nationals

The art of hitting by Daniel Murphy

August 26, 2017, 11:31am

Second baseman Daniel Murphy has been able to improve his batting average and power numbers each season since signing a free agent deal with the Nationals in January 2016. The escalating hitting numbers are very impressive. His slugging percentage with the Nationals was .595 in 2016 and is .549 in 115 games this season. His best slugging percentage as a regular starter for the Mets was .449 in 2015. His batting average with the Nats was .347 in 2016 and is currently .320 in 2017. Murphy has hit...

Comments

Tags:

bobby henley byron kerr daniel murphy nationals rick schu featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Sanchez gets hit by pitch in scary moment, bounces back in 9-4 win

August 26, 2017, 4:12pm

Nationals

Sanchez gets hit by pitch in scary moment, bounces back in 9-4 win

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez continued to pitch well and the Nationals held on after a quick start for a 9-4 victory over the Mets. But the story of the game was second baseman AdriÃ¡n Sanchez, who came up big on offense and also took a fastball to the chest in a scary moment late in the game. Sanchez had a two-run single to highlight the Nats' four-run first frame. In the eighth inning, squaring to bunt, he was hit in the chest by a 97 mph fastball from Mets right-hander Jeurys Familia. Sanchez...

Comments

Tags:

adrian sanchez byron kerr dusty baker mets nationals erick fedde featured_sidebar gio gonzalez howie kendrick max scherzer tanner roark wilmer difo frontstory_nationals2

Big first inning rough on Gsellman (Nats win 9-4)

August 26, 2017, 12:53pm

Nationals

Big first inning rough on Gsellman (Nats win 9-4)

The Nationals took control of today's game against the Mets in the first inning. In the top of the first with two outs, Gio Gonzalez walked AsdrÃºbal Cabrera. He went to second on a wild pitch. Travis Taijeron singled up the middle and Michael A. Taylor threw home to Matt Wieters. Wieters tagged out a sliding Cabrera to end the inning. In the bottom of the first with one out, Wilmer Difo reached on a catching error by right-hander Robert Gsellman. Anthony Rendon doubled to put two men in...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon byron kerr gio gonzalez mets nationals adam lind adrian sanchez featured_sidebar frontfeatured_nationals matt wieters michael a taylor brandon kintzler howie kendrick daniel murphy oliver perez

Scherzer, Zimmerman are close; Werth, Turner take positive steps

August 26, 2017, 10:29am

Nationals

Scherzer, Zimmerman are close; Werth, Turner take positive steps

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman confirmed it was not his left shoulder that he felt discomfort in Thursday in Houston. The biggest update today was that Zimmerman said it was his left triceps instead. "It wasn't really inside the shoulder, so that was good," Zimmerman said. "I was swung yesterday. It was just a little sore." Zimmerman even had discussions during Friday's game against the Mets with manager Dusty Baker about possibly pinch-hitting. "I told him (I could), but he had (Anthony...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker jayson werth max scherzer mets nationals ryan zimmerman trea turner erick fedde featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 127 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

August 26, 2017, 8:15am

Nationals

Manager Dusty Baker opted to give left-hander Gio Gonzalez an extra day of rest following a 121-pitch effort in his last start. Today, Gonzalez faces off against the division rival Mets. The 4-1 win over the Padres last Sunday was another prime example of the 2017 Gonzalez: one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings on five hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Baker is keen on giving Gonzalez and the other starters a day of rest or more in the season's final month with the Nationals well out ahead...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dusty baker gio gonzalez mets nationals lineups max scherzer ryan zimmerman frontstory_nationals3

Zimmerman dealing with sore shoulder, won't play again today

August 25, 2017, 7:36pm

Nationals

Zimmerman dealing with sore shoulder, won't play again today

A Nationals lineup already reeling from injuries is without yet another key bat for at least one more day: Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman was unavailable to bat during Friday night's 4-2 loss to the Mets and won't be in the lineup again this afternoon for the second game of the series after injuring his left shoulder sliding into the plate during Thursday night's win in Houston, manager Dusty Baker revealed. "I think he hurt his arm or shoulder, really couldn't swing, on his headfirst slide...

