nationals

Morse and Lannan lift Nats out of losing skid

May 27, 2011, 7:45pm

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.

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Drew Kinback: Werth's words recall weirdness and freakouts

May 27, 2011, 5:18am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Werth's words recall weirdness and freakouts

Let's not kid ourselves. Jayson Werth freaked out. After getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, the Washington Nationals' right fielder delivered a bizarre and cryptic postgame interview where he said: "I've got some ideas, obviously, and some thoughts, none I really want to share with the world. But I think it's pretty obvious what's going on right here. ... I'm not going to get into it right now. It is what it is. It's unfortunate. We're a way better...

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Solis has reported to Hagerstown

May 26, 2011, 8:47am

Nationals

Nationals No. 2 prospect, Sammy Solis, has reported to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Solis has been in extended spring training recovering from various injuries. The 22-year-old lefty will make his first start Monday. He is not on the official roster yet. The Nationals have some time before Solis' Monday start to make that change.

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Marrero turning heads with solid defense in Syracuse

May 26, 2011, 7:38am

Nationals

Marrero turning heads with solid defense in Syracuse

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was sent to the disabled list this week with a shoulder injury, so the discussion regarding the future for the Nationals at that position is in the spotlight. That attention centers around the development of 22-year-old Chris Marrero. The 6-foot-3, 210 lb., Marrero has once again been handling the bat very well for Triple-A Syracuse, batting .275 with eight doubles, four homers and 19 RBIs in almost two months of play. The last 10 games, he has hit .350...

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Drew Kinback: For starters, a Tao on the Nationals' rotation

May 25, 2011, 5:40pm

Nationals

After the Nationals got absolutely brutalized in Milwaukee, it was hard to sit down and write something about them. I mean, they savaged themselves. One game they got blown out, the other two were like they were trying to end it all by leaping up on a moose head attached to the wall to try and impale themselves on its horns. Comedic and pathetic. The feelings of anger and disgust were over whelming so I took some time and meditated in the Zen Room (all Nats blogs are equipped with one). If I...

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With De La Rosa gone, could deal for Marquis with Rockies be possible?

May 25, 2011, 7:47am

Nationals

With De La Rosa gone, could deal for Marquis with Rockies be possible?

The Colorado Rockies lost left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a torn ligament in his elbow Tuesday. He will have to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and will be out for at least one year. With starting pitcher Jason Marquis having a very consistent start for the Nationals this season, his stock will not be any higher at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Washington could be able to cash in if they want to go after some solid leadoff prospects in the Colorado farm system. The...

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Comparing the AL East and NL East as we head in to interleague play

May 20, 2011, 12:36pm

Nationals Orioles

Comparing the AL East and NL East as we head in to interleague play

With interleague play here, there's no argument than the National and American League East divisions are the best of baseball's six. But, which of those divisions are the best? Generally, the NL East has more pitching, the AL East more offense, partly because of the DH. But, here's a position-by-position comparison: Rotation: The Phillies' Roy Halladay, the Marlins' Josh Johnson and the Braves' Tim Hudson are more dominant in the top three slots for the NL East than the Rays' David...

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Drew Kinback: Gut says it's time for Nats to give Marrero a shot

May 25, 2011, 5:28am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Gut says it's time for Nats to give Marrero a shot

I sometimes have people come up to me and ask what I am going to do when this all ends. What happens when the blog and the revolution are all over? I tell them the truth: I will retire and disappear into the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I will live near one of the Great Lakes and simply watch the large freighter ships go by and record all their names, dates and times that I see them in a notebook while listening to Gordon Lightfoot all day. This is "it" for me. This...

