nationals

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

April 05, 2018, 12:05pm

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,...

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Off to fast start, Eaton continues building strength in knee

April 04, 2018, 8:08am

Nationals

Off to fast start, Eaton continues building strength in knee

ATLANTA - Nationals left fielder Adam Eaton literally hit the ground running to begin the 2018 season, his first regular season play since April 28 of last year. That's the night Eaton suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery. He has rehabbed the past 10 months to get back to nearly 100 percent and has displayed the leadoff talent general manager Mike Rizzo envisioned when he made the deal for the sparkplug prior to the 2017 campaign. Eaton was rewarded for an outstanding first...

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Davey Martinez on impact of Kevin Long, plus more notes

April 04, 2018, 4:58am

Nationals

Davey Martinez on impact of Kevin Long, plus more notes

ATLANTA - The Nationals have raced out of the blocks with a 4-1 record, scoring 35 runs in their first five games. The lineup has been outstanding and has found ways to hit in several situations. Many could point to the work of hitting coach Kevin Long and how quickly he has become acclimated to his new team. "It definitely helps," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez of the relationship Long has with this hitters. "He's another guy. We talk about building relationships. He came in and...

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Liz Barr: Formidable foursome gets Nats off to fast start

April 04, 2018, 6:16am

Nationals

Liz Barr: Formidable foursome gets Nats off to fast start

Welcome back to baseball. You hear that sound in the air? The sound of home runs leaving the park, bags being swiped and an umpire ringing up a strike three call? That means the Nationals are at it again. They've been hitting, running and, most importantly, pitching. The Nationals arguably have the best four-man starting rotation in the National League, and after the first turn through the rotation, the starting pitching was on display. The group of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio...

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Cole gets dismantled as Nats fall for first time this season 13-6

April 03, 2018, 7:57pm

Nationals

Cole gets dismantled as Nats fall for first time this season 13-6

ATLANTA - Right-hander A.J. Cole struggled with consistency in his first start and the Braves took full advantage. Highlighted by a pair of three-run homers from Preston Tucker and Freddie Freeman, Atlanta scored nine runs in the first three innings and cruised to an emphatic 13-6 win. It was the Nationals' first loss of the season. The Braves pounded out 15 hits, including two homers and four doubles. It was the most runs the Nats had allowed since a 13-0 loss to Atlanta July 8, 2017 at Nats...

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Game 5 lineups: Nats at Braves

April 03, 2018, 9:48am

Nationals

ATLANTA - Right-hander A.J. Cole wants to be just like his buddies. The first four starters for the Nationals were 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA and the offense has provided their pitching staff with a league-leading 29 runs. The Nats pitching staff has allowed only 13 runs and other than the them, the Pirates are the only undefeated teams remaining at 4-0. Cole's major league debut came here in Atlanta back in 2015. The Nats made a miraculous comeback on April 28, 2015 to win 13-12 but Cole struggled...

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Martinez on lineup, Cole, Murphy, Hellickson and more

April 03, 2018, 2:35pm

Nationals

Martinez on lineup, Cole, Murphy, Hellickson and more

ATLANTA - The pregame drama for the Nationals and their 4-0 record was manager Davey Martinez submitting a lineup that originally had Bryce Harper batting second. About a half an hour later, Martinez switched the lineup back to Anthony Rendon at No. 2 and Harper in the No. 3 hole. "That was a misprint," Martinez said. "That's something I thought about. I kind of construct lineups a few days in advance. It's something that I was thinking about looking at and I must have said it. When I...

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Cole struggles and leaves before end of 4th (Braves win 13-6)

April 03, 2018, 4:28pm

Nationals

Cole struggles and leaves before end of 4th (Braves win 13-6)

ATLANTA - A fast start for both teams to begin play in game two. Ryan Zimmerman slammed a two-run shot off of Braves starter Julio Teheran in the first. Zimmerman deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall in the top of the first. The Nationals also enjoyed a RBI groundout courtesy of Bryce Harper. The Braves quickly answered with four runs on three hits off of Nats starter A.J. Cole. The big blast a three-run shot by Preston Tucker. After one, the Nats trailed for the first time this...