nationals

After brutally difficult month, Taylor finally gets his moments

May 22, 2018, 7:46pm

As 25,700 fans roared in the stands, as Juan Soto scampered across the plate and as a stream of Nationals came bursting out of the dugout and made a beeline for him, Michael A. Taylor simply stood on second base. He gazed out toward center field, where his double off the wall had just given the Nationals a 2-1, walk-off win over the Padres and rather than jump for joy took a breath and seemed to be contemplating the whole situation more than celebrating it. The moment lasted only a second or...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez juan soto mark zuckerman michael a. taylor nationals nationals pastime san diego padres featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Taylor leads Nats to 2-1 win with his arm and then his bat

May 22, 2018, 6:11pm

Nationals

Taylor leads Nats to 2-1 win with his arm and then his bat

There's a reason Michael A. Taylor remains in the Nationals lineup, even when his batting average drops into the .180s and his strikeout totals pile up. He's in there because of his defense. And if he happens to deliver a big hit in a key moment ... well, they'll take that, too. So on a night in which offense was at an extreme premium, the Nationals needed Taylor to come up big in both departments. And because of his pure athletic skill, he nearly single-handedly beat the Padres. Three...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper jeremy hellickson juan soto mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime san diego padres sean doolittle wander suero. michael a. taylor featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Taylor's walk-off double off center field wall lifts Nats to 2-1 win

May 22, 2018, 4:14pm

Nationals

Taylor's walk-off double off center field wall lifts Nats to 2-1 win

The game was delayed 10 minutes because of big rain storm that came through the area a couple of hours before first pitch. Although the Padres are hitting the ball hard against right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, they have only singles from Jose Pirela in the first and Raffy Lopez in the second. Left-hander Eric Lauer is off to a good start for San Diego, having not allowed a base hit to the Nationals in two frames. Bryce Harper got to second base in his first at-bat thanks to a pop-up catch error...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper jeremy hellickson juan soto nationals padres anthony rendon trea turner frontstory_nationals3

Madson throws for first time since landing on DL

May 22, 2018, 1:41pm

Nationals

Madson throws for first time since landing on DL

When Ryan Madson made three appearances in four days against the Diamondbacks earlier this month, his velocity up from previous outings, the veteran reliever was as encouraged as he had been all season about the way he was pitching and the way his arm felt. Then on the flight home from Arizona, Madson felt a cramp in his right pectoral muscle. And a week later, having not pitched in a game since, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list. "I didn't feel it pitching, or during the game,"...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez injuries mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan madson featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Eaton reports he is "healthy", plus updates on Zimmerman and Murphy

May 22, 2018, 1:32pm

Nationals

Eaton reports he is "healthy", plus updates on Zimmerman and Murphy

I checked in with Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton, who is rehabbing his ankle surgery. Last week he was sporting a cast on his left ankle that went all the way up to his knee. Today he rolled down his ankle sock to show no tape and just the scar from his surgery. No swelling. Eaton said he is continuing rehab from the surgery and is getting back into baseball-related activities. "We do different things every day," Eaton said. "You throw, you run too. You just ramp it up and get her going....

Comments

Tags:

adam eaton byron kerr daniel murphy nationals padres ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 47 lineups: Nats vs. Padres

May 22, 2018, 11:32am

Nationals

Don't shoot the messenger here, but I feel obligated to inform you that there's a line of thunderstorms approaching from the west as we speak, and so there's a chance tonight's game is going to be impacted. Doesn't appear like this is going to be a complete washout, but the start could be delayed, depending on the timing of this whole thing. Assuming they do play, though, Jeremy Hellickson will be on the mound seeking to duplicate his dominant performance against the Padres from two weeks...

