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Game 109 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

August 04, 2018, 7:12am

The Nationals' momentum from their four-game winning streak was temporarily halted last evening due to inclement weather. Standing pat at the deadline has Davey Martinez's club rolling, albeit against a disappointing Mets' squad, and currently to the team dead-last in the NL Central. Gio Gonzalez's start last night got pushed back a day and he gets the nod in the first matchup of today's twinbill against the Reds. He's in the hunt for his first victory since May 28 against Baltimore....

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Miller's versatility becoming critical with exits of Kintzler, Kelley

August 03, 2018, 3:34pm

Nationals

Miller's versatility becoming critical with exits of Kintzler, Kelley

Reliever Justin Miller pitched a scoreless seventh inning Thursday night, taking over for starter Max Scherzer in the Nationals 10-4 win over the Reds in the series opener. He allowed one two-out single, but then got Jose Peraza to pop up weakly to catcher Matt Wieters to end the inning. Wieters bumped fists with Miller as if to say 'good job!" as the big right-hander worked his way back to the dugout. It symbolized the importance of Miller to the Nationals relieving corps. His position has...

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Harper in nice rhythm after Home Run Derby, reversing recent trend

August 03, 2018, 1:42pm

Nationals

Harper in nice rhythm after Home Run Derby, reversing recent trend

Nationals manager Davey Martinez elected to place first baseman Ryan Zimmerman in the No. 7 hole in the lineup in Friday's matchup against the Reds. This is the first time Zimmerman will bat seventh in a game this season. Zimmerman has started 24 games in the No. 7 hole, out of 1,536 career major league starts. Martinez said the emphasis wasn't on Zimmerman being dropped down that far in the order, but rather the groupings of hitters he wanted to keep in place. Adam Eaton, Trea Turner,...

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Nats-Reds game postponed, day-night doubleheader Saturday

August 03, 2018, 3:32pm

Nationals

Nats-Reds game postponed, day-night doubleheader Saturday

With one round of rain having already swept through shortly before scheduled first pitch and another round expected later this evening, the Nationals' game against the Reds has been postponed. The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, with the makeup game now at 1:05 p.m. and a separate ticket required for the originally scheduled 7:05 p.m. game. Gio Gonzalez and Anthony DeSclafani, tonight's scheduled starting pitchers, will take the mound for the 1:05 p.m....

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Wieters relieved, determined to improve after trade deadline

August 03, 2018, 2:14pm

Nationals

Wieters relieved, determined to improve after trade deadline

Like everyone else in the Nationals clubhouse, Matt Wieters was well aware of the dilemma his team's front office faced earlier this week as the July 31 trade deadline approached. And Wieters knew he might be affected more than just about anyone else, given his struggles the last two seasons and the sense general manager Mike Rizzo might be seeking a catching upgrade. So when 4 p.m. Tuesday came and went and Wieters realized that his situation - like the majority of the roster - hadn't...

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Nats' offensive numbers looking more familiar since break

August 02, 2018, 7:45pm

Nationals

Nats' offensive numbers looking more familiar since break

Levelheaded ballplayers like to espouse the belief that everything will even out over a 162-game season, and numbers that may look subpar in May or July inevitably will resemble career norms come late September. "They're called averages for a reason," these players will say. If you believe in that mantra, you like what you've seen from several key Nationals of late. And you probably believe it's going to continue over the season's final two months. Take Bryce Harper, for example, who...

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Game 109 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

August 03, 2018, 11:25am

Nationals

The Nationals haven't enjoyed a four-game winning streak since the final week of May, when they managed to sweep the Marlins and Orioles in successive road series. More than two months later, they finally have a chance tonight to put "W4" in the "Streak" column of the standings. It'll be Gio Gonzalez on the mound. He's coming off a strong start in Miami but still is seeking his first win since May 28 over Baltimore (during the aforementioned winning streak). The lefty did beat the Reds...

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Fedde says he has benefited from throwing sessions with Strasburg

August 02, 2018, 8:32pm

Nationals

Fedde says he has benefited from throwing sessions with Strasburg

Right-hander Erick Fedde reports he has been throwing for about one week. He has been on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation since July 5. Fedde expected to throw from 115 feet Thursday prior to the Nats' 10-4 win over the Reds. Fedde detailed his pitching progression as he looks to get back to starting. "I have been playing catch with Strasburg, so that's been fun, too. Hopefully, in the next week or so I'll be back on the mound." Fedde has thrown from 90 feet, and every...

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Ryan Sullivan: Max Scherzer is a diamond in a rough season

August 03, 2018, 4:54am

Nationals

Ryan Sullivan: Max Scherzer is a diamond in a rough season

The 2018 season for the Nationals can best be summarized thus far with the words frustrating and disappointing. There have been lengthy injuries to players like Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman, and mediocre on-field performances from others. Just this week, Washington traded a player due to reported clubhouse issues and designated another for assignment for bizarrely slamming his glove in anger during a 25-4 victory. A team that was supposed to coast to the National League East...

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Sure, Scherzer can pitch, but have you seen him hit?

August 02, 2018, 7:14pm

Nationals

Sure, Scherzer can pitch, but have you seen him hit?

Max Scherzer makes the strikeout look commonplace and expected. For the 12th time in 23 starts this season, Scherzer struck out 10 or more hitters. Behind another workmanlike performance from Scherzer, the Nationals dropped the Reds 10-4 to open the four-game series and win their third in a row. Scherzer (15-5) has struck out 10 or more batters 76 times in his career and 12 times so far this season. His pitch count did get up there: 110 pitches over six innings, with 77 strikes. Scherzer lasted...

