nationals

Scherzer good for Nats, Nola better in 2-0 Phillies win

August 23, 2018, 12:48pm

On this day, in a battle of National League Cy Young candidates, Max Scherzer was good, but Aaron Nola was just a little bit better. Scherzer went seven innings, allowing only a two-run homer by OdÃºbel Herrera in the seventh that lifted the Phillies past the Nationals 2-0, preventing a three-game sweep. Scherzer allowed just one other hit, struck out 10 and walked four. He threw 109 pitches, 65 for strikes. It was the 14th time this season he has stuck out 10 or more batters in a game and...

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Ryan Sullivan: What will Nationals lineup look like in 2019?

August 24, 2018, 5:50am

Nationals

Earlier this week, the Nationals traded Matt Adams to the Cardinals and Daniel Murphy to the Cubs, the first legitimate signs Washington had essentially conceded its playoff chances this season. These two deals netted an intriguing prospect in Andruw Monasterio, while hopefully trimming payroll below the luxury tax figure, both positives for the future. Also, it will give players like Wilmer Difo significant playing time in September to earn spots for next season. But this left me speculating...

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Zimmerman sore, gets day off; updates on Strasburg, Difo, Soto

August 23, 2018, 8:27am

Nationals

Zimmerman sore, gets day off; updates on Strasburg, Difo, Soto

Fresh off his dramatic two-out, walk-off two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning last night, Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is not in the starting lineup for the series finale against the Phillies. Manager Davey Martinez said he spoke with Zimmerman late last night and made the decision to give him the day off. But the manager advised him to be ready for a late-game pinch-hitting opportunity. "It's part of our communication," Martinez said. "At the end of the game, I talk to...

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Scherzer against Nola is as advertised (Nats fall 2-0)

August 23, 2018, 10:01am

Nationals

Scherzer against Nola is as advertised (Nats fall 2-0)

The Aaron Nola versus Max Scherzer matchup has lived up to its billing in the first three innings. The Nationals have two hits and the Phillies have yet to connect against Scherzer, but have drawn a pair of walks. The best chance for the Nats early on came in the third inning. Spencer Kieboom led off with a double into the left field corner. Scherzer laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Kieboom to third with less one out. But Nola struck out Adam Eaton with a curveball and Trea Turner...

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Bullpen steps up to make late heroics possible

August 22, 2018, 9:12pm

Nationals

Bullpen steps up to make late heroics possible

For 8 2/3 innings Wednesday night, the most significant thing that happened at Nationals Park was Stephen Strasburg's worrisome return from the disabled list, a shaky four-inning start that raised questions about the right-hander's health and stamina. Then with one dramatic swing, Ryan Zimmerman stole the show and added to his already impressive legacy with the 11th walk-off homer of his career, propelling the roller coaster that is the 2018 Nationals to back-to-back wins over the Phillies...

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Game 128 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

August 23, 2018, 5:53am

Nationals

The Nationals have won the first two games of this critical series against the Phillies in comeback fashion. The Nats trailed in each game only to comeback for 10-4 and 8-7 victories. On Tuesday, they were down 4-1 but scored nine unanswered runs to win 10-4. On Wednesday, they were down 3-0, 3-1, 4-1, 5-4, 6-5, 7-5 and 7-6 only to win 8-7 on a Ryan Zimmerman two-run walk-off homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The pair of wins for the Nats were their first back-to-back against the...

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The kid and the veteran team up for one shining moment

August 22, 2018, 8:24pm

Nationals

The kid and the veteran team up for one shining moment

The first time he did it, way back on Father's Day 2006 off the Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang, Ryan Zimmerman was a 21-year-old rookie third baseman, with a whole career still ahead of him and no clue how winding a path he would take despite spending all of it as a National. Juan Soto? He was a 7-year-old kid in Santo Domingo who perhaps already had dreams of one day playing in the major leagues but surely could not have envisioned playing alongside Zimmerman in a ballpark in Washington that had...

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Strasburg says return is "work in progress," cites endurance as a factor

August 22, 2018, 8:01pm

Nationals

Strasburg says return is "work in progress," cites endurance as a factor

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg didn't pitch as well as wanted in his return to the mound Wednesday night. But Strasburg was all smiles afterward, thanks to a dramatic two-run walk-off homer from Ryan Zimmerman that completed another comeback for the Nationals in an 8-7 win over the Phillies. Strasburg struck out the first two batters he faced on called third strikes. But then he gave up back-to-back doubles, a homer and a single. Suddenly, the Phillies led 3-0 in the first inning. Maikel...

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Zimmerman to the rescue with 11th career walk-off homer

August 22, 2018, 6:58pm

Nationals

Zimmerman to the rescue with 11th career walk-off homer

There is plenty still for the Nationals to be concerned about, most notably Stephen Strasburg's health after a worrisome performance in his return from the disabled list tonight. But remarkably, there are still reasons for this team to have some optimism no matter how hopeless their situation appears, and tonight an old friend provided the moment that helped raise those hopes another notch. Trailing with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Zimmerman launched a game-ending, two-run homer...

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Martinez on calling plays for Difo and his choice for a backup at second base

August 22, 2018, 2:09pm

Nationals

Martinez on calling plays for Difo and his choice for a backup at second base

The Nationals reinstated right-hander Stephen Strasburg for tonight's start against the Phillies and sent infielder Adrian Sanchez back to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Davey Martinez said the Nats kept an extra pitcher because they had to use seven relievers to win the first game of the series that was delayed for almost two hours because of rain Monday. "Just the way the game played out yesterday with our bullpen," Martinez said. "The fact that (Tanner) Roark couldn't go back out, so we...

