nationals

Nationals recall Detwiler from Triple-A, Balester designated for assignment

July 05, 2011, 11:16am

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and designated right-handed pitcher Collin Balester for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Detwiler was 6-6 with a 4.53 ERA (44 ER/87.1 IP) in 16 starts for Syracuse at the time of the promotion. Detwiler, 25, went 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA during an especially-strong six-start stretch in...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

July 05, 2011, 8:56am

Nationals

Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

The Nationals announced that left-hander Sammy Solis has been promoted to the Single-A Potomac Nationals and will make his first Carolina League start tonight at home against Wilmington. Solis went 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in seven starts for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, recording a victory in his last game June 30 versus Lakewood. He also put up 40 strikeouts to 12 walks. Solis was hoping to begin his professional career with Potomac, but was slowed by a couple of injuries and had to spend more...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals potomac nationals sammy solis frontstory_nationals3

Rachel Levitin: Could patriotic Nats become America's Team?

July 05, 2011, 4:51am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Could patriotic Nats become America's Team?

In theory, the Washington Nationals should be proclaimed "America's Baseball Team" due to proximity and fact. But thanks to the Patriotic Series and a little bit of time, that fact could turn into one of the Nats' longest-standing ballclub legacies. Take an annual contender in playoffs, for example. They're used to baseball during mid-October in front of a prime-time crowd. A D.C. fan hasn't had that opportunity since the invention of television. Plus, the Nats' end-of-season goals...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

Taking a look at some news and notes concerning this year's All-Star game

July 04, 2011, 9:59am

Nationals Orioles

Taking a look at some news and notes concerning this year's All-Star game

Give the fans a pat on the back: They did a great job selecting the National and American League All-Star rosters for the July 12 game in Phoenix. The only player that was selected to start that shouldn't was shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, but that's not the end of the world. Jeter is his way to becoming the first Yankees player to reach 3,000 career hits. Jeter was six hits short as he returned to the Yankees' lineup Monday in Cleveland. And, the fans should be...

Comments

Tags:

mel antonen nationals frontstory_nationals4 frontstory_orioles4

Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

July 05, 2011, 4:51am

Nationals

Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

Syracuse Chiefs left-handed starter Tom Milone has been named International League Pitcher of the Week after going 14 1/3 innings in two starts and allowing only one run. Milone said the last few weeks have been going smoothly on the mound. "I can't complain," Milone said. "I am throwing the ball well. Everything is working with all four pitches. I am throwing strikes, which is good. I am not giving out free passes." Milone is indeed throwing strikes, which are turning into strikeouts....

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals syracuse chiefs tom milone frontstory_nationals3

Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

July 04, 2011, 6:55pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in his Double-A debut Monday night with Harrisburg, as the Senators cruised past Erie SeaWolves 8-1. Derek Norris and Bill Rhinehart each hit a pair of home runs and Brad Peacock won his 10th game, going six innings, allowing a single run and striking out nine. Harper singled to center field in the first inning off of Erie starter Jamie Johnson. He popped out to third base to lead off the third inning. Harper led...

Comments

Tags:

bill rhinehart bryce harper byron kerr derek norris harrisburg senators nationals frontstory_nationals1

Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

July 04, 2011, 2:05pm

Nationals

Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

Laynce Nix could get the start at first base Tuesday with Matt Stairs and Michael Morse ailing, manager Davey Johnson announced after Monday's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Stairs replaced Morse, who sat out today's game with an arm contusion. Johnson said Stairs then banged up his bad knee running down the line on a foul ball into the stands, and was replaced by Nix. So Nix was inserted into the lineup for the first time this season at first base. It was the first time in his career...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson laynce nix nationals featured_sidebar

