nationals

Dave Nichols: An early look at potential Nats All-Stars

May 31, 2011, 9:43pm

With the calendar flipping to June, it's not too early to start thinking about who might represent the Washington Nationals at the mid-summer classic, the 2011 All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. It's an honor for players to be voted in by the fans, but the first early results posted by Major League Baseball show no Nationals player in the top five in voting for position players or top 15 outfielders. Unfortunately, $126 million isn't enough to buy Jayson Werth a few All-Star votes. But...

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With two more HRs against Phils, could Espinosa be a power hitter for the Nationals?

May 31, 2011, 7:41pm

Nationals

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa feels like he might have something going here. With a pair of homers Tuesday night in a 10-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Espinosa now has the team lead and a career-high 10 home runs on the season. Espinosa has hit the three total round trippers in the series against pitchers named Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. And with four homers in the past five games, Espinosa senses he is in a groove at the plate. It is no fluke. Last season, Espinosa...

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Zimmerman scheduled to play first game in Florida on Wednesday

May 31, 2011, 1:27pm

Nationals

Zimmerman scheduled to play first game in Florida on Wednesday

The Nationals have confirmed that third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will be playing in his first game at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., on Wednesday. Zimmerman continues rehabilitation from abdominal surgery in early May. The original timetable had Zimmerman, who has been sidelined since April 9, returning in mid to late June. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said today that Zimmerman is progressing. "The one thing that was not coming along as quickly as some other stuff about his...

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Pirates-Nationals rainout rescheduled for July 2 single-admission doubleheader

May 31, 2011, 2:36pm

Nationals

The May 17 Nationals-Pirates game at Nationals Park has been rescheduled as part of a traditional, single-admission doubleheader on Saturday, July 2, with the first game beginning at 3:35 p.m. The second game will follow at 7:05 p.m. or later, depending on when the first game is completed. Season tickets and individual game tickets for the postponed May 17 game can be exchanged at the Nationals Park Box Office for seats of equal or lesser value for the July 2 doubleheader or any remaining...

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Solis hits 95 mph in season debut for Suns

May 30, 2011, 5:11pm

Nationals

Solis hits 95 mph in season debut for Suns

Nationals prospect left-hander Sammy Solis pulled off a solid debut for 2011 with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at Kannapolis Intimidators on Monday. Solis went four and 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, three walks and four hits. He allowed only one hit until the fifth inning, giving up three runs and getting a no decision. Solis said the start went well but he ran out of gas in that fifth inning. He threw 87 pitches and was sitting between 92 and 95 miles per hour on his fastball, so that...

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Solis pumped for first start of season for Hagerstown

May 27, 2011, 8:09pm

Nationals

Solis pumped for first start of season for Hagerstown

After battling through a couple of injuries that extended his spring training into late May, Nationals 2010 second-round selection left-hander Sammy Solis is ready to make his season debut today for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns at the Kannapolis Intimidators. Solis pitched 5 1/3 innings last week in Viera, Fla., throwing 84 pitches. He anticipates a 90-pitch cap today. "My arm feels strong," Solis said. "Florida was great. I got my work in that I needed to get done. I am excited to be...

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Dave Nichols: Natosphere offers something for every taste

May 30, 2011, 6:52am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Natosphere offers something for every taste

When MASNsports.com asked me to participate in the guest blogging initiative on Nationals Buzz, I was honored. It's gratifying to know someone values your work. The other writers that were asked to participate, Will Yoder from The Nats Blog, Rachel Levitin from We Love DC and Drew Kinback from Nationals Inquisition all offer their differing and unique view to the Natsosphere. But the quartet of writers featured in this space represents just a small portion of the varied, talented, dedicated...

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Selik determined to succeed at Single-A Potomac

May 27, 2011, 5:30pm

Nationals

Selik determined to succeed at Single-A Potomac

Single-A Potomac Nationals right-handed starter Cameron Selik has already been through a lot in his career, and he is only a 23-year-old. He underwent Tommy John surgery before he earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas. So, you can see how Selik has already had his resiliency tested, and has shown how determined he is to keep pushing towards his goal. Selik started the year at low Single-A Hagerstown and rolled through the South Atlantic League. He went 3-0 in five starts with a...

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Nats not the only NL East team struggling at the plate

May 29, 2011, 11:36am

Nationals

Nats not the only NL East team struggling at the plate

The season-long gripe about the Nationals is that they are a good-pitch, no-hit team. And, the question is: Where would the Nats be in the National League East if they had had even mediocre hitting? The Nationals went into Sunday with a .227 average, which ranks next-to-last in the league, and 194 runs scored, which ranks 12th. A 17-run game in Baltimore boosted that ranking. Ryan Zimmerman has been out since April 10 with an injury to his stomach muscle. Outfielder Jayson Werth hasn't...

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Balester recalled, returned to Triple-A Syracuse

May 28, 2011, 3:06pm

Nationals

Balester recalled, returned to Triple-A Syracuse

Following today's game, the Washington Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Collin Balester to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals are expected to make a corresponding move before Sunday's game against San Diego. Balester, 24, is 0-0 with an 8.10 ERA in three appearances this season with Washington. He had been recalled from Syracuse before Saturday's...

