nationals

Scherzer executes curveball and changeup to perfection in 6-1 win

September 07, 2020, 6:02pm

Nationals starter Max Scherzer commanded his fastball well, mixing in an improved curveball and changeup for seven shutout innings in a 6-1 victory over the first-place Rays at Nationals Park. "I always want to get through seven innings," Scherzer said during his postgame Zoom video session with reporters. "If I can get out there and get deep into a game, seven innings, it allows our bullpen guys to only have to try to get six outs. That's always a huge goal of mine, to get deep into a ball...

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Despite bases-loaded situation in ninth, Nats see Harris' improvement

September 08, 2020, 3:16am

Nationals

Despite bases-loaded situation in ninth, Nats see Harris' improvement

Right-hander Will Harris was hoping to start returning to normal, and after two quick outs in the top of the ninth inning Monday night, the Nationals reliever was doing just that. In August, Harris had a 0-1 record with a 1.50 ERA in six appearances. His ERA jumped to 3.12 after giving up a run on two hits on Sept. 3 versus the Phillies. After the game, Harris said that he didn't quite have the best feel for the baseball that night. Against the Rays, Harris dispatched Yoshi Tsutsugo on a...

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Holt and Harrison add spark to offense after rough week

September 09, 2020, 3:53am

Nationals

Holt and Harrison add spark to offense after rough week

In the Nationals' two-game sweep of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays to begin this week, a pair of recently acquired veterans played big parts in the club's success in generating offense. Brock Holt went 4-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored. Josh Harrison added two hits, going 2-for-7 with a walk, a run scored and two RBIs as the Nats beat the Rays 6-1 and 5-3. On Monday, as Juan Soto, Luis GarcÃa and Howie Kendrick sat out with injuries, manager Davey Martinez opted to put Holt in...

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Cavalli and Rutledge bringing the heat in Fredericksburg

September 09, 2020, 11:12am

Nationals

Cavalli and Rutledge bringing the heat in Fredericksburg

Top Nationals pitching prospects Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge continue to get their work in at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va., under the direction of minor league pitching coordinator Brad Holman and the coaching staff. Rutledge is currently ranked No. 3 and Cavalli No. 4 in the latest MLBpipeline.com top 30 Nationals prospects list. "Well, obviously both those guys are extremely talented," Holman told me. "I can't say enough about either one of them. They are...

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At 32, Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez finally gets a shot in the major leagues

September 10, 2020, 11:41am

Nationals

At 32, Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez finally gets a shot in the major leagues

For the first time in his career, outfielder Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez has been promoted to the big leagues. With a roster spot open due to the hamstring injury suffered by Howie Kendrick that landed him on the injured list, the Nationals announced they had purchased the contract of the 32-year-old Cuban-born outfielder. HernÃ¡ndez joined the Nats on Oct. 1, 2016. From 2009-14, he played for Cocodrilos de Matanzas of the Cuban Baseball Federation, joining the league at the age of 21. He also has...

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Eaton and offense rolled early, but then slowed down

September 10, 2020, 6:57pm

Nationals

Eaton and offense rolled early, but then slowed down

The Nationals offense rolled out of the gates with five early runs against the first-place Braves on Thursday night at Nats Park, scoring three in the first inning and two in the second frame for a 5-0 lead. Trea Turner tripled, Juan Soto doubled and AsdrÃºbal Cabrera tripled in the first against Braves starter Robbie Erlin. In the second, Michael A. Taylor doubled and Adam Eaton launched a two-run shot. It seemed like the Nats were going to score more after Erlin left when reliever Huascar...

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Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season

September 11, 2020, 11:11am

Nationals

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season

The Nationals have placed left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and have called up left-hander Ben Braymer from the alternate training site. Doolittle appeared to injure his oblique on a pitch to Nick Markakis in the top of the ninth of Thursday night's 7-6 loss to the Braves and left the game. Manager Davey Martinez said Doolittle is seeing the doctor this afternoon and he expects to have a complete update after tonight's contest. With a...

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Good friends Finnegan and Bourque keep Braves off board for win

September 11, 2020, 8:08pm

Nationals

Good friends Finnegan and Bourque keep Braves off board for win

Nationals relievers Kyle Finnegan and James Bourque managed to keep the prolific Braves offense off the board in extra innings in an 8-7, 12-inning win Friday night at Nats Park. Finnegan pitched two scoreless frames while Bourque earned his first major league win with a shutout 12th as the Nats prevented the Braves from coming back from a 5-0 deficit to win for the second night in a row. Finnegan walked the tightrope for two innings and managed to prevent the Braves from scoring a run even...

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Game 44 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (updated, Eaton scratched)

September 12, 2020, 6:19am

Nationals

Game 44 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (updated, Eaton scratched)

The Nationals lost another lead Friday night to the Braves, but this time persevered into extra innings and won the game 8-7 at Nats Park. Michael A. Taylor's bloop single to right field in the bottom of the 12th scored Adam Eaton with the walk-off run. Taylor's winning knock was his third career walk-off hit and first since a walk-off double on May 22, 2018, against the Padres. On Thursday night, the Nats led 5-0 after two innings before succumbing 7-6. The Nats are 4-4 against the Braves...

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Rainey out for "a few days," HernÃ¡ndez gets first MLB start

September 12, 2020, 11:10am

Nationals

Rainey out for "a few days," HernÃ¡ndez gets first MLB start

Nationals right-hander Tanner Rainey was one of only two relief pitchers who did not appear in last night's 12-inning marathon against the Braves. The other was left-hander Ben Braymer, who had just been called up. Rainey had pitched in three of the last four games. But today we found out there was another reason why Rainey did not pitch. "He has a little tightness in his forearm, so we are going to give him a few days off," said manager Davey Martinez during today's pregame Zoom video...