Nationals make sure Harper will be comfortable in Harrisburg

July 04, 2011, 10:04am

Nationals

No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper will be in good hands again in Double-A Harrisburg as he was in Hagerstown, said Nationals' Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo on 106.7 The Fan. Harper will play mostly in left field in Harrisburg, according to Rizzo. He said that the coaching staff was one of the reasons the organization felt comfortable in selecting Double-A Harrisburg as the next destination for Harper. But, regardless of the coaching staff, the plan...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr mike rizzo nationals frontstory_nationals3 featured_sidebar

Top Nationals prospect Bryce Harper promoted to Harrisburg Senators

July 04, 2011, 6:10am

Nationals

The Nationals' No. 1 prospect, Bryce Harper, has been promoted from the Single-A Hagerstown Suns to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, according to general manager Mike Rizzo. "We feel that he's had plenty of time at the Single-A level. ... He's dominated it pretty well," Rizzo said on "The Extended Pregame Show" on 106.7 The Fan. Rizzo said Harper will report to Harrisburg tonight, and will be available for tonight's 7 p.m. game against Erie. The 18-year-old Harper hit .318 with...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper byron kerr nationals

Could Clippard have a teammate with him in Arizona? You decide!

July 04, 2011, 8:37am

Nationals

Could Clippard have a teammate with him in Arizona? You decide!

We're still dissecting this year's All-Star voting results, wondering how certain players were chosen, how other players weren't and which league will prevail July 12. Last season, the National League ended a 13-year winless drought, upending the junior circuit, 3-1. It was a victory that, most San Francisco Giants fans will contend, was extremely important, so fans are sure to be in for a treat in a two weeks when the two leagues battle it out in the desert with home field advantage in the...

Comments

Tags:

brian eller michael morse nationals nationals buzz tyler clippard

Rachel Levitin: Creating a sense of baseball community

July 04, 2011, 5:28am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Creating a sense of baseball community

When baseball returned to the District in 2005, the $5 grandstand tickets were the only reason my new-found friends at college would go to a baseball game with me. Now, in 2011, those same $5 grandstand tickets are the reason I'm not burned out when it comes to baseball. I'm going to be honest here: I love baseball, but the past two seasons have been draining in many ways. The opportunity to cover the Washington Nationals has been fantastic. I've met the people I now like to call my...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rachel levitin

Prospect Moldenhauer smacks another HR; makes strides at 1B

July 03, 2011, 9:23pm

Nationals

Prospect Moldenhauer smacks another HR; makes strides at 1B

Former University of Texas star Russell Moldenhauer is doing well at the plate again this season as the Nationals try to find a home for him at first base. Sunday, he hit a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs in NY/Penn league short-season Auburn Doubleday's 10-4 victory over State College. Moldenhauer is batting .312 with six doubles, two homers and 14 RBIs in 16 games since the season began June 17. Auburn Doubledays manager Gary Cathcart said the 23-year old has been working on his...

Comments

Tags:

auburn doubledays byron kerr gary cathcart nationals russell moldenhauer frontfeatured_nationals

Washington Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard named National League All-Star, 1B Michael Morse Part of '11 All-Star Game Final Vote

July 03, 2011, 12:34pm

Nationals

Washington Nationals right-handed middle reliever Tyler Clippard today was named a National League All-Star by Giants field manager Bruce Bochy and Major League Baseball. The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, July 12. Clippard is 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA in 37 appearances with the Nationals. The All-Star citation is the first of his career. Clippard leads MLB with 21 holds. The only other big league pitcher with as many as 18 holds is...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Mattheus relishes first major league win as Nats come back again

July 02, 2011, 7:54pm

Nationals

Mattheus relishes first major league win as Nats come back again

Nationals right-hander Ryan Mattheus earned his first major league victory by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to no runs in the eighth inning of Saturday's 4-3 game two victory. Mattheus got the first two outs in the inning, allowed two singles and then induced a pop out to third by Pirates clean up hitter Garrett Jones. "It is awesome," Mattheus said. "Of course, my first win is going to be exciting. But with (Ivan) Rodriguez doing what he did with two outs is really exciting. I almost...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr nationals ryan mattheus frontstory_nationals2

