nationals

Strasburg rolling against Pirates again (Nats win 6-1)

September 29, 2017, 3:52pm

Stephen Strasburg likes recording strikeouts against the Pirates. He struck out a then career-high 14 against Pittsburgh in his major league debut on June 8, 2010. On May 27, 2017, he struck out 15 against San Diego in a 3-0 win. After a 1-2-3 first inning, Strasburg struck out five of his next six batters faced. He struck out the side in the third. The Nationals put together four hits in five at-bats in the first inning. Ryan Zimmerman hit an RBI double, but Daniel Murphy was tagged out at...

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With all hands on deck, Baker can finally put out his lineup of choice

September 29, 2017, 2:27pm

Nationals

With all hands on deck, Baker can finally put out his lineup of choice

For the first time in a long time, the Nationals finally have their projected starting lineup back. And it comes with three games left in the season. The question is will Dusty Baker use this same lineup for the postseason. Probably not. Baker has placed Bryce Harper in the No. 2 hole to maximize the number of at-bats he can get during a game if he wants him to only go six or seven innings. Harper got the day off Thursday after two games in Philadelphia. Harper had admitted he was a little bit...

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Game 160 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates

September 29, 2017, 6:32am

Nationals

The Nationals are prepping their starters for the National League Division Series and if tonight's starter Stephen Strasburg is the Game 2 starter, he will have eight days off. Game 2 of the NLDS is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7. Strasburg has had a tremendous year, going 14-4 with a 2.68 ERA. Tonight is a good test for the Nats hitters, facing a very good right-hander in Gerrit Cole (12-11, 4.23) for Pittsburgh. Right fielder Bryce Harper back in the lineup batting second. Manager Dusty...

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With a heavy heart, Jackson proud to pitch well in his final start

September 28, 2017, 7:45pm

Nationals

With a heavy heart, Jackson proud to pitch well in his final start

Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson arrived Thursday night for his start against the Pirates having allowed 22 earned runs in his last four starts, losing three of those games. So for Jackson to give the Nats six solid innings and allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out seven was a nice way to end the regular season. The Nats were able to win the game in walk-off fashion 5-4 thanks to a clutch bottom of the ninth single down the right field line by Alejandro De Aza. The win was...

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What Doolittle hopes to learn from first blown save

September 28, 2017, 8:15pm

Nationals

What Doolittle hopes to learn from first blown save

It was bound to happen eventually, at least that's how the Nationals figured it. Sean Doolittle had been perfect since his acquisition from the Athletics in July, going 21-for-21 in save opportunities. Could they reasonably expect that conversion rate to remain at 100 percent straight through the end of their season? So maybe Thursday night's blown save against the Pirates - especially considering the fact the Nationals still came back to win 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth - wasn't the worst...

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Doolittle blows first save, but Nats rally to win 5-4 in ninth

September 28, 2017, 6:33pm

Nationals

Doolittle blows first save, but Nats rally to win 5-4 in ninth

What had been commonplace throughout the season's first three months had become wholly unexpected ever since. Give the Nationals bullpen a late lead? In April, May and June, that often meant disaster was looming. In July, August and September, it meant victory was assured. Since their mid-July acquisition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, and continuing with their acquisition of Brandon Kintzler two weeks later, the Nationals bullpen had been darn near automatic, giving up a lead only one...

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De Aza walk-off single in bottom of ninth (Nats win 5-4)

September 28, 2017, 4:04pm

Nationals

De Aza walk-off single in bottom of ninth (Nats win 5-4)

The Nationals jumped out in the first thanks to a leadoff double by Wilmer Difo. Victor Robles sacrificed to the pitcher to get Difo to third. After Anthony Rendon walked, Daniel Murphy's single scored Difo. After two innings, the Nats led 1-0. But the Pirates rallied in the third against Nats starter Edwin Jackson. With one out, Max Moroff walked. Moroff reached second after a groundout to first by pinch-hitter Steven Brault. Brault had arrived because starting pitcher Ivan Nova got hit by a...

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Baker credits success to leadership in clubhouse; plus Minor League awards

September 28, 2017, 2:40pm

Nationals

Baker credits success to leadership in clubhouse; plus Minor League awards

With four games remaining on the regular season schedule and the division decided weeks ago, manager Dusty Baker is hearing questions about the upcoming post season start to dominate his pregame news conferences. The Nationals know they will face the defending champion Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series beginning Friday, October 6 at Nats Park. Thursday against the Pirates, Baker was asked how he would set the lineup for this weekend. In game one, Bryce Harper is taking a day...

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Harper sitting tonight, plans to play rest of weekend

September 28, 2017, 2:38pm

Nationals

Harper sitting tonight, plans to play rest of weekend

Bryce Harper is not in the Nationals lineup tonight, but Dusty Baker wants to make sure you know nothing's wrong with the star outfielder. Really wants you know. "No, nothing," the manager said. "No. Don't be alarmed. Nothing. Again, nothing." The Nationals simply don't want to push Harper too much too fast on the heels of his return from a major left knee and calf injury. After playing a total of nine innings in right field and taking seven plate appearances the previous two nights in...

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Game 159 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates

September 28, 2017, 11:09am

Nationals

And we're back on South Capitol Street for the final weekend of the regular season. The Nationals wrap things up with four games against the Pirates. A few months back, this series looked like it could carry some significance for at least one of the two teams, maybe even both. Instead, they're just playing out the string, with the Bucs having struggled over the last month and fallen out of contention and the Nats having long since clinched a division title and now just prepping for the Cubs...

