On June 9, 2009, the Nationals selected Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft. Strasburg, a right-hander from San Diego State University, was one of the most highly touted draft picks in recent memory and from his first day in the Nationals' organization, caught the eye of baseball fans around the country. Nearly one year later, amid flashbulbs at a sold-out Nationals Park, Strasburg made his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, going seven...
Washington Nationals Observe 9/11 Remembrance Day
Fans should expect enhanced security procedures throughout the weekend
Due to heightened security precautions surrounding 9/11 Remembrance Day, the Washington Nationals encourage fans to arrive earlier than normal and leave backpacks, bags and extra items at home throughout the weekend.
Enhanced security procedures at Nationals Park may slow entry into the ballpark on both Saturday and Sunday. Fans should prepare for the following safety...
Despite allowing two runs in the first and third frames, Chien-Ming Wang managed to go six innings for the Nationals in a no decision Thursday in Game One of a doubleheader versus the Dodgers. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.
Wang said through an interpreter that the Dodgers tried to "get my first pitch. So, later on I threw more breaking balls." Wang said he would like to adjust his warmups so that he gets started a little earlier, that maybe that will help him get in a groove...
Double-A Harrisburg Senators first baseman Tyler Moore continues to make outstanding progress up the Nationals chain. His power numbers have drawn rave reviews and he has been a solid contributor to the first-place Senators as they venture into the divisional series at Richmond this weekend.
Unfortunately, Metro Bank Park is under water so the entire best-of-five series will have to be played entirely in Virginia.
"We had to evacuate two days ago," Moore said. "They were showing us...
Rain impacted the Nationals' schedule this week, but it has also affected two minor league playoff series for two Nats' affiliates - Single-A Potomac of the Carolina League and Double-A Harrisburg in the Eastern League.
The worst has been in the Harrisburg, Pa., area where City Island and Metro Bank Park are completely flooded and
So, how 'bout that weather?
Yesterday, the second game of a doubleheader with the Los Angeles Dodgers was rained out. The day before yesterday, the game was postponed by rain. And the day before that? Still more rain that first threatened to put off Stephen Strasburg's return to the mound and later created a mid-game delay.
This week brought a crazy amount of rain to the Washington area, with important consequences that include three deaths in Maryland and Virginia, property damage from...
One of the things I like about baseball is the opportunity to watch people who are living their dream. It makes me happy, and on some days it also reminds me to count my blessings and focus what I might achieve in my own life.
Of course, there's more than one professional baseball dream, from being drafted, to stepping on the field for a major league debut, to winning the World Series and everything in-between. I'm sure a lot of major league players pinch themselves every day and say,...
After a mutual agreement between Livan Hernandez and the Washington Nationals, the 245-lb. right-hander will be shut down for the rest of the season to make room for the excess of young pitching talent making their auditions for the 2012 season. It was a classy move by the man who threw the first pitch in Nationals history way back in 2005.
I know most of you are thinking: Why would the Nationals retire the number of a guy who went 70-72 with the Expos/Nationals franchise? This is a fair...
The Potomac Nationals fell, 5-1 in Game 1 of their divisional series with the Frederick Keys. Steven Souza smacked a solo homer for the only offense for the P-Nats.
Paul Demny did well in the first two innings but the Keys managed a three-run shot by Miguel Abreu to take the lead for good. The game was shortened to six innings due to the torrential rains.
Game 2 is tonight at Harry Grove stadium with Sammy Solis getting the call to even the series against Rick Zagone at 7:05 p.m.
I am...
The Single-A Potomac Nationals begin defense of their Mills Cup tonight at Harry Grove stadium in Game 1 of their divisional series against the Frederick Keys.
Right-hander Paul Demny gets the call for Matt Lecroy, opposed by the Keys' Jake Pettit. Demny was 10-10 with a 4.32 ERA. Left-hander Petit was 7-0 with a 1.62 ERA.
Demny comes into game one on a roll, 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last five starts, allowing just six runs in the last 27 innings.
