nationals

Martinez happy with bullpen depth as regulars close in on return

May 29, 2018, 2:40pm

BALTIMORE - With the news that reliever Ryan Madson is close to returning after a pectoral strain has had him shelved since May 17, Nationals manager Davey Martinez will have to decide who goes and who stays in an eight-man bullpen that has done a nice job recently of finishing games. The bullpen has allowed only two earned runs in the last five games, the Nats have gone 4-1 in that span. Coupled with the Madson news is that left-hander Matt Grace is also close to returning from his groin...

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Madson, Grace on track to return this weekend

May 29, 2018, 2:28pm

Nationals

Madson, Grace on track to return this weekend

BALTIMORE - The Nationals expect to get two key relievers back on their active roster this weekend. Ryan Madson and Matt Grace each have taken significant steps in recent days in their rehab from injuries, and each is on track to come off the disabled list for this weekend's series in Atlanta. Madson, out since May 17 with a right pectoral strain, threw off a mound earlier this week and reported no problems, convincing club officials he was on the verge of returning to the roster. "One more...

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Game 53 lineups: Nats at Orioles

May 29, 2018, 11:30am

Nationals Orioles

BALTIMORE - Jeremy Hellickson's two months as an Oriole late last summer were, to put it bluntly, not good. You can't sugarcoat a 6.97 ERA in 10 starts. Hellickson's first two months as a National, however, have been nothing short of brilliant. You can't describe a 2.13 ERA in seven starts any other way. Tonight, Hellickson gets a chance to show Baltimore how far he's come. Which isn't to say another dominant start is a given. This is a hitter's ballpark, and especially so with the...

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One week in, Soto showing he can make adjustments

May 28, 2018, 6:35pm

Nationals Orioles

One week in, Soto showing he can make adjustments

BALTIMORE - Anthony Rendon knows a thing or two about trying to thrive in the major leagues after getting rushed through the minor leagues. The Nationals third baseman accrued only 326 plate appearances over 79 minor league games in 2012 and early 2013 before getting his first promotion to Washington. It was a fast track, to be sure, but Rendon also had three seasons at Rice (an elite Division I program) on his resume and was nearly 23 when he made his debut for the Nationals. Which is why...

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Gonzalez morphing into one of MLB's most consistent starters

May 28, 2018, 1:34pm

Nationals Orioles

Gonzalez morphing into one of MLB's most consistent starters

BALTIMORE - For all his big-picture success in seven seasons with the Nationals, Gio Gonzalez is never going to earn praise for his consistency. The left-hander's erratic performance from start to start - sometimes even from inning to inning - can drive anyone mad. Here's a dirty little secret for anyone who still feels that way about Gonzalez, though: He has become one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball over the last two seasons. Consistently good. Today's outing during the...

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Nats shut out O's 6-0 thanks to Gonzalez's gem, Rendon's blast

May 28, 2018, 11:55am

Nationals Orioles

Nats shut out O's 6-0 thanks to Gonzalez's gem, Rendon's blast

BALTIMORE - The Nationals lineup, which has been hit-or-miss throughout an injury-plagued season, showed up in full force today at Camden Yards. Gio Gonzalez, who has been outstanding from the get-go, also showed up. Together, they overwhelmed the Orioles during a 6-0 victory to kick off this year's version of the Battle of the Beltways. Gonzalez was brilliant in yet another impressive performance, tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings and pitching his way out of the few jams he encountered along...

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Martinez hoping Murphy will be activated "fairly soon"

May 28, 2018, 8:29am

Nationals

Martinez hoping Murphy will be activated "fairly soon"

BALTIMORE - After two months of waiting and waiting for positive injury news, the Nationals may be on the verge of getting one of their most important injured players back at long last. Daniel Murphy spent the last two days rehabbing for Double-A Harrisburg and emerged from it with his surgically repaired right knee in good shape. The Nationals aren't offering up any firm timetable for Murphy to make his long-awaited season debut, but manager Davey Martinez did suggest it won't be much longer...

