Nationals lineup versus Mets 9/4

Nationals lineup versus Mets 9/4
Nationals lineup versus Mets for Sunday: Ian Desmond SS Roger Bernadina LF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Jayson Werth CF Rick Ankiel RF Danny Espinosa 2B Chris Marrero 1B Wilson Ramos C Livan Hernandez P

Zimmerman "always happy to get chance" to win it all

Zimmerman "always happy to get chance" to win it all
It was the moment the Nationals were hoping for in the ninth against the Mets. Down 7-6, after leading 5-0, it appeared Washington might be headed to a painful loss after New York had rallied twice to take the lead. The Mets brought in Bobby Parnell and Jesus Flores greeted him with a single into left field. Brian Bixler pinch ran for him and Parnell uncorked a wild pitch while facing pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes. Bixler went to second and Gomes was walked. After Ian Desmond battled to lay down...

Milone gets no decision in debut, but certainly left lasting impression with his bat

Milone gets no decision in debut, but certainly left lasting impression with his bat
Even though left-hander Tommy Milone did not get the victory or the loss Saturday, he certainly left his mark in his major league debut with the Washington Nationals. Milone lasted 4 1/3 innings on the mound and gave up four runs, setting down the first seven hitters he faced and striking out two. But the most dramatic moment for Milone came in the bottom of the second inning when he launched a three-run homer off of Mets starter Dillon Gee that easily cleared the right field wall and dropped...

Zimmerman broken-bat single stuns Mets in ninth 8-7

Zimmerman broken-bat single stuns Mets in ninth 8-7
The Nationals rallied in the bottom of the ninth off reliever Bobby Parnell to stun the New York Mets 8-7. Jesus Flores led off with a base hit to left field and was replaced by pinch runner Brian Bixler. Bixler then got to second base on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Jonny Gomes walked to put men on first and second with no outs. The Mets then intentionally walked Roger Bernadina to face Ryan Zimmerman. Yes, that Ryan Zimmerman. Ryan Zimmerman talks on the field with Debbi about his...

Milone selected, LaRoche to 60-day, Rodriguez returns

Milone selected, LaRoche to 60-day, Rodriguez returns
The Nationals announced they have selected the contract of left-hander Tommy Milone from Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs and he will start Saturday night in his major league debut against the New York Mets. The 24-year old Milone went 12-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts this season with Syracuse. He struck out a league-best 155 batters and yielded only 16 walks in 148 1/3 innings. To make room for Milone on the 40-man roster, first baseman Adam LaRoche, recovering from shoulder surgery, was...

Nationals' Milone three-run shot; but Bay blast ties it 6-6 (updated)

Nationals' Milone three-run shot; but Bay blast ties it 6-6 (updated)
Making his major league debut already one to remember, Nationals left-hander Tommy Milone hit a three-run homer into the right field bullpen in the second inning to give Washington a 5-0 advantage. Early on, things looked good for Milone. He fired 13 pitches, 10 for strikes in a 1-2-3 first frame, getting a groundout and a pair of flyouts against Jose Reyes, Justin Turner and Lucas Duda. He also enjoyed a three up, three down second inning, which included his first major league strikeout of...

Milone gets off to good start in major league debut, Nats stake early lead

Milone gets off to good start in major league debut, Nats stake early lead
Nationals left-hander Tommy Milone came out with precision in his major league debut against the New York Mets Saturday night at Nationals Park. He fired 13 pitches, 10 for strikes in a 1-2-3 first frame, getting a groundout and a pair of flyouts against Jose Reyes, Justin Turner and Lucas Duda. The Nationals led off their half of the first with a home run curving just around the inside of the left field foul pole by Ian Desmond, against Dillon Gee, and the Nationals lead, 1-0. It was the...

Strasburg says he will make four starts in September, excited for return Tuesday

Strasburg says he will make four starts in September, excited for return Tuesday
Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his first major league start since August 21, 2010 this Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It will be 368 days since he underwent Tommy John surgery and he said Saturday that he is a different pitcher as he makes his second season debut with the Nationals. "I kind of know what to expect (this year)," Strasburg said. "I am just going to go out there and do my thing. It is something that I worked extremely hard for....

Nationals select contract of Tom Milone; reinstate Ivan Rodriguez from disabled list, transfer Adam LaRoche to 60-day DL

Nationals select contract of Tom Milone; reinstate Ivan Rodriguez from disabled list, transfer Adam LaRoche to 60-day DL
The Washington Nationals today selected left-handed pitcher Tom Milone from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list and transferred first baseman Adam LaRoche to the 60-day DL. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Milone went 12-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts this season with Syracuse. With an...

