nationals

Big bats save Strasburg debut

June 08, 2010, 7:49pm

The storybook ending that was almost all for naught. The Pirates had a good shot of ruining the Stephen Strasburg party before it got started, even with an outstanding pitching performance by the much hyped top selection from San Diego State. Pittsburgh led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of a soldout game at a rocking Nats Park. Strasburg had pitched very well except for one mistake: a changeup that actually was a good pitch, left up for Delwyn Young, who had smacked a...

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Lannan on getting ready, Strasburg and Bryce

June 09, 2010, 11:25am

Nationals

Lannan on getting ready, Strasburg and Bryce

Nationals left-hander John Lannan gets the call tonight in Game 2 against the Pirates. I caught up with Lannan as he prepared his game plan for Pittsburgh and asked him how he prepares for each game. "I like to go out there and know what I am going to do beforehand. That is why I like to do scouting reports. I like to use the catcher and the pitching coach's help, but I like to be prepared myself so I don't have to rely on them too much. "This gives me more confidence as well. I...

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Detwiler looks good in Woodbridge, ready for Sens

June 09, 2010, 7:45pm

Nationals

Detwiler looks good in Woodbridge, ready for Sens

A solid start for Ross Detwiler in Woodbridge Wednesday night. The southpaw pitched three innings, scattered four hits, allowed no runs, walked one and struck two on 40 pitches with 28 for strikes. Ross did not factor into the decision as Frederick beat the Potomac Nationals 4-3. His fastball was clocked between 88 and 92 miles per hour, change at 81 MPH and curveball at 71 MPH. I thought he looked good and maybe a little tentative at the start. He still has that high leg kick and smooth...

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Burnett's effort helps bullpen rest, finish off Bucs

June 10, 2010, 11:33pm

Nationals

Burnett's effort helps bullpen rest, finish off Bucs

Nats pitcher Sean Burnett was thrilled to get a shot at his former team and help the Nats sweep the Bucs 4-2. Burnett allowed a couple of hits, but struck out Jason Jamarillo and bridged the gap from the sixth to the ninth inning, allowing Tyler Clippard to come on in the ninth for his first save of his major league career. "Yeah, its always good to beat your buddies. I guess you have bragging rights until the next time that you face them. I still have a a lot of good friends over there. ...

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Riggleman puts Pudge in the 2 hole vs. Indians

June 11, 2010, 3:25pm

Nationals

Riggleman puts Pudge in the 2 hole vs. Indians

Cleveland, OH -- Nats manager Jim Riggleman puts Ivan Rodriguez in the 2 hole for Game 1 vs. Cleveland. Riggleman said he wanted the 9, 1 and 2 spots to be mixed up a little bit and not all left handed hitters. Riggs also said they thought about putting Rodriguez in the 2 hole as early as spring training. He also said they can hit Ivan in many different places besides his usual 6 spot. It also turns the 3-4-5 power and makes it a lethal 2-3-4-5 barrage for the Indians to face. The...

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Kearns stings former team early on with 2 HRs

June 11, 2010, 4:20pm

Nationals

Kearns stings former team early on with 2 HRs

Former Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns is getting some early revenge against his old mates. Kearns smacked a 3-run HR off of Luis Atilano in the 1st inning, giving the Tribe a 3-1 advantage. Then, in the 4th inning, Kearns got a hold of another one, a solo shot to deep left center and the Indians led 4-1. It was home run #s 6 and 7 on the year for Kearns and marked the first time since June 4, 2006 he went deep twice in the same game. His average now up to .311. the only regular Tribe...

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Kearns' payback - Indians drop Nats 7-2

June 11, 2010, 7:31pm

Nationals

The Indians beat the Nationals 7-2 Friday night at Progressive Field behind a dramatic 2 home run 4 RBI performance by their former teammate. Austin Kearns blasted a 3-run shot in the 1st inning that quickly erased an early Nats lead. Then in his second at-bat, Kearns lauched another Luis Atilano (5-3) pitch over the left center field wall for a 4-1 Tribe advantage. Jake Westbrook (4-3) befuddled the Nats after they started the game with three consecutive base hits, going seven and...

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Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe

June 12, 2010, 3:29pm

Nationals

Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe

Cleveland, OH -- Nats 2B Adam Kennedy made a bad throw to second base and Cristian Guzman in the bottom of the 1st inning for his 2nd error of the series and 8th error of the season in 58 games. The Indians scored a batter later on a sacrifice fly to take the lead 1-0 in the 1st. Jim Riggleman had said before the game he wanted to get Willie Harris and Kennedy at-bats so they can remain consistent in the field. Ian Desmond gets the the night off, but available for pinch hitting and...

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Strasburg II: Cleveland expects close to 30K

June 12, 2010, 4:47pm

Nationals

Strasburg II: Cleveland expects close to 30K

The Indians media relations report they have sold more than 10,000 tickets than usual for Sunday's series finale with Nats rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg taking on David Huff. The Tribe are expecting 28,000 to 30,000 for Sunday's game at Progressive Field, which would almost double their normal gate. Indians are averaging a little over 15,000 per game at home. There also has been an additional 50 media credential requests which means the press box is expected to be filled to capacity. ...

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Carmona befuddles Nats 7-1

June 12, 2010, 7:14pm

Nationals

Fausto Carmona dominated the Nationals Saturday with his power sinker and won for the first time in exactly one month, a complete game three-hitter, 7-1 at Progressive Field. It was his second complete game in his past three starts. Willie Harris says Carmona had the sinker and changeup working to perfection. How dominant? The Nationals left no men on base. Carmona faced only one batter over the minimum. "He was pretty good. He was nasty. He had the sinker working and had a really good...

