nationals

Strasburg sets all-time franchise strikeout record (Nats fall 7-6)

August 09, 2019, 3:57pm

NEW YORK - April 7 was the last time the Nationals beat the Mets here at Citi Field. May 20-23, the Nats lost all four games. In that series, the Mets never scored more than six runs in a game. After that series, the Nats were 19-31. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he made sure to keep his players upbeat during those trying times. The Nats have rebounded to win 42 games since that sweep. "Even when things were going bad I seem to always have fun," Martinez said. "I got to keep the boys...

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Weekend series with Mets suddenly carries more weight

August 08, 2019, 8:30pm

Nationals

Weekend series with Mets suddenly carries more weight

We've spent most of the summer emphasizing the Nationals' matchups with the team they're chasing in the National League East (the Braves) and the team that's been right alongside them in the wild card race (the Phillies). The Mets? There hasn't been much reason to talk about them, at least not since April and early May, when they still harbored visions of being part of a four-team race in the NL East. But then came a collapse and the drama that too often seems to overtake New York's...

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Mets' resurgence adds plot twist to wild card scenarios

August 07, 2019, 12:49pm

Nationals

Mets' resurgence adds plot twist to wild card scenarios

On July 12, the first day after the All-Star break, the New York Mets lost 8-4 to Miami and their record dropped to 40-51, making them a team that most thought would hit the trade market as a seller as the July 31 deadline arrived. Pitchers Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard were going to be on the move. That would give the Mets a chance to make up for the disastrous offseason acquisitions of Robinson CanÃ³, who wasn't hitting and is on the injured list, and closer Edwin DÃaz, who...

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Suzuki staying productive as playing time increases

August 06, 2019, 10:24pm

Nationals

Suzuki staying productive as playing time increases

SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals knew they were getting an offensive-minded catcher when they signed Kurt Suzuki over the winter. So they aren't exactly surprised by the production they've gotten out of the 35-year-old veteran this season. But they're also making sure they appreciate it. "He's been awesome, really has," manager Davey Martinez said. "And not just his hitting. The way he's been calling games. His leadership in the clubhouse. Everything about him has been really, really good....

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Game 114 lineups: Nats at Giants

August 07, 2019, 9:12am

Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals are in position to sweep the Giants this afternoon, so that perhaps gives Davey Martinez a little leeway with his lineup, perhaps not feeling the need to overwork guys with a quick turnaround to today's 12:45 p.m. local first pitch. That means we've got a bit of a new look here today. It's AsdrÃºbal Cabrera making his first start for the Nationals in five years, playing second base. And it's Gerardo Parra, who started last night in right field, at first base...

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Nats use tried and true formula to beat Giants again

August 06, 2019, 8:30pm

Nationals

Nats use tried and true formula to beat Giants again

SAN FRANCISCO - The formula sounds simple enough. Get a quality start from the guy on the mound. Get some big hits to seize an early lead. Turn things over to the bullpen to close out a victory. For the better part of four months, the Nationals didn't have enough of the right ingredients to concoct that formula. Most notably, the bullpen pieces. Now that they do have a relief corps with more than one or two trusted arms, the Nats are perfectly capable of winning games like tonight's 5-3...

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Nats officially add Cabrera to roster, drop Barraclough (Nats lead 5-1)

August 06, 2019, 5:31pm

Nationals

Nats officially add Cabrera to roster, drop Barraclough (Nats lead 5-1)

SAN FRANCISCO - It's been five years, and only a few of the faces remain the same, but that didn't diminish the smile on AsdrÃºbal Cabrera's face today as he looked around the visitors' clubhouse at Oracle Park and realized he was playing for the Nationals again. "I played here in 2014, and I had fun here," the veteran infielder said. "Good group of guys. Now they have a new staff. I'm happy to be back and be part of the Nationals." Released by the Rangers over the weekend and signed...

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Game 113 lineups: Nats at Giants

August 06, 2019, 2:22pm

Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals have a bit of different look going on with tonight's lineup. With rookie left-hander Conner Menez starting for the Giants, Davey Martinez has bumped Matt Adams all the way down to the No. 7 spot, behind Kurt Suzuki and Brian Dozier. And he's giving Gerardo Parra a start in right field instead of Adam Eaton, and keeping Parra in the No. 2 spot. Some of this is byproduct of the makeup of the Nationals bench right now, with two key right-handed hitters injured (Ryan...

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For third straight day, Hudson is perfect out of Nats bullpen

August 05, 2019, 10:42pm

Nationals

For third straight day, Hudson is perfect out of Nats bullpen

SAN FRANCISCO - It might have been cause for raised eyebrows, but Daniel Hudson was so matter-of-fact about it all, going about his business with no fanfare, that it was hard to find any fault with the strategy. Hudson made his Nationals debut Saturday night in Phoenix. He returned to pitch Sunday afternoon at Chase Field. And then he was summoned out of the bullpen at Oracle Park for the bottom of the seventh Monday night. It was the first time the veteran right-hander had pitched three...

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Fedde in complete control in 4-0 win over Giants

August 05, 2019, 8:57pm

Nationals

Fedde in complete control in 4-0 win over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO - The memory of a nine-run pounding at the hands of the Braves last week perhaps was fresher on everyone's minds, but Erick Fedde also knew how well he had pitched in his two starts prior to that disaster against one of baseball's toughest lineups. Fedde, you may recall, had limited the Orioles and Rockies to two runs in 10 innings. Sure, those aren't two of the most imposing lineups in the sport. But neither is the lineup Bruce Bochy fielded tonight at Oracle Park. So maybe it...

