nationals

Game 78 lineups: Nats vs. Rays

June 26, 2018, 5:32am

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...

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Nats allow another home run (Nats come back and win 8-6)

June 24, 2018, 5:11pm

Nationals

Nats allow another home run (Nats come back and win 8-6)

The Phillies connected first, against right-hander Jefry Rodriguez, to take an early lead over the Nats. Phillies pitcher Nick Pivetta singled to begin the third. One batter later, Rhys Hoskins slammed a two-run shot over the right-center field wall for his 11th homer of the season. Hoskins connected on a 94 mph four-seam fastball. Rodriguez has employed his changeup more than he had in his last start, and his curveball has forced a lot of swings-and-misses. The Nats have three hits, all...

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Martinez on Hellickson, Kintzler, Strasburg and more

June 24, 2018, 2:24pm

Nationals

Martinez on Hellickson, Kintzler, Strasburg and more

Nationals hurlers Jeremy Hellickson and Brandon Kintzler completed their rehab games today for high Single-A Potomac with polar-opposite line results in an 11-5 loss to Wilmington. Hellickson has been nursing a right hamstring strain since June 4, while Kintzler is returning from a right forearm flexor strain (June 10). Hellickson lasted 4 2/3 innings in Woodbridge, Va., Sunday, giving up 11 runs on nine hits with three walks in taking the loss. Hellickson threw a scoreless first inning, but...

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Clearly defined roles coming to back end of Nationals bullpen

June 23, 2018, 7:11pm

Nationals

Very soon - perhaps as soon as Monday, if right-hander Brandon Kintzler gets through his minor league rehabilitation assignment this afternoon with Single-A Potomac without any issues - the Nationals will be able to set up their bullpen with the goal of shortening games to six or seven innings. That will require the back end relievers - Kintzler, righties Ryan Madson and Kelvin Herrera, and left-handed closer Sean Doolittle - to slot into more regular roles. Kintzler and Madson will handle the...

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Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

June 24, 2018, 12:28pm

Nationals

The Nats have now lost seven of their last nine games, and are now 18-20 at home and 11-13 in the National League East. So before they head out on a six-game road trip, they need to get away with a win or be saddled with their third home series sweep loss of the season. In order for the club to get a win, they will need a solid start from an inexperienced starter in right-hander Jefry Rodriguez (0-0, 4.66 ERA), who is looking for his first win in his major league career. Rodriguez did fairly...

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Little mistakes haunt Nationals, Fedde in 5-3 loss to Phillies

June 23, 2018, 4:37pm

Nationals

Spend even a few minutes around Nationals manager Davey Martinez and you quickly realize how much he craves attention to detail. No action is too small to be rushed through or done poorly. Pay attention to the small stuff, and you'll prosper; ignore it, and you invite fate to intercede, usually in the worst possible way. The little things loomed large in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Phillies, a setback that came on the heels of a 12-2 drubbing that knocked the Nationals out of second place in...

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Phils' two-out rally ups Fedde's pitch count (Nats fall 5-3)

June 23, 2018, 12:48pm

Nationals

Phils' two-out rally ups Fedde's pitch count (Nats fall 5-3)

Erick Fedde cruised through the first five hitters he faced Saturday afternoon, but then the Phillies nickel-and-dimed the right-hander to death, stringing together four straight singles in the second inning to forge a 2-2 tie. Scott Kingery's infield single to short prolonged the inning and set the stage for the rally. Maikel Franco dropped a single into left field and then Jorge Alfaro's single to short center plated Kingery with the first Phillies run. None of the hits was struck...

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Zimmerman "about a week away" from rehab stint, Martinez says

June 23, 2018, 10:25am

Nationals

Zimmerman "about a week away" from rehab stint, Martinez says

Nationals manager Davey Martinez says injured first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 12 (retroactive to May 10) with a right oblique strain, is progressing in his recovery and could be "about a week away" from beginning a minor league rehabilitation assignment, assuming he doesn't encounter a setback. "He's missed a lot of time," Martinez said before the Nationals' game against the Phillies on Saturday afternoon. "We've got to get him some...