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Zimmermann in groove despite recent loss, ready for Friars

May 27, 2011, 3:28pm

Nationals

Zimmermann in groove despite recent loss, ready for Friars

Saturday's second game of the series features Nationals right-handed starter Jordan Zimmermann (2-5, 3.98 ERA) against San Diego Padres' right-hander Tim Stauffer (0-3, 3.88). Despite allowing a game-deciding, two-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero in a 2-1 setback at the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, Zimmermann finished with 6 and 1/3-innings allowing only four hits, those two earned runs, one walk and five strikeouts. "The outing was great," Zimmermann said. "I felt awesome. (Guerrero) is...

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Gorzelanny to DL; could Maya be called for Sunday?

May 27, 2011, 7:03pm

Nationals

Gorzelanny to DL; could Maya be called for Sunday?

The Nationals announced after tonight's game that left-hander Tom Gorzelanny has been placed in the 15-day disabled list due to left elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 24. The Nationals did not announce a corresponding roster move. The announcement is expected early Saturday when the player arrives. Gorzelanny was scheduled to start Sunday's afternoon finale against the Padres. Syracuse right-hander Yunesky Maya was scheduled to start for the Chiefs on Sunday and could...

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Michael Morse walk-off homer stuns Padres

May 27, 2011, 5:56pm

Nationals

Michael Morse walk-off homer stuns Padres

Michael Morse slammed the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth from reliever Mike Adams into the left field bullpen to lift the Nationals to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres before 21,024 at Nationals Park. Morse has now hit a home run in four consecutive games, and the solo shot was the first walk-off winner of his career. Danny Espinosa hit his first solo homer of the season, and seventh overall (a career-high) to give Washington a 1-0 advantage through five innings. Michael Morse...

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Espinosa puts Nats on top, Lannan in nice groove

May 27, 2011, 4:58pm

Nationals

Espinosa puts Nats on top, Lannan in nice groove

Second baseman Danny Espinosa crushed a home run to left on a 1-1 pitch off Padres' starter Clayton Richard leading off the bottom of the fifth, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was only the Nationals' third hit off of Richard and the seventh homer on the season for Espinosa, a new career-high. It was the first homer this season for Espinosa with nobody on base. Each of his other six round trippers have been multi-run HRs. John Lannan has allowed only one hit through five innings with...

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Lannan off to good start; play resumed after rain delay

May 27, 2011, 3:50pm

Nationals

Lannan off to good start; play resumed after rain delay

Nationals southpaw John Lannan did not allow a base runner through three innings Friday night. He set down the Padres in order 1-through-9. Jayson Werth and Roger Bernadina have base hits off of Padres' starter Clayton Richard, but Washington could not score a run. Lannan struck out Chris Denorfia to begin the top of the fourth, and with Jason Bartlett batting, play was stopped. The rain delay lasted 47 minutes. Lannan was able to get out of the inning, despite allowing his first base...

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Morse and Lannan lift Nats out of losing skid

May 27, 2011, 7:45pm

Nationals

Morse and Lannan lift Nats out of losing skid

Once again, a Nationals starter was cruising along, and once again, the offense had provided a little support. This time, the Nationals got to the ninth inning, hanging on to a 1-0 lead behind a solo homer from Danny Espinosa and masterful pitching from John Lannan. With their closer on the hill, it looked like the Nationals would pull this one out and end their week-long skid. Then, Jason Bartlett connected on his first home run in 247 at-bats, this one on the first pitch off of Drew...

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Riggleman: Werth wasn't referring to skipper regarding "change"

May 27, 2011, 1:14pm

Nationals

Riggleman: Werth wasn't referring to skipper regarding "change"

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said he has spoken to Jayson Werth following the right fielder's comments during a postgame interview in Milwaukee earlier in the week. Werth said after the 6-4 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday that "things needed to change" and he had "some ideas." Riggleman said during his pregame meeting with the media Friday that he had a meeting with Werth and does not believe Werth was referring to the manager's job status when talking about those needed...

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Next two weeks crucial to LaRoche's ailing shoulder, season

May 27, 2011, 2:18pm

Nationals

Next two weeks crucial to LaRoche's ailing shoulder, season

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche continues rehabilitation from the torn labrum in his left shoulder and a small tear in his rotator cuff, injuries that landed him on the 15-day disabled list. He hopes to return to the lineup in two to three weeks. But that is a big if. And if you saw him swing in Baltimore last week, even when he connected on a base hit with what appeared to be an all-out swing, it turned into a soft single to right-center field. LaRoche is hopeful the next two weeks...

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Nationals place LHP Tom Gorzelanny on Disabled List

May 27, 2011, 7:05pm

Nationals

Following tonight's game, the Washington Nationals placed left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny (left elbow inflammation) on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 24. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny, 28, is 2-4 with a 4.25 ERA in nine starts this season with the Nationals.

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Lannan looks strong early

May 27, 2011, 3:23pm

Nationals

Nationals starter John Lannan had a 1-2-3 first frame against the San Diego Padres. Lannan is looking to bounce back from a rough outing in Baltimore last weekend. He is trying to end a six-game winless streak (2-5, 5.03 ERA). Lefty Clayton Richard countered with an identical 1-2-3 first inning for San Diego. The Padres ended a five-game skid Wednesday with a 3-1 win over St. Louis. No score, second inning.