nationals

Kennedy helps Desmond excel in #2 spot

August 30, 2010, 11:46am

Second baseman Adam Kennedy has played well in the last month in a variety of responsibilities. He has been a defensive stopper at second, a rally starter leading off the ballgame, the clutch hitter with a big run-scoring double and maybe, more importantly, a teacher and mentor to young shortstop Ian Desmond. Kennedy said he told Desmond he is in a good position with this team in more ways than one, especially with a chance to bat second in the lineup on a consistent basis. "It is a huge...

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Detwiler headed to Syracuse

August 29, 2010, 8:13am

Nationals

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler is headed back to Syracuse for a rehab start. Detwiler had a solid outing yesterday in Frederick for the Potomac Nationals in their 6-4 victory, going three innings, allowing two hits, one run on the solo shot and four strikeouts. Detwiler likely will start on Thursday as the Chiefs host Rochester. He said his hip "feels good, a lot better than expected, and I am able to push a little further now" after last night's road start. "My sinker was...

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Riggleman: Morgan's play at plate "totally inexcusable"

August 29, 2010, 8:40am

Nationals

Riggleman: Morgan's play at plate "totally inexcusable"

Manager Jim Riggleman took outfielder Nyjer Morgan out of Sunday's lineup against the Cardinals for going after catcher Bryan Anderson at home plate during Saturday's 14-5 romp over St. Louis. Riggleman said it was manager's decision to keep Morgan out of the lineup today and felt that Morgan's anger got the best of him last night. He said Morgan was upset all day Saturday because he was placed eighth in the batting order. "I think it was a culmination of Nyjer's anger brewing for...

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Detwiler "looked very good" in second rehab start for Potomac

August 28, 2010, 6:42pm

Nationals

Detwiler "looked very good" in second rehab start for Potomac

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler had a solid rehab start for Potomac Saturday, which came back to beat Frederick with three runs in the ninth inning, 6-4 at Harry Grove Stadium. Detwiler yielded two hits, one a solo shot by Ronnie Welty, but struck out four batters over the three frames. The P-Nats now have a game and half lead in the Northern Division with 10 games to play. Mr. Everything Tyler Moore did it again, smacking a clutch RBI double to tie the game in the ninth inning. ...

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Desmond fighting to stay at top of lineup

August 27, 2010, 7:19pm

Nationals

Desmond fighting to stay at top of lineup

Shortstop Ian Desmond hit second in the lineup again for the Nationals Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, a spot that he has relished since his first days in D.C. Desmond went 3-for-5 with a double, a bunt single and a run scored. He recorded all three outs on defense in the eighth and started a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Albert Pujols in the third. He had a run scored or an RBI in the Nats last at bat for the second straight game, but this night the rally fell short in a 4-2 loss...

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Moore surpasses home run record

August 27, 2010, 7:37pm

Nationals

With his 29th blast this season, Potomac Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore broke the franchise record for homers in a season, set by Hensley Meulens and Nate Dishington, in an 11-4 rout at Frederick Friday from Harry Grove Stadium. With the victory, the P-Nats maintain a hold on first place in the Carolina League's Northern division. Moore now has 104 RBI, which is nine shy of Tyler Farnsworth's franchise record of 113 RBI in 2000 when he won the team's only Player of the Year honors in...

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Callis says Strasburg could come back stronger

August 27, 2010, 12:01pm

Nationals

Callis says Strasburg could come back stronger

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next week and a timetable will be set for his rehab and eventual return to the mound at Nats Park. Unfortunately, this injury is more common than not with major league baseball pitchers of today. Jim Callis, executive editor for Baseball America, says while it is a disappointment that Strasburg got hurt, he could return stronger than before. "If I had to bet whether a pitcher would be fine or get hurt during his...

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Menhart talks to his experience with Tommy John Surgery

August 27, 2010, 4:50pm

Nationals

Menhart talks to his experience with Tommy John Surgery

When he first found out he was in disbelief. He thought his career might be over. He broke down and cried. Just the unknown of it all. Tommy John surgery. This was December of 1993. He was back and ready to pitch in August of 1994, but the strike ended that opportunity. By April of 1995 he had made the Toronto Blue Jays out of spring training. Former major leaguer Paul Menhart, currently the pitching coach for the Potomac Nationals, played parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays,...

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For Bryce, father knows best

August 26, 2010, 5:39pm

Nationals

The Nationals No. 1 overall selection Bryce Harper was introduced for the first time at Nats Park to the media, 10 days after he agreed to a nearly 10 million dollar deal to sign with the Nats. Flanked by his family, Harper talked about his dreams of becoming a Major Leaguer. After hitting 12 homers during early batting practice, Harper was asked where he learned his swing. Harper credited his hitting mechanics to his dad, Ron Harper. "My dad, he has been huge in everything I have done. He...

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Detwiler set for rehab start Saturday for Potomac

August 25, 2010, 2:36pm

Nationals

Detwiler set for rehab start Saturday for Potomac

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler threw a bullpen session at Nats Park Wednesday to positive results as he recovers from a sore hip. The Potomac Nationals report Detwiler will have a rehab start Saturday at Frederick. He expects to pitch three innings. Detwiler threw 30 to 35 pitches and said, "the bullpen was good. I worked on a few mechanical things that we think led to the discomfort in my hip. Things are actually going a lot better than a week ago. "I started out with fastball a...

