nationals

Game 127 lineups: Nats at Pirates

August 22, 2019, 12:03pm

PITTSBURGH - OK, here's the deal: The Nationals are scheduled to start their series finale against the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. They are then scheduled to fly to Chicago, where they are scheduled to start their series opener against the Cubs at 2:20 p.m. EDT Friday. That's a tough turnaround, a really tough turnaround. And it's even tougher when there's rain in the forecast all evening. Which is exactly what's in the forecast here this evening. (It already poured for about 45 minutes a little...

Comments

Tags:

brian dozier lineups mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates frontstory_nationals1

Cabrera has become indispensable to Nats in short order

August 21, 2019, 9:07pm

Nationals

Cabrera has become indispensable to Nats in short order

PITTSBURGH - When AsdrÃºbal Cabrera became available earlier this month, the Nationals figured there was no downside to signing the veteran infielder. The Rangers, who released Cabrera on Aug. 3, were responsible for the vast majority of his $3.5 million salary. Any subsequent team that signed the 33-year-old would be responsible only for a prorated portion of the major league minimum salary. In this case, that meant Cabrera could be had for the final two months of the season for roughly...

Comments

Tags:

asdrubal cabrera brian dozier davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nationals announce roster moves

August 22, 2019, 12:23pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Reinstated second baseman Brian Dozier from the Paternity List Reinstated right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer from the 10-day Injured List Optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Double-A Harrisburg Optioned infielder AdriÃ¡n Sanchez to Double-A Harrisburg Dozier, 32, is hitting .236 with 19 doubles, 19 home runs, 45...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Corbin continues dominant run in 11-1 win (updated)

August 21, 2019, 6:02pm

Nationals

Corbin continues dominant run in 11-1 win (updated)

PITTSBURGH - Sure, all this offense over the last week has been nice eye candy for the Nationals and their fans. Who doesn't like to see a ballclub score lots of runs in bunches? Let's not forget the real backbone of this Nationals roster, though. As always, it's built on the broad shoulders of a starting rotation that has been the one constant all season long, no matter the nightly state of the lineup or bullpen. And Patrick Corbin has been a major part of that equation. No, Corbin hasn't...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton anthony rendon asdrubal cabrera mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime patrick corbin pittsburgh pirates yan gomes featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strickland on broken nose: "It could've been a lot worse" (Nats up 6-0)

August 21, 2019, 2:31pm

Nationals

Strickland on broken nose: "It could've been a lot worse" (Nats up 6-0)

PITTSBURGH - Hunter Strickland can laugh about it now, but in those first few moments after the barbell fell from the rack and struck him on the face Tuesday afternoon, the Nationals reliever didn't know what to think. "I had no idea. I didn't know what happened," he said. "Obviously, it hit me pretty good, so it kind of dazed me for a second there. After that, I looked up in the mirror. My nose was crooked and bleeding everywhere. Just kind of put two and two together: Got knocked out by...

Comments

Tags:

bob carpenter erick fedde hunter strickland joe ross mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Breaking down the key decisions in Tuesday's loss

August 20, 2019, 8:32pm

Nationals

Breaking down the key decisions in Tuesday's loss

PITTSBURGH - It all happened so fast. The Nationals held a 1-0 lead when the seventh inning ended Tuesday night. Stephen Strasburg was in complete control. And then the Nationals were down 4-1 to the Pirates after Wander Suero and Daniel Hudson made a mess of the eighth inning. It's hardly the first time this has happened to the Nationals this season. But it was a particularly interesting recurrence of "The Eighth Inning Problem," for a variety of reasons. There were interesting decisions...

Comments

Tags:

daniel hudson davey martinez hunter strickland mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates roenis elias stephen strasburg wander suero featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 126 lineups: Nats at Pirates

August 21, 2019, 11:28am

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals scored 13 runs in Monday night's series opener. Then they scored one run last night. So what does tonight hold in store? The Nationals will try to get their offensive mojo back against Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove. Musgrove hasn't faced the Nats this year. He's had an up and down season, but in his most recent start he held the Cubs to two runs and four hits while striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings. Patrick Corbin starts for the Nationals. The lefty did face...

