nationals

After calling it a career, Werth's legacy in D.C. is complete

June 27, 2018, 2:07pm

Jayson Werth always insisted he could play well into his 40s, that as a late bloomer who didn't become a big league regular until his late 20s and someone who was big into nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, he was uniquely positioned to continue his playing career beyond the norm. And no doubt Werth still believed that deep in his heart when he went out to Tacoma two months ago to play for the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate. There were three factors, however, Werth couldn't...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to build momentum against struggling Nationals

June 27, 2018, 2:09pm

Nationals

Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 42-36 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Rhys Hoskins (43 RBIs), CF OdÃºbel Herrera (.298, 13 HR, 45 RBIs), 1B Carlos Santana (46 RBIs), 2B CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez (.264, 12 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (38 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (9-2, 2.58 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: June 28: RHP Tanner Roark (3-8) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (9-2), 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 29 RHP Erick Fedde (0-3) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6), 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 30: RHP...

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Nats offense continues to struggle in 1-0 loss at Tampa Bay

June 26, 2018, 12:36pm

Nationals

Nats offense continues to struggle in 1-0 loss at Tampa Bay

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Even facing two pitchers that were on target, it would be hard to ignore the Nationals struggles on offense against the Rays. The Nats fell 1-0 Tuesday afternoon, just 17 hours after an 11-0 shutout. The offense mustered five hits in the two-game series. Sure Blake Snell was good, and so was Nathan Eovaldi, but the Nats went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and struck out a whopping 23 times in the series. They went three-up and three-down 11 times in 18...

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Nats contemplate how to get out of second big offensive funk of season

June 26, 2018, 1:33pm

Nationals

Nats contemplate how to get out of second big offensive funk of season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Nationals scoreless streak reached 18 innings after 11-0 and 1-0 shutouts against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The offense has struggled in June, having been shut out seven times in 22 games. It was the second time this month the Nats had been whitewashed in back-to-back games. It happened on June 10 against the Giants (2-0) and June 12 against the Yankees (3-0). The Nats found themselves in a similar rut earlier in the season, and now must find a way to get out of it...

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Liz Barr: Soto working his way into Rookie of the Year conversation

June 27, 2018, 6:37am

Nationals

Liz Barr: Soto working his way into Rookie of the Year conversation

Juan Soto has taken the Nationals by storm. We all know this. The Childish Bambino has provided the Nationals with a spark, and at times he's the only thing keeping this streaky train running. But he hasn't just taken the Nationals by storm, he's taken the entire league by storm, in a way no teenager has in a long time. There isn't an elite crop of rookies in the National League this season. There isn't a unanimous favorite like Cody Bellinger. So I say that it's within reason that Juan...

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Rays scratch out early run against Scherzer (Nats lose 1-0)

June 26, 2018, 9:04am

Nationals

Rays scratch out early run against Scherzer (Nats lose 1-0)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Surprisingly, the Rays connected with base hits in their first two at-bats against the Nationals ace right-hander Max Scherzer. Kevin Keiermaier, who already has a grand slam in the series, went after Scherzer's first pitch and singled over Wilmer Difo's head into right field. Matt Duffy put together a 10-pitch at-bat and singled to put runners on the corners. Jake Bauers grounded out to second base, but his fielder's choice scored Keiermaier. Right-hander Nathan...

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Martinez will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games

June 26, 2018, 7:24am

Nationals

Martinez will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is not on this trip but he is closer to a return from his right oblique strain that has kept him sidelined since May 10. He has now missed 39 games. Manager Davey Martinez said he will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games possibly for next week, even though the veteran may not be too excited about warming up in the minor leagues. "As soon as he's ready to play, I'll have to sit down and talk to him," Martinez said. "I'd like...

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Game 78 lineups: Nats vs. Rays

June 26, 2018, 5:32am

Nationals

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Nationals look to rebound after a very difficult 11-0 loss to open their series against the Rays. The game was dominated by Tampa Bay. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez struggled in facing only 11 batters, allowing six runs. The offense did not fare any better against left-hander Blake Snell, getting only one hit in the seventh inning. So, the club turns to their ace again, right-hander Max Scherzer (10-3, 2.09 ERA), who is seeking his 11th win of the season. His last victory...

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Gonzalez failed to make adjustments in shortest outing of season

June 25, 2018, 7:03pm

Nationals

Gonzalez failed to make adjustments in shortest outing of season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has made starts where he was off a bit. But Monday night at Tropicana Field, Gonzalez was unable to get into any kind of a rhythm. It got so bad for the southpaw that he faced seven batters in the second inning without recording an out. After walking one batter in the first, he still was able to get out of the frame by inducing flyout and getting former teammate Wilson Ramos on a called third strike. But in the second, the Rays C.J. Cron started...

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Soto focuses on improving defense at every new major league venue

June 26, 2018, 3:58am

Nationals

Soto focuses on improving defense at every new major league venue

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Nationals' youngest player, Juan Soto, has demonstrated in his first couple of months in the big leagues that he has a knowledge and maturity for hitting that is certainly beyond his years. At 19 years of age, Soto has hit the ball to the opposite field for power, and has the awareness to take a walk in high leverage situations when a pitcher is struggling to throw strikes. Instead of just swinging away, like most young players might do, Soto has the presence of mind...

