solis thinks he will be activated and start Monday night after missing nearly a week with elbow inflammation. He threw 30 pitches and came away pleased with the session. "Fantastic," Solis said. "Everything was moving good. Velocity was good. It is just coming back after missing five days. You have to get in the rhythm of things and that is what I...

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Strasburg on second rehab start: felt more like a "normal game"

August 12, 2011, 5:02pm

Nationals

Strasburg on second rehab start: felt more like a "normal game"

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg looked stronger in his second rehab outing. He threw only 33 pitches, 26 strikes, in three innings of shutout work, allowing just two infield singles, no walks, and striking out five. His fastball was lethal again, consistently hitting 98 mph, and touching 99 mph in the second inning. After catching a grounder and throwing to first to end the third, Strasburg came off to a round of applause from the sold out crowd at Pfitzner...