Comments

Tags:

jeremy hellickson juan soto lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime san diego padres frontstory_nationals3

Gonzalez deals out a workmanlike seven innings in 10-2 rout

May 22, 2018, 2:17am

Nationals

Gonzalez deals out a workmanlike seven innings in 10-2 rout

The long layoff didn't seem to bother left-hander Gio Gonzalez on Monday night. With all the rainouts the last week, he was the only starter who got to pitch on a weekday. He pitched five-plus innings in the rain-shortened 3-3 tie with the Yankees a week ago today. Fast forward six days. Gonzalez displayed very little rust early with a 1-2-3 first inning on his way to seven strong innings against San Diego in a 10-2 rout. Gonzalez was in such a groove on the mound, in fact - he allowed only...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr gio gonzalez juan soto nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Collins tosses scoreless inning in long-awaited MLB return

May 21, 2018, 7:51pm

Nationals

Collins tosses scoreless inning in long-awaited MLB return

Tim Collins doesn't particularly enjoy waiting around for his name to be called out of the bullpen. Life as a reliever is tough enough, all the more so when you find yourself in a major league bullpen for the first time in four seasons as the left-hander did Monday night. Thankfully, Collins' name was called during the Nationals' 10-2 victory over the Padres. He had to wait until the top of the eighth, but at least he didn't have to wait until Tuesday night as he feared he might. "The...

Comments

Tags:

davey martinez mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime san diego padres tim collins featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

With one big blast, Soto makes a memory for parents, Nats

May 21, 2018, 7:20pm

Nationals

With one big blast, Soto makes a memory for parents, Nats

When he stepped to the plate in the eighth inning Sunday afternoon for the first at-bat of his major league career, Juan Soto understandably felt a little out of sorts. "I was really nervous," the 19-year-old outfielder said. "I was just saying: 'Oh, my god. ...' I was just trying to breathe down and do my job." The previous 24 hours had been a whirlwind for Soto, who the previous night was told he was being called up to the big leagues straight from Double-A Harrisburg, where he had only...

Comments

Tags:

juan soto mark reynolds mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime san diego padres featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Reynolds wraps up Padres with two homers on Soto's special night

May 21, 2018, 6:58pm

Nationals

Reynolds wraps up Padres with two homers on Soto's special night

The Nationals easily dropped the San Diego Padres 10-2 on a night when 19-year-old Juan Soto launched the first homer of his career, which also was his first Major League hit only in his second overall at-bat. The club belted four homers, two of them by veteran Mark Reynolds, who has played in 1,528 more games than Soto. What a find Reynolds has been for the Nats. Unsigned as the season began, he finally inked a free agent deal with the Nats April 17 and reported to Triple-A Syracuse. Following...

Comments

Tags:

Juan soto mark reynolds nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Behind Soto's historic homer, Nats cruise to 10-2 win over Padres

May 21, 2018, 5:32pm

Nationals

Behind Soto's historic homer, Nats cruise to 10-2 win over Padres

All it took to get an injury-depleted Nationals lineup going was the addition of 19-year-old Juan Soto. Well, that and a matchup with a Padres left-hander making only his second start of the season. Behind Soto's historic first career homer, plus a pair of additional blasts by Mark Reynolds and Bryce Harper, the Nationals jumped all over San Diego fill-in starter Robbie Erlin and cruised to a 10-2 victory to earn their first win in eight days. Making his first big league start on the day after...

Comments

Tags:

juan soto mark reynolds mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Juan Soto first hit no doubt three-run shot (Nats lead 10-2)

May 21, 2018, 3:54pm

Nationals

Juan Soto first hit no doubt three-run shot (Nats lead 10-2)

The Nationals 19-year-old sensation Juan Soto made his first Major League hit one to remember. His three-run shot to the opposite field, well over the 377 marker in left-center, off of San Diego left-hander Robbie Erlin, boosted the Nats to a 3-0 lead. The blast came off a 90 mph fastball first pitch. The home run traveled 422 feet and came off the bat at 107 mph. Trea Turner and Bryce Harper added RBI doubles. An inning later, Mark Reynolds added a solo homer. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr gio gonzalez juan soto nationals frontstory_nationals3

Soto gets first chance to start, Eaton starts throwing again

May 21, 2018, 1:43pm

Nationals

Soto gets first chance to start, Eaton starts throwing again

Davey Martinez wanted to give a heads-up to Juan Soto about his plans for tonight's game, so the first-year manager texted the 19-year-old slugger this morning and told him he would be in the Nationals' lineup for the first time, starting in left field and batting sixth against the Padres. A few hours later, when Martinez arrived in the clubhouse at Nationals Park, Soto immediately greeted him with a smile. "He was the first guy I saw when I came in," Martinez said. "He shook my hand, gave...