Comments

Tags:

lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime patrick corbin pittsburgh pirates frontstory_nationals1

How the Nats and Strasburg diagnosed tipped pitches

August 21, 2019, 4:11am

Nationals

How the Nats and Strasburg diagnosed tipped pitches

On Aug. 3, 2019, the Diamondbacks rolled past the Nats 18-7. The lowlight for Washington: One of their hottest pitchers, Stephen Strasburg, was lit up to the tune of nine runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. In a season with 15 wins, it was by far his worst outing to date in 2019. Arizona crushed five extra-base hits in that game, including a two-run shot by Eduardo Escobar, a solo shot from Nick Ahmed and a three-run homer by Jake Lamb. Ketel Marte delivered a triple and David Peralta a...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr carlos carrasco daniel murphy fp santangelo max scherzer nationals paul menhart stephen strasburg yan gomes featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Strickland breaks nose weightlifting but OK to pitch (Nats up 1-0)

August 20, 2019, 3:14pm

Nationals

Strickland breaks nose weightlifting but OK to pitch (Nats up 1-0)

PITTSBURGH - Hunter Strickland said he broke his nose in a weightlifting accident this afternoon, but the Nationals reliever has been cleared to pitch tonight and he'll be available out of the bullpen if needed. Strickland was working out in the weight room at PNC Park when he was struck in the face by a barbell, according to manager Davey Martinez. Strickland walked through the visitors' clubhouse a short while after with a bandage over the bridge of his nose and with discoloration and...

Comments

Tags:

hunter strickland mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates roenis elias featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg cruises, bullpen blows up in 4-1 loss (updated)

August 20, 2019, 6:08pm

Nationals

Strasburg cruises, bullpen blows up in 4-1 loss (updated)

PITTSBURGH - Stephen Strasburg didn't necessarily dominate the Pirates tonight. He simply cruised along, allowing a few baserunners here and there but never allowing them to seriously threaten to score against him. And when he departed the mound after seven innings of 94-pitch ball, the Nationals right-hander seemingly had another frame in him. But when Strasburg reached the dugout, he was greeted with handshakes from his manager and pitching coach. His night was over. Davey Martinez was now...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon daniel hudson davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates stephen strasburg wander suero featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

If leg heals quickly, Ross will remain in Nationals rotation

August 20, 2019, 2:13pm

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - Joe Ross will remain in the Nationals rotation. If his right leg heals in time after he was struck by a comebacker during Monday night's win over the Pirates. Ross was still walking with a slight limp and had his lower right leg wrapped this afternoon, still feeling the effects of the 110-mph comebacker that caught him square on the shin the bottom of the fourth the previous night. The right-hander had to depart the game early, and though he was encouraged afterward that X-rays...

Comments

Tags:

chicago cubs erick fedde joe ross mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Now on IL, Doolittle knows he must "hit pause and reset"

August 19, 2019, 8:18pm

Nationals

Now on IL, Doolittle knows he must "hit pause and reset"

PITTSBURGH - Sean Doolittle knew his mechanics were out of whack, knew he wasn't getting life and spin on his fastball the way he always had, knew his arm and body were fatigued. He also believed he could battle his way through it and still pitch effectively for a Nationals team that seemed to need him for the ninth inning way more nights of the week than it didn't. But after watching the Brewers torch him for three homers in the span of four batters during his latest blown save Saturday...

Comments

Tags:

bullpen davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates sean doolittle featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats set offensive records galore in rout of Pirates (updated)

August 19, 2019, 6:23pm

Nationals

Nats set offensive records galore in rout of Pirates (updated)

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals are built to win on the broad shoulders of their dominant rotation. Have been for years. That does not mean this team is incapable of winning on the might of a deep and potent lineup, however, one capable on any given night of blasting an opposing pitching staff out of the park. Or, in this case, into the Allegheny River. It happened last week, with three double-digit offensive explosions in four games against the Reds and Brewers. And it continued tonight during a...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton asdrubal cabrera joe ross mark zuckerman matt adams nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 125 lineups: Nats at Pirates

August 20, 2019, 11:20am

Nationals

PITTSBURGH - You know all about what the Nationals have accomplished at the plate in recent days. What might they be able to accomplish tonight if they keep the barrage going? Well, they've already tied the major league record by scoring 13 or more runs in three straight games. If they can somehow do it again tonight, they'll become the first team in Major League Baseball history to do it in four straight games. They've scored 43 runs in three games; if they can score seven tonight, they'll...

