nationals

Riggleman will not tinker with lineup

June 20, 2010, 8:10am

Despite the current five-game losing streak in which the team has managed just 11 runs, including only a single run scored in the past 19 innings, Nats manager Jim Riggleman does not think shaking up the lineup is the solution to recent offensive woes. "I have played around there with Nyjer (Morgan) in the 1 and 2, (Cristian) Guzman in the 1 and 2, (Ryan) Zimmerman and (Adam) Dunn in the 3 and 4. That is about the extent of it. When (Mike) Morse is in there, he may hit seventh. When Pudge...

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Detwiler shows more improvement, wants to refine curve

June 20, 2010, 8:35am

Nationals

Detwiler shows more improvement, wants to refine curve

Harrisburg Senators left-handed starter Ross Detwiler had another positive start as he continues rehab from a right hip injury. But he told me there is still some work he wants to improve on. Detwiler went 4 innings, scattering six hits, allowing no earned runs, 1 walk and two strikeouts against Bowie Friday night. He has a 1.17 ERA through two starts, 8 strikeouts, 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. "I felt better than my last outing," Detwiler said. "My changeup was working well. I am getting a...

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Jacobsen making name for himself close to home

June 21, 2010, 8:00pm

Nationals

Jacobsen making name for himself close to home

This Potomac Nationals third baseman wears #11, and his dad is a General in the United States Air Force, but 25-year-old Robby Jacobsen is making a name for himself in Woodbridge with his outstanding play. Jacobsen is truly a homegrown talent. The 6'1", 205-pounder was drafted by the Nats in 2006 and went to school, played baseball and is now an offseason volunteer coach at George Mason University. Robby's father, Kevin J. Jacobsen, is a general in the United States Air Force and in...

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Chambers expects Harper to sign before deadline

June 22, 2010, 8:55am

Nationals

Chambers expects Harper to sign before deadline

Bryce Harper's college coach, Tim Chambers, the new baseball coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, told me today he does not think the negotiations between Scott Boras and the Washington Nationals to sign Bryce will take all summer. Chambers told me it is his opinion that the talks "won't drag out all summer" and that Harper wants to get started with his professional career sooner rather than later. He feels talks will heat up in the next few weeks or so. Bryce is taking a few...

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Strasburg will be an All-Star for years to come, but maybe not in '10

June 23, 2010, 3:02am

Nationals

Strasburg will be an All-Star for years to come, but maybe not in '10

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has made a huge impact on the 2010 season in his first three starts for Washington. He has won two games and given his team a chance to win all three. He has set a major league record for most strikeouts to start a career, surpassing J.R. Richard of the Houston Astros. So, why wouldn't Strasburg be an All-Star or at least get heavy consideration? It's the manager's decision who will pitch in the mid-summer classic, and Charlie Manuel of the N.L. East...

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When will the Nats go to a fifth starter?

June 24, 2010, 8:42pm

Nationals

When will the Nats go to a fifth starter?

Nationals reliever Joel Peralta is excited about the opportunity to get to pitch at the Major League level again and certainly seems ready for the challenge. While at Syracuse, Peralta dominated at throwing strikes and getting the first batter he faced out. Peralta got the first man out 20 of the 26 chances at Triple-A. It continued Tuesday night in his first Nats appearance when he induced a double play off the bat of the Royals Jose Guillen. The 5'11", 195-pound right-hander from the...

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Detwiler next start slated for Tuesday at Portland

June 25, 2010, 6:28pm

Nationals

Detwiler next start slated for Tuesday at Portland

Lefthander Ross Detwiler told me he is scheduled to make his next start for Harrisburg Tuesday night at the Portland Sea Dogs. Ross is hoping to go 70 to 75 pitches in his 4th start in the minors. Detwiler has started two games for the Sens, going 7.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, one earned run, one walk and two strikeouts. He has a 1.17 ERA with Harrisburg. He also had one rehab start in Potomac, going three innings, allowing no runs on 40 pitches. Detwiler's combined stats in three...

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A rare off night for Clippard

June 25, 2010, 8:28pm

Nationals

It is almost amazing to think the Nats would need seven pitchers on Friday night when they led 6-0 after four innings and even 6-3 after seven full. That was the case in a stunning 7-6 loss to the Orioles that has to rank as one of the most disappointing of the season. Four huge fielding errors, two by Cristian Guzman and two in the same inning by Ian Desmond did not make it easy for the Nats pitchers to get out of innings. Slowly, the Orioles chipped away with three runs in the...

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Detwiler next start pushed back

June 27, 2010, 2:17pm

Nationals

Harrisburg Senators left-hander Ross Detwiler had his next start pushed back to Thursday against Trenton. Detwiler missed his most recent opportunity to get extra treatment for back spasms but told me he is good to go for Thursday. He has not started since June 18 at Bowie when he went four innings. He expects to go longer in this upcoming start, looking to get extended to 75 pitches, and is hopeful he is that much closer to getting back to the Nats. His hip is feeling better and he feels...

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Glanville on Strasburg: "He has an aura about him"

June 27, 2010, 7:40pm

Nationals

Glanville on Strasburg: "He has an aura about him"

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg makes his fifth start of his career tonight in Atlanta before another nationally televised audience. Strasburg has been close to unstoppable in his first four outings, going 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA, and setting a major league record with 41 strikeouts. It seems that almost every pitcher he has faced in his first 20 days has brought their "A" game and you would expect nothing less than the same from veteran Tim Hudson. This will also be a chance for the...

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Zimmermann to pitch July 3 for P-Nats

June 28, 2010, 11:08am

Nationals

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann continues to rehab with no setbacks in Florida and told me today he is scheduled to pitch for the Potomac Nationals against the Wilmington Blue Rocks, July 3 at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. Zimmermann threw another simulated game today in Florida that went very well, tossing three innings and 50 pitches. "My velocity on my fastball was very good, I think it came in at 94 miles per hour." Zimmermann is absolutely thrilled he will finally be able to...

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Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

June 29, 2010, 9:14am

Nationals

Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

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...