nationals

Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

June 29, 2010, 9:14am

Craig Stammen is back with the Nationals for tonight's matchup in game two at Turner Field against the first place Atlanta Braves. Stammen talked to me recently about the demotion in early June and what he has concentrated on to get back to the big leagues. "It wasn't like I was throwing the ball badly. I had really good stuff almost every time I went out. Just didn't execute and was overthrowing a little bit and not really trusting myself as much as I should. I can't really...

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Did Gonzo just buy some more PT?

June 29, 2010, 8:42pm

Nationals

Maybe it is time to give Gonzalez a few more games. Alberto Gonzalez went 4-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the first place Atlanta Braves and played a solid overall game to help the Nats snap a five-game skid. Gonzalez is a quality second baseman in the field. He works hard every day in batting practice and fielding drills and that translates to the field. With Ian Desmond struggling on defense, manager Jim Riggleman went with Cristian Guzman back at his familiar shortstop...

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Harris pinch at-bat key to Nats comeback

July 01, 2010, 7:31pm

Nationals

Harris pinch at-bat key to Nats comeback

Nationals utility man Willie Harris has not had that many chances to play after battling out of an 0-for-20 slump last Friday against the Orioles. He was a defensive replacement in just one game in Atlanta and came up Thursday against the Mets as a pinch hitter with one out in the ninth. Harris, who is a free agent at the end of the 2010, certainly has not played the role he did even last season for the Nats. His playing time has diminished to the point that he is currently on pace for...

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Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets

July 02, 2010, 3:19pm

Nationals

Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets

Nationals starter Craig Stammen is searching for two wins in a row today as he faces the New York Mets in the series finale on the Fourth of July at Nats Park. Stammen (2-2) had a tremendous return to the hill Tuesday in Atlanta, going 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, two walks and striking out four batters. He also allowed only three hits through his first seven innings. In reaching the eighth inning, it marked the longest outing for Stammen since April 19 against the...

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All eyes in San Diego watching Strasburg; Live on FOX 4:10pm

July 02, 2010, 4:04pm

Nationals

All eyes in San Diego watching Strasburg; Live on FOX 4:10pm

Just because Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has switched oceans, that does not prevent fans of his native San Diego from keeping up with the young pitching phenom. Today, Strasburg makes his sixth big league start, first time against the New York Mets, once again before a nationally televised audience. (Programming Note: The game has been selected to be televised by Fox, as part of Major League Baseball's national television agreement with Fox to televise a Saturday afternoon...

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Strasburg "threw the ball very well" in MiLB debut (with video)

April 11, 2010, 4:59pm

Nationals

Strasburg "threw the ball very well" in MiLB debut (with video)

Stephen Strasburg and the Nats could not have asked for a better test in his pro debut Sunday in Altoona, a 6-4 win at Blair County Ballpark before 7,887. Strasburg battled back in this game on the mound and at the plate. Down 4-0, Stephen didn't panic and kept his composure, pounded the strike zone thanks to Randy Tomlin's coaching and helped his own cause with a dramatic hit. Strasburg pitched 5 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. He retired eight...

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Mets, N.L. East not sleeping on Nats any more

April 13, 2010, 9:58am

Nationals

Mets, N.L. East not sleeping on Nats any more

I watched the play over and over. It was a play that won't count in the box score or the stat sheet but one that tells me things will be different this year for the Nationals. Josh Willingham versus Johan Santana with the bases juiced on Sunday in New York. Willingham launches a moon shot to center field that hits above the red line for a home run. During the live action, the umpires did not signal a home run so everyone kept on running. Adam Dunn came down the line with Willy Taveras...

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Brian Schneider remembers Nats days

April 14, 2010, 12:37pm

Nationals

Phillies catcher Brian Schneider taking on his former team in the Nats this week. He has played for the Nats, Mets and now Phillies in the last three seasons and is settling in as the backup catcher to Carlos Ruiz. When Brian was in D.C., he mentored a lot of young players for the Nats and was a leader on the field as well as in the clubhouse. I remember several times he would be walking off the field during batting practice with his arm around the shoulders of a Nats teammate telling him...

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Maxwell called up to rejoin Nats; Bernadina returns to 'Cuse

April 14, 2010, 7:36pm

Nationals

Maxwell called up to rejoin Nats; Bernadina returns to 'Cuse

It has been a pretty big week for Justin Maxwell. The Nationals outfielder and his wife welcomed a baby girl into the world earlier this week, and now a team source confirms the Nats will call up Maxwell from Triple A Syracuse to rejoin the team in Philadelphia as early as Thursday. The University of Maryland product Maxwell has batted .252 with 6 homers and 14 RBI in stints with the Nats in 2007 and 2009, hitting a dramatic walk off come from behind grand slam against Francisco Rodriguez...

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Tomlin: "Strasburg will make a name for himself"

April 15, 2010, 5:21pm

Nationals

Tomlin: "Strasburg will make a name for himself"

Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Randy Tomlin took some time after batting practice Thursday to talk about Stephen Strasburg as he gets ready for his second start of the season. Strasburg was impressive last Sunday, going 5 innings, allowing 1 unearned run and striking out 8 Altoona Curve batters in a 6-4 win. We talked about Strasburg getting into a rhythm last week, is that again what you would like to see in his next outing? "Yes, we want him to get into a rhythm. Stephen was a little...

