nationals

Lobaton shakes off ankle injury, but Severino making a case

September 15, 2017, 1:39pm

When he was trying to shake off the pitch that caught him square on the left ankle in the bottom of the second inning Thursday night, Jose Lobaton was asked by Nationals director of athletic training Paul Lessard if he could walk. In that moment, Lobaton honestly couldn't, so he told Lessard he needed to come out of the game. That justifiably had the Nationals concerned about the long-term health of their No. 2 catcher, but those fears were alleviated when X-rays on Lobaton's ankle came back...

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Werth another step forward with solid at-bats in series finale

September 15, 2017, 5:05am

Nationals

Werth another step forward with solid at-bats in series finale

Big positive for left fielder Jayson Werth who has now played two games in a row after returning from a sore shoulder. On Thursday, Werth went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Nationals' 5-2 win over the Braves. "He had four great at-bats tonight," manager Dusty Baker said. "Flirted with the wall a couple times and he's feeling better and you see Trea (Turner) is back, he has his stuff together so our next step is to get Jayson back to himself. And then the last step is to get (Bryce Harper)...

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Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

September 15, 2017, 10:37am

Nationals

The Nationals haven't played any truly meaningful pennant-race games in mid-to-late September in any of the last six seasons. They've always either clinched the division or been too far back to have a realistic chance, leaving these last two weeks of the regular season to relatively meaningless ball. This weekend, then, provides the closest thing we may experience to exciting pennant-race baseball. The Dodgers are in town, and so this is a showdown between the National League's top two...

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Opposite dugout: After long skid, Dodgers no longer a lock for best NL record

September 13, 2017, 6:27pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: After long skid, Dodgers no longer a lock for best NL record

Manager: Dave Roberts (2nd season) Record: 94-52 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Justin Turner (.326/.419/.536 with 19 HR, 67 RBIs), SS Corey Seager (.305/.385/.489 with 19 HR, 68 RBIs), 2B Chris Taylor (.296 with 19 HR, 67 RBIs), LF Cody Bellinger (37 HR, 86 RBIs), LHP Alex Wood (14-3, 2.81 ERA), LHP Rich Hill (9-8, 3.67 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (5-0, 1.29 ERA, 37 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 15: LHP Alex Wood vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept....

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Not a lot at stake, but Nats' series vs. Dodgers will draw attention

September 14, 2017, 7:40pm

Nationals

Not a lot at stake, but Nats' series vs. Dodgers will draw attention

It's been looming on the schedule for months, a late-season clash between the teams that have held the National League's top two records nearly the entire year. But when the Nationals and Dodgers open their weekend series tonight, there won't be as much on the line as there might have been not long ago. The combination of the Nationals' recent surge and the Dodgers' recent slide came together to take some juice away from this series. The Nats, of course, already clinched the NL East title...

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Nationals ride rookies, Roark to 5-2 win over Braves (updated)

September 14, 2017, 6:15pm

Nationals

In an effort to give many of his regulars a well-deserved breather, Dusty Baker has fielded several lineups recently featuring more rookies and backups than veterans and starters. Not that it has hurt his team's chances of winning. Quite the contrary. Tonight's "B" lineup was plenty effective at the plate against the Braves, and with Tanner Roark tossing another quality start before handing the game over to his bullpen, the Nationals earned a comfortable 5-2 victory to avoid a series sweep...

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David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups

September 15, 2017, 5:48am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups

There is going to be a side story to the Dodgers-Nationals series this weekend, and like many side stories, it is flat and pointless, a time-filler to help get to the end of the season. Kind of like my run on sentences. This story is not a tale as old as time but it is one that is asked all the time of fans, players, media and front office staff: Who would you rather play in the first round? The Cubs have suffered a World Series hangover and limped through the season, but still have Anthony...

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Harper ramps up rehab, runs around warning track

September 14, 2017, 2:09pm

Nationals

Harper ramps up rehab, runs around warning track

Bryce Harper sightings on the field at Nationals Park these days generate the kind of attention usually reserved in this town for a baby panda at the National Zoo. You never know for sure when they're going to happen, and when they do everybody scrambles for their phones to take photos and video of this rare event. So it was this afternoon when Harper emerged in the right field corner during Nationals batting practice, alongside Harvey Sharman, the club's director of medical services. The...

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Extra meaningful games can pay dividends for Nats prospects in future

September 14, 2017, 1:07pm

Nationals

Extra meaningful games can pay dividends for Nats prospects in future

Every season, college basketball teams dream of earning a bid in the NCAA tournament. For teams that make it to the big dance every year, it becomes an advantage the next season because the team has extra practices and extra games that 250 other teams don't get to benefit from. A lot of young players get to play in those extra games - incredibly meaningful games - and they gain experience they would have no other way of receiving if their team did not make it to the postseason. Perennial...

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Werth provides early offense, Roark dealing (Nats win 5-2)

September 14, 2017, 4:25pm

Nationals

Werth provides early offense, Roark dealing (Nats win 5-2)

Jayson Werth's first at-bat in his return to the lineup on Wednesday was a double to left field. He continued to contribute offensively in his first trip to the plate tonight. In the bottom of the first, Trea Turner doubled to lead off the inning against Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz. Werth, moved to the two-hole, singled to bring home Turner and give the Nats an early lead. In the bottom of the second, Jose Lobaton was hit by a pitch with two outs. He limped up the first base line to take...