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Nationals ride early six-run rally to rout of Reds (updated)

August 02, 2018, 6:19pm

Nationals

Compile a list of "Things the Nationals Need to Do Better to Make the Playoffs in 2018," and somewhere near the top it would read: "Better Situational Hitting." It's not the only thing this team lacked through the season's first four months, but it's among the most significant, and one of the best ways to ensure a higher rate of success in the season's final two months. So consider how important the bottom of the second inning was in tonight's 10-4 victory over the Reds, when the...

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Soto is Rookie of Month again, plus injury updates

August 02, 2018, 2:18pm

Nationals

Soto is Rookie of Month again, plus injury updates

Among the many traits Juan Soto has displayed during his unexpected rookie season, perhaps the most impressive has been the remarkable consistency he has maintained throughout. Soto's OPS in May (when he played in only 12 games) was .998. In June, it was 1.050, earning him National League Rookie of the Month honors. And in July, it was .924, earning him those honors once again. Yes, Soto today was named NL Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive time, testament not only to his...

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Riggleman remembers his time with Nats, proud to have another shot to manage

August 02, 2018, 1:53pm

Nationals

Riggleman remembers his time with Nats, proud to have another shot to manage

Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman returned to D.C. as his team opens a four-game series against the Nationals. Riggleman said he is focusing on preparing for the game, but he does have fond memories for the area because he grew up here. "Really, your thoughts are about the ballgame ahead of us," Riggleman said from his desk in the visitors clubhouse at Nationals Park. "It's home for me. This is where I grew up, so I have friends and family here. And that's always great. I wish we came in...

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Offense gets going early again to help Scherzer (Nats win 10-4)

August 02, 2018, 4:19pm

Nationals

Offense gets going early again to help Scherzer (Nats win 10-4)

The Nationals made the game difficult for Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle in the first two innings. With four hits, four walks (one intentional) and a hit batter, the Nats scored six runs on four hits in the second inning. Mahle lasted only 1 2/3 innings, firing 49 pitches, 30 for strikes. Trea Turner had a two-run single and Max Scherzer a run-scoring single. In the third, the Nats scored again on a RBI single by Adam Eaton. Scherzer surrendered a double to Scooter Gennett in the first. But he...

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Rendon, teammates visit Nationals Youth Baseball Academy

August 02, 2018, 4:45pm

Nationals

Before they took the field against the Reds tonight to start a four-game series, third baseman Anthony Rendon and some of his Nationals teammates spent time this afternoon visiting with scholar-athletes at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. Rendon was joined by Juan Soto, Tanner Roark, Spencer Kieboom and other members of the Nationals. The visit highlighted the historic championship by the Mamie Johnson Little League 12-U team and the end of the summer programming at the Youth...

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Game 108 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

August 02, 2018, 11:26am

Nationals

It is pouring at this moment on South Capitol Street, and there is rain in the forecast at various points throughout the remainder of the afternoon and evening. What that means for tonight's series opener against the Reds ... we just don't know yet. Stay tuned. As always, when we know, you'll know. The Nationals would very much like to play, trying to sustain some positive (on-field) momentum from their two-game sweep of the Mets and sending Max Scherzer to the mound. That's a nice...

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Juan Soto named National League Rookie of the Month

August 02, 2018, 12:49pm

Nationals

Juan Soto named National League Rookie of the Month

Following a month in which he hit .299 (29-for-97) with five doubles, one triple, five homers, 15 RBI, 16 walks and 18 runs scored in 25 games, Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was named the National League Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month on Thursday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Soto, 19, led National League rookies in batting average (.299), on-base percentage (.398), slugging percentage (.526), OPS (.924), hits (29), RBI (15) and walks (16)....

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Harper going the other way more, leading to more hits

August 01, 2018, 8:48pm

Nationals

Harper going the other way more, leading to more hits

You can spend hours upon hours trying to figure out why the Nationals have struggled all season to find offensive consistency, but sometimes it's the simplest explanations that make the most sense. Like this one: When Bryce Harper hits, the Nats win. When he doesn't, they lose. The numbers back this up. Harper's offensive slash line in games the Nationals have won this season is a robust .298/.411/.662, which adds up to a 1.073 OPS. His slash line in games the Nationals have lost:...

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Turner's speed game is a plus the Nats need to take advantage of

August 02, 2018, 3:45am

Nationals

Turner's speed game is a plus the Nats need to take advantage of

The Nationals are looking to get Trea Turner more involved in generating opportunities on offense. It was a strategy they used at the beginning of the season when he was at the top of the order and everything was clicking. Turner stole 12 bases in April. He stole four bases in May. That was 16 in the first two months. In June he had six stolen bases. In the month of July, up to the 27th, he had no stolen bases. So from June 1 to July 27 he stole only six bases. That time frame coincided with up...

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Opposite dugout: Reds headed toward yet another last-place finish

August 01, 2018, 4:16pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Reds headed toward yet another last-place finish

Manager: Jim Riggleman (1st season) Record: 48-60 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Eugenio SuÃ¡rez (.300 with 24 HR, 81 RBIs); 1B Joey Votto (.289 with 109 hits, 22 2B); 2B Scooter Gennett (.313 with 17 HR, 67 RBIs); SS JosÃ© Peraza (.284 with 118 hits, 17 SB); RHP Matt Harvey (5-4, 4.44 ERA); RHP Tyler Mahle (7-8, 4.53 ERA); RHP Raisel Iglesias (2.11 ERA, 21 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: Aug. 2: RHP Tyler Mahle (7-8) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (14-5); 7:05 p.m.,...