Wang struggles early, Mets take advantage over Nationals, 8-5

Wang struggles early, Mets take advantage over Nationals, 8-5
Following major shoulder surgery two years ago, it was a major accomplishment for Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to pitch in a major league game again. In his first game as a National, Wang hit 89 to 93 mph with his fastball, but had difficulty missing bats in the first inning and the New York Mets were quick to take advantage. New York scored four times in the first inning, and with a steady 6 2/3 innings from starter Dillon Gee, were able to hold off the Washington Nationals, 8-5,...

Johnson looking for some way to rest overworked bullpen

Johnson looking for some way to rest overworked bullpen
Even with the changes recently in the outfield, Nationals manager Davey Johnson was quick to point out that his biggest concern at this moment is the status of the pitching staff. A great deal of focus recently has been on the outfield with the acquisition of left fielder Jonny Gomes from Cincinnati, today's pending option of center fielder Roger Bernadina to Syracuse and various reports that the Nationals were interested in outfielders from other clubs, such as Denard Span and B.J. Upton....

Wang goes four as Nats trail Mets

Wang goes four as Nats trail Mets
Nationals' right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang suffered through a taxing first inning as the New York Mets were able to pound out four straight hits and take a 4-0 lead. Then in the fourth, the Mets went to work again with three hits and a fielding error by Danny Espinosa. Pitcher Dillon Gee had an RBI single off of Wang, who left after four innings. The Mets led 6-0. Wang went four innings, allowed six runs (four earned), one walk, two strikeouts and one wild pitch. He threw 60 pitches, 39...

Mets add to lead against Nationals' Chien-Ming Wang (updated)

Mets add to lead against Nationals' Chien-Ming Wang (updated)
The New York Mets greeted Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang with big opening inning. The Mets drew a walk and then slapped four straight hits off Wang. Daniel Murphy and Angel Pagan with RBI singles. Jason Bay added an RBI groundout and Lucas Duda a sacrifice fly to score two more runs. Bay's out was the first for Wang after five straight hitters reached base. He also threw a wild pitch during the half inning, firing 24 piches with 14 for strike. Wang was having trouble getting sink...

With Wang reinstated, Bernadina optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

With Wang reinstated, Bernadina optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
With right-hander Chien-Ming Wang set to be activated to pitch tonight against the New York Mets tonight, the Nationals will have to make a roster move before first pitch. Outfielder Roger Bernadina was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse prior to first pitch. Manager Davey Johnson said he was impressed with Bernadina's work in D.C. but believes the outfielder has a few things to work on. "I have really liked his enthusiasm," Johnson said. "I have really liked his work. He has been working on...

Nationals reinstate Chien-Ming Wang from 60-day disabled list, option Roger Bernadina to Triple-A Syracuse

Nationals reinstate Chien-Ming Wang from 60-day disabled list, option Roger Bernadina to Triple-A Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today reinstated right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang from the 60-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Roger Bernadina to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Wang will make his Nationals debut in tonight's series opener against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. The 31-year-old returns to the big leagues exactly two years after having his...

Bryce Harper cranks first Double-A home run in Harrisburg win

Bryce Harper cranks first Double-A home run in Harrisburg win
BOWIE, Md. - Eerily similar to Monday's matchup against Bowie's Zach Britton, Baysox left-hander Mike Ballard was cruising along until Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper ignited a game-changing rally in the seventh inning. Harper crushed his first home run in Double-A, a solo shot to deep right-center field, leading Double-A Harrisburg to a 6-3 victory over the Bowie Baysox before 3,763 at Prince George's stadium. The home run Wednesday marked the fourth extra base hit in the past...

Mets-Nationals lineups for Friday

Mets-Nationals lineups for Friday
Here are the starting lineups for tonight's Mets-Nationals game, in which right-hander Chien-Ming Wang makes his first major league start since July 2009. For the Mets: SS - Reyes 2B - Turner 1B - Murphy 3B - Wright CF - Pagan LF - Bay RF - Duda C - Paulino P - Gee For the Nationals: CF - Ankiel 2B - Espinosa 3B - Zimmerman 1B - Morse RF - Werth LF - Nix SS - Desmond C - Ramos P - Wang Roger Bernadina isn't listed on the Nationals' lineup card, and I'll have more on his status shortly....

Destin Hood's overall game lifting P-Nats during second-half run

Destin Hood's overall game lifting P-Nats during second-half run
Single-A Potomac Nationals left fielder Destin Hood has played well both offensively and defensively so far this season. His name is always mentioned when the conversation turns to the top prospects in the organization, and for good reason. Hood combines top speed and excellent hands with good contact at the plate. The P-Nats have started the second half with a nice run as they look to defend their Mills Cup title in September, and Hood has been a major part of that surge. Hood has made good...

Jenn Jenson: Ready or not, here comes Wang

Jenn Jenson: Ready or not, here comes Wang
If you squint, Chien-Ming Wang's story looks unremarkable. As a pitching prospect, Wang worked his way through the New York Yankees' minor league system from 2000-2005, playing low Single-A ball in 2000 and 2002, Double-A in 2003 and 2004, and Triple-A in 2004 and 2005. In 2001, he did not play because he was recovering from shoulder surgery. Wang made his big league debut with the Yankees on April 30, 2005, pitched a lot of games in 2006 and 2007, and missed parts of the 2008 and 2009...

