Nationals hold off Marlins 3-2 in thrilling 10th frame

Nationals hold off Marlins 3-2 in thrilling 10th frame
The Washington Nationals got out of a two men on, nobody out situation in the 10th inning to survive the Marlins, 3-2 in a thrilling extra-inning affair at Sun Life Stadium, snapping their losing streak at three. The Nationals are now 4-1 in extra innings this season. The game was tied 2-2 from the sixth inning on. With one out in the 10th, Jayson Werth walked against Michael Dunn (2-2) and then Laynce Nix slapped a double to get Werth to third base. Adam LaRoche, who has struggled early on...

Rewind replay push and keep human drama in play

Rewind replay push and keep human drama in play
Maybe somebody could explain to me why proponents think it is a good idea to have more instant replay in baseball. Baseball already has replay for close calls on home runs and is thinking of adding replay to help umpires with trapped balls. Too much replay puts the sport on a slippery slope toward technological umpiring. Even after last season, when umpire Jim Joyce cost pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game in Detroit on a blown call at first base, I couldn't agree with those who think...

Nationals recall OF Roger Bernadina

Nationals recall OF Roger Bernadina
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 batted .270 with four doubles, one home run, two RBI and seven walks in 18 games with the Chiefs. The 26-year-old is tied for fifth in the International League with eight stolen bases. Bernadina is a career .243 hitter with 21 doubles, four triples, 11...

Prospects Cole and Ray promoted to Single-A Hagerstown

Prospects Cole and Ray promoted to Single-A Hagerstown
Nationals high draft picks A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray have been promoted to the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Cole starts Saturday and replaces Cameron Selik who was promoted to high Single-A Potomac. "They are both throwing very well in extended (spring training)," Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams said. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to pitch under the lights." Ray will start Monday for the Suns and replaces Taylor Jordan. Jordan is being placed on the seven-day...

Ankiel to DL with wrist sprain; Bernadina likely call-up

Ankiel to DL with wrist sprain; Bernadina likely call-up
Following Friday's game, the Nationals placed center fielder Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 3, with a right wrist sprain. Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs outfielder Roger Bernadina is likely to be recalled to take Ankiel's place on the roster. Ankiel has a .302 on-base percentage with four doubles, one home run, seven RBIs and 12 walks in 28 games with the Nationals. The 31-year-old leads the team with two outfield assists.

Ankiel placed on 15-day disabled list by Nationals

Ankiel placed on 15-day disabled list by Nationals
Following tonight's game, the Washington Nationals placed center fielder Rick Ankiel on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 3, with a right wrist sprain. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel has a .302 on-base percentage with four doubles, one home run, seven RBI and 12 walks in 28 games with the Nationals. The 31-year-old has played flawless defense in center field with a team-best two outfield...

Nationals upend Marlins 3-2 in extras

Nationals upend Marlins 3-2 in extras
Update: The game headed to extra innings, but it didn't take long for the Nationals to respond. With runners on second and third in the top of the 10th, Adam LaRoche hit a sacrifice fly to center field, good enough to score Jayson Werth from third. The run would be enough for Drew Storen and Sean Burnett, who took care of the Marlins in the bottom half of the inning. Nationals win, 3-2. The Nationals' Jerry Hairston Jr. is off to a good start against the Marlins Ricky Nolasco with a double,...

Nationals string two hits together for early lead at Fish

Nationals string two hits together for early lead at Fish
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco has five strikeouts through two innings but somehow the Nationals got something going in the second. After two outs, Pudge got a base hit. Jerry Hairston followed with a double that scored Pudge. Ian Desmond then struck out swinging to end the inning. Nolasco struck out the side and had five strikeouts through two frames. The Nationals led 1-0 heading to the third. Jordan ZImmermann has allowed a first inning single to former National Emilio Bonifacio, but...

Dave Nichols: The only game in town

Dave Nichols: The only game in town
The Caps were swept in four games by a division rival after another first-place season. Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams shockingly retired, while his best player last year declared for the NBA draft. The Wizards recently completed a thoroughly uninteresting season. The lockout and subsequent lawsuits put the NFL season in jeopardy. Even if they do play, the Redskins went 6-10 last season and might start with John Beck as the quarterback. It's enough to make a D.C. sports fan...

Dave Nichols: Is Jason Marquis a key to Nats' future success?

Dave Nichols: Is Jason Marquis a key to Nats' future success?
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis had a rough outing last night against the Philadelphia Phillies, getting knocked around in the fifth and sixth innings, leading to another loss against the bullies of the National League East. The loss drops the Nats' record for the season to 14-16 through 30 games. Two losses to start this 10-day, nine-game road trip, with the prospect of facing Roy Halladay tonight, is probably a bad omen if you believe in those things. But in the bigger...

