nationals

Dave Nichols: New era for Nationals baseball?

June 26, 2011, 8:36pm

The Washington Nationals have won 13 of their last 15 games. That's pretty heady stuff. When play ended Sunday, the Nats owned a 40-38 record, a mere 3 1/2 games out of the Wild Card. This run that they're on right now can only be described with one word: ridiculous. On this streak, the Nats have won close games and blowouts. They've pitched over their heads and picked up the bullpen on the few occasions they've faltered. The Nats blew three saves in Friday's game alone and still won. In...

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Lombardozzi continues in groove following promotion to Triple-A

June 24, 2011, 8:06pm

Nationals

Lombardozzi continues in groove following promotion to Triple-A

Nationals prospect Steve Lombardozzi has been promoted to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs after being with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators since the beginning of the season. In 65 games with the Senators, Lombardozzi batted .309 with 12 doubles, seven triples, four homers, 23 RBIs and16 stolen bases. In his first four games with the Chiefs, Lombardozzi has hit 7-for-18 (.389) with two doubles, one RBI and four runs scored. The 22-year old from Fulton, Md., is playing second base, but has...

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Do the Nationals need a team president?

June 24, 2011, 7:07am

Nationals

After witnessing the end of Jim Riggleman's tenure as manager of the Washington Nationals, it is interesting to wonder what difference a Stan Kasten-like leader would have made during the last few months. Kasten resigned as team president at the end of the 2010 season. His leadership and experience guided the Nationals, for better or for worse, through some rough waters as they wrestled control of the franchise back from Major League Baseball and rebuilt a decimated farm system. Mike Rizzo...

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Drew Kinback: Selfish Riggleman played chicken, lost in a walk-off

June 24, 2011, 4:45am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Selfish Riggleman played chicken, lost in a walk-off

I really don't want to write about Jim Riggleman. First, he doesn't deserve it, considering his actions yesterday; resigning only moments after the Nationals organization hit a peak after sweeping the Seattle Mariners and moving over .500. Second, he ruined my Thursday night because as a Nationals blogger I tend to have to keep on top of these sorts of news stories and it kept me from spending time with my daughter and eating out at Wayside Chicken. I love Wayside Chicken. However, I...

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Knorr says he hasn't been contacted for Nats' skipper post

June 23, 2011, 2:39pm

Nationals

Knorr says he hasn't been contacted for Nats' skipper post

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs manager Randy Knorr told MASNsports.com that he has not been contacted about the position vacated when Nationals manager Jim Riggleman resigned after Thursday's victory over Seattle. The Nationals are very high on Knorr as a manager within their system. He has moved up from Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg and now to the Chiefs in the past three seasons. It is his sixth season as manager in the Washington organization. Knorr was the Nationals' bullpen coach...

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Riggleman's agent: Rizzo would not discuss extension

June 23, 2011, 2:23pm

Nationals

Riggleman's agent: Rizzo would not discuss extension

In a stunning end to the Washington Nationals' best homestand this season, Jim Riggleman announced his resignation as manager following Thursday's victory over the Seattle Mariners. Riggleman's agent, Burton Rocks, said his client had wanted to talk for some time with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo about a contract extension, but never was granted a meeting. "What set (Riggleman) off was all he wanted was a personal meeting with Rizzo to talk about the contract," Rocks said....

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Drew Kinback: Reeling from Rizzo's rope-a-dope

June 23, 2011, 4:39am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Reeling from Rizzo's rope-a-dope

The greatest sporting event I never witnessed took place on Oct. 30, 1974 in the Mai 20 Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire. It was a title bout for the boxing heavyweight championship of the world. It pitted champion George Foreman against challenger Muhammad Ali. Labeled "The Rumble In The Jungle," the match went on to become one of the most legendary sporting events in history - and I missed it. Foreman was the supposed favorite. He was bigger and younger than Ali and from what they say,...

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Auburn catcher Nieto off to hot start

June 22, 2011, 7:25pm

Nationals

Something has clicked for short season Single-A Auburn Doubledays catcher Adrian Nieto in the first week of the 2011 new season. The 21-year old Cuban backstop struggled last season for Single-A Hagerstown Suns, batting .195 with 44 strikeouts in 60 games. But Nieto came out of the blocks swinging a hot bat this campaign, grabbing attention in the Doubledays' first game last Friday. Nieto went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. He went 0-for-2 in his second game but has gone 5-for-12 the...

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Kimball shut down; Ankiel may go to Florida to rehab

June 22, 2011, 1:16pm

Nationals

Kimball shut down; Ankiel may go to Florida to rehab

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman updated the status of reliever Cole Kimball. Kimball is still feeling pain in his shoulder after throwing light sessions over the weekend. The medical staff has decided to shut him down for two weeks. Kimball has been on the disabled list since June 10 and had been making fairly good progress. "He is not feeling as good as he should be at this point," said Riggleman. Outfielder Rick Ankiel will not go with the team on their road trip to Chicago this...

