Rainey gets another chance with Nats, Suero sent down

Rainey gets another chance with Nats, Suero sent down
In their never-ending quest to find some combination of relievers who can provide quality work late in games, the Nationals recalled Tanner Rainey from Triple-A before today's game against the Rockies and optioned Wander Suero to Rochester. Whether that one transaction makes a significant impact for a bullpen that is running on fumes as the season winds down remains to be seen. But Rainey's experience and recent success in the minors were enough to convince club officials to bring him back up...

Could Martinez shake up the lineup over the last two weeks?

Could Martinez shake up the lineup over the last two weeks?
It ain't broke, don't fix it. A common phrase that Nationals manager Davey Martinez is taking to heart over the last month or so of the season as it pertains to his lineup. Ever since Lane Thomas solidified his role in the leadoff spot on Aug. 28, Martinez's lineups have mostly looked like this: CF Lane ThomasSS Alcides EscobarRF Juan Soto1B Josh BellLF Yadiel Hernandez3B Carter KieboomC Keibert Ruiz2B Luis GarcíaPitcher's spot Those top four spots haven't changed, essentially, and for...

Nationals recall Tanner Rainey

Nationals recall Tanner Rainey
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey from Triple-A Rochester and optioned right-handed pitcher Wander Suero to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rainey, 28, went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA (1 ER/7.0 IP) in seven games since joining the Red Wings on August 1. He tallied 13 strikeouts against three walks along the way. Opposing batters hit .087 (2-for-23) against him during this...

Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)

Finnegan blows late rally, Nats eliminated with loss (updated)
There are only so many ways to say this, and given the frequency with which it's happening, we're running dangerously low on options. So I'll be blunt: The Nationals bullpen blew two more leads in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Rockies on South Capitol Street. Handed a one-run lead after a late rally in the eighth, Kyle Finnegan needed only three outs in the ninth to seal a win and record his 10th save of the season. Instead, he gave up a leadoff game-tying home run to blow his fourth save...

Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies

Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies
There are only 16 games left in the Nationals' season, which means Josiah Gray probably only has four starts remaining, starting with tonight's series opener against the Rockies. Gray started his career in D.C. strong, pitching to a 2.89 ERA over his first five starts. But he has since struggled with an ERA of 12.75 over his last three outings. If the right-hander wants to finish strong and give the organization confidence in him going into next year, he's going to have to limit the walks...

How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)

How Gray can earn his elusive first big league win (with Rizzo quote)
Wins and losses don't really point to the successes and failures of a starting pitcher. So many things can happen throughout the course of a game that are out of the pitchers' control, it wouldn't be fair to judge them on their record alone. There are other numbers that tell a better story. That being said, wins and losses aren't totally meaningless to pitchers. And for a young hurler, earning his first victory is an important milestone. For Josiah Gray, the new face of the Nationals'...

Once a pitching-rich club, Nats have lost their way

Once a pitching-rich club, Nats have lost their way
In a summer full of agonizing losses, Wednesday's 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Marlins had to rank among the Nationals' worst. Not just because of the end result, but because of the path they took to reach that result. After getting five scoreless innings from starter Josh Rogers, and after getting a well-balanced offensive attack from a lineup that has been better than advertised since the trade deadline, the Nats still found a way to lose after their bullpen imploded. Five relievers...

First things first: Nats remain committed to Adams as catcher

First things first: Nats remain committed to Adams as catcher
Riley Adams wants you to know he's a catcher, and he wants to continue being a catcher. And the Nationals coaching staff wants you to know it considers Adams a catcher and wants him to continue being a catcher. So why is Adams taking ground balls and learning proper technique at first base right now? "Just trying to get comfortable over there, and in an emergency situation or something like that to be able to go out there and play, feel comfortable," he said in an interview outside the...

Bullpen gives up eight to ruin Rogers' strong start (updated)

Bullpen gives up eight to ruin Rogers' strong start (updated)
The baseball that was displayed for 3 hours and 53 minutes this afternoon at Nationals Park was not of a caliber many in the announced crowd of 16,309 could have found satisfactory. The Nationals and Marlins took turns trying to out-underperform each other, from the Nats' inability to produce with runners in scoring position to the Marlins' inability to play clean defense to both bullpens' inability to protect leads. (Or, in Miami's case, throw strikes with the bases loaded.) It all made...

Martinez, coaches honor Clemente with No. 21 jerseys

Martinez, coaches honor Clemente with No. 21 jerseys
Davey Martinez won't be able to walk up the dugout steps and stand on the field for today's national anthem. After a follow-up procedure on his left ankle Tuesday, the Nationals manager remains in a cast and will again need to watch today's game from a perch in the dugout (preferably in the shade on this hot and muggy afternoon). Those who can see Martinez, though, surely will notice the special jersey he's wearing, with the number 21 on the back in honor of Roberto Clemente. For the second...