Meyers rewarded with Triple-A promotion, plus other farm notes

Meyers rewarded with Triple-A promotion, plus other farm notes
The Washington Nationals continue to reward their outstanding young pitchers in the farm system. Yesterday, Cameron Selik was promoted to the advanced Single-A Potomac Nationals after an outstanding first month with low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. On Thursday, righthander Brad Meyers got the call to head to Triple-A Syracuse from Double-A Harrisburg. The club really loves Selik's competitiveness on the mound and his overall command of all four pitches. His first start for Potomac will be Friday...

Selik's dominance earns promotion to Potomac

Selik's dominance earns promotion to Potomac
The Washington Nationals have announced that right-handed starter Cameron Selik has been promoted to Single-A Potomac after an almost perfect month of April on the mound for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Selik is 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA in five starts. He allowed his first run of the season in his last start Saturday at the Rome Braves, which snapped an astounding 37.0 consecutive scoreless innings streak that dated back to 2010. Selik's 0.31 ERA is not only the best earned run average in the...

Prospect Perez set to return to Potomac lineup

Prospect Perez set to return to Potomac lineup
Single-A Potomac Nationals center fielder Eury Perez will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans after being placed on the disabled list with a rib injury. Perez played in only nine games this season before getting hurt. He is batting .222 with seven stolen bases in 36 at-bats. In his last game April 18, at Frederick, Perez went 3-for-4. He does a good job of patrolling center field and utilizes his quickness on the base paths. "Eury brings speed to the table,"...

Five-year anniversary of groundbreaking at Nationals Park

Five-year anniversary of groundbreaking at Nationals Park
Five years ago today, the Nationals broke ground on the new location for Nationals Park along the Anacostia River. WUSA Channel 9 is hosting a poll on its Web site asking residents if the $611 million price tag was worth it. The poll also links to these great photographs of the groundbreaking from JD Land. It's worth a look to see how different that part of southeast D.C. looks today. Also, here's a link to a video from the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dave Nichols: Werth returns for some brotherly love

Dave Nichols: Werth returns for some brotherly love
The Washington Nationals' $126 million man, Jayson Werth, returned to the place where he made his name Tuesday night: Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia. He was the center focus of the festivities all evening long in the Nationals' 4-1 loss to the Phillies, even though he had very little to do with the action on the field, as he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. He was received surprisingly warmly in his first at-bat, pausing to tip his batting helmet to acknowledge the appreciation...

Dave Nichols: Is Gorzelanny's strong start sustainable?

Dave Nichols: Is Gorzelanny's strong start sustainable?
In Monday night's 2-0 win over the defending world champion San Francisco Giants, starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny pitched a heck of a game, limiting the Giants to three hits over eight innings while striking out four. Most importantly for him, he didn't walk anyone, which has always been what has hindered him in his career and kept him from being a truly dependable starter in the league. After five starts for the Washington Nationals, Gorzelanny is 1-2 with a 2.93 ERA. Pretty impressive. I...

Hairston helped Morse before go-ahead hit

Hairston helped Morse before go-ahead hit
Sometimes you need a little encouragement from your teammate. Someone else who is going through the same battle you are, someone else who struggled like you did and then came through. Such was the scenario for Nationals teammates Michael Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr., Monday night as they took on San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Both Morse and Hairston had been unable to notch a hit off the talented young southpaw. In the fifth inning, Morse struck out looking and...

Bloxom to Potomac; King to Harrisburg

Bloxom to Potomac; King to Harrisburg
Single-A Potomac Nationals first baseman Justin Bloxom has been activated today and will start tonight in Woodbridge. Bloxom has been out since the beginning of the season with knee weakness related to a previous surgery. The 6-foot-1, 205 lb. first baseman hit .309 with 11 homers and 70 RBI in 2010 with the Hagerstown Suns. His season was cut short last year due to the knee injury. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals announced that infielder Stephen King has been promoted from Potomac to...

Over last 10 games, Harper dazzling with bat and glove

Over last 10 games, Harper dazzling with bat and glove
Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder Bryce Harper - perhaps you have heard of him - continues to scorch South Atlantic League pitching. His last 10 games have been ridiculous. Since April 21, Harper is hitting .500 (16-for-32) with six doubles, five homers and 13 RBIs. During this recent run, Harper's slugging percentage is 1.156 and his on-base percentage is .600. Overall, Harper is now batting .355 with eight doubles, six homers and 20 RBIs. Projected out to a 140-game minor league...

Military Appreciation Night launches 2011 Patriotic Series

Military Appreciation Night launches 2011 Patriotic Series
As part of tonight's Military Appreciation Night, the Washington Nationals are proud to offer free tickets to service members and their families to watch the team take on the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants beginning at 7:05 p.m. Military personnel with a valid military ID (active or retired) can receive up to four complimentary tickets to tonight's game, available for pick up at the Grand Staircase Box Office on First Street, SE beginning at 5:30 p.m. Those wishing to...