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Game 146 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

September 14, 2017, 10:56am

Nationals

The Nationals tonight are trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Braves, not to mention falling to 7-9 overall against them this season. All of that would be a surprise, given the respective state of clubs, but it does show you that Atlanta is making some strides in its rebuild and the Nats (for whatever reason) haven't enjoyed as much success against these guys as other division foes. It'll be Tanner Roark's job to pitch well enough to help change that downward trend. Roark has been...

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Stacking up the NL Cy Young Award contenders

September 14, 2017, 5:50am

Nationals

Stacking up the NL Cy Young Award contenders

Max Scherzer and Dusty Baker have offered up their explanation for what happened in the seventh inning Wednesday night at Nationals Park. Whether you want to accept their explanation for pushing Scherzer to 116 pitches, even though it might have cost the Nationals the game and may have extended their ace too far, is up to you. We're not going to debate that again here this morning. The purpose of this post is to examine how that decision may impact Scherzer's chances of winning his second...

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2017 Nationals fall instructional league roster and schedule

September 14, 2017, 7:23am

Nationals

Here is an exclusive look at the Nationals' fall instructional league roster for 2017. The report date in Sunday in West Palm Beach, Fla., and their first workout is Monday, Sept. 18. The last day is Oct. 7. Schedule: Sept. 25 - at Astros Sept. 26 - Camp day Sept. 27 - Camp day Sept. 28 - Astros Sept. 29 - Camp day Sept. 30 - at Astros Oct. 1 - Off-day Oct. 2 - Astros Oct. 3 - Camp day Oct. 4 - Camp day Oct. 5 - Camp day Oct. 6 - Camp day The Nationals do not have to leave the facility because...

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Why the Nats let Scherzer throw 116 pitches in a September loss

September 13, 2017, 7:33pm

Nationals

Why the Nats let Scherzer throw 116 pitches in a September loss

It's easy to look at the final three weeks of the regular season, with a division title already wrapped up and a heavy emphasis on ensuring everyone's healthy for the postseason, as a meaningless string of games for the Nationals. Max Scherzer vehemently disagrees with that notion. And tonight's game, which ended as an ugly 8-2 loss to the Braves, provided evidence of his point of view. Not in spite of the fact he threw 116 pitches, the last 19 of them after he easily could have been pulled...

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Turner with 40th stolen base and three hits in loss, focuses on health

September 13, 2017, 7:23pm

Nationals

Turner with 40th stolen base and three hits in loss, focuses on health

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner stole his 40th base of the season Wednesday night in an 8-2 loss to the Braves. That would be impressive for an everyday player who had logged 130 or so games by this time of the season. But Turner missed a combined 61 games due to a broken wrist and a hamstring strain. He has stolen 40 bases in just 379 plate appearances this season. 130 games? Umm, no. Turner has played in 83 total games. Oh, the possibilities! "Oh, yeah, he was on pace to lead this league in...

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Harper begins running, taking light swings; Werth returns

September 13, 2017, 1:33pm

Nationals

Harper begins running, taking light swings; Werth returns

Bryce Harper has taken a few more small but important steps in his return from a significant knee and calf injury, offering a more encouraging outlook for his chances to return to the Nationals in time for the postseason. Harper has begun light hitting and running drills, according to manager Dusty Baker, adding to his earlier throwing sessions as his first attempts at baseball activities since he injured himself Aug. 12 trying to beat out a groundball to first base. "He's hit some off the...

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Disastrous seventh inning sends Nats to 8-2 loss to Braves

September 13, 2017, 6:14pm

Nationals

Disastrous seventh inning sends Nats to 8-2 loss to Braves

Dusty Baker has left Max Scherzer on the mound deep into games more than once this season, justifying his decisions based on the fact the league's reigning Cy Young Award winner is better than anyone he could summon from his bullpen. Earlier this year, given the state of the Nationals' relief corps, it was a defensible decision. And during a pennant race, there's logic to the move. But with the Nats having already wrapped up a division title and now just trying to keep everyone healthy...

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Scherzer quick out of blocks, but fades (Braves win 8-2)

September 13, 2017, 3:20pm

Nationals

Scherzer quick out of blocks, but fades (Braves win 8-2)

Right-hander Max Scherzer walked Ozzie Albies to start the game, but Matt Wieters was able to catch Albies stealing during the Dansby Swanson at-bat. Swanson fouled out to Trea Turner. Freddie Freeman struck out on a 95 mph fastball from Scherzer to end the inning. The Nationals got on the board thanks to a single from Turner in the first inning. He stole second base with one out, and then Anthony Rendon doubled off of Braves starter Luiz Gohara, scoring Turner, and the Nats led 1-0. Scherzer...

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Game 145 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

September 13, 2017, 10:56am

Nationals

Last night was a stinker, plain and simple, for the Nationals. They looked pretty lifeless during an 8-0 loss to the Braves. Afterward, they all insisted there was nothing to read into it, it was just a bad game and not a reflection of a team suffering from a letdown after Sunday's clincher. We'll find out tonight if that's true, or if it really is tough to get yourself hyped up again when you've already clinched and still have three weeks of the regular season to go. It doesn't hurt to...

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Five Nats who still have something to prove before October

September 12, 2017, 7:26pm

Nationals

Five Nats who still have something to prove before October

There are team-oriented objectives for the Nationals over the season's final three weeks, but there also are individually oriented objectives that will help determine how this team looks once it reaches the postseason. With that in mind, let's take a look at five players for whom this final stretch carries some extra weight, even with the Nationals having already clinched the division crown... WILMER DIFO The dynamic infielder is going to make the postseason roster; he has earned that spot...