nationals

Taylor's latest highlight-reel play: inside-the-park grand slam

September 08, 2017, 7:51pm

Michael A. Taylor remembered what happened two years ago tonight, Sept. 8, 2015, when he singled to center field with the bases loaded against the Mets and watched Yoenis Cespedes let the ball get past him for what officially was ruled a single and three-base error. Taylor did not remember what happened 2 1/2 weeks later, Sept. 25, 2015, when he couldn't make a diving catch of Aaron Altherr's sinking liner with the bases loaded and had to chase down the ball and watch the Phillies outfielder...

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Nats outslug Phillies 11-10, reduce magic number to three

September 08, 2017, 6:31pm

Nationals

Nats outslug Phillies 11-10, reduce magic number to three

Max Scherzer didn't look quite like his normal self in his return from a bruised calf, but the Nationals lineup made sure that didn't matter with another well-rounded offensive explosion to move this team one step closer to a division title. Michael A. Taylor's four-hit night that included an inside-the-park grand slam - more on that shortly - highlighted the Nationals' 11-10, too-close-for-comfort win over the Phillies and gave Scherzer the win on a night when the ace didn't look his...

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Scherzer battles command problems early (Nats win 11-10)

September 08, 2017, 4:07pm

Nationals

Scherzer battles command problems early (Nats win 11-10)

Max Scherzer didn't look much like himself in the first inning tonight against the Phillies. Whether it has anything to do with the fact he took a comebacker off his left calf the last time he pitches remains to be learned. Whatever the case, Scherzer battled through an uncharacteristically ragged top of the first. He issued three walks in the inning, one of them on four pitches, and also served up a three-run homer to Nick Williams that gave Philadelphia an early 3-0 lead. The Nationals have...

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Game 141 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

September 08, 2017, 11:11am

Nationals

When last we saw Max Scherzer on the mound, he was hobbling around Miller Park, capable of pitching but not running after he took a comebacker off his left calf. That was six days ago, and tonight Scherzer will be back on the mound, insisting he's fine after getting treatment and throwing twice during the week in Miami with no issues. Scherzer returns for what could turn out to be a huge weekend for the Nationals. Their four-game winning streak, combined with the Marlins' five-game losing...

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One-run wins build character, show quality Nats bullpen

September 07, 2017, 7:47pm

Nationals

One-run wins build character, show quality Nats bullpen

The Nationals are now 25-17 in one-run games after Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Phillies. The victory was the Nats' 34th comeback win of the season. Three of the Nats' last five wins have come by a single run. They have gone 30-16 in series openers this season, as well. These are statistics that could be beneficial come playoff time. There will be opportunities against good teams, most likely in the postseason, where the Nats will be down by one run, or up by one run, in the late...

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After scary chest injury, grateful Sanchez returns to Nats

September 08, 2017, 1:52pm

Nationals

After scary chest injury, grateful Sanchez returns to Nats

AdriÃ¡n Sanchez last appeared on the field at Nationals Park on Aug. 26, an appearance notable for two reasons. No. 1: He delivered a key RBI single off Mets closer Jeurys Familia in the bottom of the eighth, eliciting a standing ovation from the home crowd. No. 2: A few minutes later, he was removed from the game because he was still feeling the effects of getting hit by a pitch square on the chest, a frightening moment that preceded the RBI single and gave the fans reason to offer that...

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Roark, Turner and bullpen lift Nats past Phillies 4-3

September 07, 2017, 7:25pm

Nationals

Roark, Turner and bullpen lift Nats past Phillies 4-3

Nationals starter Tanner Roark kept his club in the game long enough for a comeback, and then the bullpen shut the door again for three innings in a 4-3 win over the Phillies on Thursday night. The Nats' magic number to clinch the National League East has dropped to four, thanks to the Braves' comeback 6-5 win over the Marlins in Atlanta. Roark went six innings, allowing three runs, and Trea Turner came through with a two-run single in a three-run sixth-inning rally for the Nats' 86th win of...

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David Huzzard: Top three in rotation are undisputed advantage for Nats

September 08, 2017, 5:45am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Top three in rotation are undisputed advantage for Nats

2.19, 2.50, 2.78 - that isn't just a random collection of numbers, those are the ERAa of the Nationals' top three starting pitchers, Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg. Those three rank second, third and fourth in ERA and first and 11th in FIP (Strasburg and Scherzer are tied). Scherzer is the current front-runner for NL Cy Young with a healthy lead in all the categories the voters are going to look at. He has the second-best ERA in the league, the best FIP and WAR, leads in...

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Baker says promoted Robles is "tremendous talent"

September 07, 2017, 1:59pm

Nationals

Baker says promoted Robles is "tremendous talent"

Manager Dusty Baker remembers top prospect Victor Robles from the outfielder's play in spring training in February and March, and has seen the 20-year-old progress to the point where he joined the Nationals today. "He didn't play a whole bunch, but he wasn't intimidated at all," Baker said. "He was happy to be there. He's actually one of the leaders of the young Latin corps that we have here. You can tell how they kind of gravitate towards him. I heard he is a heck of a player. I also...

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De Aza helps Roark's cause (Nats win 4-3)

September 07, 2017, 4:05pm

Nationals

De Aza helps Roark's cause (Nats win 4-3)

The Nationals got on the board first against the Phillies and Aaron Nola in the first of four games Thursday night at Nats Park. With one out in the second, Michael A. Taylor reached on a throwing error by first baseman Tommy Joseph and promptly stole second base. With two outs, Alejandro De Aza lined a single to left field to score Taylor for a 1-0 Nationals lead. Tanner Roark allowed a solo homer off the bat of Jorge Alfaro in the third. It was Alfaro's second homer of the season and came on...