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Rutledge working on fastball command, improving changeup

September 12, 2020, 1:53pm

Nationals

Rutledge working on fastball command, improving changeup

Nationals top pitching prospect Jackson Rutledge has worked on commanding his fastball and curveball during his bullpen sessions and simulated games at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg. As Nats minor league pitching coordinator Brad Holman told me this week, it's all about moving the ball around the strike zone instead of narrowly avoiding it. "It's definitely been the emphasis during camp," Rutledge said during a Zoom video session with reporters. "I think I've actually...

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Late comeback attempt falls just short, Nats lose 2-1 to Braves (updated)

September 12, 2020, 5:13pm

Nationals

Late comeback attempt falls just short, Nats lose 2-1 to Braves (updated)

The Nationals offense could not get going until late, and a furious rally attempt fell just short as the Braves eked out a 2-1 nail-biter Saturday night at Nats Park. Left-hander Patrick Corbin was very good and gave the Nationals a chance to win. Unfortunately, his counterpart was better. Right-hander Ian Anderson fired seven shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out nine as the Braves held off the Nats. In the end, RBI singles by Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies were all the...

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Sliders from Corbin and McGowin hold Braves to two runs, save bullpen

September 12, 2020, 6:53pm

Nationals

Sliders from Corbin and McGowin hold Braves to two runs, save bullpen

The Nationals fell 2-1 to the Braves Saturday night, but Patrick Corbin pitched a solid seven innings, allowing only two runs, and Kyle McGowin arrived and put up two shutout frames. Atlanta's offense generated nine hits on the night. But only one of those was an extra-base hit, a double by Adam Duvall in the fourth. He came around to score on a bloop single by Ozzie Albies that lifted the Braves to a 2-0 lead. The Braves have hit a ton of homers the last few weeks. Limiting that club to eight...

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Pineda gained valuable experience in Fredericksburg over summer

January 21, 2021, 6:22pm

Nationals

Pineda gained valuable experience in Fredericksburg over summer

One of the well regarded backstops in the Nationals organization is Israel Pineda, ranked No. 12 on the Nats top 30 prospects list from MLBPipeline.com. Nationals catching coordinator Michael Barrett said the 20-year-old out of Maracray, Venezuela, gained valuable experience by getting a taste of working with big leaguers at the club's alternate site over the 2020 summer season. "Pineda had an opportunity to go to Fredericksburg, which was a great experience for him," Barrett said. "He kind...

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Thurman runs down Nats young outfield prospects

January 19, 2021, 4:29am

Nationals

Thurman runs down Nats young outfield prospects

Here is our final installment on the young outfield corps for the Nationals, guys that are making some noise at the lower levels. Most of these prospects got to work out and play games during instructional league in West Palm Beach, Fla., back in October. One well regarded outfielder who did not get to participate but is certainly worth notice is 17-year-old Roismar Quintana from Caracas, Venezuela. He had a quad injury and didn't play games this season, but Nationals outfielder/baserunning...

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Barrett: Catchers at instructs made "incredible" progress

January 17, 2021, 5:33pm

Nationals

Barrett: Catchers at instructs made "incredible" progress

Here is an update on the catchers at instructional league. Nationals catching coordinator Michael Barrett, who caught in the major leagues for 12 seasons, coached up and worked with the young backstops as they participated in the October camp. Here is a rundown of the catchers in camp and current ages: Geraldi Diaz, 20 Mason Doolittle, 22 Brady Lindsly, 22 Ivan Murzi, 19 Wilmer Perez, 22 Israel Pineda, 20 Ray Torres, 20 Barrett was impressed with how seriously all of these catchers took the...

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Highly touted shortstop among Nats' 10 international signings

January 15, 2021, 9:54am

Nationals

Today is the first day for international free agent signings across Major League Baseball. The Nationals made big news by signing the No. 5 prospect in 16-year-old shortstop Armando Cruz for $3.9 million. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual July 2 signing date was delayed until Jan. 15. In all, the Nats announced 10 signings. The list includes five pitchers, three outfielders and two shortstops. Five of the prospects hail from the Dominican Republic, four are from Venezuela and one...

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Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?

January 12, 2021, 6:46am

Nationals

Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?

Victor Robles came into the 2020 season bigger and stronger, but did that extra bulk and weight affect his defensive efficiency in center field? The outfield analytical numbers from 2019 were eye-popping. Robles led the major leagues in Outs Above Average with 23. In a shortened 2020 campaign, Robles was tied for 54th with just two Outs Above Average. His success rate on defense was still good at 90 percent. In 2019, he reached a 93 percent success rate on defense. Of course, Robles only played...

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Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender

January 12, 2021, 6:40am

Nationals

Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender

A lot of talk this week has centered around the Nationals' outfield defense, with the signing of free agent Kyle Schwarber. When Victor Robles is going well, he is an elite center field defender. But can Schwarber and Juan Soto hold their own on the corners? Nationals outfield/baserunning coordinator Gary Thurman acknowledges that there is a difference between guys like Robles and Michael A. Taylor, who have the ability to turn extra-base hits into outs. But Thurman believes that the best...

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Schwarber has "chip on my shoulder" as he arrives in D.C.

January 09, 2021, 2:42pm

Nationals

Schwarber has "chip on my shoulder" as he arrives in D.C.

New Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber is not the first player to admit that the abbreviated 60-game 2020 regular season was abnormal and that his numbers at the plate are not a reflection of what to expect from the power hitter. In 2019, Schwarber played in 155 games and hit .250 with a career-high .531 slugging percentage, 38 homers and 92 RBIs. In three seasons from 2017 to 2019, Schwarber smacked 94 homers and 212 RBIs. But in 59 games in 2020, Schwarber hit just .188 with 11 homers and...