Comments

Tags:

injuries jayson werth mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime ryan zimmerman trea turner featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nats' makeshift lineup can't complete late rally in 4-2 loss to Mets

August 25, 2017, 6:15pm

Nationals

Nats' makeshift lineup can't complete late rally in 4-2 loss to Mets

With a makeshift lineup, a fill-in starter and an ace on the mound opposite them, the Nationals entered tonight's series opener against the Mets in a less-than-advantageous position. Sometimes, those seemingly lopsided matchups flip the opposite way and produce memorable and unlikely outcomes. Not this time. This one went according to script. Despite a few dramatic moments late when a last-ditch comeback nearly happened. Despite an effective pitching performance from A.J. Cole, filling in for...

Comments

Tags:

a.j. cole adam lind jacob degrom mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Game 126 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

August 25, 2017, 11:25am

Nationals

The Nationals are back home this weekend after a long, eventful (and still successful) road trip through San Diego and Houston. If things went according to plan, Max Scherzer would have been taking the mound tonight to face the Mets. Things didn't go according to plan, though, and Scherzer has been slower to heal from his second neck injury in a month, now hoping to be ready to go Sunday at the earliest. So in his place tonight will be A.J. Cole, who makes his fifth big league start of the...

Comments

Tags:

a.j. cole lineups mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets frontstory_nationals1

Late flight, quick turnaround force lineup changes (Nats lose 4-2)

August 25, 2017, 4:03pm

Nationals

Late flight, quick turnaround force lineup changes (Nats lose 4-2)

It was 4:20 p.m., 2 hours and 45 minutes away from first pitch, and Dusty Baker was still in street clothes. A decent number of Baker's players had yet to arrive in the clubhouse, with reporting time pushed all the way back to 4:45 p.m., much later than normal. Batting practice? That was canceled. Such were the accommodations the Nationals had to make after a 4:30 a.m. arrival from Houston following Thursday night's game, with the opener of this weekend's series against the Mets looming at...

Comments

Tags:

dusty baker houston astros mark zuckerman nationals nationals pastime new york mets featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Scherzer throws in bullpen, appears good to return Sunday

August 25, 2017, 1:51pm

Nationals

Scherzer throws in bullpen, appears good to return Sunday

Max Scherzer appears to be good to go Sunday against the Mets. Scherzer threw off the bullpen mound at Nationals Park this afternoon, the final step he said was necessary to be able to start a game two days later. The Nationals ace was in full uniform as he threw his bullpen session with pitching coach Mike Maddux alongside, standard practice for all members of the rotation in their between-starts routine. He didn't stop to take questions from reporters as he walked down the dugout steps and...

Comments

Tags:

a.j. cole dusty baker erick fedde injuries mark zuckerman max scherzer nationals nationals pastime new york mets featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Strasburg "not worried" about calf cramp after six scoreless innings

August 24, 2017, 9:28pm

Nationals

Strasburg "not worried" about calf cramp after six scoreless innings

HOUSTON - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg managed to throw six scoreless innings against the top-scoring club in the major leagues Thursday night, despite having to deal with a cramp in his left calf as the game wore on. Strasburg began the sixth inning by striking out Derek Fisher and George Springer. He allowed a double to Alex Bregman, but then got Jose Altuve on a screaming liner that was caught by Howie Kendrick in left field to end the inning. Strasburg surrendered only three...

Comments

Tags:

astros byron kerr dusty baker nationals ryan zimmerman stephen strasburg featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Nationals Recall RHP A.J. Cole

August 25, 2017, 12:59pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday and optioned catcher Pedro Severino to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cole, 25, returns to the Nationals after a one-start sojourn back with Triple-A. He will start on Friday night against the New York Mets. The right-hander, who is 1-3 with a 5.32 ERA in four starts for the Nationals this season, last started for the...

Comments

Tags:

Nationals News Release nationals

Nats find way to win in extras after blowing late lead

August 24, 2017, 9:07pm

Nationals

Nats find way to win in extras after blowing late lead

HOUSTON - The Nationals were teetering on losing the series against the Astros after Stephen Strasburg had put together six scoreless frames. Houston scored three runs on five hits in the final two innings to erase a 3-0 Nats lead. But the Nats then managed to come up with two huge runs to down the Astros 5-4 in 11. An Anthony Rendon sacrifice fly and a Matt Wieters RBI single gave the Nats a 5-3 lead in the 11th. J.D. Davis answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning, but Sammy...