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Free tickets!

June 22, 2011, 11:50am

Nationals

Don't worry, Nationals fans. I wouldn't create such a tantalizing headline without actually meaning it. Thanks to Venga, the mobile application that gives subscribers the scoop on what's happening at bars, restaurants and nightlife venues around you, fans will have a chance to win tickets to the Nationals' doubleheader against Pittsburgh on July 2. Claiming the tickets couldn't be easier. Simply follow Venga on Twitter (@GoVenga) and tweet that you want to go to the game. It's that...

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The impact of young Nationals learning how to win

June 22, 2011, 7:49am

Nationals

The Nationals' young catcher Wilson Ramos made a coming-of-age play Tuesday with his dramatic three-run walk-off home run to stun the Seattle Mariners, 6-5. It is one of those hits that can make players and fans believe the Nationals can win any game at any time. The fact that it was the 23-year old Ramos who hit the homer shows that the Nationals' younger players are learning how to win games when given the opportunity. Last Thursday, 24-year old second baseman Danny Espinosa came to the...

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Riggleman updates the progress of Kimball, Gaudin and Wang

June 21, 2011, 1:13pm

Nationals

Riggleman updates the progress of Kimball, Gaudin and Wang

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman updated the status of a few pitchers before Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Reliever Cole Kimball told me over the weekend his shoulder is pain free after a couple of throwing sessions from 60 feet. He was scheduled to throw from 90 feet Sunday. Riggleman said Kimball is throwing a little bit and the reports his arm feels great. "His nature is very positive," Riggleman said. "He said he felt great before he went on the DL. He is just a...

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Morse team's MVP for the first 70 games

June 20, 2011, 7:42pm

Nationals

There is really no underestimating how crucial Michael Morse has been to the Nationals' surge the last few weeks. It is not farfetched to say that Morse has been the offensive Most Valuable Player for the first 70 games of the season. Not only has Morse's bat been the biggest in the lineup, but his play at first base has really solved two problems for the price of one. His defense has kept the team in ballgames and his bat has won them. When Adam LaRoche started nursing his shoulder injury,...

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P-Nats lefty Rosenbaum fine-tuning fastball to start second half

June 21, 2011, 4:10pm

Nationals

P-Nats lefty Rosenbaum fine-tuning fastball to start second half

Single-A Potomac Nationals left-handed pitcher Danny Rosenbaum concluded the first half of the season as the team leader in innings pitched (85) and continues to keep the opponents off the board with a 2.65 ERA and 62 strikeouts. But the team is working on fine-tuning his fastball as they embark on the second half of the season. Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said the former Xavier Musketeer needs to hit his spots with his best pitch. The coaching staff would love to get the...

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Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball

June 21, 2011, 3:53pm

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball

I've actually sat at my computer for the past two hours looking at a blank screen trying to figure out how to exactly put into words at how absolutely heartbroken I am to hear that former Nationals closer

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Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL

June 21, 2011, 1:07pm

Nationals

Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny from the 15-day disabled list and placed outfielder Rick Ankiel (left intercostal strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 15. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny missed the last 24 games after being placed on the DL on May 27, retroactive to May 24, with left elbow inflammation. The...

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Nationals agree to terms with 18 players from '11 Draft

June 21, 2011, 10:57am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 18 players selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft: third baseman Matt Skole (fifth round), right-handed pitcher Brian Dupra (7th round), right-handed pitcher Manny Rodriguez (10th round), outfielder Caleb Ramsey (11th round), left-handed pitcher Blake Monar (12th round), shortstop Deion Williams (16th round), left-handed pitcher Todd Simko (21st round), right-handed pitcher Travis Henke (22nd round), second baseman Khayyan Norfork (23rd...

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Harper out of home run derby, will start All-Star Game

June 20, 2011, 11:50am

Nationals

Harper out of home run derby, will start All-Star Game

Bryan Holland, Director of Communications for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, told MASNsports.com that Nationals top prospect

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Drew Kinback: Recipe for Nationals victory waffles

June 20, 2011, 6:11pm

Nationals

It has been a good week in NatsTown. The Nationals pulled off an eight-game win streak, have pulled themselves into third place in the National League East, put themselves within striking distance of .500 and somehow got their name in talks for the Wild Card. They also put the hurting on an NL Central powerhouse in the Cardinals and won Round 2 of the Battle of the Beltways against the Baltimore Orioles. Going 8-1 in the past nine games - not too shabby. If your senses are up to par, take a...

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A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis

June 20, 2011, 6:03am

Nationals Orioles

A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis

With the Basic Agreement expiring at the end of the season, players and team owners are thinking about realignment. The reason this is being discussed is that both sides want more equity within division races. The thought is that it is unfair for six teams in the National League Central to compete for a title while the American League West has four teams. Realignment ideas range from blowing up both leagues as we know them and creating new divisions to moving one NL team to the AL. For...