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Destin Hood "excited" to gain Batter of Week honor in Carolina League

May 23, 2011, 9:21am

Nationals

Destin Hood "excited" to gain Batter of Week honor in Carolina League

The Potomac Nationals' offense is starting to get on a roll, and evidence of that came down this week with outfielder Destin Hood being honored as Batter of the Week in the Single-A Carolina League for the period of May 16-22. In the last seven games, Hood hit .448 (13-for-29) with nine extra-base hits (seven doubles, triple, home run) and 10 RBI. Hood connected on five straight multi-hit games and in three of the games, he had at least three hits. During the stretch, Hood had an amazing...

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Ankiel activated from DL, Marrero remains in Syracuse

May 24, 2011, 11:15am

Nationals

Ankiel activated from DL, Marrero remains in Syracuse

Outfielder Rick Ankiel has been activated from the disabled list. He fills the vacancy created when first baseman Adam LaRoche was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday by the Nationals with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. There had been some speculation about first baseman Chris Marrero, one of the up-and-coming infielders in the Nationals' system, potentially getting the call. Jason Benetti, play-by-play announcer for the Chiefs, said that manager Randy Knorr feels Marrero is...

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Nats reinstate Ankiel from 15-day disabled list

May 24, 2011, 11:59am

Nationals

Nats reinstate Ankiel from 15-day disabled list

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated outfielder Rick Ankiel from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel missed the last 19 games, after being placed on the Disabled list on May 6, retroactive to May 3, with a sore right wrist. The 31-year-old has a .302 on-base percentage with four doubles, one home run, seven RBI and 12 walks in 28 games with the Nationals....

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Drew Kinback: My letter to Ryan Zimmerman

May 24, 2011, 4:33am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: My letter to Ryan Zimmerman

Dear Ryan, I can't tell you how excited NatsTown and myself are at recently hearing the news you are on your way back to Viera, Fla., to take your rehab to "high gear with more baseball specific activities." You posted that on your Facebook page. I know. I liked you. Top-notch, old chum, top-notch! Florida is beautiful this time of year and having spent some time in The Sunshine State myself, I'm envious. I recommend the Shamrock & Thistle Irish bar in Titusville for drunken revelry and...

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Updates on Nationals prospects in Florida from your comments

May 23, 2011, 12:08pm

Nationals

Here are some updates from Nationals director of player development Doug Harris on a few of the players you have asked for in the comments section. RHP Russell Moldenhauer, who was named to the 2009 College World Series all-tournament team with the Texas Longhorns: "Moldenhauer has had some physical things that he has dealt with," Harris said. "(Moldy) is kind of a Matt Stairs type. He is a dangerous guy but we really have to grind his defense. He didn't defend in college. He was a...

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Ankiel joins Harrisburg on rehab assignment

May 23, 2011, 10:44am

Nationals

Ankiel joins Harrisburg on rehab assignment

Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel has joined Double-A Harrisburg Senators on a rehab assignment. Ankiel has been in Viera, Fla., rehabbing a sprained right wrist taking live batting practice. He was placed on the disabled list May 7, retroactive to May 3, and was batting .221 with one homer and seven RBIs in 28 games.

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Nationals place 1B Adam LaRoche on Disabled List

May 23, 2011, 2:03pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today placed first baseman Adam LaRoche (torn labrum, left shoulder) on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 22. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. LaRoche is batting .172 with four doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI in 43 games this season. The 31-year-old leads the Nationals with 25 walks. LaRoche is playing flawless defense (no errors/412 total chances) this season at first base...

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Drew Kinback: Rizzo still waiting for flawed creation to take life

May 23, 2011, 5:37am

Nationals

Drew Kinback: Rizzo still waiting for flawed creation to take life

I got to be honest with you: There are some nights I lay around my blogging cave believing that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is a real life Baron Victor von Frankenstein. Wouldn't it make sense? I can perfectly visualize a dark and stormy night sometime in late 2010 at Nationals Park. The field is covered, not a soul in sight and there is only one light on in the whole park coming from Rizzo's office. Inside the dusty, cobwebbed foundry sits Rizzo - tired but ravenous, what is left...