nationals

Trying to steal signs on the Nats? That is a difficult task

September 01, 2017, 9:08am

Manager Dusty Baker calls it the toughest coaching job on the field. It's the job of the third base coach. That coach gets criticized every time a runner is thrown out at the plate and rarely gets the credit when another runner scores. Some fans have taken to calling Nationals third base coach Bobby Henley, "Send-ley," due to his aggressive style. Henley has never worried about that and actually loves to be aggressive with his runners to force the defense to have to make the play. The job is...

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Baker may not stick with Werth as No. 2 hitter (Nats lose 6-3)

August 31, 2017, 5:21pm

Nationals

Baker may not stick with Werth as No. 2 hitter (Nats lose 6-3)

MILWAUKEE - The lineup Dusty Baker scribbled out for tonight's series opener against the Brewers was as close as he's going to get to his best-case lineup for the postseason. The only regular missing: Bryce Harper, who may or may not be back to 100 percent in time for October. Notable, then, was Baker's choice for No. 2 hitter: Jayson Werth. With Trea Turner back atop the lineup as well, the Nationals have their 1-2 combo together again. Baker may not, however, stick with that pairing down...

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David Huzzard: Does Harper's absence create an opportunity?

September 01, 2017, 5:36am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Does Harper's absence create an opportunity?

Bryce Harper is the most important player to the Nationals' success, yet his absence creates an opportunity for the Nationals to find out if they really need him. Ask yourself: How good does a player have to be to be worth what Harper is going to command in free agency, and will Harper really command that much. The second part of that question is important because if the Nationals decide to offer Harper an extension this offseason, they need to be close to what he and his agent believe he is...

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First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday

August 31, 2017, 3:27pm

Nationals

First September call-ups coming; Scherzer to start Saturday

MILWAUKEE - Major league clubs typically use their allotment of September call-ups to get a first look at prospects who may figure into the long-term plan, ensure depth at positions where it's needed and reward a few guys for great minor league seasons. The Nationals find themselves in a different situation as the calendar flips from August to September. They'll be expanding their roster not so much to get a look at young guys but to restock their roster with players who have been hurt and to...

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Game 133 lineups: Nats at Brewers

August 31, 2017, 12:30pm

Nationals

MILWAUKEE - Hello from Miller Park, where the roof is open and there's a hint of autumn weather in the air as August comes to an end. The Nationals open a four-game weekend series with the Brewers, who are trying to hang on in the National League Central race while also trying to track down the Rockies for the final wild card berth as an alternative. Gio Gonzalez gets the ball from Dusty Baker for tonight's opener. The lefty pitched well against Milwaukee last month in D.C., allowing two runs...

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Opposite dugout: Brewers still smelling playoffs

August 30, 2017, 9:33pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Brewers still smelling playoffs

Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 69-64 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Travis Shaw (83 RBIs, 27 HR), CF Keon Broxton (20 HR, 19 SB), 1B Eric Thames (28 HR), RF Domingo Santana (22 HR, 66 RBIs), RHP Zach Davies (15-7, 3.91 ERA), RHP Corey Knebel (30 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Zach Davies, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 1: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 2: RHP Erick Fedde vs. RHP Brandon...

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Nationals continue to crush rivals' hopes

August 31, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

In mid-June, the Nationals traveled to New York to face off against the Mets for a four-game series. The Nats were 39-26 and the Mets were 30-34. Sports talk radio in New York was buzzing for a possible four-game Mets sweep. If New York could pull it off, the Nats' lead would be only 4 1/2 games. The Nats went into New York and promptly won three of the four games. With each long road trip or matchup against playoff contending teams, the Nats were subjected to criticism like, "This will be...

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Strasburg homers and fires complete-game shutout in 4-0 win

August 30, 2017, 3:58pm

Nationals

Strasburg homers and fires complete-game shutout in 4-0 win

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg fired a complete-game shutout for the Nationals against the Marlins in their 4-0 series-sweeping clincher Wednesday at Nats Park. It was the Nats' first series sweep of the Marlins since 2014. Strasburg connected for the first run of the game with a solo homer, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Strasburg was efficient: 110 pitches over nine innings works out to 12.2 per frame. Strasburg was also getting guys out with all of his pitches: fastball, curveball,...

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Strasburg tosses second career shutout, Nats sweep Marlins

August 30, 2017, 2:42pm

Nationals

Strasburg tosses second career shutout, Nats sweep Marlins

Even at his very best, Stephen Strasburg rarely in his career has earned the designation of "workhorse." The typical Strasburg gem usually ends after seven innings, maybe eight, his pitch count well into triple digits, the Nationals choosing not to risk pushing their star right-hander too far. There have been a couple of instances, though, when Strasburg gave his team no choice but to let him go for it. And perhaps never more so than this afternoon on South Capitol Street. With maybe the best...

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Wins and losses more important to Stanton than home run record

August 30, 2017, 4:43pm

Nationals Orioles

Wins and losses more important to Stanton than home run record

September is here, and already the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton feels as if he's been asked a "zillion'' times about his surge in home runs. So if Stanton winds up with more than Roger Maris' 61 home runs and fewer than Barry Bonds' 73, does he own baseball's single-season home run record? Stanton paused and stared into his locker before answering the question at Nationals Park on Wednesday. He said earlier this month that he thinks Maris' 61 is the legitimate record, but he...