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Rendon's blast draws cheers from dugout, stands (Nats win 6-0)

May 28, 2018, 10:34am

Nationals Orioles

Rendon's blast draws cheers from dugout, stands (Nats win 6-0)

BALTIMORE - The Nationals had never faced Alex Cobb before today, and the first time through the lineup it looked that way. But once they had a chance to see the veteran right-hander up close and personal, the Nats turned things around in a hurry. Shut down by Cobb through the first two innings of today's game at Camden Yards, the Nationals came to life in the top of the third, with Anthony Rendon's three-run homer capping a big rally and giving the visitors a 3-0 lead in the opener of this...

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Taylor looking to get on a roll after positive week of at-bats

May 28, 2018, 8:07am

Nationals

Taylor looking to get on a roll after positive week of at-bats

Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor is looking to build off of a couple of solid games at the plate and on the field in the last week. He has six hits in his last six games. Taylor smacked a two-run homer and added a double in Friday's 9-5 win over the Marlins. On Saturday Taylor demonstrated poise with two walks. Then on Sunday he lined a triple off the right center field wall in his first at-bat. Martinez said he is seeing some positive steps forward for Taylor after starting off the...

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Game 52 lineups: Nats at Orioles

May 28, 2018, 6:04am

Nationals Orioles

BALTIMORE - No, it's not the most important sporting event today involving a team from Washington, but it's still the first game of this year's Battle of the Beltways, and that's not bad. The Nationals and Orioles renew their annual interleague rivalry this afternoon under gray (and surprisingly chilly) skies, and these two franchises are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum right now. The Nats are feeling good about themselves after a weekend sweep in Miami that leaves them one game...

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Strasburg wants to better execute his pitches

May 27, 2018, 1:55pm

Nationals

Strasburg wants to better execute his pitches

MIAMI - Stephen Strasburg did not feel like he had his best stuff on Sunday. Pretty scary notion for the rest of the National League, because the right-hander still went out and delivered five scoreless innings in a 5-2 Nationals win over the Marlins. Strasburg surrendered only three hits, all singles, and did not allow the Marlins past second base. He walked two and struck out eight. His first three strikeouts were with the changeup, two from the curveball, and three from his four-seam...

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Strasburg delivers, Harper and Rendon homer for series sweep

May 27, 2018, 1:34pm

Nationals

Strasburg delivers, Harper and Rendon homer for series sweep

MIAMI - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg ran his scoreless string to 23 innings against the Marlins, and Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon slammed solo homers, as the Nationals won 5-2 to sweep the three-game series. The Nationals have now won 11 straight meetings against the Marlins and this was their third road series sweep of the season. Suddenly, the Nationals are 29-22, seven games above .500 for the first time this season. They are only one game back of the first-place Braves in the National...

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Marty Niland: The team that almost moved to Washington in 1973

May 28, 2018, 6:12am

Nationals

Marty Niland: The team that almost moved to Washington in 1973

Imagine if the names of franchise greats inscribed on the mezzanine of Nationals Park included Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith and Willie McCovey. What if, instead of tracing its roots back to Montreal, Washington's baseball team had its origins in San Diego? It might have happened if the dreams of Washington baseball fans 45 summers ago has come true, instead of ending in one of many heartbreaks for the city. The story began on May 28, 1973 when The Washington Post greeted readers with the...

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Opposite dugout: Struggling O's might be forced to become sellers

May 27, 2018, 6:44pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Struggling O's might be forced to become sellers

Manager: Buck Showalter (9th season) Record: 17-36 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: SS Manny Machado (.324 with 15 HR, 44 RBIs); CF Adam Jones (.274 with 9 HR, 25 RBIs); LF Trey Mancini (.240 with 7 HR, 48 hits); RHP Dylan Bundy (3-6, 4.45 ERA); LHP Richard Bleier (3-0, 1.37 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-2 in 2017) Pitching probables: May 28: LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-2) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (1-6); 1:05 p.m., MASN2May 29: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-0) vs. RHP Dylan Bundy (3-6); 7:05...