Comments

Tags:

lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates stephen strasburg frontstory_nationals1

Zimmerman rehab shifts to Potomac (Nats up 11-0)

August 19, 2019, 4:05pm

Nationals

Zimmerman rehab shifts to Potomac (Nats up 11-0)

PITTSBURGH - Ryan Zimmerman has gone on two-game rehab assignments before. This current one won't be nearly so quick. After playing in a pair of games over the weekend for Double-A Harrisburg, Zimmerman is now shifting to Single-A Potomac to continue his rehab from a recurrence of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. And he may be there for a while. Manager Davey Martinez said today he wants the veteran first baseman to not only get his foot healthy but also to get his entire game healthy...

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton mark zuckerman matt adams nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates ryan zimmerman trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Scherzer set to return to rotation Thursday

August 19, 2019, 2:01pm

Nationals

Scherzer set to return to rotation Thursday

PITTSBURGH - Max Scherzer bounded through the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park shortly after 3:30 p.m. today, a smile on his face and a bounce in his step not often seen over the last month. And as he walked past reporters he offered up three unsolicited words that revealed more about his current state of body and mind than any lengthy interview could have topped: "See you Thursday." The Nationals ace is ready to return at last. After an aggravating month spent trying to overcome a pair of...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 124 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Dozier on paternity leave)

August 19, 2019, 11:34am

Nationals

Game 124 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Dozier on paternity leave)

PITTSBURGH - It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood here alongside the Allegheny River, where the Nationals tonight open a four-game series against the floundering Pirates. They've done a very good job this summer of beating up on bad teams. Here's a golden opportunity to feast some more on a Pirates club that is a staggering 7-27 since the All-Star break, worst in the majors. We'll see if the Nats lineup can keep it going after absolutely terrorizing the Brewers pitching staff over the...

Comments

Tags:

adrian sanchez asdrubal cabrera brian dozier joe ross lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime pittsburgh pirates

Nationals release 2020 spring training schedule

August 19, 2019, 9:48am

Nationals

The calendar hasn't even flipped to September, but Major League Baseball is already thinking ahead to spring training 2020. The Nationals' Grapefruit League schedule was released this afternoon, and includes 31 dates - 15 home games at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., and 16 road games. Of course, since the Astros and Nationals share the same home field for spring games, some of those road games require no travel. That's the case for the spring opener, when...

Comments

Tags:

ballpark of the palm beaches featured_sidebar nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel spring training frontstory_nationals2

Looking at Nationals' options in the ninth inning

August 18, 2019, 5:46pm

Nationals

It's hard to believe Nationals manager Davey Martinez isn't aware of the angst and frustration three simple words - "He's our closer" - cause for a fan base tired of watching ninth-inning leads frittered away. For the three weeks Sean Doolittle has been struggling to lock down games, Martinez has dug his heels in and drawn a line in the sand, holding firm that the southpaw will remain his closer because he's the best option to protect a lead with three outs to go. When Matt Williams...

Comments

Tags:

daniel hudson davey martinez fernando rodney greg holland hunter strickland nationals nationals pastime pete kerzel roenis elias sean doolittle featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Nats respond to defeat with barrage of longballs in 16-8 victory

August 18, 2019, 2:21pm

Nationals

Nats respond to defeat with barrage of longballs in 16-8 victory

It was as fair question to ask: After Saturday night's - er, early Sunday morning's - demoralizing 15-14 loss to the Brewers in 14 innings, how would the Nationals respond? Apparently soul-crushing defeats and lack of restorative sleep result in prodigious displays of home run power. The Nationals took full advantage of their home park's launching pad characteristics in warm, humid weather, muscling up to hit eight homers in a 16-8 rout of the Brewers that secured a series victory. "What I...