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Not yet cleared to run, Harper facing tight time frame to return

August 30, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals

Not yet cleared to run, Harper facing tight time frame to return

It's been 18 days since Bryce Harper slipped on first base, hurtled awkwardly to the ground and had to be helped back to the dugout at Nationals Park. Eighteen days later, Harper is up and about, walking without a particularly noticeable limp. Which doesn't mean the star outfielder is anywhere close to returning to the Nationals lineup. Harper revealed today that in addition to the significant bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, he also strained his calf during the Aug. 12 play...

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Scherzer moved to start Sunday, six-man rotation possible

August 30, 2017, 10:46am

Nationals

Scherzer moved to start Sunday, six-man rotation possible

Manager Dusty Baker announced that the Nationals will push back right-hander Max Scherzer to Sunday's game in Milwaukee. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will start Thursday's opener against the Brewers, while right-hander Tanner Roark gets the nod for Friday night. Baker said there is nothing physically wrong with Scherzer, but he wants to spread out his start, and for that matter other starters, for the rest of the regular season as they get ready for October. "It's late in the year," Baker...

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Strasburg homers, tosses complete game (Nats win 4-0)

August 30, 2017, 1:00pm

Nationals

Strasburg homers, tosses complete game (Nats win 4-0)

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg has kept the Marlins off the board through three frames. Dee Gordon led off the game with an infield single but was caught stealing at second a few pitches later. J.T. Realmuto doubled in the second, but Strasburg recorded two more outs to get out of inning. Strasburg has one strikeout. Wilmer Difo and Anthony Rendon singled in the first. Marlins starter Adam Conley then got Ryan Zimmerman on a lineout and Howie Kendrick struck out. Michael A. Taylor...

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Game 132 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

August 30, 2017, 9:15am

Nationals

It never entirely feels like Stephen Strasburg is out of the woods from a previous injury, and there will always be those who hold their breath every time the right-hander throws a pitch. But based on what we've seen in two starts since his return from his latest elbow injury, he sure does look like he's 100 percent. Strasburg has been real sharp in both outings, holding the Padres and Astros to a combined two runs on seven hits in 12 innings, striking out 15 while walking only two. The...

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Jackson uses veteran savvy to wiggle out of early jam

August 30, 2017, 4:56am

Nationals

Jackson uses veteran savvy to wiggle out of early jam

Right-hander Edwin Jackson allowed a Giancarlo Stanton home run and three walks in the first inning but managed to get out of the jam. The veteran ended up lasting six innings and giving up three runs as the Nationals came back to win 8-3. Walking the bases loaded could have ruined the game, but Jackson held on. With two outs, TomÃ¡s Telis lined out to Trea Turner, who dove to his right and made a diving catch, fresh off a return from a broken right wrist, to end the threat. "That was huge....

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Albers, Rendon try to balance baseball with families in Houston

August 29, 2017, 8:37pm

Nationals

Albers, Rendon try to balance baseball with families in Houston

For 21 hours each of the last several days, Matt Albers and Anthony Rendon's minds have been on Houston, on their families and their friends trying to survive through the worst flooding incident their hometown has ever experienced. And then for three hours each day, the two Nationals try everything they can to block out the more important matters at home and concentrate all their attention on their jobs. It's no easy task. "It's definitely a challenge," Rendon said after Tuesday night's...

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August 29, 2017, 7:55pm

Nationals

PÃ©rez and Albers keep Marlins at bay on way to 8-3 win

The big moment defensively for the Nationals in Tuesday's divisional matchup with the Marlinscame in the top of the seventh. The Nats were clinging to a 5-2 lead, but the Marlins started the inning with two singles off starter Edwin Jackson. Dee Gordon sacrificed back to Jackson, whose throw to Ryan Zimmerman at first base was off line, allowing a run to score. Suddenly, the Nats' lead was cut to 5-3. Jackson intentionally walked the dangerous Giancarlo Stanton, who had already connected with...

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Luke Erickson: Who they gonna call?

August 26, 2017, 11:03am

Nationals

For the first six seasons in D.C., Sept. 1 meant one thing for fans of the Washington Nationals: Let's see if any of these minor leaguers might make the team next spring. Like, for example, Ian Desmond in 2009, Wilson Ramos in 2010, and the trio of Steve Lombardozzi, Tommy Milone and Brad Peacock in 2011 (yes, it counts because Milone and Peacock were key pieces in the trade for Gio Gonzalez). But this season, like the last five, the Nats are playoff contenders and the expectations for the...

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With Turner back, Nats lineup enjoys another big night

August 29, 2017, 8:10pm

Nationals

With Turner back, Nats lineup enjoys another big night

The sight of Jayson Werth in the lineup Monday night elicited plenty of smiles from the rest of the Nationals. The sight of Trea Turner in the lineup tonight elicited plenty more. The sight of Bryce Harper in the lineup - whenever that day comes - will elicit the biggest smiles of them all and leave this first-place club feeling as good about itself as it has all year long. "It's just good to slowly start getting our opening day lineup back," Anthony Rendon said following tonight's 8-3 win...

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Nationals trounce Marlins again, reduce magic number to 18

August 29, 2017, 6:42pm

Nationals

Their ace and their veteran outfielder returned Monday night, leading to victory. Their leadoff man and shortstop returned tonight, contributing to victory. The Nationals are looking more and more whole these days, and not surprisingly, the results are reflecting that. With Trea Turner back atop the lineup tonight after a two-month absence, the Nats finally solved pesky Marlins right-hander Vance Worley and put up their second straight big night at the plate. And thanks to another quality start...