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Martinez on Harper, Madson, Difo and more (Nats win 5-2)

May 27, 2018, 8:26am

Nationals

Martinez on Harper, Madson, Difo and more (Nats win 5-2)

MIAMI - Nationals manager Davey Martinez provided more insight on Bryce Harper's struggles at the plate in this series as the team prepares for the Sunday finale. The slugger has had six strikeouts in the last two games. He has reached base on two hits and a walk since Friday. Harper is hitting .203 in his last 15 games and .200 in his last 30 contests. He has 18 strikeouts in his last 15 games. "He hit some balls hard," Martinez said. "Yesterday, obviously, he's fouling more pitches off...

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Harper's frustrations, plus an update on Murphy and Goodwin

May 26, 2018, 7:10pm

Nationals

Harper's frustrations, plus an update on Murphy and Goodwin

MIAMI - Lost in the hoopla of another late surge and win Saturday for the Nationals were the struggles of right fielder Bryce Harper in this series. He connected on a two-run double and a single late Friday, which were big in helping the Nats to a 9-5 win. But he has also struck out six times in the series. Manager Davey Martinez has noted the building frustration for Harper at the plate. "He'll snap out of it, that's the only thing I can say," Martinez said after Saturday's 4-1 win....

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Game 49 lineups: Nats at Marlins (Justin Miller called up)

May 25, 2018, 12:19pm

Nationals

Game 49 lineups: Nats at Marlins (Justin Miller called up)

MIAMI - The Nationals have selected the contract of right-hander Justin Miller, who has pitched for the Tigers and the Rockies but hasn't been in the majors since 2016. He takes the roster spot vacated by right-hander Erick Fedde, who was sent back to Triple-A Syracuse following his start Wednesday against the Padres. Miller, 30, is 6-foot-3, 215 lbs., and his best season was 2015, when he went 3-3 with one save and a 4.05 ERA in 34 games with the Rockies. He struck out 38 in 33 1/3 innings of...

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Another strong outing from Roark, Nats rally to win 4-1 against Marlins

May 26, 2018, 1:05pm

Nationals

Another strong outing from Roark, Nats rally to win 4-1 against Marlins

MIAMI - Nationals left fielder Juan Soto doubled with one out in the second inning, but Marlins left-handed starter Wei-Yin Chen notched two strikeouts against the next three batters to get out of the inning. It was Soto's first double in the majors. Trea Turner singled and stole second in the third, but Bryce Harper struck out and Anthony Rendon popped up to end the threat. J.T. Realmuto singled in the first inning, but Nationals right-handed starter Tanner Roark induced a fly out to center...

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Game 51 lineups: Nats at Marlins

May 27, 2018, 6:48am

Nationals

MIAMI - The Nationals seek their third road series sweep today as they send one of their aces, right-hander Stephen Strasburg (5-4, 3.36 ERA), to the hill. The Nats used late-inning offensive surges to down the Marlins 9-5 and 4-1, hitting a pair of homers in each game. The Marlins counter with right-hander Elieser Hernandez (0-1, 2.08). In three starts dating to April 3, 2017, Strasburg has thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings against the Marlins. The Nats have now won 10 straight games...

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Zimmerman takes grounders at first, Grace headed to Harrisburg

May 26, 2018, 11:13am

Nationals

Zimmerman takes grounders at first, Grace headed to Harrisburg

MIAMI - First baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has been out since May 10 with a right oblique strain, was out on the field for batting practice taking grounders at first base and throwing to second base at about a 3/4 pace. "He's coming along," said manager Davey Martinez. "When you deal with that kind of injury you want to make sure you are totally right because it's about swinging and all this other stuff. We want to make sure he's right when he comes off." Zimmerman has been swinging the...