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Olsen debuts sinker vs. Phillies with success

April 16, 2010, 2:41pm

Nationals

Olsen debuts sinker vs. Phillies with success

Nationals pitcher Scott Olsen pitched fairly well against the Phils in his first game in the majors since July 10th of last year. Olsen threw 91 pitches with 57 for strikes, went 5 2/3rd innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks and struck out 5 Phillies. Olsen told me he debuted a new pitch, the sinker, in that game, and had success throwing it. He says he feels comfortable with the grip and is excited to add it to his repertoire. Syracuse Chiefs pitching coach Greg Booker helped...

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Not this year

April 16, 2010, 7:02pm

Nationals

How many times has a late inning error and a quick deficit deflated the Nats the last two seasons? That is what happens to 100-loss teams everyday and twice on Sunday. Not this year. After Milwaukee went ahead 3-2 in the 8th on a throwing error charged to Alberto Gonzalez (because Cristian Guzman short armed the throw at first base), the Nats attacked the Brewers bullpen for three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to take the lead 5-3. What!!!??!!! And they did it with the...

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Jeff Mandel gets in groove for Harrisburg

April 16, 2010, 7:07pm

Nationals

Jeff Mandel gets in groove for Harrisburg

Harrisburg Senators pitcher Jeff Mandel is looking to follow up an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League with a step up to Double-A this season and the results are starting to show even this early in the season. Mandel bounced back from a tough first outing for a spectacular second start April 13th at Bowie. Jeff pitched 5 and 1/3rd innings, allowing 3 hits, no earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. He dropped his ERA from 8.31 to 3.72 in one start. Mandel says pitching coach...

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Wilkie says Booker great influence on Syracuse pitchers

April 17, 2010, 6:57pm

Nationals

Wilkie says Booker great influence on Syracuse pitchers

Syracuse Chiefs and former George Washington Colonials pitcher Josh Wilkie is off to a good start through 4 games and a 1.35 ERA as a reliever. He has pitched a robust 6 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 hits and 1 earned run. Righties are batting just .125 against Josh, who grabbed a few minutes with me as the Nats were checking out of their team hotel. Wilkie told me things are going well in the first few weeks: "I am trying to get a feel on the mound when pitching every other day as a...

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Guzzie the Good on Rocky Night

April 20, 2010, 7:47pm

Nationals

The Rockies prevented the Nationals from going two games above .500 for the first time since 2005 thanks to a 10-4 defeat at Nationals Park Tuesday night. Scott Olsen lasted only two innings plus four batters and the Rockies scored 8 runs in the third to put the game out of reach early. Some Good, some Bad One of the bright spots was the play of 2B Cristian Guzman who had four consecutive hits after striking out in his first plate appearance. Guzman singled three times and then doubled in...

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Clippard, Capps and Nieves clutch in comeback vs. Rox

April 21, 2010, 7:44pm

Nationals

Clippard, Capps and Nieves clutch in comeback vs. Rox

Tyler Clippard did it again for the Nats, now 3-0 with the win Wednesday night as the Nationals outscored the Rockies 6-1 after trailing 3-0 middle 3rd. Clippard threw two innings, allowing no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Tyler had 4 wins all of last year and notched that final victory on October 1st. It is just April 21st and already Tyler has 3 of the Nats 8 wins. His biggest out was getting Carlos Gonzalez on a strikeout with a man on in the top of the 8th. Gonzalez was...

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Ask Rizzo at Nats Park on Saturday

April 23, 2010, 6:14am

Nationals

The Nationals are offering a great opportunity for premium ticket holders to ask General Manager Mike Rizzo and the front office staff questions in a panel discussion for 30 minutes before Saturday home games. They are calling it the "Inside Pitch Live" Speaker Series. From the release: The Washington Nationals have launched "Inside Pitch Live," a new speaker series which will take place in the PNC Diamond Club before the start of all Saturday home games. Nationals General Manager Mike...

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Off to see Strasburg in Reading (Take 2!)

April 25, 2010, 5:37am

Nationals

Off to see Strasburg in Reading (Take 2!)

Heading to Reading, Pennsylvania tonight to watch the Harrisburg Senators face off against the Reading Phillies after yesterday's game was rained out (again!). It will be the second road start for Stephen Strasburg and will be interesting to see how he does against a team he just faced in his most recent outing. There has been talk that this week and next might be Strasburg's final few starts in Double-A before a possible transfer to Triple-A and Syracuse, New York. Game time is 6:35pm. ...

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Cubs writers love Riggleman; Strasburg Update

April 27, 2010, 6:02am

Nationals

Cubs writers love Riggleman; Strasburg Update

As the Nats continue their series in Chicago, I spoke with Carrie Muskat, who covers the Cubs for MLB.com, she had some kind words when I asked her about Jim Riggleman's time at Wrigley Field: "Most of the writers will tell you that Riggs was one of our favorite managers at Wrigley during his time here. Riggleman was a very thoughtful and very smart baseball man. I wish him the best because he handled everything so well. What I saw with what he had to go through in San Diego when they...

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Strasburg at Reading warming up

April 27, 2010, 2:24pm

Nationals

Stephen Strasburg warming up on a ridiculously chilly and windy Tuesday night, wind chill in the 40s here at FirstEnergy Stadium as Harrisburg takes on the Reading Phillies. I will give you quick updates throughout Game 1 as long as my computer and/or fingers dont freeze first.