Nationals starting lineup against Mets in Milone debut

Nationals starting lineup against Mets in Milone debut
The starting lineup tonight for the Washington Nationals in Tommy Milone's major league debut: Ian Desmond SS Roger Bernadina RF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Michael Morse LF Jayson Werth CF Danny Espinosa 2B Chris Marrero 1B Jesus Flores C Tommy Milone P

Detwiler struggles to find range against Mets

Detwiler struggles to find range against Mets
Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler had been on the best roll of his young career coming in to Friday's series home opener against the New York Mets. He had won two of his last three decisions and allowed just five earned runs in those three games. But Friday was a different story entirely, in what Detwiler described as "definitely" his worst outing of the season. He lasted just 48 pitches in three innings, the big blow a David Wright three-run homer in the first inning that changed the...

Hagerstown outfielder Kevin Keyes headed to instructs after season

Hagerstown outfielder Kevin Keyes headed to instructs after season
Single-A Hagerstown Suns right fielder Kevin Keyes has made the most of his opportunity in his second season in the Nationals organization after a rough opening campaign in Vermont. "Last year this time I was disappointed (with my play). I didn't do so well in Vermont. It was a wake up call," Keyes said. "I worked very hard to get better and it has paid off. I have concentrated on improving my swing and defense." Keyes said it was difficult to get his approach at the plate down on a...

OF Roger Bernadina recalled by Nationals

OF Roger Bernadina recalled by Nationals
The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Roger Bernadina from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Bernadina is batting .247 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs, 20 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 35 runs scored in 71 games this season with Washington. The 27-year-old has excelled at Nationals Park in 2011, hitting .320 with eight doubles, four home runs and...

Potomac moves within half-game of first place with another win

Potomac moves within half-game of first place with another win
The Single-A Potomac Nationals have not only advanced to the postseason again, but now have their sights set on the Northern Division crown after a 5-1 victory at Lynchburg. Paul Demny was at the top of his game over seven innings, allowing just five hits, no runs, one walk and six strikeouts for his 10th win of season. Zach Walters had three hits and scored two runs to lead Potomac's offense. With the win and Frederick's loss in Kinston, the P-Nats move within a half-game of the Keys for...

Jenn Jenson: Welcome back, Stephen Strasburg

Jenn Jenson: Welcome back, Stephen Strasburg
I assume everyone's going to the ballpark Tuesday to see Stephen Strasburg pitch, right? I've got my ticket. Reports indicate Strasburg will be limited to five innings or 80 pitches, which means we're unlikely to see any 14-strikeout, no-walks craziness on the second coming. But hey, you never know. If he keeps his pitch count low enough, five innings provides 15 outs to work with. If Strasburg strikes out just a handful of batters, it will be OK with me. Even a no strikeout game would...

Three Potomac hitters named to Carolina League All-Stars

Three Potomac hitters named to Carolina League All-Stars
Three Potomac Nationals' batters have been honored as postseason Carolina League All-Stars. Outfielder Destin Hood, infielder Jeff Kobernus and catcher Sandy Leon were named Thursday, making Single-A Potomac the only team in the league with three players on the elite squad. The Mobile, Ala., native Hood leads the League in RBIs with 82 and is batting .279. He has stolen 20 bases and totaled 126 hits with 13 home runs. Kobernus, hailing from San Leandro, Calif., is hitting .274 with seven...

Nationals reinstate Doug Slaten from disabled list

Nationals reinstate Doug Slaten from disabled list
The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten from the 15-day disabled list. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Slaten missed the last 77 games after being placed on the DL on June 4 with left elbow ulnar neuritis. The 32-year-old is 0-1 with two holds and a 2.19 ERA in 23 games this season with Washington. In nine games (four starts) during his rehab assignment,...

Harrisburg clinches playoff berth after dropping Portland

Harrisburg clinches playoff berth after dropping Portland
The Double-A Harrisburg Senators edged Portland 2-1 to clinch at least a tie atop their division over Richmond. Bowie lost Wednesday so they are eliminated from contention for the division title. The Senators (78-59) have five straight games remaining at home. Any combination of one Senators win and a loss by Richmond (73-64) and Harrisburg clinches the top spot in the division. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg can clinch the division and will pitch his final minor league rehab assignment...

Ted Youngling: Strasburg's return creates late-season buzz in D.C.

Ted Youngling: Strasburg's return creates late-season buzz in D.C.
He's baaack! Stephen Strasburg will be making his 2011 debut Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This will mark his first major league appearance since last Aug. 21. I can't say I'm surprised by the announcement, but a part of me was convinced he would sit out the remainder of the season. All of a sudden, we find ourselves in a situation similar to June 8, 2010, with a week of anticipation that sees ticket sales jump and Nationals baseball dominate D.C. sports talk radio. Whether you...

Potomac into the playoffs again with another win over Lynchburg

Potomac into the playoffs again with another win over Lynchburg
The Single-A Potomac Nationals downed the Lynchburg Hillcats 6-3 to advance to the playoffs again and a chance to defend their 2010 Mills Cup Carolina League crown. A four-run eighth inning broke open a close game and the P-Nats led 5-1 before holding off a late Lynchburg rally. Eight of the nine players in the starting lineup notched at least one base knock as the P-Nats have now won nine of their last 12 games. Jeff Kobernus, Justin Bloxom and Zach Walters each had two hits and combined for...