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Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K

June 13, 2010, 11:28am

Nationals

Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K

Stephen Strasburg had to face adversity of a different kind Sunday and pulled through with his second professional victory. Strasburg had trouble with his landing foot on the mound at Progressive Field, the same spot where Indians starter David Huff (2-8) was also landing, Over time, and according to the grounds crew I spoke to, it happens more often during day games because of the humidity, the clay gave way and Strasburg started to slip. Even with those troubles, Strasburg was effective,...

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Rizzo "optimistic" a deal will be made with Bryce Harper

June 14, 2010, 7:08pm

Nationals

Rizzo "optimistic" a deal will be made with Bryce Harper

In Cleveland, I got the opportunity to speak with Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo regarding this year's #1 first-year player selection, catcher/outfielder Bryce Harper. Mike, having worked with agent Scott Boras while signing Stephen Strasburg last season, does that give you a leg up in the negotiations with Bryce Harper this year? "Each case with each individual and each representative is unique. We are not going to put any timetables on it. We feel with Bryce like we did with...

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P-Nats' Bronson makes steady progress

June 15, 2010, 7:19pm

Nationals

Potomac Nationals left handed pitcher Evan Bronson is coming off one of his best starts of the year Thursday against Lynchburg. Bronson went 5.1 innings, scattering five hits, allowing no runs, no walks and striking out three batters. 23-year old Bronson is a 6-3 195-pound lefthander out of Trinity College was selected in the 29th round of the 2009 draft. Last season, Bronson was 3-0 with an 0.55 ERA for Vermont and was named a mid-season All-Star. I caught up with the Midlothian, VA...

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Wilkie closer to Nats call

June 17, 2010, 5:16am

Nationals

Syracuse Chiefs right-hander Josh Wilkie gets another rare start tonight against Gwinnett in Georgia. He has been very impressive for the Chiefs this season. In 23 games, the George Washington University product has a 2-3 record with a 1.95 ERA, 29 strikeouts and only 11 walks, with just 7 earned runs allowed. More amazing for the 6-2, 190 pound rightie is he hasn't allowed an earned run in 9 of his last 10 appearances, including the start June 8. He pitched well last week against...

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Strasburg mania reaches well outside 202

June 17, 2010, 11:57am

Nationals

Strasburg mania reaches well outside 202

With Stephen Strasburg preparing for his third major league start tonight at Nationals Park, it is not lost on anyone outside the D.C. metro area that Strasburg mania is reaching all over the baseball world and into other sports. Kentucky guard and soon-to-be-No. 1 selection in the NBA draft, John Wall, noticed Strasburg in his visit to Washington. "I saw the debut of Strasburg; it was a big-time debut. The 14 strikeouts means a lot. He got pied in the face. It (was) pretty big." In...

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Zimmermann sighting at Nats Park

June 18, 2010, 11:25am

Nationals

Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmermann threw off the mound today before batting practice in his first appearance at Nats Park in quite some time. Zimmermann is recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery and is ahead of schedule for his return. He pitched a couple of dozen pitches to Nats hitters. It looked as if he was throwing at full strength with no problems. More later...

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Zimmermann hopes to rehab in Potomac early July

June 18, 2010, 12:43pm

Nationals

Zimmermann hopes to rehab in Potomac early July

Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmermann pitched off the mound Friday at Nationals Park, going two innings and 35 pitches as he continues recovery from Tommy John surgery conducted last year. "It was definitely nice to get out of Florida. The heat was killing me. It felt good to get back on the mound and be in this atmosphere again is nice." Jordan used his entire repertoire and threw at top velocity. "I have been throwing 100 percent for awhile now. I haven't had a setback, knock on...

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Strasburg adds to record book, but Nats fall in extras

June 18, 2010, 7:10pm

Nationals

Strasburg adds to record book, but Nats fall in extras

Despite Chicago's 2-1 win over the Nationals in 11 innings, Stephen Strasburg continues to make his changes to the record books. Strasburg surpassed former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard for most strikeouts in his first three games in the big leagues when he struck out Alexei Ramirez in the fifth inning. Richard's record was 29 in 1971. It was Strasburg's 30th strikeout in a span of 17 innings. It was also Strasburg's 8th strikeout in the game. Officially through three starts,...

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J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose

June 18, 2010, 7:21pm

Nationals

J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose

Nationals starter J.D. Martin (0-2, 4.19) given the task today to snap the team's 4-game losing skid fresh off one of his toughest outings of the season. Martin went 7 and 2/3rds at Cleveland last Saturday night, but got roughed up in the second inning, allowing four runs off five hits, including a two-run double by Carlos Santana. "When I get in trouble in games is just when I am missing my spots and eaving the ball up. So I need to focus on keeping the ball down and locating my...

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Stammen happy to get so close to a no-no

June 20, 2010, 6:55am

Nationals

Stammen happy to get so close to a no-no

Syracuse Chiefs starter Craig Stammen is still remembering what could have been Friday night when he came within one out and two strikes of a no-hitter. Stammen beat the Gwinnett Braves 5-0 in a seven-inning game, allowing only a two-out base hit to Josh Anderson. "He was terrific. He got groundball outs like we have seen before and was in total control," said Chiefs play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti of Stammen's performance. Of Stammen's 21 outs, 12 were ground balls. Stammen told...