nationals

Martinez preaching patience at plate, better play in field

April 13, 2018, 1:48pm

If you want a firsthand take on the perils of freaking out over April offensive numbers, look no farther than Davey Martinez, whose own career was a textbook example of the disparity many big leaguers face between early season stats and rest-of-the-season stats. "You don't want to look up my April," the Nationals manager said. "They were awful." Martinez wasn't kidding. During a career that spanned 16 big league seasons and concluded with a .276 batting average, .341 on-base percentage...

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Game 13 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies

April 13, 2018, 11:14am

Nationals

The Nationals need to start hitting. There's no getting around this. Since April 4 (their series finale in Atlanta) they've scored an average of 2.5 runs per game. Only the Brewers (2.25) have scored fewer in the majors in that span. That's not good. Perhaps a matchup tonight against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland could help matters a little bit. The Nationals have a very right-handed-lineup these days, and so that could set them up for more production in this one. In fact, the guys...

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Gonzalez rebounded, but slow start doomed chance for win

April 12, 2018, 7:07pm

Nationals

Gonzalez rebounded, but slow start doomed chance for win

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez could not solve red-hot Rockies leadoff man DJ LeMahieu. And the Nationals defense let Gonzalez down at a key moment as the Rockies took the opener of a four-game series 5-1 at Nats Park. LeMahieu is an early candidate for National League Player of the Month after going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two homers and a career-high four RBIs to lead Colorado to its fifth win on the road. Gonzalez allowed a solo shot to LeMahieu to open the game. He then walked Chris Iannetta....

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Stagnant offense, sloppy defense contribute to 5-1 loss

April 12, 2018, 6:50pm

Nationals

Stagnant offense, sloppy defense contribute to 5-1 loss

The Nationals offense was clicking well in the season's first four games. In three wins at Cincinnati and then the first game at Atlanta, the bats put together 29 runs on 38 hits, racing out to a 4-0 record. Since Monday, April 2, however, the offense has slowed down. The club has won only two of their last nine games. Their two wins in the last 10 days were by scores of 2-0 and 4-1, with major contributions from Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in those two games. The 1-2 duo combined to...

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Mark Reynolds agrees to deal with Nats (updated)

April 12, 2018, 4:56pm

Nationals

Mark Reynolds agrees to deal with Nats (updated)

With the offense struggling without Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton on the disabled list, plus some regulars not hitting as well as in the past, are the Nationals looking to add another big bat with experience? Free agent first baseman Mark Reynolds has agreed to minor league deal to join the Nats, according to published reports. The Reynolds deal was first reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Update: MASNSports.com has confirmed the Mark Reynolds deal. Reynolds played the last two seasons for...

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Ryan Sullivan: Zimmerman deserves criticism for Nats' early struggles

April 13, 2018, 5:56am

Nationals

Ryan Sullivan: Zimmerman deserves criticism for Nats' early struggles

In a rather quiet spring training for the Nationals, one of the biggest storylines for the team in West Palm Beach was the unique decision by Ryan Zimmerman to play only in one spring training game. Zimmerman instead preferred to get his work accomplished on the back fields, in games consisting of predominantly minor leaguers. Certainly, the fans that traveled to watch the team were disappointed to miss seeing the face of the franchise, but also were questioning the wisdom of this...

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Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes

April 12, 2018, 3:25pm

Nationals

Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes

Nationals manager Davey Martinez had some good news on the progress of outfielder Adam Eaton who is on the disabled list with a left ankle bone bruise. Martinez predicted it might be a short stay on the 10-day for Eaton. "I saw him today and he's getting his workouts in," Martinez said. "We miss him on the field, but it's actually pretty good that he's able to continue to do his strengthening for his knees. But he'll be back. I think he's going to be back sooner than we think. He's...

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LeMahieu solves Gonzalez; offense searching (Rockies win 5-1)

April 12, 2018, 4:05pm

Nationals

LeMahieu solves Gonzalez; offense searching (Rockies win 5-1)

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez struggled a bit early on, but his defense didn't exactly do him any favors either. DJ LeMahieu led off with a solo shot to left-center on a 1-1 pitch. With a man on and two outs, former Nats star Ian Desmond popped up behind second base. Howie Kendrick dropped the fly ball for an error, allowing Chris Iannetta to score. In the second inning, LeMahieu continued to solve Gonzalez with an RBI double. Manwhile, Chad Bettis did a nice job through three frames...

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Wieters happy to be back; Glover throwing again

April 12, 2018, 1:30pm

Nationals

Wieters happy to be back; Glover throwing again

Catcher Matt Wieters (mild left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list yesterday. Today he is back in the starting lineup. "He's good. He's ready to go," Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. "He's going to play. (Pedro Severino) is here and Sevy is going to get some playing time, too. I'm excited to have Matt back and healthy." With Severino playing so well and Wieters coming off an injury, the question now is, will Martinez split time between the two or will one get...

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Game 13 lineups: Rockies at Nats

April 12, 2018, 11:21am

Nationals

The Nationals look to take the momentum from their series victory over the Braves into a four-game matchup against the Colorado Rockies beginning tonight at Nats Park. The series also marks the return of fan favorite and former Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, who is healthy this time around and playing left field and first base for his new team. Update: Tonight he starts in center field. Manager Davey Martinez has elected to lead off Trea Turner against the Rockies in game one. Matt Wieters...

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"MASN All Access" podcast: Byron Kerr on Nats' rebound

April 12, 2018, 12:09pm

Nationals

"MASN All Access" podcast: Byron Kerr on Nats' rebound

The Nationals are back on track and Byron Kerr of MASNsports.com is back on your airwaves! The Nationals were able to take two of three from the Braves to rebound from getting swept at home by the Mets. Byron, formally of the late "District 34" podcast, joins Paul and I to discuss how the Nats turned things around this week with stellar outings from Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. We first touch on Byron's recent story on Matt Adams' value to his new team after the left-handed backup...