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Riggleman says Dunn adamant, doesn't need a day off

August 25, 2010, 7:16pm

Nationals

Riggleman says Dunn adamant, doesn't need a day off

The Nationals have lost four straight and seven of their last nine games. During most of this streak, first baseman Adam Dunn has had a cold spell at the plate. Since hitting two homers against the Dodgers August 6, Dunn has gone 7-for-58 (.121), including 0-4 Wednesday with three strikeouts. His last at bat was the most promising, however, when he cranked a deep shot that was caught in right field off of Carlos Marmol to end the game. Manager Jim Riggleman said he spoke with Dunn...

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Bernadina ready for the call in the outfield

August 26, 2010, 9:19pm

Nationals

Bernadina ready for the call in the outfield

When Roger Bernadina first smacked the Ryan Franklin offering, it looked like a sure line drive double off the wall. But this shot was hit with such force it cleared the right field wall and saved the Nationals from defeat. Bernadina's ninth career homer was a two-run gem that Nats fans will remember for a long time. The laser to right lifted the Nats out of what looked like their fifth straight loss and gave them another chance at beating the St. Louis Cardinals. Suddenly, the Nats...

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Marquis ready to repeat good start

August 25, 2010, 10:06am

Nationals

Nationals right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis (0-6, 11.39) takes the hill tonight as the Nats look to salvage their final game of the season against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.56) at Nats Park. Marquis says his start against Philadelphia felt more like he wanted for the past month. "Day by day and game by game I am starting to feel a lot better with my delivery and my mechanics. I am starting to get a lot more confidence in everything. "It is about getting...

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Nats rally a hopeful signal that offense will ignite

August 24, 2010, 7:27pm

Nationals

Nats rally a hopeful signal that offense will ignite

The Cubs edged the Nationals 5-4 Tuesday at Nats Park, but not before some final inning dramatics got the home team back in the game and hopefully signaled a turn for the better for a struggling offense. Down 5-1 and with two outs, Adam Kennedy laced a three-run double off of closer Carlos Marmol and Ryan Zimmerman battled through a long at bat before flying out to deep right to end the game. Although the Nats did not win the game, it was a vast improvement from the way the team felt after...

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Detwiler back in D.C. to continue rehab on hip

August 24, 2010, 2:23pm

Nationals

Detwiler back in D.C. to continue rehab on hip

Nationals left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler has arrived back in D.C. after spending five days in Viera, Florida, at the team's training facility as he continues to rehab from his hip injury. Detwiler was on a throwing program every day while in Florida. He got into one game situation and threw against both left-handed and right-handed hitters when the team was on the road. He threw all of his pitches and had no problems. "The hip is a little sore, but that is to be expected after...

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Lannan: "Everything is falling into place"

August 24, 2010, 10:26am

Nationals

Lannan: "Everything is falling into place"

The Nationals hand the ball to Opening Day starter John Lannan tonight against the Chicago Cubs. Lannan has battled back from a strained flexor tendon himself and is enjoying the best streak of his career, having won his last three starts without allowing more than two runs in each of those games. "I am just rolling with it right now," Lannan said. "I am feeling pretty confident out there. Everything is falling into place after I started a little weak. Defense is playing well...

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Nothing pretty in this loss

August 23, 2010, 8:11pm

Nationals

This was definitely a rough Monday for the Nats. Fresh off a 2-4 road trip against the best in the East, the Nats returned home to find out Stephen Strasburg will have to be placed on the disabled list again and then the Cubs crushed the Nats 9-1. Nats have scored two or less runs in eight of their last 13 games and have only one run on the board since Saturday. Manager Jim Riggleman was not pleased following Monday's loss. The Cubs pounded out 15 hits in handing Livan Hernandez his...

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Zimmermann to start Thursday for Nats

August 23, 2010, 5:27pm

Nationals

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will be called up from Syracuse in time to start Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Zimmermann will take Stephen Strasburg's place in rotation when Strasburg is placed on the disabled list. It will be Zimmermann's first start for the Nats in over a year after recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Zimmermann made 16 starts last season for the Nats, going 3-5 with a 4.63 ERA. Zimmermann has gone 1-0 with a 0.53 ERA in four...

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Lannan dealt with similar injury as Strasburg

August 23, 2010, 3:58pm

Nationals

Lannan dealt with similar injury as Strasburg

Nationals left-handed pitcher John Lannan suffered a strained flexor tendon in his pitching arm earlier this year, which completely affected his pitching and played a major role in his demotion to Harrisburg. General manager Mike Rizzo announced Monday that Stephen Strasburg will go on the disabled list due to a strained flexor tendon in his right arm, an injury that is similar to what Lannan endured. Lannan got the rest and rehab he needed for his arm and made his way back to the Nats. ...

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Moore Player of the Week honors

August 23, 2010, 7:32am

Nationals

You can hear the cow bells from here. The pride of the Bulldogs continues to crush the ball in Woodbridge. Potomac Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore is rewriting record books at Pfitzner and the league takes notice...again. For the fourth time this season, the Mississippi State product has won the Player of the Week Award in the Carolina League. That's four times in the last six weeks he has controlled the honor. Moore has been beyond en fuego since July 15, hitting 18 homers and 55...