One of the hottest hitters for the...
Nationals pitcher Brad Peacock gave up a couple of hits and a walk in his major league debut, but didn't let that bother him. He still felt very good about his first outing. After all, he was excited and nervous during his first start with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs back on July 16. He settled down following that game and reeled off five straight wins from July 22 to August 29.
Peacock said during those last few weeks, Syracuse pitching coach Greg Booker helped him to calm down on the...
You really had to feel for Nationals prospect Brad Peacock.
He made his major league debut in less than ideal conditions. He had to follow Stephen Strasburg. Doug Slaten allowed two hits and tallied one out in front of him.
On a cold and rainy Tuesday night, the Nationals top strikeout artist in the minors allowed four hits, one walk and no strikeouts, including a two-run single by the Dodgers Andre Ethier that tied the game at 3. In 1 1/3 innings, Peacock was charged with one earned run....
I can certainly remember my first time in a major league press box. It was back on May 25, 2009, my first assignment as an intern with MLB.com. I was assigned to cover the Orioles for the rest of the season (or until I found a full-time gig somewhere) and had the rare privilege of spending my summer among the fans at Camden Yards.
A sweet gig, it was.
It's been more than two years since my first experience, and meanwhile I've spent countless days and eaten too many luke warm hot dogs to...
Nationals outfielder Laynce Nix, who tweaked his groin against the Atlanta Braves last week said rest is helping him and he expects to return the the lineup Saturday or Sunday against the Houston Astros.
Nix said the slight groin injury is healing well and his body heals quickly when he shuts down completely for a few days.
His achilles has been tender for awhile and this time off has also helped that injury. Nix said when he returns to Dallas, Texas., in the offseason, he has his own...
The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 60-day disabled list, recalled right-handed pitchers Yunesky Maya and Craig Stammen, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino and outfielder Corey Brown from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and selected right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock and infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Syracuse. Additionally, the club transferred right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball to the 60-Day DL,...
There is some concern about the possibility that the Nationals might be rushing right-hander Stephen Strasburg back for tonight's game. The reasoning is that an entire season of rehab might be a better answer, so he is not subjected to the possibility of re-injury or new injury.
After all, the Nationals are out of the race. There is no need to "chance" it.
But it is also very difficult to tell to a pitcher with the makeup of Strasburg that he has to sit this one out. It is like that...
With Stephen Strasburg scheduled to make his 2011 debut with the Nationals this evening, I think it is important we remember Strasburg will be on a pitch count limit of 60 pitches. I think the Nationals will follow the same path the team took with Jordan Zimmermann's comeback last season.
The Nationals kept Zimmermann on a pitch count between 70 to 86 pitches in his seven starts last season. As it looks now, Strasburg will make four starts before the season ends - if his arm is feeling well....
Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero is into his second week with the big club and has registered seven hits in eight games, batting .241. He has hung in there at first base as he gets acclimated to the speed of the game and has leaned on the coaching staff and his teammates to help him get better.
Marrero said it has been an exciting couple of weeks playing for the Nats.
"Yes, definitely. I am playing every day here I am having fun," Marrero said. "I am just getting used to playing with...
Quick news and notes from Nationals Park....
Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero said he is hoping to play in the Dominican league for winter ball. Last year, he played in Puerto Rico. He said it has always been important for him to face top flight challenges in off season to maintain his consistency at the plate and in the field.
Marrero says he thinks Syracuse catcher and former teammate Jhonatan Solano is likely to join him in the Dominican, and there is potential for other teammates to...
Looking out at the field Saturday night you got to witness the future of the Nationals. You also got to witness the first fruit of a Nationals' system rebuilt by the likes of general manager Mike Rizzo and staff over the past few seasons.
There was a lot of home grown talent on the field for first pitch against the New York Mets.
Left-hander Tommy Milone was making his major league debut. He was on the mound. Shortstop Ian Desmond and second baseman Danny Espinosa were a tandem built from...