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Nationals agree to terms with AsdrÃºbal Cabrera

August 06, 2019, 2:24pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder AsdrÃºbal Cabrera and optioned infielder AdriÃ¡n Sanchez to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday. Additionally, the Nationals designated right-handed pitcher Kyle Barraclough for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball of Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Cabrera, 33, joins the Nationals after hitting .235 with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 51 RBI, 38 walks and 45 runs scored in 93 games...

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Cabrera addition could help depleted bench (Nats up 3-0)

August 05, 2019, 5:16pm

Nationals

Cabrera addition could help depleted bench (Nats up 3-0)

SAN FRANCISCO - Though they aren't publicly confirming it yet, the Nationals are making plans to add AsdrÃºbal Cabrera to their roster Tuesday in what they hope will be a nice boost to a suddenly depleted bench. Cabrera, who was released by the Rangers over the weekend, agreed today to a contract with the Nationals for a prorated portion of the league minimum salary (less than $200,000), according to a source familiar with the deal. The 33-year-old infielder hit .235 with 12 homers, 51 RBIs...

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Source: Nats bringing back AsdrÃºbal Cabrera

August 05, 2019, 2:16pm

Nationals

Source: Nats bringing back AsdrÃºbal Cabrera

SAN FRANCISCO - After watching a pair of veteran infielders go on the injured list, the Nationals are signing another familiar veteran to help fill the void: AsdrÃºbal Cabrera. The Nats have signed Cabrera to a major league minimum contract and hope to have him in uniform in time for Tuesday night's game against the Giants, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. Cabrera, 33, was just released by the Rangers over the weekend after hitting .235 with 12 homers, 51 RBIs and a .711 OPS in 93...

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Game 112 lineups: Nats at Giants

August 05, 2019, 2:27pm

Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO - It's a beautiful afternoon along McCovey Cove, but don't kid yourself. It's going to be downright chilly tonight by the time the Nationals and Giants get their series opener underway. After the 110-degree heat of Arizona over the weekend, the upper 50s in the forecast later tonight are going to be quite a shock to the system. The Nats would love to get hot the next few days, no matter the temperature. They've dropped three straight series and really need to get themselves...

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Update on three southpaws at Potomac: Cate, Raquet and Teel

August 03, 2019, 1:59pm

Nationals

Update on three southpaws at Potomac: Cate, Raquet and Teel

Here are some updates on a few pitchers working for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. One of those previewed - Kyle Johnston, the Nats' No. 21-rated prospect - was sent to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson last week. P-Nats manager Tripp Keister gave updates on three other pitchers, all southpaws: Tim Cate, Nick Raquet and Carson Teel. Cate is the left-handed starter taken in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft in 2018. He has gone 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA...

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With Scherzer still out, Nationals need others to step up

August 04, 2019, 10:17pm

Nationals

PHOENIX - The Nationals played 17 series over a two-month stretch from late May until late July. They lost only one of those series, dropping two of three to the Braves in June on South Capitol Street. Now all of a sudden, they've lost three series in a row, dropping two of three apiece to the Dodgers, Braves and Diamondbacks in their worst stretch of games since this whole in-season turnaround began. Suffice it to say the Nationals really need to get themselves back on track. And who better...

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Nationals can't rally, drop third straight series (updated)

August 04, 2019, 3:12pm

Nationals

PHOENIX - On a day like this, with loud contact from both sides every few minutes and a pair of pitching staffs that have had trouble limiting damage this weekend, neither the Nationals nor the Diamondbacks should ever have felt comfortable, not until the final out of this series finale was secured. The two clubs, only hours after Saturday night's slugfest at Chase Field, engaged in another one that ultimately came down to a pair of bullpens that boast plenty of question marks. Which unit...

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Kendrick, ElÃas to IL; Guerra, Stevenson rejoin roster (Nats down 7-5)

August 04, 2019, 11:40am

Nationals

Kendrick, ElÃas to IL; Guerra, Stevenson rejoin roster (Nats down 7-5)

PHOENIX - For two days, the Nationals hoped Howie Kendrick and Roenis ElÃas had suffered mere leg cramps and not hamstring strains. On the third day, they conceded the ailments were severe enough to land both players on the injured list. Kendrick and ElÃas were formally placed on the 10-day IL before today's series finale against the Diamondbacks, and though club officials still believe neither injury is serious, both will miss at least another week, leaving the roster depleted. Javy...

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Parra, Dozier become latest Nats position players to pitch

August 04, 2019, 12:23am

Nationals

Parra, Dozier become latest Nats position players to pitch

PHOENIX - There have been 2,376 games in Nationals history, spread out among 15 seasons since baseball returned to Washington. And in only four of those games has the club's manager at the time resorted to handing the ball to a position player and asking him to pitch. It's an exceptionally rare occurrence for this team, and yet there's a bizarre common factor in almost every case: the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yes, three of the four games that have seen a Nationals position player pitch have...

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Game 111 lineups: Nats at Diamondbacks

August 04, 2019, 9:32am

Nationals

PHOENIX - Hello one more time from Chase Field, where the Nationals and Diamondbacks wrap up their series this afternoon, each seeking to walk away having won two of three. And each sends a guy to the mound with a connection to the opposing team. Patrick Corbin makes his return to the desert, facing the organization that developed him into an All-Star, then watched him leave for Washington and $140 million. Corbin has enjoyed catching up with friends the last few days, but he's now all...