Comments

Tags:

brandon kintzler byron kerr dusty baker nationals ryan zimmerman featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals1

Baker to monitor starters' schedules as final month approaches

August 24, 2017, 3:23pm

Nationals

Baker to monitor starters' schedules as final month approaches

HOUSTON - Manager Dusty Baker is monitoring how many games his starters will play in the next four weeks as the club closes in on its second straight division title. Nationals starting pitchers have thrown 115 or more pitches in a game 11 times this season. That mark is the most among major league teams, with Boston having reached that plateau 10 times this season. Red Sox and former Nats starter Doug Fister threw 114-pitch one-hitter complete game in Tuesday night's 9-1 victory over the...

Comments

Tags:

astros byron kerr dusty baker gio gonzalez max scherzer nationals pudge rodriguez featured_sidebar jayson werth trea turner frontstory_nationals3

David Huzzard: Nationals have prospered against adversity

August 24, 2017, 8:18pm

Nationals

The Nationals have faced as much adversity possible for a team more than a dozen games up in their division in late August. There exists a subset of baseball fans that theorize that the teams that do best in the playoffs are those that have been battle-hardened by a tough division race or fight for the wild card. This is the typical type of adversity people think of, but the Nationals have faced a different kind and it may prove beneficial when they reach the playoffs this season. D.C. is the...

Comments

Tags:

david huzzard guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Injuries, trades have left Mets a hollow shell

August 24, 2017, 8:06pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Injuries, trades have left Mets a hollow shell

Manager: Terry Collins (7th year) Record: 55-71 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: OF Yoenis CÃ©spedes (.292, 42 RBIs), 3B Wilmer Flores (42 RBIs), SS AsdrÃºbel Cabrera (35 RBIs, 20 doubles), OF Brandon Nimmo (.264), RHP Jacob deGrom (3.49 ERA), RHP AJ Ramos (23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-9 Pitching probables: Aug. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Jacob deGrom, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 27 (Game 1): RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP...

Comments

Tags:

doug miller mets nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout frontstory_nationals2

Texas-sized pitchers' duel (Nats win 5-4 in 11th)

August 24, 2017, 5:03pm

Nationals

Texas-sized pitchers' duel (Nats win 5-4 in 11th)

HOUSTON - As one might expect, two of the best pitchers in all of baseball are locked in a pitchers' duel through three innings. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has not allowed a hit through three innings. He has struck out four Astros. But Carlos BeltrÃ¡n used up 12 Strasburg pitches when he grounded out to shortstop to begin the bottom of the third. Brian McCann was then walked. Strasburg bounced back to strike out Derek Fisher and get George Springer to pop up to first base. Houston still...

Comments

Tags:

astros byron kerr dallas keuchel nationals stephen strasburg frontfeatured_nationals

Scherzer improving, Cole will start Friday

August 24, 2017, 2:42pm

Nationals

Scherzer improving, Cole will start Friday

HOUSTON - Manager Dusty Baker said right-hander A.J. Cole will start Friday for the Nationals in their series opener against the Mets. The Mets series is four games in three days. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will start Saturday's game. Right-hander Tanner Roark is slated to start one of the two games Sunday. Right-hander Max Scherzer could be the starter for Sunday night if he throws a bullpen session without issues Friday in D.C. "Bullpen soon. It's not all gone," Scherzer said of the neck...

Comments

Tags:

astros byron kerr dusty baker max scherzer nationals ryan madson featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals2

Game 125 lineups: Nats at Astros

August 24, 2017, 8:34am

Nationals

HOUSTON - A pair of evenly matched first-place clubs attempting to get healthy before the end of the regular season clash in the rubber match of a three-game set tonight at Minute Maid Park. The pitching matchup is outstanding with Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 3.24 ERA) facing off against Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58 ERA). Keuchel is very good at home: 35-19 with a 2.89 ERA and 405 strikeouts in 77 games. He is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against...

Comments

Tags:

astros byron kerr nationals stephen strasburg lineups frontstory_nationals2

Edwin Jackson proving he deserves postseason consideration

August 23, 2017, 8:22pm

Nationals

Edwin Jackson proving he deserves postseason consideration

HOUSTON - The experience that Edwin Jackson brings to the mound for the Nationals in his second tenure with the club is paying dividends. Despite a 6-1 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday, Jackson continues to demonstrate his ability as a starter by going deep into games without getting flustered. Jackson allowed a solo homer to Jake Marisnick, and that very likely would have been the only run he would have given up if Michael Taylor and Andrew Stevenson had not miscommunicated on Jose...