Comments

Tags:

daniel murphy davey martinez juan soto mark zuckerman nationals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Collins brings the battle scars and World Series experience to the Nats

May 21, 2018, 2:30pm

Nationals

Collins brings the battle scars and World Series experience to the Nats

The Nationals added left-hander Tim Collins, a pitcher who has seen it all in the big leagues - from the World Series, to a pair of Tommy John surgeries - and is only 28 years of age. "It's still a little surreal," Collins said. "I didn't see my name on the roster until I got here so it's pretty awesome. It's been a long road. It's been over three years, last time was 2014. Finally, out of that tunnel." With injuries to Ryan Madson and others, Collins has pitched well for Triple-A...

Comments

Tags:

Tim collins World Series byron kerr davey martinez nationals royals featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 46 lineups: Nats vs. Padres (Collins joins bullpen)

May 21, 2018, 11:05am

Nationals

Game 46 lineups: Nats vs. Padres (Collins joins bullpen)

The Nationals said Juan Soto would play. And play he will. The 19-year-old slugging sensation is making his first MLB start this evening, batting sixth and playing left field even against Padres left-hander Robbie Erlin. Davey Martinez held the kid out of Sunday's lineup against another lefty, Alex Wood, but the book on Soto is that he can handle left-handed pitching, so he's about to get his first taste of it tonight. Soto slots into a Nationals lineup ravaged by injuries, batting behind...

Comments

Tags:

juan soto lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime san diego padres tim collins frontstory_nationals3

Nationals select contract of left-hander Tim Collins

May 21, 2018, 12:07pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Tim Collins from Triple-A Syracuse and transferred infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Collins, 28, joins the Nationals after appearing in 17 games with Triple-A Syracuse where he recorded 10.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (20 SO/17.1 IP) and held opposing batters to a .190 batting average (11-for-58)....

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Marty Niland: Soto joins ranks of teen phenoms in D.C.

May 21, 2018, 5:34am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Soto joins ranks of teen phenoms in D.C.

The newest National, Juan Soto, got a nice ovation Sunday when he came to bat in the eighth inning as the youngest player currently in the major leagues at 19. He struck out in his debut, but with the Nationals lineup currently decimated by injuries, there will be plenty of opportunities for Soto to make an impact at the big league level after playing just 39 games in the minor leagues this season and 122 overall. Soto joins dozens of players who broke into the majors as teenagers, including...

Comments

Tags:

bryce harper guest blogger guestblogger juan soto marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Padres have to pick it up at plate to have a prayer

May 18, 2018, 7:34pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Padres have to pick it up at plate to have a prayer

Manager: Andy Green (3rd season) Record: 20-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Eric Hosmer (.268/.366/.482, 16 doubles), 3B Christian Villanueva (12 HR, 26 RBIs), LF Franchy Cordero (5 SB, 6 HR), RF Travis Jankowski (.359/.438/.469), RHP Tyson Ross (3.35 ERA), LHP Brad Hand (14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: (1-2) Pitching probables: May 21: LHP Robbie Erlin (1-2) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-0), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 22: LHP Eric Lauer (1-2) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-2), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay...

Comments

Tags:

doug miller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout padres frontstory_nationals3

Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)

May 20, 2018, 9:47am

Nationals

Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)

Infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick will have surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles on Monday. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was devastated when he saw the injury occur in left field Saturday. "I've been around a long time," Rizzo said. "I kind of diagnosed it when he was laying on the warning track. It's unfortunate. It's a team leader, not to mention a really, really good player. You have to have a short memory in this game. As he was taken off, we got him the MRI, we...

Comments

Tags:

brian goodwin byron kerr davey martinez dodgers howie kendrick matt wieters mike rizzo nationals ryan madson featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss

May 20, 2018, 1:59pm

Nationals

Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss

The Nationals were swept in their two-day, three-game series against the Dodgers that wrapped up Sunday, losing the finale 7-2. Yasmani Grandal and KikÃ© HernÃ¡ndez crushed homers off of Stephen Strasburg and Yasiel Puig smacked a late two-run shot to put the game away. Strasburg kept his team in the game with 6 2/3 innings, but four walks and those two big hits were enough for the Dodgers to get the win. Strasburg threw 115 pitches, but the four walks were his most all season and most...