Nationals Park to host 2021 Battle of the Bases championship game on Sept. 18

Nationals Park to host 2021 Battle of the Bases championship game on Sept. 18
The Washington Nationals are excited to host the return of the Battle of the Bases Championship softball game at Nationals Park on Saturday, September 18. The championship game will take place after the conclusion of the Nationals 4:05 p.m. game against the Colorado Rockies. The Battle of the Bases Championship is free for fans to attend. The championship game will feature Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall squaring off in a seven-inning game for the title. In...

Bell holding his own in outfield, Soto chasing another batting title

Bell holding his own in outfield, Soto chasing another batting title
Ryan Zimmerman produced the most memorable hit of Tuesday night's 8-2 win over the Marlins when he launched a fastball from Jesús Luzardo 442 feet to right-center field, into the second deck at Nationals Park. But Zimmerman's presence in the lineup was made possible in part by Josh Bell's ability to remain in the lineup himself while moving out to left field for the night. It was the fourth game Bell has started in the outfield this season, and he may be back there today when the...

Game 146 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Game 146 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins
The nexus of the universe stands at the corner of South Capitol Street and Potomac Avenue SE this afternoon, where both the Nationals and Marlins will be sending left-handed pitchers to the mound named Rogers. OK, so this is hardly cosmos-bending stuff, but it is a funny little quirk about the matchup for today's series finale at Nationals Park. Josh Rogers gets the start for the Nats, his third since his promotion from Triple-A Rochester. And he's been pretty good in each of his previous two...

Zimmerman's blast sets tone in Nats' lopsided win (updated)

Zimmerman's blast sets tone in Nats' lopsided win (updated)
Nobody in a Nationals uniform gets a bigger ovation when he steps to the plate these days than Ryan Zimmerman. He's far from the team's best player at this point, but with only three home series remaining on the 2021 schedule, everyone in attendance is well aware there are only so many more guaranteed Zimmerman plate appearances to witness. The original face of the franchise has not yet offered any clues about his intentions beyond this season, though he suggested tonight he probably won't...

Martinez has follow-up procedure, Scherzer is Clemente nominee

Martinez has follow-up procedure, Scherzer is Clemente nominee
Davey Martinez had a follow-up procedure on his left ankle earlier today, and though he was back at Nationals Park by mid-afternoon, it was unclear if he'd be in the dugout to manage tonight's game against the Marlins. Martinez, who already watched one game from his office following his initial Sept. 2 surgery, has been wearing a cast since. He's been managing all games from the dugout, his left leg propped up on the bench, but he hasn't been able to move around or step onto the field...

Will Rainey and Robles return to play in D.C. this season?

Will Rainey and Robles return to play in D.C. this season?
As the Nationals' season reaches its final stages, with only 18 games left on the schedule at this point, time is running out for any more players to be promoted from the minor leagues and get more than a token opportunity to make one final statement heading into 2022. Truth be told, the Nats have seen just about everyone they need to see by now, especially in the wake of their dramatic sell-off at the July 30 trade deadline. The current 28-man roster - the new limit for September - includes...

Nats avoid no-hitter, but can't touch Alcantara in loss (updated)

Nats avoid no-hitter, but can't touch Alcantara in loss (updated)
The Nationals played the 2,632nd regular season game in their history this evening, which means they've now existed as long as Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games streak lasted from 1982-98. That's nearly 17 seasons of the third incarnation of Major League Baseball in D.C. And though there have been no shortage of dizzying highs and terrifying lows along the way, the Nationals have always been able to stake claim to this irrefutable fact: In all that time, they've never been no-hit. There...

Game 145 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Game 145 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins
The Nationals avoided the ignominy of being no-hit for the first time Monday night, but let's be honest: Even if it happened, it would've come against a worthy foe in Sandy Alcantara, an All-Star who was in peak form in the series opener. Tonight, they face a highly touted, but far less accomplished opponent in Jesús Luzardo. Yes, the same Luzardo the Nationals drafted and then traded to the Athletics in the Sean Doolittle/Ryan Madson deal. The same Luzardo who was traded to Miami this...

Mercer returns from IL, Sanchez designated for assignment

Mercer returns from IL, Sanchez designated for assignment
The Nationals got another veteran back on their roster for the season's final weeks, activating infielder Jordy Mercer after a lengthy stint on the 10-day injured list before tonight's series opener against the Marlins. Mercer, who hadn't played since straining his left calf muscle July 20 against Miami, returns to the active roster after a brief rehab appearance with Double-A Harrisburg last week. The 35-year-old played in three games for the Senators, going 3-for-9 with two walks and three...

Nationals nominate Max Scherzer for 2021 Roberto Clemente Award

Nationals nominate Max Scherzer for 2021 Roberto Clemente Award
Major League Baseball today announced that Max Scherzer was named the Nationals 2021 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's most prestigious individual honor for Major Leaguers. The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. As part of the annual program, each MLB Club nominates one player...