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Werth turns sentimental in possible Philly finale

September 27, 2017, 8:45pm

Nationals

Werth turns sentimental in possible Philly finale

PHILADELPHIA - Jayson Werth insists he hadn't really thought about it, not entering this series, not even entering Wednesday night's finale. He's made 17 trips to Citizens Bank Park as a member of the Nationals over the last seven years, playing in 52 games. He has long since blocked out the emotions that used to be associated with his trips here, the booing Phillies fans who turned the outfielder into a local villain after he signed a $126 million contract with the Nationals, completely...

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Opposite dugout: September slide cements losing season for Pirates

September 27, 2017, 8:06am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: September slide cements losing season for Pirates

Manager: Clint Hurdle (7th season) Record: 73-85 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (87 RBIs, 28 HR), LF Starling Marte (20 steals), 1B Josh Bell (87 RBIs, 25 HR), RHP Gerrit Cole (1.239 WHIP), LHP Felipe Rivero (20 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 28: RHP Ivan Nova vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 29: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 30: RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Oct....

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Nats drop finale to Phillies, will face Cubs in NLDS (updated)

September 27, 2017, 7:00pm

Nationals

Nats drop finale to Phillies, will face Cubs in NLDS (updated)

PHILADELPHIA - Trea Turner reached base five times. Jayson Werth hit a pair of balls as well as he has in a while. Michael A. Taylor homered. Sammy SolÃs continued his late-season resurgence. And Bryce Harper again looked healthy, and even picked up his first hit in six at-bats since returning from the disabled list. None of that, though, catapulted the Nationals to victory tonight in an excruciating game at Citizens Bank Park. Tanner Roark's struggles on the mound and a bunch of squandered...

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Goodwin in Florida, could make NLDS roster (Nats lose 7-5)

September 27, 2017, 2:31pm

Nationals

Goodwin in Florida, could make NLDS roster (Nats lose 7-5)

PHILADELPHIA - Brian Goodwin probably won't be returning to play for the Nationals in the regular season. Which doesn't mean he might not still return to play for them in the National League Division Series. Goodwin, out since Aug. 13 with a strained groin, has left the club and is now in West Palm Beach, Fla., playing in instructional league games. The outfielder will stay there through the weekend, manager Dusty Baker said, and could use that as a springboard to joining the active roster...

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Luke Erickson: Looking ahead to 2018

September 06, 2017, 5:23am

Nationals

While the parent Nationals have a little more than a month to go - six or seven weeks if they can advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history - the season in the minors ends tomorrow. On a won-loss basis, 2017 was a disaster, nestled somewhere on the spectrum between "Ishtar" and Dan Snyder's tenure as an owner. Just two of the seven affiliates finished above .500, the rest finished (or will finish) in last place, lowlighted by the Syracuse...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope second-half momentum carries into 2018

September 24, 2017, 1:21pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope second-half momentum carries into 2018

Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 62-94 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Rhys Hoskins (.278 with 18 HR, 46 RBIs); 1B Tommy Joseph (.238 with 22 HR, 68 RBIs); 3B Maikel Franco (.231 with 21 HR, 70 RBIs); RHP Aaron Nola (12-10, 3.56 ERA); RHP HÃ©ctor Neris (3.18 ERA, 23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sep. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Aaron Nola; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jake Thompson; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 27: RHP Tanner Roark vs....

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Gonzalez walks five in 4-1 loss, but "felt good"

September 26, 2017, 7:28pm

Nationals

Gonzalez walks five in 4-1 loss, but "felt good"

PHILADELPHIA - For only the third time this season, left-hander Gio Gonzalez walked five batters in a game. Two walks to begin the third inning came around to score, igniting a three-run outburst that helped to lift the Phillies past the Nats, 4-1. Gonzalez had walked seven against the Diamondbacks May 3 and five against the Cubs June 26. It was a rare sight to see Gonzalez not commanding his pitches. Maybe it had something to do with the way home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz was calling the...

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Game 158 lineups: Nats at Phillies

September 27, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals

PHILADELPHIA - Hello from Citizens Bank Park, where the Nationals and Phillies wrap up their season series tonight. Many thanks to Byron Kerr for covering the last two games; he's back home tonight hosting "Nats Xtra" on MASN, so I made the drive to Philadelphia to cover this final road game of the regular season. The Nationals have been very good away from home this year, with a 50-30 road record that is best in the National League. And, get this: If the Nats win tonight, they'd become the...

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Harper with three at-bats in return: "It felt good to be back"

September 26, 2017, 7:07pm

Nationals

Harper with three at-bats in return: "It felt good to be back"

PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper returned from the disabled list with three at-bats Tuesday in the Nats' 4-1 loss to the Phillies. On defense, he was tested early and made a good play retrieving a double down the right field line off the bat of Aaron Altherr in the first inning. Harper's footwork and speed to the ball, plus the turn and throw, were a good signal that his knee and calf could take the quick starts and stops necessary in a big league game. "He looked pretty good," manager Dusty...

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What can Nats reasonably expect from Harper in return?

September 24, 2017, 8:03pm

Nationals

What can Nats reasonably expect from Harper in return?

NEW YORK - When he slipped on first base, felt his left knee buckle and tumbled awkwardly to the ground in the bottom of the first inning Aug. 12 at Nationals Park, Bryce Harper didn't know if he'd play again this season. By the next morning, once an MRI confirmed he had not suffered any ligament damage, only a significant bone bruise and calf strain, Harper's outlook was a whole lot rosier. Even so, Harper and the Nationals knew they had a tight window to get healed, get back in baseball...