Lannan's long outing provides opportunity Nationals needed to split

July 02, 2011, 7:25pm

Nationals

The Nationals split a doubleheader with the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, 4-3, on an RBI base hit from Ivan Rodriguez. But the reason the Nationals were in the game again for some late inning magic was the starting pitching. Lefty John Lannan went seven strong innings on only 80 pitches, scattering six hits, allowing three runs and allowing no walks with one strikeout. It is the fourth consecutive game a Nationals starter has gone at least seven innings. "That is the starter's goal is to...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr ivan rodriguez john lannan nationals frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Rodriguez's pinch-hit RBI single finishes off Pirates in nightcap, 4-3

July 02, 2011, 5:44pm

Nationals

Rodriguez's pinch-hit RBI single finishes off Pirates in nightcap, 4-3

The Nationals new field manager continues to push the right buttons and his team again finds a way to come back late in the game for another stunning victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3, before 39,638 at Nationals Park, earning a split of the Saturday double dip. Davey Johnson pinch hit veteran Ivan Rodriguez in the bottom of the eighth inning with two men on. He battled Pirates reliever Tony Watson for an RBI single that scored Rick Ankiel with the eventual winning run. Drew Storen...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr john lannan nationals pirates frontfeatured_nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Wang reaches 91 mph with four scoreless innings in second rehab start

July 02, 2011, 4:17pm

Nationals

Wang reaches 91 mph with four scoreless innings in second rehab start

Nationals right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang tossed four scoreless innings for the Single-A Potomac Nationals against Wilmington in his second rehab start Saturday night in Woodbridge, Va. Wang, continuing recovery from major shoulder surgery, tossed 38 pitches with 24 for strikes. He allowed two hits, two walks, no runs and struck out two batters. According to reports from the field, all seven of his pitches in first inning were strikes. He was tested in the second frame with 17 pitches,...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr chien-ming wang nationals potomac nationals frontstory_nationals3

Johnson still has confidence in Burnett after loss to Pirates in Game 1

July 02, 2011, 3:14pm

Nationals

Johnson still has confidence in Burnett after loss to Pirates in Game 1

The Nationals dropped the doubleheader opener to the Pirates, 5-3, on a pair of home runs in the late innings that broke open a close contest. Livan Hernandez had kept the Nationals close, but unlike Friday, it was Pittsburgh that had the late game heroics. Manager Davey Johnson was pleased with the way Hernandez stayed in the game. He was able to get to the eighth inning, but Sean Burnett allowed two home runs that ended up deciding the game. "(Hernandez) battled them," Johnson said. "I...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson livan hernandez nationals pirates sean burnett frontstory_nationals1

Ian Desmond at the plate: "I just need to be free and easy up there"

July 02, 2011, 11:03am

Nationals

Ian Desmond at the plate: "I just need to be free and easy up there"

Nationals manager Davey Johnson pinch hit for shortstop Ian Desmond in the ninth inning of Friday night's 2-1 victory in the home series opener versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnson said he told Desmond before the switch that he expected his young infielder "to get hot so this doesn't happen again." Pinch hitter Matt Stairs smacked an RBI single off the right field wall to plate the game winner. Saturday, Johnson said he believes Desmond has all the tools to be a great player on this...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr davey johnson ian desmond nationals frontstory_nationals1

Pena gets call to Eastern All-Star game; Peacock will attend but not pitch

July 02, 2011, 12:29pm

Nationals

Pena gets call to Eastern All-Star game; Peacock will attend but not pitch

Double-A Harrisburg reliever Hassan Pena has been added to the Western Division roster for the 2011 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star game, July 13. Pena has a record of 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA, five saves, 29 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings for the Senators. Pena replaces Brad Peacock, who will be in uniform, but will not pitch because of his participation in the XM Futures Game July 10 in Phoenix, Ariz. Peacock leads the league in several categories including strikeouts (120),...