nationals

Kintzler regrets using off-speed pitches in four-run inning

April 06, 2018, 11:12am

The vast majority of Brandon Kintzler's appearances this season should come with the Nationals leading, or perhaps tied, late in games. But the right-hander hadn't pitched in a week, and with the club off Friday, manager Davey Martinez wanted to make sure he and fellow bullpen stalwarts Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle got some work in Thursday regardless of the score. So it was that Kintzler found himself on the mound for the top of the seventh, the Nationals trailing the Mets 4-2, the...

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Friday morning Nats Q&A

April 05, 2018, 7:11pm

Nationals

So I sense a little bit of angst out there among the Nationals faithful. Is that a fair reading of public opinion following three straight losses, including Thursday's 8-2 dud against the Mets in the home opener? The Nationals looked great for four games; they've looked far-from-great in three games since. The top of the order is hitting, the rest of the lineup, not so much. The two aces got battered around a bit the last two days. And the bullpen remains a work in progress. And now we've...

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Strasburg not down after 8-2 setback, laments two pitches

April 06, 2018, 3:05am

Nationals

Strasburg not down after 8-2 setback, laments two pitches

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was pretty satisfied with his work in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Mets, but would want back two pitches and a misstep. Strasburg gave his team a chance. The Nationals were down only 4-2 when he departed. Yoenis CespÃ©des hit a solo shot in the fourth on a low four-seam fastball. Michael Conforto gave the Mets a 4-2 lead on a two-run shot in the fifth. That pitch was a 97 mph four-seam fastball on a 1-2 count. "I thought my stuff was pretty good," Strasburg...

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Ryan Sullivan: Grace is best-kept secret in Nationals 'pen

April 06, 2018, 5:35am

Nationals

Recently, an entertainer in World Wrestling Entertainment named Buddy Murphy began calling himself "professional wrestling's best-kept secret." With all due respect to his creative catchphrase, I believe we should start calling Nationals reliever Matt Grace "D.C. baseball's best-kept secret." Last season, Grace was quietly effective for the Nationals, producing a 4.32 ERA, 1.360 WHIP and 31 strikeouts against 18 walks over 50 innings pitched. An eighth-round pick by Washington in the 2010...

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Zimmerman and Turner react to failed sixth-inning rally

April 05, 2018, 1:30pm

Nationals

Zimmerman and Turner react to failed sixth-inning rally

The Nationals' best chance to put a big inning together in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Mets came in the sixth inning. Having seen Mets starter Jacob deGrom two times through the lineup, the Nats found themselves down 4-2. The top of the lineup was the only part of the Nationals offense that clicked all day. In the sixth, Adam Eaton led off with a single and Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper walked. Suddenly, the Nats had the bases loaded and the sellout crowd of 42,477 sensed this was the home...

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Eaton tweaks ankle, but expects to return in a day or two

April 05, 2018, 1:46pm

Nationals

Eaton tweaks ankle, but expects to return in a day or two

It was both a wonderful sight to behold while simultaneously leaving 42,477 people inside Nationals Park holding their collective breaths. Adam Eaton being waved around third base on a double into the left field corner? How long has everyone been waiting for that moment since that fateful night nearly one year ago when the Nationals outfielder tore his left ACL tripping over first base against this same Mets ballclub? The good news: Eaton was safe, thanks to JosÃ© Reyes' wide relay throw to...

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Rizzo glad to get extension finalized, avoid distraction

April 05, 2018, 8:07am

Nationals

Rizzo glad to get extension finalized, avoid distraction

Though he might not have been worried about his contract status, Mike Rizzo sensed it was starting to become a topic of conversation within the Nationals clubhouse. So when the opportunity arose this week to get a two-year extension finalized, the longtime general manager felt the time was right. "I thought it was important for the team not to have this as a distraction," Rizzo said this morning as his team took batting practice before its home opener. "And I thought going forward it was...

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Nats drop third straight 8-2 in dud of a home opener

April 05, 2018, 12:05pm

Nationals

Nats drop third straight 8-2 in dud of a home opener

There's a long way to go, a really long way, and nobody should give more than a cursory look at the standings on April 5, when the temperatures are in the low 40s and there's snow in the weekend forecast. But if you do happen to glance at the National League East tally right now, you might notice the team sitting atop the division doesn't wear red and isn't seeking its third consecutive title. No, it's the Mets currently residing in first place, now leading the Nationals by 1 1/2 games...

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Eaton and Rendon get started quickly (Mets win 8-2)

April 05, 2018, 10:01am

Nationals

Eaton and Rendon get started quickly (Mets win 8-2)

Stephen Strasburg charged up the home crowd with a pair of strikeouts and a scoreless first frame to get the home opener underway at Nationals Park. In the bottom of the first, Adam Eaton doubled to right-center field and scored on an Anthony Rendon single and a Jay Bruce bobble of the ball in right field. The error allowed Eaton to scoot home for a 1-0 Nationals lead. In the second, Bruce doubled and went to third on a groundout. With two outs, Strasburg walked Kevin Plawecki. Strasburg was...

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"MASN All Access" podcast: Wrapping up road trip and preparing for home opener

April 04, 2018, 1:37pm

Nationals

"MASN All Access" podcast: Wrapping up road trip and preparing for home opener

The Nationals had an historic start to the season, winning their first four games and leading for 36 straight innings. But they dropped the final two games in Atlanta to finish the season's first road trip 4-2. So what went right and what went wrong over the season's first six games? Who impressed and who didn't? Paul Mancano and I are back on the "MASN All Access" podcast to break down the Nats' impressive trip through Cincinnati and Atlanta before the team comes back to open the home...