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Doolittle ready for extra workload that awaits him in October

September 06, 2017, 9:03pm

Nationals

Doolittle ready for extra workload that awaits him in October

MIAMI - From the moment the trade was consummated on July 16, Dusty Baker has known he needs to be careful about using Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson too much. Both relievers, acquired from the Athletics in the same deal, have dealt with significant arm injuries in recent years. And so both have to monitor their workloads in an attempt to keep them healthy. "Some of them have histories or being injured," Baker said. "That's what I'm trying to avoid. You can't afford to have them go down...

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Game 140 lineups: Nats. vs Phillies (Victor Robles selected)

September 07, 2017, 11:08am

Nationals

Game 140 lineups: Nats. vs Phillies (Victor Robles selected)

The Nationals return home to begin a 10-game home stand with the magic number to clinch the National League East at six as they begin four games against the Phillies. The club made a major announcement prior to the game that their top prospect, center fielder Victor Robles has had his contract selected from Double-A Harrisburg. Also called up are outfielders Andrew Stevenson and Rafael Bautista. The 20-year-old Robles, ranked the No. 4 prospect in the game by MLB.com, hit .344 over his last 10...

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Join Nationals in donating to hurricane relief efforts

September 07, 2017, 1:19pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals are inviting fans to contribute specific supplies requested by aid organizations to support those recovering from the devastation of recent storms. The collected items, listed below, will be accepted at Nationals Park from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day between Friday, September 8 and Sunday, September 17. When gates open on game days, donations will be accepted at the Center Field and Home Plate entrances. Outside of game times, donations will be accepted on the...

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A question-and-answer session as baseball hits September stretch run

September 07, 2017, 1:09pm

Nationals Orioles

A question-and-answer session as baseball hits September stretch run

A question-and-answer session for September: Question: The Nationals are on the verge of clinching the National League East. It seems early for clinch talk, right? Answer: Early clinches are defining the season when you consider the big leads of the Nationals, Dodgers and Astros. But there have been earlier clinch dates. The 1975 Reds clinched on Sept. 7. Cleveland clinched in 1995 and 1998 on Sept. 8 while the 1998 Yankees and 20 02 Braves each clinched Sept. 9. The Yankees that year...

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Nationals select Robles' contract, recall Bautista and Stevenson

September 07, 2017, 12:48pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of outfielder Victor Robles from Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, recalled outfielders Rafael Bautista and Andrew Stevenson from Triple-A Syracuse, and transferred right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Robles, 20, joins the Nationals for the first Major League assignment of his career. The consensus best prospect in the...

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Nats sweep Marlins again, move closer to another division title

September 06, 2017, 6:13pm

Nationals

Nats sweep Marlins again, move closer to another division title

MIAMI - The Nationals have known for some time they are going to win the National League East, and most likely by a wide margin. The only question was when it would become official. Well, by beating the Marlins six times in the last 10 days, they have managed to push up the clinching date by a whole lot. Tonight's 8-1 thumping at Marlins Park capped off the Nationals' second series sweep of their closest division competitor in less than two weeks. A Miami club that thought it was clawing its...

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Hurricane on players' minds as series concludes (Nats win 8-1)

September 06, 2017, 4:13pm

Nationals

Hurricane on players' minds as series concludes (Nats win 8-1)

MIAMI - They're playing a ballgame tonight at Marlins Park, but there aren't many fans here, even fewer than the typical sparse gathering. Which is understandable, given the way most everyone's mind is preoccupied with the fast-approaching Hurricane Irma and making preparations now either to board up homes or get out of town. Those in uniform are understandably paying close attention, as well, diverting at least some of their focus from the game. Several Nationals players are from or live in...

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Scherzer will start Friday; Glover getting second opinion

September 06, 2017, 2:26pm

Nationals

Scherzer will start Friday; Glover getting second opinion

MIAMI - Max Scherzer is cleared to start Friday night as scheduled for the Nationals. The odds of Koda Glover returning to pitch for the Nats this season, however, appear to have dwindled. Scherzer was able to throw a bullpen session this afternoon with no ill effects from his bruised left calf, and the Nationals have officially listed him as Friday's starter against the Phillies. "He's getting treatment and getting his leg worked on and stuff," manager Dusty Baker said. "So, yeah, as of...

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Given opportunity to catch, Severino steps up and produces

September 06, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Given opportunity to catch, Severino steps up and produces

MIAMI - Pedro Severino made his major league debut nearly two years ago, so this isn't anything new for him. The young Nationals catcher, though, hasn't been given a whole lot of opportunities to play at this level (with the notable exception of his two starts in last year's National League Division Series after Wilson Ramos tore his ACL). No matter what, Severino has tried to make himself ready if and when the call comes. "They gave me opportunity last year, and in 2015 I (didn't) play a...

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Game 139 lineups: Nats at Marlins

September 06, 2017, 11:44am

Nationals

MIAMI - The vast majority of the attention in South Florida is fixated not on baseball but on Hurricane Irma. The outer bands of storm aren't expected to arrive here until Saturday, with the bulk of the storm arriving Sunday, but already folks are making preparations, with some evacuations underway and huge lines at gas stations leading to major traffic jams. (I speak from experience on that last one.) But there is a ballgame to be played tonight, and so the Nationals and Marlins will close...