nationals

My day as the P.A. Announcer at Nationals Park

September 14, 2011, 7:43am

Last week, when the Washington Nationals faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, I was asked to be the public address announcer for game one at Nationals Park. It was indeed an honor to be back in the booth. But I have to admit I was a little nervous and had the adrenalin going. After all, I had been the public address announcer for the NBA Washington Wizards, MLS D.C. United and at college at Virginia, but it had been awhile. Okay, they were called the Bullets back then. So, that gives you an idea....

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Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

September 13, 2011, 12:47pm

Nationals

Just a little friendly hazing for the Nats rookies

It's no secret the bonds of a major league baseball team can closely resemble those of a fraternity. Twenty-five guys, living in and out of suitcases, spending virtually every minute together for an entire season. Ah yes, the brotherhood of baseball. So what would the spirit of a fraternity be without a little good ole' fashioned hazing, right? As it so happens, pictures, like the one seen below, recently made their way onto Nationals catcher Jesus Flores' Twitter account, showing the...

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Nationals release 2012 schedule

September 14, 2011, 7:15am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today released their 2012 schedule, which includes 81 home dates, beginning with Washington's 79th home opener since 1901 on Thursday, April 12 vs. Cincinnati and is highlighted by a three-game interleague visit from the New York Yankees and holiday matchups against the San Francisco Giants (Independence Day) and Chicago Cubs (Labor Day). The Nationals begin the 2012 season on the road on Thursday, April 5 at Wrigley Field. The Yankees last visited The District, June...

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Desmond is Nationals' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

September 14, 2011, 7:08am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, have announced that shortstop Ian Desmond has been named the Washington Nationals' 2011 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Desmond is one of 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field. Today marks the tenth...

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Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

September 14, 2011, 4:44am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: A look back before NatsTown becomes a ghost town

We're about halfway through September now, which means baseball in Washington is nearing an end for 2011. Things will start to quiet down around the Navy Yard. Patrons' use of the Green Line Metro Station near the ballpark will decline. Street vendors won't be trying to handout hats during the evening hours and no one will be out on Half Street selling cheap water and peanuts. Live music won't wail from the tiny corridor of The Bullpen beer garden. In short: NatsTown will become a ghost...

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Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

September 13, 2011, 5:17am

Nationals

Mark Hornbaker: A game to remember during Washington's last pennant race

On this day in 1945, a large crowd of more than 24,000 fans turned out to Griffith Stadium to watch the visiting Cleveland Indians play the red-hot Washington Senators. The Senators went into the game having won eight of 10 games and found themselves only one game behind the American League-leading Detroit Tigers. With such a big game in the nation's capital, it would only be fitting that both teams would be starting pitchers who were World War II veterans. The Cleveland Indians' started...

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Catching depth displayed on Nationals' instructional league roster

September 13, 2011, 3:48pm

Nationals

The Nationals instructional league begins in late September and the coaching staff will get a chance to teach and mold top catching talent within the organization. Three of the players on this year's instructional roster finished the season with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns: David Freitas, Cole Leonida and Adrian Nieto. Freitas hit .288 with 13 homers, 73 RBIs in 123 games. Georgia Tech product Leonida battled through injuries to play 39 games with two homers and 16 RBIs. Instructional will...

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Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

September 12, 2011, 7:23am

Nationals

Sept. 16-18 Social Media Weekend will give Nats fans a chance to win

This season, MASNsports.com has seen tremendous growth, thanks in large part to its ability to interact with fans through social media. With in-game alerts via text message, breaking news broadcast through the @masnNationals Twitter account and the MASN Nationals Facebook page, which has created a daily forum for fans to gather together to discuss and cheer for the Nationals, social media has become our best tool when it comes to delivering the latest information to you, the fans. So, as a...

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Nationals' instructional league roster: Pitchers

September 12, 2011, 10:30am

Nationals

The Nationals are preparing their prospects for the instructional league schedule, which will begin Sept. 23 at home in Viera, Fla., against Atlanta. Report date is Sept. 16 and the first workout is Sept. 17. Each day of the current road trip we will focus on the roster and today our focus is on the pitchers. Here is the list of the 24 pitchers expected on the roster: Name (Age) Position Gregori Baez (19) LHP A.J. Cole (19) RHS Paul Demny (22) RHS Brian Dupra (22) RHS Pedro...

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Potomac's season ends in Frederick with 3-2 loss

September 12, 2011, 5:35pm

Nationals

Potomac's season ends in Frederick with 3-2 loss

The Single-A Potomac Nationals fell at Frederick 3-2 on Monday night, ending their defense of the Mills Cup.

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Wild race brewing in AL, Strasburg loses some of his buzz

September 13, 2011, 4:26am

Nationals Orioles

Wild race brewing in AL, Strasburg loses some of his buzz

Perhaps there's going to be more drama that expected in baseball's final month - and the Orioles have a chance to determine the American League's wild card. It's likely, and not unexpected, that the American League West will be decided on the final three games when the Texas Rangers play the Los Angeles Angels. But, now, there's a possible wild card race brewing in the AL. Even though time is against them, the Tampa Bay Rays came to Baltimore Monday night trailing the Boston Red Sox by...