Tyler Moore best example of prospect depth at first base

Tyler Moore best example of prospect depth at first base
BOWIE, Md. - Harrisburg Senators first baseman Tyler Moore loves this time of year. July and August seem to be the months that the 24-year old out of Mississippi State heats up at the plate. In 2010, Moore shook off a slow start to crank out 31 homers and 111 RBIs for the Single-A Potomac Nationals. This season, the 16th-round selection in the 2008 draft has been more consistent than not. Coming off that Player of the Year honor last season, Moore is batting .273 with a league-leading 24...

Come support the red, white and green?

Come support the red, white and green?
This Friday, fans looking to do their part for Mother Earth can sign up as volunteers as part of the third annual Green-Up Day. The event, hosted by the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the Earth Conservation Corps and Rebuilding Together DC, will ask volunteers to remove trash and debris from the wetland area along the Anacostia River at sites directly across the street from Nationals Park in Diamond Teague Park and Kenilworth Recreation Park in northeast D.C. It's a chance for...

Ted Youngling: Frustration grows with Nationals' lackluster play

Ted Youngling: Frustration grows with Nationals' lackluster play
If a win/loss record is the true indication of a team's success, then the Nationals front office should take serious consideration in bringing back Jim Riggleman to manage this team next season. Don't worry, I'm only being facetious, but let's not overlook the fact that ever since Riggleman bailed on his team they simply haven't been the same. In fact, it's been getting so bad that the Nats are currently battling the Florida Marlins for fourth place in the division. Hard to believe that...

Johnson shakes up lineup for game two against Florida

Johnson shakes up lineup for game two against Florida
In a three-game skid and following a listless performance in their 11-2 loss to the Marlins in the opener, manager Davey Johnson shook up the lineup for game two. Johnson benched starters Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond, Wilson Ramos and Roger Bernadina. He inserted Jerry Hairston Jr., Alex Cora, Jesus Flores and Rick Ankiel into the starting nine, shifting Laynce Nix to right field. Johnson will have Hairston leading off, followed by Cora, Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, Nix, Danny Espinosa,...

Lottery winner to be announced

Lottery winner to be announced
Would you like to win the lottery? Well, Nationals fans, I can't promise you a lifetime of riches, but I can offer the next best thing. Fans who attend the game on Friday, July 29 will be in for a special treat. In addition to seeing the Nationals take on the New York Mets, the Nationals will announce the identity of the recipient of a $1 million lottery prize. The winning ticket was reportedly purchased at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 5, when the Nationals joined forces with First Lady...

Bryce Harper getting defensive in left field for Harrisburg

Bryce Harper getting defensive in left field for Harrisburg
Much has been written concerning Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper's hitting, with the 14 homers and 46 RBIs in Single-A Hagerstown and a mild start in Double-A Harrisburg at the plate. Recently, Harper has started to get something going in the batter's box with three doubles in the last two games, including a pair of extra base hits in the same inning against Orioles' lefty Zach Britton Monday night in Bowie, Md. But he is also starting to show off his defensive capabilities as well....

Nationals add Jonny Gomes to 25-man roster; Matt Stairs designated for assignment

Nationals add Jonny Gomes to 25-man roster; Matt Stairs designated for assignment
The Washington Nationals today added outfielder Jonny Gomes to their 25-man roster and designated outfielder/first baseman Matt Stairs for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. On Tuesday, Gomes was acquired along with cash considerations from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Bill Rhinehart and left-handed pitcher Chris Manno. Gomes is a career .244 hitter with 109 doubles, 115 home runs and...

Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway

Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway
BOWIE, Md. - Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper has gone 1-for-2 with a single and a stolen base in a pair of plate appearances Wednesday afternoon at Prince George's Stadium. Harper's base hit was the first off of Former University of Virginia left-hander Mike Ballard of the Bowie Baysox. He stole base in that inning but Ballard got out of it with a strikeout in the second inning. Harper faced Ballard again in the fourth and worked a 3-0 count and thought an outside pitch was ball four...

Harrisburg's lineup against Bowie

Harrisburg's lineup against Bowie
BOWIE, Md. - Double-A Harrisburg's lineup against the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium in series finale. Each team has won a game in the three-game set. Josh Johnson 2B Leonard Davis RF Chris Rahl CF Tyler Moore DH Bryce Harper LF Tim Pahuta 1B Devin Ivany C Stephen King 3B Chris McConnell SS LHP Oliver Perez (2-2, 3.75) vs. Bowie's LHP Mike Ballard (6-0, 290)

Rachel Levitin: What's in a name? For Metro, a challenge

Rachel Levitin: What's in a name? For Metro, a challenge
While most people in D.C. find themselves in a verbal squabbling match with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on a daily basis - even if the conversation is more of a soliloquy-type scenario rather than a dialogue - I, too, have an issue with the system. It has nothing to do with its inability to run an efficient system but rather its inability to get the name of the Nationals' ballpark correct upon arrival. Here's my pet peeve: None of the train conductors seem to...