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Harper ignites offense again (Zimmerman's walk-off homer gives Nats 8-7 win)

August 22, 2018, 4:28pm

Nationals

Harper ignites offense again (Zimmerman's walk-off homer gives Nats 8-7 win)

It looked like Stephen Strasburg was on target when he caught CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez and Rhys Hoskins looking to begin the game. But then he allowed four hits in a row, including back-to-back doubles by AsdrÃºbal Cabrera and Justin Bour. Maikel Franco then made 3-0 with a two-run shot to left field on a 3-2 pitch. It was his 21st homer of the season. The Nationals got one back in the bottom of the first. With two outs against Phillies starter Zach Elfin, Bryce Harper reached on a bunt single...

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What's the state of Nats bullpen entering tonight's game?

August 22, 2018, 2:13pm

Nationals

What's the state of Nats bullpen entering tonight's game?

Tuesday night's 10-4 win over the Phillies took a lot out of the Nationals. They only got three innings out of Tanner Roark because of a 1-hour, 45-minute rain delay that prevented the starter from retaking the mound. That forced an already makeshift bullpen to churn out six innings, with no true long man available after Tommy Milone threw four innings in garbage time during Sunday's blowout loss to the Marlins and then landed on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation. Davey...

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Nats 2019 schedule released; opens March 28 against Mets at home

August 22, 2018, 8:45am

Nationals

Nats 2019 schedule released; opens March 28 against Mets at home

The 15th season of Nationals baseball opens the 2019 campaign at home Thursday, March 28 against the New York Mets. It is the earliest start to a season in Nationals history. Major League Baseball wanted to start the season a week early again this season, as they did last season, so that they can build in an extra three or four off days in each campaign. The Nats open with three games at home against the Mets and then two games against the Phillies, April 2 and 3. The Nats will have 13...

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Game 127 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

August 22, 2018, 11:25am

Nationals

It's been a strange, eventful summer for the Nationals, and it has only grown stranger and more eventful in recent days - and that's not going to change tonight. Because in the wake of everything else that has gone on around here lately, Stephen Strasburg is coming back from the disabled list to make only his second start in 2 1/2 months, looking to help the Nats gain another game on the Phillies. What can we expect from Strasburg? Hard to say. He didn't make a rehab start, only a 70-pitch...

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Nationals reinstate Stephen Strasburg from DL

August 22, 2018, 11:41am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 10-day disabled list and optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Strasburg, 30, returns to the Nationals after being placed on the 10-day disabled list on July 26 with a cervical nerve impingement. He is 6-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 14 starts for Washington in 2018. He has recorded 10.65...

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Young Nats who might get a closer look the rest of the season

August 21, 2018, 9:11pm

Nationals

Young Nats who might get a closer look the rest of the season

If the Nationals truly have waved the white flag on 2018 - whether they have depends on your interpretation of Tuesday's trades and subsequent statements made by Mark Lerner, Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez - then their focus for the remaining 5 1/2 weeks of the season is going to have to shift at least somewhat toward preparing for 2019. What, though, does that mean from a practical standpoint? What players might we see the rest of the way who might not otherwise have received this kind of...

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Seven relievers helped Nats in 10-4 comeback over the Phillies

August 21, 2018, 9:02pm

Nationals

Seven relievers helped Nats in 10-4 comeback over the Phillies

Because of a rain delay that almost reached two hours, starter Tanner Roark was limited to three innings. That left the Nats having to rely on seven different relievers to hold off the Phillies in a 10-4 win. Left-hander Matt Grace did well in relief of Roark with two scoreless innings, but got into trouble when he could not record an out to start the sixth. He allowed four batters in a row to reach base and it looked like the Phillies had a chance to run away with the game. But Jimmy Cordero...

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Replacements come through in win over Phillies (updated)

August 21, 2018, 8:05pm

Nationals

Replacements come through in win over Phillies (updated)

Hours after watching their front office trade away two popular veterans and their owner issue a statement that all but served as a concession speech for the 2018 season, the Nationals took the field tonight to face a Phillies team that is very much in a pennant race for the first time in seven years, then sat through a 1-hour, 42-minute rain delay in the third inning before re-taking the field in front of a crowd with a vibe not felt around here since maybe 2010. With Daniel Murphy on his way...

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Roark pitched only three innings because of rain, but again was very good

August 22, 2018, 3:36am

Nationals

Roark pitched only three innings because of rain, but again was very good

Right-hander Tanner Roark did not win last night's 10-4 rain-soaked comeback over the Phillies, but he was well on his way. Roark fired three shutout innings, allowing only a Carlos Santana leadoff single to begin the second. But a one-hour, 42-minute rain delay ended Roark's night before he could out together another win. He was riding a career-high five-game win streak coming into the matchup. His last loss was July 13 at New York against the Mets. "I felt ok to do it but in the long run...

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Nationals announce 2019 schedule

August 22, 2018, 8:23am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals - in conjunction with Major League Baseball - announced their 2019 schedule on Wednesday. The 15th season of Nationals baseball will commence with an Opening Day matchup against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on March 28th, marking the earliest start of the season in Nationals history (2005-present). Washington's initial homestand will feature three games against the Mets before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies for two games, April 2nd and 3rd. Nationals Park...