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Nats thwart Inciarte's bold attempt to steal home in extras

April 11, 2018, 8:46pm

Nationals

Nats thwart Inciarte's bold attempt to steal home in extras

On the list of baseball's most daring plays, the straight steal of home with two outs in the 10th inning ranks awfully high. It's a rare, do-or-die play at any moment in a game, let alone in extra innings with no margin for error. Ender Inciarte isn't afraid to take chances, though, and he took the ultimate one during Wednesday's game at Nationals Park. Leading off from third base with two outs in the top of the 10th and a 3-1 count on Kurt Suzuki, the Braves center fielder bolted for the...

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Opposite Dugout: Up-and-down Rockies awaiting word on brawl-related discipline

April 11, 2018, 2:43pm

Nationals

Opposite Dugout: Up-and-down Rockies awaiting word on brawl-related discipline

Manager: Bud Black (3rd year) Record: 6-7 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Charlie Blackmon (4 HR, 6 RBIs), 3B Nolan Arenado (.311 with 1 HR, 6 RBIs), SS Trevor Story (3 HR, 6 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.308 with 2 HR, 4 RBIs), RF Carlos GonzÃ¡lez (2 HR, 6 RBIs), RHP Chad Bettis (1-0, 2.53 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (3.38 ERA, 5 saves) â€‹ Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 12: RHP Chad Bettis (1-0) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (1-0) 7:05 p.m., MASN...

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Adams demonstrates value with dramatic game-tying home run

April 11, 2018, 2:00pm

Nationals

Adams demonstrates value with dramatic game-tying home run

It came in a 5-3, 12-inning loss to his former team, but Matt Adams' dramatic game-tying solo homer against the Braves with one out in the bottom of the ninth was a very big deal. "It felt good. It was a big-time moment," Adams said. "I'm the type of guy, I want to do whatever it is, whether it's that, a walk, get on base, keep the line moving. This team has got a lot of great guys on it. Just to keep the line moving is an important part. Like you guys saw today, we keep fighting until...

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Cole rebounds with much improved second start

April 12, 2018, 2:30am

Nationals

Cole rebounds with much improved second start

A lot of good to build on from right-hander A.J. Cole's second start. Last week in Atlanta in his first start of 2018, Cole got roughed up. He allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings. This time, Cole allowed an early home run, settled in, then allowed another solo shot, but that was it. A much better result for Cole, as he went 5 1/3 innings, allowing only two runs on four hits. It was a no decision for Cole, as the Braves dropped the Nationals 5-3, in 12 innings. "He did a great job,"...

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Pressed into extra duty again, Nats bullpen can't finish the job

April 11, 2018, 2:27pm

Nationals

Pressed into extra duty again, Nats bullpen can't finish the job

Life in a major league bullpen is strange. Forty-eight hours ago, the Nationals relief corps was exhausted, desperately in need of a night off, forever grateful to Max Scherzer for giving them exactly that with a complete game and then grateful to Stephen Strasburg for nearly duplicating the feat the next night. So the unit was well-rested and ready to go today when the Nationals hosted the Braves in their series finale. And then 3 hours, 43 minutes and 12 innings of baseball later, everybody...

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Could Zimmerman's triple be a sign of things to come?

April 10, 2018, 7:39pm

Nationals

Could Zimmerman's triple be a sign of things to come?

With two men on in the first Tuesday night, Ryan Zimmerman lined a wicked spinning shot to deep center field that Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte was unable to glove. The ball rolled to the wall. Brian Goodwin and Bryce Harper scored to give the Nationals a 2-0 lead. They would eventually win 4-1 thanks to eight strong innings from Stephen Strasburg, the Nats' second straight victory. Standing on third base after the hit, Zimmerman looked up and signaled to the heavens as if to say, 'Thank...

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Nats rally twice to tie but can't finish the job, lose 5-3 in 12

April 11, 2018, 12:50pm

Nationals

Nats rally twice to tie but can't finish the job, lose 5-3 in 12

They got the start they needed from A.J. Cole. They got the big blast they needed from Matt Adams to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. And they got the clutch hit they needed from Howie Kendrick to keep the game going in the bottom of the 11th. But the Nationals bullpen could not post a zero when the club most needed one in extra innings, and so a wild Wednesday matinee on South Capitol Street ended in frustrating fashion for the home club, which suffered a 5-3 loss in 12 innings and...

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Eaton to disabled list, Sierra called up from Triple-A

April 11, 2018, 8:21am

Nationals

Eaton to disabled list, Sierra called up from Triple-A

The Nationals announced before Wednesday's series finale against the Braves that they have placed outfielder Adam Eaton on the 10-day disabled list and purchased the contract of outfielder MoisÃ©s Sierra from Triple-A Syracuse. Eaton has a bone bruise in his left ankle. Manager Davey Martinez said the Nats will operate very carefully with Eaton due to his injury history. "I think for the most part we are going to be very, very cautious," Martinez said. "One is, it's the ankle he hurt...

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Cole rebounds from early homer (Braves win 5-3 in 12)

April 11, 2018, 9:50am

Nationals

Cole rebounds from early homer (Braves win 5-3 in 12)

Right-hander A.J. Cole allowed a home run on the fourth pitch of the game. Ozzie Albies hit a solo homer over the right-center field wall to give Atlanta the early lead. Coming off an April 3 start in Atlanta in which he allowed 10 runs on 10 hits, there was cause for concern that a game like that was in the offing. After that, Cole settled down and retired 8 of the next 9 batters he faced. The Nationals were the victim of double plays in the first and second frames. It marked only the third...