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Dave Nichols: Strasburg's shortened start the prudent course of action

September 12, 2011, 4:45am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Strasburg's shortened start the prudent course of action

Stephen Strasburg made his second big league start of the season for the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The big righty struggled a bit with his normally pinpoint control and saw a drop in velocity on most his pitches, but he gutted out a 57-pitch, three-inning start, giving up one earned run on three hits. He did not walk a batter for his second consecutive start and struck out four Houston Astros, three on his devastating changeup and one on a biting two-seam fastball. Manager Davey Johnson...

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Potomac rallies to extend series; Harrisburg eliminated

September 11, 2011, 12:11pm

Nationals

Potomac rallies to extend series; Harrisburg eliminated

The Single-A Potomac Nationals scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth frame to topple Frederick 6-1 in a must win Game 4 at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. The deciding game five at 7 p.m. Monday night in Frederick. Zach Walters, Destin Hood and Jose Lozada each had a pair of RBIs for Cameron Selik, who notches the win. Richmond dropped Harrisburg 2-1 to sweep the series 3-0. The Senators' lone run came on an Erik Komatsu double and then he scored on a Stephen King base hit. ...

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Jesus Flores building back strength and confidence in game follows

September 11, 2011, 9:15am

Nationals

Jesus Flores building back strength and confidence in game follows

The Nationals' catcher Jesus Flores has had a good homestand and has been able to hit the ball well to the outfield, especially the left field corner in his past few games. Flores has gone 5-for-8 with two doubles and an RBI during the Nationals' homestand against the Mets, Dodgers and Astros. Flores said his confidence is growing as he gets more playing time and gets farther away from the shoulder and labrum issues that sidelined him for close to two seasons. "I feel like I am having a...

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Nationals versus Astros lineup 9/11/11

September 11, 2011, 7:27am

Nationals

Here is the Nationals' lineup for the series finale with the Astros. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Desmond - SS Ankiel - CF Zimmerman - 3B Morse - LF Werth - RF Espinosa - 2B Marrero - 1B Ramos - C Strasburg - P Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

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Frederick Sends Potomac to brink of elimination

September 10, 2011, 6:09pm

Nationals

Frederick Sends Potomac to brink of elimination

The Single-A Potomac Nationals face elimination Sunday after falling 5-1 in Game 2 of their divisional series against the Frederick Keys Saturday night in Woodbridge, Va. The P-Nats managed just three hits against the Keys with Scott Copeland getting stronger as the game went on. Copeland retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced. Destin Hood crushed a solo home run for the P-Nats' lone tally. The Keys lead the best-of-five series two games to one. Evan Bronson lasted 4 2/3 innings,...

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Johnson says Espinosa might be "over trying" to get out of slump

September 10, 2011, 6:57pm

Nationals

Johnson says Espinosa might be "over trying" to get out of slump

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa went 0-for-4 Saturday in Washington's 9-3 setback to the Houston Astros, striking out his last three at-bats. He has gone 0-for-his-last-11 at the plate, and has struck out 11 of his last 15 at-bats. His average has dipped to .226 but that does not bother Nationals manager Davey Johnson, who said Espinosa is working harder than anyone he has seen to figure out what is going wrong in the batter's box. "Well, he is so driven," Johnson said. "He is...

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Lombardozzi relishes opportunity to play pair of infield positions

September 10, 2011, 3:02pm

Nationals

Lombardozzi relishes opportunity to play pair of infield positions

Nationals infielder Steve Lombardozzi has been able to play shortstop and second base in his first three games in the big leagues and doesn't mind being moved around. "It has been awesome," Lombardozzi said. "I was glad I got a chance to play short. I am getting comfortable at both positions. The more positions I get to play, the better for me. I am happy to do whatever it takes." Lombardozzi says he has been playing on the right side of the infield for most of his career, but he is...

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Potomac goes for series lead at home tonight against Frederick

September 10, 2011, 2:23pm

Nationals

Potomac goes for series lead at home tonight against Frederick

The Single-A Potomac Nationals shutout the Frederick Keys 8-0 to even their best-of-five series at one. Brian Peacock and Francisco Soriano smacked home runs while Eury Perez went 3-for-4 with a double and four runs scored. Left-hander Sammy Solis went 4 2/3 innings, scattering five hits, allowing no runs with one walk and seven strikeouts. Neil Holland, Joe Testa and Cameron Selik shut down the Keys from that point to preserve the win. Game Three tonight a Pfitzner Stadium features Evan...

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Lombardozzi, Peacock earn minor league honors from Nationals

September 10, 2011, 10:57am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today named infielder Steve Lombardozzi Minor League Player of the Year and right-hander Brad Peacock Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the 2011 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone, Director of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Minor League Operations Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement. Lombardozzi batted...