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Kintzler returns, Rodriguez optioned, Hellickson on track

June 25, 2018, 2:52pm

Nationals

Kintzler returns, Rodriguez optioned, Hellickson on track

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Nationals reinstated right-hander Brandon Kintzler from the 10-day disabled list this afternoon and optioned-hander Jefry Rodriguez to Triple-A Syracuse. Kintzler had been on the DL since June 10 with a right forearm flexor strain and pitched an inning in a minor league rehabilitation assignment for Single-A Potomac on Sunday. "Yeah, he's ready to go," said manager Davey Martinez. "He did well. But the biggest thing is the arm felt good. So we get him back...

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Martinez explains keeping Rodriguez in after rain delay

June 25, 2018, 3:35am

Nationals

Martinez explains keeping Rodriguez in after rain delay

Nationals right-hander Jefrey Rodriguez pitched to a pair of batters into the fifth inning following the 38-minute rain delay Sunday night against the Phillies. He allowed four runs on five hits in four innings with three walks (one intentional) and three strikeouts. The Nationals came from behind to beat the Phillies, 8-6, to salvage the third game of the series before heading to St. Petersburg, Fla. "I feel like I did a good job," Rodriguez said via team interpreter Octavio Martinez. After...

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Continue to #VoteNats as Harper slips to third, Turner stays in fifth

June 25, 2018, 10:56am

Nationals

Continue to #VoteNats as Harper slips to third, Turner stays in fifth

The penultimate National League All-Star balloting update has been released and the Nationals now just have two players ranked in their respective positions: Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. Harper has been going through a highly documented and publicized slump over the last month-plus, but he's made some positive strides over the last week, slashing .300/.423/.600 with six hits (all doubles), three RBIs and five walks over his last six games. He also made headlines over the last few days when he...

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Gonzalez unable to find the plate, allows grand slam (Nats fall 11-0)

June 25, 2018, 4:23pm

Nationals

Gonzalez unable to find the plate, allows grand slam (Nats fall 11-0)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Gio Gonzalez got through the first inning allowing only a walk. In the second inning, his night fell apart. Gonzalez could not find the plate, issuing four walks, including three walks in a row to the bottom of the Rays order. A wild pitch scored C.J. Cron. A walk to Willy Adames scored Jake Bauers. Then the biggest hit of the game came off the bat of Kevin Kiermaier, who crushed a 3-2 pitch over the center field wall for a grand slam. It was his first homer...

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Opposite dugout: Rays throwing starters, not "openers," at Nationals

June 24, 2018, 1:37pm

Nationals

Manager: Kevin Cash (4th season) Record: 37-40 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Matt Duffy (.318 with 23 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.289 with 9 HR, 36 RBIs), 2B Joey Wendel (.262), 1B C.J. Cron (16 HR, 38 RBIs), LHP Blake Snell (9-4, 2.48 ERA), Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-1 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 25: LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-4) vs. LHP Blake Snell (9-4), 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June 26 RHP Max Scherzer (10-3) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-3), 12:10 p.m., MASN Inside the Rays: The...

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Game 77 lineups: Nats at Rays

June 25, 2018, 12:02pm

Nationals

St. PETERSBURG, FLA. - The Nationals have headed south to begin a six-game road trip, but only the first two games are in the Sunshine State. The Nats and the Rays are coming off of dramatic late-inning victories as they prepare to do battle tonight for the second series meeting this season. The Rays walked off the Yankees 7-6 in the 12th inning on recently recalled Jake Bauers' solo shot. The Nats came back from a 6-2 deficit to stun the Phillies 8-6 on three doubles by Bryce Harper and an...

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Nationals reinstate right-hander Brandon Kintzler from disabled list

June 25, 2018, 12:45pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Brandon Kintzler from the 10-day disabled list and optioned right-handed pitcher Jefry Rodriguez to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Kintzler, 33, returns to the active roster after missing 12 games with a right forearm flexor strain. He appeared in 31 of Washington's 64 games prior to being placed on the disabled list. On the...

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Marty Niland: Ex-Senators catcher Moe Berg's story comes to life on screen

June 25, 2018, 5:59am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Ex-Senators catcher Moe Berg's story comes to life on screen

Moe Berg is known as a man who possibly changed history, although the former Washington Senators catcher is best remembered for decidedly non-baseball skills. Anyone who has visited the International Spy Museum has likely seen Berg's photo and read his story, and some who have been inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., may have seen his baseball cards on display. Now his exploits as a secret agent who helped the Allies win World War II have been brought to life in a film that's in limited...

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Nats pumped up after 8-6 comeback win that avoids sweep by Phillies

June 24, 2018, 9:46pm

Nationals

Nats pumped up after 8-6 comeback win that avoids sweep by Phillies

The Nats were down 6-2 in the fifth inning Sunday night and were desperately searching for a spark to avoid a sweep at the hands of the second-place Phillies at Nats Park. They found the spark in two parts: a three-run sixth and a three-run eighth to stun Philadelphia, 8-6. The Nationals pounded out 17 hits for their 41st win of the season. The comeback win was the Nats' 12th of the season, but the victory felt like it was so much more important because of the situation the club had placed...

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If Harper and Murphy can click at the same time, the Nats can get back to rolling

June 24, 2018, 10:04pm

Nationals

If Harper and Murphy can click at the same time, the Nats can get back to rolling

It is no secret that if the Nationals are going to get on a roll and wrest control of the National League East from the Braves and Phillies, a couple of their biggest bats - Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy - will need to lead that run. Sunday night, down 6-2 to the Phillies, Harper and Murphy led the attack in a spectacular 8-6 comeback win. Harper had a career-high three doubles and Murphy delivered the game's biggest knock, a two-run single in the eighth, which highlighted a three-run rally...