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Martinez and players thrilled for home opener; Wieters improving

April 05, 2018, 8:13am

Nationals

Martinez and players thrilled for home opener; Wieters improving

After six games on the road, the Nationals are finally back in D.C. for their home opener against the Mets. It is also the first chance the home fans can say hello to their new manager. "For me, first and foremost, opening day in Washington, very excited," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "It's my first one as a manager. I'm super excited and elated. I know the players are, as well. Analyzing the first week, it's been a lot of fun. It's been positive. We are doing a lot of things...

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Game 7 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

April 05, 2018, 5:26am

Nationals

Hello from South Capitol Street, at long last. Yes, after a six-game road trip to begin the season - and then quite a disastrous commute into the city this morning - the Nationals are here and ready for their 2018 home opener. They come home having won four straight in Cincinnati and Atlanta before then dropping the final two games of the series against the Braves. And they now face the Mets, who perhaps will be their toughest challenge in the division this season, owners of a 4-1 record to...

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Rosters for Harrisburg, Potomac and Hagerstown

April 05, 2018, 3:04am

Nationals

Rosters for Harrisburg, Potomac and Hagerstown

Here are the official rosters for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns and Potomac Nationals and the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs roster will be released at a later date. Pitchers are right-handed unless otherwise noted. Left-hander Bryan Harper is on the Senators roster, as are outfielders Daniel Johnson and Rafael Bautista. Pitcher Wil Crowe joins the P-Nats, alongside infielder Carter Kieboom. Hagerstown has pitcher Tomas Alastre and outfielder Juan Soto. HARRISBURG...

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Opposite dugout: Healthy roster key to success for Mets

April 04, 2018, 7:38pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Healthy roster key to success for Mets

Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 4-1 Last 10 games: 4-1 Who to watch: LF Yoenis CÃ©spedes (.278 average with 2 HR, 6 RBIs); SS Amed Rosario (.333 average with 5 RBIs); 1B AdriÃ¡n GonzÃ¡lez (.308 average with .471 OBP); RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 1.59 ERA); RHP Matt Harvey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (6-13 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 5: RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-0); 1:05 p.m., MASNApril 7: LHP Steven Matz (0-1) vs....

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More on Eaton's catch, Scherzer's day and the Law Firm

April 05, 2018, 2:30am

Nationals

More on Eaton's catch, Scherzer's day and the Law Firm

Left fielder Adam Eaton demonstrated Wednesday against the Braves that his knee is fine and he can take the hard hit. Eaton dove to his left and stretched out toward the warning track to rob Braves hitter Ozzie Albies of extra bases with a spectacular catch in the third inning of the Nats' 7-1 series finale setback in Atlanta. Eaton had promised that his knee was solid and that he would go all out on every play as he returns from major knee surgery that forced him to miss most of the 2017...

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Nationals sign GM Mike Rizzo to two-year extension

April 05, 2018, 3:16am

Nationals

On the heels of a quick start to the season and just hours before they host their home opener on South Capitol Street, the Nationals have locked up the architect of their franchise and resolved one of their most pressing questions that loomed over the club all winter and spring. The Nats announced this morning they have signed Mike Rizzo to a two-year contract extension, one that ensures their longtime general manager will remain in that role through at least the 2020 season. Rizzo, who has...

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Nationals extend contract with Mike Rizzo

April 05, 2018, 3:39am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, keeping him with the club through the 2020 season. Rizzo, 57, was the first and most significant hire made by the Lerner family after assuming control of the Nationals franchise in July of 2006. Brought on first as Assistant General Manager, Rizzo's arrival in The District signaled a renewed emphasis on amateur talent and building a successful...

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Scherzer can't put Braves away early, falls 7-1

April 04, 2018, 12:25pm

Nationals

Scherzer can't put Braves away early, falls 7-1

ATLANTA - The Braves took advantage of an early fielding mistake by the Nationals and a rare uneven performance from Max Scherzer in a 7-1 series-clinching victory at SunTrust Park on Wednesday. It was the first series loss of the season for the Nats. Both teams are 4-2, and are tied for second place in the National League East. Spurred by another three-run homer from Preston Tucker, the Braves raced out to a 3-0 lead. Tucker had a three-run shot in Tuesday's 13-6 Atlanta victory. Tucker got...

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Braves get to Scherzer early after costly Difo error (Nats fall 7-1)

April 04, 2018, 8:38am

Nationals

Braves get to Scherzer early after costly Difo error (Nats fall 7-1)

ATLANTA - Game 3 of the series has been filled with a couple surprises in the first inning. Nothing surprising, but the Nationals got something going in the first. Surprisingly, they couldn't finish off the frame with runs scored. Facing Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz, Anthony Rendon singled and Bryce Harper walked with one away. Matt Adams struck out. After a wild pitch, Trea Turner was called out on strikes to end the threat. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer allowed a double by Freddie...

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Hellickson throws solid six innings in Florida warmup game

April 04, 2018, 7:27am

Nationals

Hellickson throws solid six innings in Florida warmup game

ATLANTA - The Nationals continue to stretch out veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson in West Palm Beach, Fla., and he is on schedule to be game-ready in the next week or two. "He actually pitched two days ago," manager Davey Martinez said. "He did good. Six innings, 92 pitches. He's doing well. His next start is Saturday. He's basically just trying to get ready. We want him to be consistent, stretch him out, so that he's ready to go. "Now it's just getting him consistent. Six innings,...