nationals

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

August 03, 2018, 4:54am

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.,...

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Milone again leads the way as Nats sweep Mets (updated)

August 01, 2018, 10:43am

Nationals

Milone again leads the way as Nats sweep Mets (updated)

They aren't going to score 25 runs every night, the Nationals very much know this. Given the inconsistent nature of their offensive performance this season, they know their best path to a late-season surge is going to come from their pitching staff, first and foremost a rotation that has surprisingly underachieved all summer. Who would have imagined, though, that salvation would come in the form of Tommy Milone? Yes, Tommy Milone. The long-ago Nationals prospect who was among the players sent...

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Milone nets first triumph since April 2017 in Nats' win over Mets

August 01, 2018, 11:44am

Nationals

Milone nets first triumph since April 2017 in Nats' win over Mets

Left-hander Tommy Milone looked the part Wednesday of a starting pitcher that could help the Nationals as they attempt to climb back to the top of the National League East. In only his second start this season, Milone allowed just one run over seven innings as the Nats subdued the Mets 5-3 for his first win since April 14, 2017 while with the Brewers. "It's been kind of a rollercoaster ride, really," Milone said. "I spent the last couple years trying to get back to my old self and midway...

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Nats drop Kelley, citing "disrespect" in Tuesday's game

August 01, 2018, 8:10am

Nationals

Nats drop Kelley, citing "disrespect" in Tuesday's game

Citing the "disrespect" they felt he displayed toward his manager and the organization as a whole when he slammed his glove to the ground in frustration in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 25-4 win over the Mets, the Nationals designated reliever Shawn Kelley for assignment this morning, perhaps making a broader statement in the process to a clubhouse of players that has been through a tumultuous season to date. "You're either in or you're in the way," general manager Mike Rizzo said....

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Cordero didn't sleep after getting first call to majors

August 01, 2018, 7:52am

Nationals

Cordero didn't sleep after getting first call to majors

The Nationals welcomed right-hander Jimmy Cordero to the club after right-hander Shawn Kelley was designated for assignment. Cordero, 26, has done well with Triple-A Syracuse. He is 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA, compiling six saves in 38 games. "He's been lights out," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "He's throwing 97 mph to 99 mph. He's got a really good slider. The biggest thing for us after seeing him in spring training is that he's throwing strikes both with his fastball and his...

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Milone and offense start quick against Mets (Nats win 5-3)

August 01, 2018, 9:11am

Nationals

Milone and offense start quick against Mets (Nats win 5-3)

The Nationals continued their early offense by going after Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard. Bryce Harper lined a run-scoring single into the shift in right field in the first inning to plate Trea Turner, who had reached on a fielder's choice and stolen second. Turner doubled in the third and swiped third before Anthony Rendon slugged a two-run homer, his 16th of the season. Turner has two stolen bases for the second time in the series. Nationals left-hander Tommy Milone retired the first...

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Roark continues to build confidence in 25-4 dispatch of Mets

July 31, 2018, 7:16pm

Nationals

Roark continues to build confidence in 25-4 dispatch of Mets

It helps when your offense scores 19 runs in your first five innings of work. But it also is important if you are pitching with confidence, again. Last Wednesday in Milwaukee, right-hander Tanner Roark tossed eight shutout innings for his first win since June 6, a 7-3 defeat of the Brewers at Miller Park. He had lost six straight decisions before breaking through in Wisconsin. Tuesday night back home, Roark put two solid starts together by firing seven innings, allowing only one run on four...

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Game 107 lineups: Nats vs. Mets (Cordero up, Kelley DFA)

July 31, 2018, 7:35pm

Nationals

Game 107 lineups: Nats vs. Mets (Cordero up, Kelley DFA)

The Nationals rolled to an impressive offensive display for the second consecutive series with a 25-4 win over the Mets last night at Nationals Park. Last weekend in Miami, the Nats dropped the Marlins 10-3 and 9-1 to begin their four-game series. But on Saturday and Sunday, the club managed just one run in 19 innings in losing two in a row. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman smacked a two-run homer and a run-scoring single in the rou last nightt, but fully understands his team must find a way to...

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Nats pound Mets 25-4 to end long day at end of long July

July 31, 2018, 6:21pm

Nationals

Nats pound Mets 25-4 to end long day at end of long July

First, the obvious caveat: What the Nationals did tonight on South Capitol Street has no bearing on what they do Wednesday afternoon on South Capitol Street, or in any other future game in 2018. We've seen this enough times this season to know there is no such thing as momentum, at least not for this Nationals club. So just take tonight's events for what they're worth and simply enjoy the fact that a ballclub that has disappointed in so many ways this season and earlier in the day made the...