nationals

Rachel Levitin: Creating a sense of baseball community

July 04, 2011, 5:28am

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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),...

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Gorzelanny's seven innings finally pays off for Nationals

July 01, 2011, 7:26pm

Nationals

This game could have very easily gotten away from starter Tom Gorzelanny. But Gorzelanny beared down when it mattered most, notching eight strikeouts, most of them in the game's deciding moments. Because of his seven innings and only one unearned run allowed, the Nationals were in the game they eventually won in the bottom of the ninth, 2-1, over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The best chance the Pirates had of a big inning occurred in the third when mistakes by Gorzelanny and...

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Johnson sees where the Nationals can improve

July 01, 2011, 12:20pm

Nationals

The Nationals' new field manager Davey Johnson conducted his first pregame news conference at Nationals Park Friday before their homestand opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnson officially replaced Jim Riggleman Monday in Los Angeles. Riggleman resigned eight days ago following a 2-1 home series finale over the Seattle Mariners. Johnson said he sees a lot of good things from the way the team is set up right now but also where he would like to adjust the roster. "I love the ball...

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LaRoche says shoulder "feels really good" as post-surgery rehab commences

July 01, 2011, 3:14pm

Nationals

LaRoche says shoulder "feels really good" as post-surgery rehab commences

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche had shoulder surgery 10 days ago and reports the rehab process is off to a positive start, and that the shoulder is surprisingly mobile. "It feels really good, actually," LaRoche reported with a protective cast and sling around his left arm. LaRoche even took off the sling at one point to sign a baseball and then put the velcro protective sling back on. "I thought it would be a lot longer with not being able to move it much. We started rehabbing it...

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Dominican players starting to fortify GCL and Auburn rosters

June 30, 2011, 9:36pm

Nationals

Dominican players starting to fortify GCL and Auburn rosters

The Gulf Coast League Nationals roster includes several draft picks from this season's first-year haul. But Nationals director of player development Doug Harris is particularly excited about how the franchise's baseball academy in the Dominican Republic is now graduating several players to the GCL Nationals and the New York-Penn League Auburn Doubledays. Harris said the GCL squad has a couple of Dominican players that have really caught his eye. "The exciting part here is we have three...

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Doubledays manager: Fifth-round pick Skole "impressive" so far

July 01, 2011, 9:42am

Nationals

Doubledays manager: Fifth-round pick Skole "impressive" so far

There is something about Atlantic Coast Conference third basemen and the Nationals. The team grabbed a guy by the name of Ryan Zimmerman from Virginia in 2005 and now have signed

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Hairston placed on DL, Ankiel activated

July 01, 2011, 12:03pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated outfielder Rick Ankiel from the 15-day disabled list and placed infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. (right wrist fracture) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 30. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel missed the last 14 games after being placed on the DL on June 19, retroactive to June 15, with a left intercostal strain. The...

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Dave Nichols: Zimmerman speaks from the heart at "Night in the Park"

June 30, 2011, 6:24pm

Nationals

Dave Nichols: Zimmerman speaks from the heart at "Night in the Park"

In his sixth full season with the Washington Nationals, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has become the face of the franchise. He has garnered many accolades, including being selected as an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove. A mild-mannered guy, ZImmerman usually leads not with words but with his actions and work ethic on the field. Last night, for the second consecutive year, Zimmerman spoke from the heart during "A Night at the Park," a benefit hosted by his ziMS Foundation, which funds...

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Is Harper's thumb preventing him from moving to his next assignment?

June 30, 2011, 7:04am

Nationals

Is Harper's thumb preventing him from moving to his next assignment?

Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder and No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper returned to the lineup Wednesday, after missing three games due to a sore thumb injury. Overall, Harper has sat out seven games and the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game because of the thumb problem. Last week, Nationals Director of Player Development Doug Harris reported that Harper is doing well in his recovery from the setback. "It is not really a thumb thing," Harris said. "It is the fatty tissue in between his index...

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First-year prospect Manny Rodriguez and others grab attention early in Florida

June 28, 2011, 11:12am

Nationals

First-year prospect Manny Rodriguez and others grab attention early in Florida

The Nationals are continuing to assemble and coordinate their rosters between Florida and Auburn (and I don't mean the Gators and the Tigers for you southeastern conference fans, although the Florida Gators obviously have some guys to watch in the College World Series). There are several players that have jumped out with their talent in the first few weeks of workouts from the Nationals training facility in Florida and Gulf Coast League competition. Also, a few of the guys are on the roster...

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Five Senators invited to Eastern League All-Star Game

June 29, 2011, 9:10pm

Nationals

Five Senators invited to Eastern League All-Star Game

Five members of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators have been named to the Western Division All-Star team for the Eastern League All-Star Game coming up in two weeks. Outfielder Archie Gilbert and Bill Rhinehart, infielder Tyler Moore and right-handers Brad Peacock and Erik Arnesen were honored with invitations to play in the July 13 Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star contest, hosted by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Peacock had another tremendous outing Wednesday, picking up the victory in 5...